Eliza was born in Arboe, Tyrone, Ireland, 25 December 1840.
She emigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, about 1865, perhaps with her sisters Hannah and Margaret Purvis. Eliza had her only child, Samuel W. Purvis, in 1867; Maggie married Edward Booth in 1868, and Hannah had her only child, Margaret, in 1868, also. None of the sisters is found on the 1870 US census but Eliza and Hannah appear in 1880. Eliza is listed as a servant. She is found in 1900 living in Lancaster, New York, with her son Samuel, Samuel's wife Martha, and their first child, baby Helen. Samuel was a Methodist Episcopal minister. Eliza died, 4 February 1909, in Columbia, Lancaster County, PA, and is buried in Greenwood Knights of Pythias Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA, with her sisters, Maggie's husband, Maggie's daughter Jennie, and Jennie's husband. Parents: Silas Purvis and Jane Jackson, married 9 October 1829. Siblings: Thomas (1830), Robert (1831), John (1833), Hannah (1836), Silas (1838), Margaret (1843), Marianne (1844), John (1847), William (1851). Where did these siblings end up? Thomas and Robert went to Dumbarton, Dumbarton, Scotland by 1861; they emigrated to Brooklyn, New York, USA. Marianne married Robert Hawthorne in 1866 and also came to Dumbarton in the 1870's. Robert died of smallpox, leaving Marianne/ Mary Ann with 4 small children and another on the way. I can't find what became of that group. John the younger emigrated to Philadelphia in 1880. I don't know what became of William.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 25th Dec 1840 | VIEW SOURCE |
| Date of Death | 4th Feb 1909 | VIEW SOURCE |
Hi,
I may have more information for you. I think the children you have as his siblings are actually his children.
Silas's parents were Delway/ Dolway Purvis and his mother was Sarah Hopper (known as Sally) They married 7th August 1774. .Delway and Sarah had 16 children. My husband is descended from #13 Ambrose. Silas is #11. There is an Ambrose between them who died as a baby.
Do please tell me more!! I'm looking forward to more messages!
martha Corson
Hello Martha,
This is the information I was given, but as yet I haven't confirmed it. However, I believe it to be fairly accurate.
Dolway ( sometimes Delway great name. Makes him easy to find) was born (or baptised not sure which) 29th Sept. 1753 at Brookend, Arboe, Co Tyrone. He died (or buried) 31st Jan 1801. All I have is Ireland for that, but probably Arboe. He married Sarah Hopper, 7th August 1774 Ireland. Not sure where. Sarah was born C March 1757 and died 17th May 1801. A broken heart or something more sinister. We may never know.
Their children were, ( I think the dates are baptism dates. Silas was born and baptised on the same day, so the others might be too.)
Marags 7th Aug 1774; Mary 18th Oct 1775; Delway 3rd March 1771 Died before Sept 1790; John 19th March 1779 ; David 27th Feb 1782 at Brookend Arboe; Thomas 7th Nov. 1782 at Brookend Arboe. died 1829 Scarborough Canada. Elizabeth 28th Sept 1784 died 2nd Jan 1831; Ann known as Nancy 1787; Letitia 18 Oct 1788 died 4th Jan 1835; Delway 6th Sept 1789/90 died 30th Nov 1836; Silas 13th Aug 1792 died 15th Aug 1868; Ambrose 14th Oct 1794 died befroe June 1796; Ambrose 1st June 1796 died 1868; Richard 28th April 1798 died 6th Oct 1859; Henry 15th Aug 1803 died 1831;James unknown died 26 Jan 1826.
One of the other brothers went to Canada too. John or David.
Ambrose married Sarah McConnell C 1831 at Mullinahoe Arboe and died in 1868 in Cookstown Tyrone. Sarah emigrated to New Zealand with her daughter Mary and son in law John Nobbs. They came on the Salisbury in 1876. Sarah (known as Sally) was born C1800 Derryloran.
Do you think that Marags is Irish for Margaret?
Thanks for your messages. It is alway fun to find a new cousin somewhere in the world. Where abouts in the USA do you live? I hope you are keeping safe in the strange world we are finding ourselves in now.
Kind Regards
Kay Davies.
Hi Kay!
Thank you for the ready response. I have seen a copy of that paper, and some of the information seems confusing. First off, I think Marags is "Marriage"--which seems to happen the very day listed for the marriage. It would be awkward to have a baby on the very day that you were married! Do you suppose that Delway 3rd March 1771 (before the marriage) might be a mis-transcription of a record saying 1777? A baby would fit neatly between 1775 and 1779.
Where do you live? I'm in the NY metro area. My husband and I got to visit Brookend and Mullinahoe area and I got to stand on the doorstep of Silas' home. No one was there. If you look at Griffith's Valuation and the land patterns, you'll see with delight just where the houses ought to be. I have the images on my computer, and could send them to you. Have you a private email?
Best to you!
Martha Purvis corson
Hi Martha,
Sorry, I just realized that I hadn't replied to your email.
I have Delway's birth/ baptism as the 3rd March 1777 and before him is Mary born / baptism 18th Oct 1775, so that makes more sense.
I never thought of Marags meaning marriage. Not very observant of the dates am I. I wonder if it is Irish Gaelic.
How wonderful to stand at Silas's door. I live in New Zealand, along way from Ireland. I think they were very brave to travel all that way on a sailing ship.
My email address is vkdavies@xtra.co.nz. I would love to receive the Griffiths valuation maps.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope it isn't all doom and gloom in New York at the moment. I heard on the news the other day that covid was making a come back in New York. Keep safe.
Best wishes
Kay Davies
