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Our Genealogy & History

Our family's historical journey through time.

Henry Edward Purviance

Male 1794 - 1865  (71 years)


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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Henry Edward Purviance was born in 1794 (son of Samuel Dinsmore Purviance and Mary Perviance Brownlow); died in 1865.

Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Samuel Dinsmore Purviance was born in 1774 in Castle Finn, New Hanover County, North Carolina; died in 1806 in Red River Arkansas.

    Other Events:

    • Reference Number: 943

    Samuel married Mary Perviance Brownlow about 1792 in Cumberland County, North Carolina. Mary (daughter of John Brownlow and Eleanor Rebecca Evans, daughter of George Fletcher and Eleanor Rebecca Evans) was born in 1775 in Cumberland, North Carolina; died on 23 Jan 1801. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 3.  Mary Perviance Brownlow was born in 1775 in Cumberland, North Carolina (daughter of John Brownlow and Eleanor Rebecca Evans, daughter of George Fletcher and Eleanor Rebecca Evans); died on 23 Jan 1801.

    Other Events:

    • Reference Number: 1165
    • Birth: 1775

    Children:
    1. Mary Brownlow Purviance was born in 1801; died on 1 May 1830.
    2. 1. Henry Edward Purviance was born in 1794; died in 1865.
    3. Catherine Ellen Purviance was born in 1797; died in 1862.


Generation: 3

  1. 6.  John Brownlow was born about 1730 in Northern Ireland, Co Armagh (son of James Brownlow and Katherine); died between Dec 1773 and Mar 1774 in Cross Creek North Carolina.

    Other Events:

    • Reference Number: 1343

    Notes:

    ******************************
    Thanks to Jason
    The exact birth date of John Brownlow, son of James Brownlow, is unknown but it is possible to estimate his birth year. He is mentioned in his fathers will that was written June 4, 1740. It is believed that the children were named in the order of their birth. In the will John and his sister Jane are placed before James, who was born in 1737, and after William, who is known to have been born in 1727. There fore it is reasonable to assume he was born about 1730. He was born, presumably, in County Armagh, Ireland.

    The exact year of his immigration to the Colonies is unknown but it was at least prior to 1761 when he was mentioned in the records of Cumberland County, North Carolina, as a merchant and tavern keeper. Sometime after he moved to North Carolina John married Sarah Council. They were the parents on one son, James. Sarah died and John remarried to Rebecca Evans. They were the parents of one daughter, Mary. These were the only children born to John Brownlow. On November 26, 1766, John was made a Justice of the Peace for Cumberland County.

    In 1761 he was mentioned in the records of Cumberland County, North Carolina, as a merchant and tavern keeper. Sometime after he moved to North Carolina John married Sarah Council. They were the parents on one son, James. Sarah died and John remarried to Rebecca Evans. They were the parents of one daughter, Mary. These were the only children born to John Brownlow. On November 26, 1766, John was made a Justice of the Peace for Cumberland County.

    On April 27, 1767, John Brownlow bought 100 acres in Craven County, South Carolina, where his brother William was moving to from Ireland in December of the same year. In November of 1770 John Brownlow was a Lieutenant in the Cumberland County, North Carolina, Militia. His last recorded land purchase occurred on July 11, 1772, when he bought 50 acres in Cumberland County, North Carolina.

    The next record that mentions John Brownlow is an April of 1774 when Arthur Council was made guardian of James Brownlow, John's son. At this time Arthur Council and Rebecca Brownlow were granted letters of administration on the estate of John Brownlow, deceased. It was stated that his negroes be divided between his two children. his widow later married George Fletcher and he was made guardian of Mary Brownlow.

    By 1790 George Fletcher had died and Rebecca had the following household:

    Cumberland County, North Carolina

    Rebecca Fletcher 0-1-2

    1 male under 16 (unknown?)

    1 female (Mary?)

    1 female (Rebecca?)

