R M Purvis said Thomas Melvin was his grandfather's uncle whichPurvis, Mississippi, the county seat, was named after. However whenconsidering items below, it appears he was in IL most of his life.
Residences & events:
1/22/1827 Sangamon Co, IL. His name was found in early probaterecords in connection with the James Twaddle estate as a buyer at thesale of personal goods.
2/22/1830 Springfield, Sangamon Co, IL. Thomas, along with hisfather and brothers, William and Isaac, voted at the courthouse.
1830 Shelby Co, IL. He was listed among the county's first settlers,exact date not given
He was counted in the 4th Prect at census time, he and brother, John,being the only Purvises listed in the county. Those living in Thomas'household were 2 males under 5, 2 males 20-30, 2 females 5-10, and 1female 20-30. Probably brother James was living with him at thattime. Down the road was his father.
From the History of Shelby & Moultrie Co, IL:
"JULIAN
WAS a small village laid out by Thomas Purvis, about 1836, in section3 . John Patterson and Samuel Martin, were its merchants, and Purvisrun a horse mill. The land upon which it was located has long sincebeen cultivated, and now forms part of a beautiful farm."
3/22/1836 Thomas started buying land from federal land sales,beginning with 80 acres in Moultrie Co at S3 T13N for $1.25/acre. Hewas still living in Shelby Co at that time.
5/31/1836 He bought another 79.61 acres in Moultrie at the samelocation, for the same $1.25/acre.
7/25/1836 His residence was still Shelby Co when he bought moreMoultrie Co federal land, this time 39.81 acres at the samecoordinates, again at $1.25/acre.
1/10/1837 He added to his estate in Moultrie Co by buying 40 moreacres from a federal sale, still at $1.25/acre. Still he lived inShelby Co.
3/6/1837 Julian, Shelby Co, IL. Thomas laid out a small village inS3T 13N R6E with 80x60' lots, 60' wide streets and 16' alleys. Therehe built a horse mill in response to the need of settlers living onthe west side of the Okaw river, who were compelled to swim the riverto get their milling done at East Nelson. Thomas also operated atavern or inn there. Family tradition says that the tavern was arelay point where horses were changed on the stage road betweenCharleston and Springfield. Also according to tradition, Thomas'family and Abe Lincoln were long time friends. Son, James, was said tohave sat on Abraham's lap when he came through on the stage.
2/19/1838 Enlarging his property limits, he bought 40 acres at aschool sale in Moultrie Co for $2.01/acre, located at S16 13N.
8/10/1838 Shelby Co, IL. Thomas obtained his first real estate inthe county of his residence by patent. On the same date, brothers,George, William, and John, all received land too.
12/29/1838 He appeared as a witness in a court suit between JamesElder vs Jonathan Dasey.
1840 Shelby Co, IL. In the census he and his wife were 30-40 yearsold and their family consisted of 1 male under 5, 1 male 5-10, 1 male10-15, 2 females 5-10, and 2 females 15-20. Two doors down wasbrother-in-law John Golesby with John Ginn between them.
1/31/1843 Shelby Co, Il. According to probate records, he, alongwith several brothers, were among the purchasers at the sale of theestate of Samuel Martin.
3/11/1844 Moultrie Co, IL. He had finally moved to the county wherehe already owned several acres of land by the time he added another39.8 a cres at S3 N13N from the federal sale for $1.25.
9/25/1850 Moultrie Co, IL. At census time he was listed as a farmerwith real estate worth $1000. Living with him were second wife,Sarah, 43, and 5 children: Nancy, 15, James, 12, Angeline, 11, Alex,7, and Abby, 5. Next door neighbors were sister Elizabeth Bracken andon the other side, John Johnson.
2/1852 Moultrie Co, IL. His name was on a summons, then a deceasedsummons on 3/5/1852, and later the same year, his name appeared on adelinquent list for nonpayment of a note. Apparently someone forgotto take care of his business after he died.
Thomas apparently left shared land to his heirs which on 2/4/1903,they deeded to the public for the Jonathan Creek cemetery byquit-claim deed for $1.00:
"The grantors James Purvis, G.W. Purvis, Elija Purvis, andAlexander Purvis of the Town of Jonathan Creek in the County ofMoultrie and State of Illinois for the consideration of
one ($1.00) Dollars, convey and quit-claim to the Public (for publicburying purposes) all interest in the following described realestate.... Except a certain parcel or strip 10 feet extending from thesouth side of the Church Building to the south line of the above
described tract of land (and known as the row or strip upon which theP urvis family bury their dead)."
As of 1980 there were about 400 Purvises buried in Jonathan CreekCemetery.
