Thomas Moore’s Genealogy Site - Person Sheet
Thomas Moore’s Genealogy Site - Person Sheet
Documentation
William Purkins was mentioned in the 1780 will of his father Henry Purkins. Henry mentioned that William had already received land in Buckingham County. William was named an executor of the will. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 13, pages 311–313.]
On 10 December 1785, William Purkins witnessed a deed from William Banks and Catherine his wife of the parish of Southfarnham and County of Essex to Thomas Wood of the same. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 32, pages 365–366.]
On 19 March 1795, a bill of complaint was filed by orators and oratrices Gabriel Purkins, John Purkins, Caty Purkins, Thos Purkins, John Armstrong and Sally his wife, Philemon Purkins, Gideon Purkins, and Polly Purkins, Cary Purkins and Young Dimake Purkins infants under 21 by Gabriel Purkins their next friend and Wm Purkins, Henry Purkins and Fleming Ransone and Elizabeth his wife. That some short time before the marriage of Henry Purkins the father of your orators and oratrices Gabriel, John, Caty, Thomas, Sally, Philemon, Gideon, Polly, Cary, Young Dimake, Wm, Henry, and Elizabeth with Mary Greenhill with widow of James P. Greenhill who was the daughter of Wm Dunn now deceased, that Wm Dunn promised to give to the said Henry Purkins in consideration of marriage a negro sirl slave Hannah, which he did. That Henry’s will was written 2 June 1780 and proved 17 July 1780. Your orators and oratrices Wm, Henry and Elizabeth Ransome are by a previous marriage of Henry’s. Gabriel, John, Caty, Thos, Polly Armstrong, Philemon, Gideon, Polly, Cary, and Young Dimake are children of Henry and Mary. That Henry Dunn is the brother of Mary. Gideon Ship married Alice Emmerson, the widow of James Emmerson her first husband; she is a sister of Henry Dunn. The heirs of Alice and James are John Emmerson, Wm Emmerson, Peggy Emmerson, Wm Philips and Elizabeth his wife who was Elizabeth Emmerson. Gideon and Alice had Alice, Katy, Thos and Ann, infants. That the other heirs of William Dunn are trying to reclaim the slave. Filed 19 March 1795, Purkins vs. Dunn &c. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 11, item 11-A-19.]
On 1 December 1798, Rickard Burke provided a deposition: The deposition of Rickard Burk being of lawfull age taken at the house of the said Rickard Burk in a suit depending between Cary Griggs pltff and William Purkins and William Dunn B executors of Henry Purkins decd who was executor of John Griggs decd defendants this 1st day of December 1798 This deponant being first sworn saith that when John Grigg’s the father of the pltff’s estate was sold he this deponant cryed it and before it was all sold he heard Capt. Thomas Edmondson ask Henry Purkins what John Griggs Estate sold for who answered upwards of Six hundred pounds Quistian by the pltff attorney what has become of John Griggs children answer John Griggs Cary Griggs & Fanny Dudley I believe to be a live the other are all dead and farther this deponant saith not
Signed Rickard Burke
Witnesses: JBohannan, Thos Dix [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 15, item 15-A-13.]
On 20 March 1801, Caty Edmondson, a William Purkins and William Edmondson complained in court against Carter Croxton, executor of William Dunn (B). They stated that their complaint was in response to a judgement delivered against them the previous day in favor of Carter Croxton on a bond dated in 1775. That soon after the date of the bond, a deed of gift was made for a mill on Matthews Swamp commonly called Dunns Mill, from Winney Dunn, Caty’s mother, to Caty. The mill had been devised to Winney by her husband William Dunn, and was a running mill at the time. That William Dunn, brother of Caty, was in possession of the mill at the time of the deed of gift and continued in possession, never paying Caty any corn or other necessary. That she was averse to litigation against her own brother, and she assumed that since he never asked for payment of the bond that she would not ask for compensation for the mill. That William Dunn (B) knew well the right of Winney Dunn to the mill and that Winney Dunn died about nine years ago. That when Carter Croxton requested payment of the bond that Caty Edmondson told him that her brother, William Dunn (B) was largely indebted to her. That Carter Croxton has contrived and confederated with persons to injure and oppress Caty Edmondson. Notes on the jacket indicate that this case went on for several years. In 1803, during which there were several dates listed, one reads: May 19th abates as to Wm Edmondson by his death & Contd for Depons. The prior date had been April 19th. The first entry for 1804 reads: 1804 Jany 17th abates as to Caty Edmondson by her death & Contd for Depos. The prior date had been 1803 Decr 20th. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 22, item 22-K-19.] The answer of Carter Croxton filed on 21 June 1802 states that Winney Dunn died on 20 July 1793 and that the plaintiff’s husband John Edmondson died in 1773. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 22, item 22-K-18.]