    -----------------------------------------

    Rebecca Evans Brownlow Fletcher died Mary 19, 1824, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and left a will in which she names her grandchildren (Henry E. Purviance, Catharine Fitzharris, and Mary Browblow Tams) and great-grandchildren (Samuel Archibald Purviance, John Strong Purviance, Lawrence Emmet Fitzharris, and Catherine Eleanor Fitzharris). Her only child, Mary Brownlow Purviance, had died on January 23, 1801.

    Children of John Brownlow and Sarah Council:

    James Brownlow (1767-1814)

    Children of John Brownlow and Rebecca Evans:

    Mary Brownlow (1774-1801)
    ******************
    More About JOHN BROWNLOW:
    Occupation: Bet. 1763 - 1775, Merchant and Tavern Keeper

    Associated Enslaved Persons
    •George - Born c. 1754. He was bought from William Robards by John Brownlow in 1765. Given to son James Brownlow in 1775
    •Nancy - Given to son James Brownlow in 1775
    •Cloe - Given to daughter Mary Brownlow in 1775
    •Young Cloe, daughter of Chole - Given to daughter Mary Brownlow in 1775
    •Sall - Given to daughter Mary Brownlow in 1775
    •Ben - Given to widow Rebecca Evans Brownlow in 1775
    •unnamed - Cloe's oldest daughter; Given to widow Rebecca Evans Brownlow in 1775

    1790 Federal Census, Cumberland County, North Carolia; Slaves of Rebecca Fletcher
    •7 Slaves

    1810 Federal Census, Cumberland County, North Carolia; Slaves of Rebecca Fletcher
    •5 Slaves

    1820 Federal Census, Cumberland County, North Carolia; Slaves of Rebecca Fletcher
    •1 Male b.1806-1820
    •1 Male b.1775-1794
    •1 Female b.1806-1820
    •1 Female b.1806-1820
    •1 Female b.1794-1806

    Slaves in the Will of Rebecca Evans Brownlow Fletcher

    Written May 18, 1824, Proven June, 1824
    •Tom to Samuel Archibald Purviance
    •Louisa to Lawrence Emmett Fitzharris
    •Besty to Mary Brownlow Tams if she moves to a slaveholding state
    •Nanny to Catherine Eleanor Fitzharris
    •Nelly to Henry E. Purviance

    John married Eleanor Rebecca Evans before 1770. Eleanor (daughter of Jonathan Evans and Mary Savage) was born on 23 Sep 1752 in North Carolina; died on 19 May 1824 in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 7.  Eleanor Rebecca Evans was born on 23 Sep 1752 in North Carolina (daughter of Jonathan Evans and Mary Savage); died on 19 May 1824 in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, USA.

    Other Events:

    • Reference Number: 1164
    • Birth: 1725, North Carolina
    • Death: 1824, Pendleton District South Carolina

    Notes:

    Notes for MRS. BROWNLOW:
    Pendleton District Newspaper: "November 19, 1828 Died on Thursday night Mrs. ____Brownlow, Sr".

    Transcribed from the Carolina Observer, Page 3, Column 3 dated the 20th of May of 1824

    DIED
    Yesterday morning, at the residence of Mr. Henry E. Purviance, in the neighborhood of this town, Mrs. Rebecca Fletcher, in the 73d year of her age. This venerable, and highly respectable lady, was perhaps, the only person who remained of the first settlers of this place [Fayetteville, North Carolina], she had been an inhabitant of this town upwards of sixty years, and enjoyed a surprising degree of health, activity and cheerfulness, until a few days before her death. She possessed, in an eminent degree, every virtue, and excellence, moral, and social, conjugal and maternal which give amiableness and worth to the female character. To a strong and well improved understanding, she united a lively and playful imagination, a frank and benevolent disposition, a mildness of temper, and a feeling heart.

    Inscription
    Relict of George Fletcher
    b. Sept 23 1752
    d May 19 1824
    age 72 years
    Gravesite Details
    Her tombstone was moved in 1952 from Council Hall Cemetery to Cross Creek Cemetery at Cool Spring

    Died:
    Buried Cross Creek Cemetery #01, Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, USA

    Children:
    1. 3. Mary Perviance Brownlow was born in 1775 in Cumberland, North Carolina; died on 23 Jan 1801.


