Facts concerning his life have been confused with his Uncle JamesPurvis, especially in connection with spouses and children.
Residences & events:
Culpeper Co, VA
9/5/1775 He joined the Rev War efforts with the 1st VA Regt of theContinental Line and was soon promoted to Sgt.
From Virginians in the Revolutionary War:
Purvis, James
Sgt. 1 CL Sept, 1775 (1 CL = First Continental Line)
Ensign Apr, 1777
Resigned, Feb 1778
Lieut of VA Convention Guards Jan 1779
Captain Oct 8, 1779
Served to Jun 1781; awarded 4,000 acres
8/4/1776 Returning home on recruiting duty, he enlisted brother,William, to serve in his company along with their brother, John.
3/7/1777 He was appointed Ensign, a rank he held for about a yearwhile his unit engaged in the fighting around Philadelphia.
9/1777 The muster roll and pay list of Capt Rich'd Taylor 1st Regt:
James Purvis Ensign on command $20 oncommand
William Purvis Pvt sick at Bethleham $6 2/3 sick atBehleham
2/18/1778 He resigned under pressure because he could not dischargethe duties of an officer due to his inability to read or write.
1/1779 Following discharge he received enough learning to obtain acommission as lieutenant in the Regt of State Guards, being stationedthis date at the VA constitution convention, and soon after in commandat the Albermarle Barracks near Charlottesville, guarding Britishprisoners taken at Saratoga.
10/8/1779 He was promoted to Capt in Crockett's State Regt. Hemarched from Shepherdsville, VA, to Louisville, KY, where the unitserved as frontier guards against the Indians.
6/1781 The regiment was disbanded and he returned to civilian life.
12/8/1784 For his efforts in the war he received a land warrant for4,000 acres of land
From Rev War Records: Virginia
Purvis, James Captain Cont'l. 4000 Dec 8, 1784 3years (time of service)
And again:
197. Purvis, James Ensign Cont'l. received, as captain, 4,000 acres of land
Also:
3563 Purvis, James (resolution of Assembly) Capt.
1785 Berkely Co, VA, where he rented a plantation and marriedCassandra.
Frederick Co, VA. Shortly after the marriage, they moved where hewould be a planter until his death.
1832 He was remembered by a fellow officer, Capt Henry Bedinger, as"an uneducated man, but of sterling worth."
rederick County, Virginia, Wills & Adminstrations, 1795-1816
Purvis, James
Will: 16 Oct 1811/2 Dec 1811
Wife: Cassandra
To James Purvis Riley, son of James and Cassandra Riley, $400
To my brother William Purvis, 1/3/part of remainder.
To Susan Purvis, sister of said William, 1/3/ part.
To John Purvis, son of John Purvis, dec'd, 1/3 part.
Exr: Wife Cassandra and James Riley
Wit: James Riley, Thomas Dent, George D. Harrison (p. 84-84)
Why were his children and/or grandchildren not mentione?