On 2 January 1809, Thomas E. Dix and Thomas Dix were bound unto a William Purkins, executor of Henry Purkins, £24. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 22, item 22-L-21.]
The estate of Henry Purkins deceased in account with William Purkins and William Dunn (B) executors from 1783 to 1818 is recorded in Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 20, item 20-J-19. It includes £4 paid to Thomas Wood for a coffin.
On 15 May 1815, Thomas M. Henley, Charles Hill and Winter Bray were bound in the penalty of $4,000 for Thomas M. Henley’s administration of the estate of William Purkins, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 18, page 162.]
On 9 November 1815, an inventory of appraisal of the estate of William Purkins, deceased, was made by Lewis G. Upshaw, John Games and John Alexander. Includes “1 Negro woman (Fanny) & two children”. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 18, page 220.]
In an undated petition, orators and oratrices Elizabeth Foster, Ewen Clements and Sally his wife, Mary Purkins an infant under 21 only child of Gabriel Purkins deceased by Thomas Pilcher her next friend, Henry and Sally Perkins infants and only children of George Perkins by Winter Bray, Thomas Perkins, Carter Perkins, Harry Perkins, Jesse Perkins, James Perkins and William Perkins complained that William Perkins died in 1815 intestate. Your orators and oratrices are his children and grandchildren. That Elizabeth Foster, Ewen Clements and Sally his wife, Mary Perkins, Thomas Perkins, Carter Perkins, Harry Perkins, Jesse Perkins, James Perkins and William Perkins are each entitled to 1/10th share. [Essex County, Virginia, Loose Paper, Box Chancery item 37-G-39.]
On 10 December 1785, William Purkins witnessed a deed from William Banks and Catherine his wife of the parish of Southfarnham and County of Essex to Thomas Wood of the same. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 32, pages 365–366.]
On 19 March 1795, a bill of complaint was filed by orators and oratrices Gabriel Purkins, John Purkins, Caty Purkins, Thos Purkins, John Armstrong and Sally his wife, Philemon Purkins, Gideon Purkins, and Polly Purkins, Cary Purkins and Young Dimake Purkins infants under 21 by Gabriel Purkins their next friend and Wm Purkins, Henry Purkins and Fleming Ransone and Elizabeth his wife. That some short time before the marriage of Henry Purkins the father of your orators and oratrices Gabriel, John, Caty, Thomas, Sally, Philemon, Gideon, Polly, Cary, Young Dimake, Wm, Henry, and Elizabeth with Mary Greenhill with widow of James P. Greenhill who was the daughter of Wm Dunn now deceased, that Wm Dunn promised to give to the said Henry Purkins in consideration of marriage a negro sirl slave Hannah, which he did. That Henry’s will was written 2 June 1780 and proved 17 July 1780. Your orators and oratrices Wm, Henry and Elizabeth Ransome are by a previous marriage of Henry’s. Gabriel, John, Caty, Thos, Polly Armstrong, Philemon, Gideon, Polly, Cary, and Young Dimake are children of Henry and Mary. That Henry Dunn is the brother of Mary. Gideon Ship married Alice Emmerson, the widow of James Emmerson her first husband; she is a sister of Henry Dunn. The heirs of Alice and James are John Emmerson, Wm Emmerson, Peggy Emmerson, Wm Philips and Elizabeth his wife who was Elizabeth Emmerson. Gideon and Alice had Alice, Katy, Thos and Ann, infants. That the other heirs of William Dunn are trying to reclaim the slave. Filed 19 March 1795, Purkins vs. Dunn &c. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 11, item 11-A-19.]