Generation: 4

  1. 12.  James Brownlow was born on 28 Apr 1695 in Ballywillly, Armagh, Northern Irleand (son of William Brownlow and Elizabeth Nicholson); died in 1740 in The Grange, The Lordship of Newry Armagh Northen Ireland.

    Other Events:

    • FSID: KH2R-SZP
    • Reference Number: 1705

    Notes:

    James Brownlow, son of William Brownlow and Elizabeth Nicholson, was born on 28 April 1695 in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. He died in June 1740 at the age of 45 in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. He was buried in Money Hill Friends Burial Ground, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. In 1722, he married outside of the Society of Friends. The following comes from the minutes of the Ballyhagan Monthly Meeting:

    A Testimony Concerning
    James Brownloe

    In all ages & generations that we have read of wherein
    there hath been a Religious Society of people gathered together
    and hath been Redeemed in good measure from ye Evile Costams
    and practices of ye times that they have lived in having a due
    regard in their hearts for the honor of God & that they might
    be found doing those thing which was well pleasing in his sight
    and notwithstanding they have been thus Concerned have also
    been attended with many troubles in their pilgrimage in this
    World, many Instances there be in the holy Scriptures, as many
    are the Troubles of ye Righteous but the Lord delivers out of
    them all, & it is therew many Tribulations that ye Kingdom of
    heaven is entered & ye saying of our blessed Lord we have many
    times witnessed to be true (viz Speaking to his disciples & followers
    in ye world ye shall have trouble but in me shall have peace).
    So we may safely say in this our age & Generation, in the cours
    of our Conversation in this world is attended with many Troubles
    exercises & sorrow of heart not easie to wade thereon but for ever
    blessed be the name of the Lord god almighty who at times is
    Gratiously pleased to help comfort & refresh all those who truly
    And sencerly depend upon him in, and by the assistance of his
    holy spirit the true Comforter of his people which enable
    them to parsecede on Zion ward, all such are Troubled & in a
    Large degree sorrowful when any miscarriages & disorderly
    actions are gone into by any that assembles amongst them
    or now amongst us who have been so plentifully favoured in
    that of both doctrine & good Rules of Discipline folled amongst
    us although we may say it is hard to Keep ye Hedg thereof up
    there being so many of our young people (Especially) tho they have
    had the education of Religious parents that so much for liberty
    in Conversation beyond what their parents either Could take
    or give way unto their Children to practice neither the Rules
    of our Disciplin allow, but to the great grief & Sorrow of all
    such parents whose lott it is to have such have such libertine Children
    that will not be advised but will have their own vain wills pleased
    whether it be agreeable to their parents mind or not ~ ~ ~

    As there is one James Brownloe which have had religious
    Education by his parents who have used many wayes, both
    by advice and Counsell & other methods which from time to
    time was by him too much slighted by which he grew hearder
    and hearder by his so Rejecting Counsell going on Repeatedly
    in several vain practices as Hunting & fouling & too often
    Drinking more than was soficient to support nature and
    that many times in Company that was not for his good or
    growth in that which appertained to his well being here or
    hereafter insomuch that he was got so far in his willful
    ways that he would not be bounded by his parents ~ ~ ~ ~

    (page 2)

    But rather cast their Counsell behind his back which
    is great silly and the more that naturally he was loving & Kind
    not apt to give unsavoury or unmannerly returns unto his
    friends, when reproved, but being captivated & led away
    by a light airy mind Its to be doubted too much passing
    away his time in forgittfullness of ye Lord which is a danger
    ous State and Condition for any to go into insomuch that
    we have Looked upon him both in a dangerous Condition
    as to himself and also that we had but very little or no
    hold of him as to any Religious Society only by some
    Education came and that but seldom of late unto our
    Meeting for worship and now of late in progressing
    about abroad and neglecting his father’s business at home
    which of late hath been too much his frequent practice
    cast his eye and placed his affection upon a woman that is
    not of our persuasion as to Religion & was married unto
    her in the publick worship house at Killmore by Andrew
    Charlton, and when he went off desembled with his
    father or mother as if he had gone about some other business
    and it coming to his father’s ear that he was gone to be
    married who followed with what speed he could & came to
    ye sd worship house door when they were about marrying
    and some by whose order we know not shut the door upon
    and kept him his sd father out, all the foregoing actions of
    the sd James Brownloe hath been under our serious Con
    sideration which did resolve in this, that in Regards he
    is called by our name by which (unless he amend his ways
    which we earnestly desire he may) he may happen to bring
    further reproach upon truth and us. There signified to all
    whome it may Concern that ye sd James Brownloe is not in
    nere fellowship with us ye people Call Quakers as his
    present Condition now Stands ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
    Given forth ye 22 of ye 9th month
    in ye year 1722 ~ ~ ~

    John Reed
    Samuel Gray
    Luke Peell
    Edward Towle
    Jonathan Richardson
    Arther Smith
    Robert Barnes
    John Scott
    John Brownloe
    William Gray
    John Williamson
    Robert Delapp
    James Stevenson Junr
    Francis Hobson

    (page 3)

    The Said James Brownloe confirmation
    of the foregoing Testimony

    My friends, I doe hereby sincerely confess & fully acknowledge
    that I have transgressed the good order of Discipline followed
    as a Religious society of people amongst whome I have
    been Educated by my parents who have many times given
    me good Advice to reform from several things that I
    was Inclinable to which was Hurtful unto me both
    Inwardly and outwardly but with sorrow of heart I may
    Say I made too light thereof and now of late as afore laid
    down & expressed I lett out by affections unto a woman
    of Contrary persuasion as to Religion and was married
    to her by a priest against my sd parents’ will which is
    now become my trouble so that I can with sincerity
    of heart well owne the aforesd Testimony to be just
    upon me as its laid down by way of setting forth this
    Corse of my Conversation in some degree and hereby
    Confirm the Same, and doth earnestly desire that ye
    Lord may be gratiously pleased to pardon me for what
    evile I have Comited and grant me abilitie to redeem
    my miss spent time and that I may walk more orderly
    is what I desire at this time, And further do request
    that you my friends who I fully believe have many times
    desires my prosperity every way may be concerned
    for my Restoration that I may in time come
    into a more near fellowship with you then now I stand
    in is that which I Crave of you, and subscribe my Selfe
    Your Affectiond well wisher

    James Brownloe

    Given into a preparative
    meeting ye 9th mo 1722
    ________________________________________________________________________________________
    More about JAMES BROWNLOW:

    Religion: Quaker
    JAMES1 BROWNLOW was born Abt. 1730 in County of Antrim, North Ireland, and died 1789 in Augusta County, Virginia. He married KATHERINE 'KATE' BROWNLOW. She was born in County of Antrim, North Ireland, and died in Augusta County, Virginia.
    Notes for JAMES BROWNLOW:
    **************
    All that is known about James Brownlow is contained in his will that was written in County Armagh, Ireland, on June 4, 1740. In it he mentions his wife, though he never calls her by name. He also names his children: Elizabeth, William, John, Jane, James
    He seems to have been a relatively young person as he says his children are mostly young and unable to work. He also mentions his "kinsman" Joseph Brownlow. He was, along with the widow, the executor of the will. James Brownlow was a Quaker.

    James BROWNLOW Birth: ABT 1695 in Ballywoolly Co Armagh Ireland
    Marriage Katherine
    Children of James Brownlow of County Armagh, Ireland:
    Elizabeth BROWNLOW b: 1724-aft 1740
    William BROWNLOW b: 1727 -1770
    Jane BROWNLOW b: 1734-c 1797 in Ireland
    John BROWNLOW b: 1730-1774 in Ireland
    James Brownlow 1737 -1769

    The Last Will and Testament of James Brownlow

    Thanks to Beth Nowak

    The last will and testament of James Brownlow of the Grange in the Lordship of Newry & County of Armagh being under bodily affliction but of sound disposing mind and memory together many other mercys have cause to bless and praise the Lord for them all and calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory life thinks it needful to settle my house in order by settling my outward or wordily substance which it hath pleased god graciously to bestow upon me for my support in this life by this will revoking & annulling and together making void all other will or wills heretofore made by me either by word or writing as this to stand for my last and no other.