On 1 December 1798, Rickard Burke provided a deposition: The deposition of Rickard Burk being of lawfull age taken at the house of the said Rickard Burk in a suit depending between Cary Griggs pltff and William Purkins and William Dunn B executors of Henry Purkins decd who was executor of John Griggs decd defendants this 1st day of December 1798 This deponant being first sworn saith that when John Grigg’s the father of the pltff’s estate was sold he this deponant cryed it and before it was all sold he heard Capt. Thomas Edmondson ask Henry Purkins what John Griggs Estate sold for who answered upwards of Six hundred pounds Quistian by the pltff attorney what has become of John Griggs children answer John Griggs Cary Griggs & Fanny Dudley I believe to be a live the other are all dead and farther this deponant saith not
Signed Rickard Burke
Witnesses: JBohannan, Thos Dix [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 15, item 15-A-13.]
On 20 March 1801, Caty Edmondson, a William Purkins and William Edmondson complained in court against Carter Croxton, executor of William Dunn (B). They stated that their complaint was in response to a judgement delivered against them the previous day in favor of Carter Croxton on a bond dated in 1775. That soon after the date of the bond, a deed of gift was made for a mill on Matthews Swamp commonly called Dunns Mill, from Winney Dunn, Caty’s mother, to Caty. The mill had been devised to Winney by her husband William Dunn, and was a running mill at the time. That William Dunn, brother of Caty, was in possession of the mill at the time of the deed of gift and continued in possession, never paying Caty any corn or other necessary. That she was averse to litigation against her own brother, and she assumed that since he never asked for payment of the bond that she would not ask for compensation for the mill. That William Dunn (B) knew well the right of Winney Dunn to the mill and that Winney Dunn died about nine years ago. That when Carter Croxton requested payment of the bond that Caty Edmondson told him that her brother, William Dunn (B) was largely indebted to her. That Carter Croxton has contrived and confederated with persons to injure and oppress Caty Edmondson. Notes on the jacket indicate that this case went on for several years. In 1803, during which there were several dates listed, one reads: May 19th abates as to Wm Edmondson by his death & Contd for Depons. The prior date had been April 19th. The first entry for 1804 reads: 1804 Jany 17th abates as to Caty Edmondson by her death & Contd for Depos. The prior date had been 1803 Decr 20th. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 22, item 22-K-19.] The answer of Carter Croxton filed on 21 June 1802 states that Winney Dunn died on 20 July 1793 and that the plaintiff’s husband John Edmondson died in 1773. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 22, item 22-K-18.]
On 2 January 1809, Thomas E. Dix and Thomas Dix were bound unto a William Purkins, executor of Henry Purkins, £24. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 22, item 22-L-21.]
The estate of Henry Purkins deceased in account with William Purkins and William Dunn (B) executors from 1783 to 1818 is recorded in Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 20, item 20-J-19. It includes £4 paid to Thomas Wood for a coffin.
On 15 May 1815, Thomas M. Henley, Charles Hill and Winter Bray were bound in the penalty of $4,000 for Thomas M. Henley’s administration of the estate of William Purkins, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 18, page 162.]
On 9 November 1815, an inventory of appraisal of the estate of William Purkins, deceased, was made by Lewis G. Upshaw, John Games and John Alexander. Includes “1 Negro woman (Fanny) & two children”. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 18, page 220.]
In an undated petition, orators and oratrices Elizabeth Foster, Ewen Clements and Sally his wife, Mary Purkins an infant under 21 only child of Gabriel Purkins deceased by Thomas Pilcher her next friend, Henry and Sally Perkins infants and only children of George Perkins by Winter Bray, Thomas Perkins, Carter Perkins, Harry Perkins, Jesse Perkins, James Perkins and William Perkins complained that William Perkins died in 1815 intestate. Your orators and oratrices are his children and grandchildren. That Elizabeth Foster, Ewen Clements and Sally his wife, Mary Perkins, Thomas Perkins, Carter Perkins, Harry Perkins, Jesse Perkins, James Perkins and William Perkins are each entitled to 1/10th share. [Essex County, Virginia, Loose Paper, Box Chancery item 37-G-39.]