    I will and desire with abundance of prayers and supplication that it may please the Lord in his mercy and loving kindness that after my decease to receive my soul and that my body may be decently interred in a Christian manner in the graveyard in ( money) by any Executrix & Executors hereafter named. Its my will & mind that all my debts be fully paid and discharged that I owe to any person.

    I will & my will is that suddenly after my decease there be a full & just inventory taken of all my goods & chattels I die possessed of be thy of what kind or nature so ever and brought into one entire sum I will as above that all my just debts funeral expenses or any other expenses that my arise to me now in this weak condition be fully pain & under consideration that my children are most of them young & not capable to get a livelihood therefore I will that they may all live together in my farm & dwelling house with their mother and labour honestly to get bread __ viz: Eliz; William John Jane & James Brownlow and ____and if so I leave and bequeath to my dear wife & my lawful children all the residue or remainder of my said goods and chattels bill bonds or any other of my goods to each of them to share & share alike to their only use & _behaves when they come to age and if any of my said children should die before they come to age then & in that case I will their part or share shall be equally divided among the survivors of my children and of any of .. (the remainder of that sentence & page unreadable)

    Children should prove stubborn or rebellious to my Executor or Executrix hereafter named and will not be advised by them I leave and invest a power in them to deal with such children as to their part or share of my substance as they shall think proper as also is my will & mind that my children be educated in the faith and principle of the people called Quakers of which opinion I am myself and dies in the same faith & I leave a charge one the mens meeting of Ballyhagin to visit & advise my children to be careful of __ conversation & behavior as becomes our holy profession which request I desire the said mens meeting may except of.

    Where as there is a legacy left to my daughter Elizabeth Brownlow in my mothers last will and testament of twenty pounds & to which it can be got & paid to her then my will is that she shall have but as much of my goods as will make up the twenty pounds in equal proportion with dear wife and the rest of my children anything to the contrary notwithstanding and lastly I constitute ordain nominate & appoint my dear wife & my loving kinsman Joseph Brownlow to be my whole & sole executrix & executor of this my will to see it duly & truly fulfilled &kept & my beloved friend Samuel Gray to be overseer with the assistance of the mens meeting of Ballyhagin

    James Brownlow (his seal)
    Signed sealed and published to be the last will & testament of James Brownlow this 7th day of the 4th month called June 1740 in the presence of James Atordine John Horner Samuel Gray.

    James married Katherine. was born in in County of Antrim, Northern Ireland; died in in Augusta County, Virgina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 13.  Katherine was born in in County of Antrim, Northern Ireland; died in in Augusta County, Virgina.

    Other Events:

    • Reference Number: 3610

    Children:
    1. Elizabeth Brownlow was born in 1724.
    2. William Brownlow was born in 1727 in Ballywilly, Armagh, Ireland; died in 1770 in Craven County, (now Kershaw County), South Carolina.
    3. 6. John Brownlow was born about 1730 in Northern Ireland, Co Armagh; died between Dec 1773 and Mar 1774 in Cross Creek North Carolina.
    4. Jane Brownlow was born in 1734 in Newry, Armagh Ireland; died on 30 May 1800 in Pittsboro, Chatham County, North Carolina.
    5. James Brownlow was born in 1737; died in 1786.

  3. 14.  Jonathan Evans

    Other Events:

    • Reference Number: 1886

    Jonathan married Mary Savage. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 15.  Mary Savage

    Other Events:

    • Reference Number: 1887

    Children:
    1. 7. Eleanor Rebecca Evans was born on 23 Sep 1752 in North Carolina; died on 19 May 1824 in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, USA.




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If you have questions or problems with this site, please email me. Every effort has been made in order to document all sources. In some areas we have made speculative inclusions based on the best information available.