Records history - John Fleet Purcell up to 1879

John Fleet Purcell records history, up to 1879

by Conrad W. Terrill, last modified 11 July 2023

Some of the links provided are FamilySearch links (a free LDS web site which requires registration—those marked "(FHC)" can only be viewed at an LDS Family History Center). Some (Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com, Fold3) require a paid subscription. All other links are public, and free.

Some of the references are to pages in John F. Purcell's Civil War Pension File (PDF, 49MB), which includes documents related to John's Invalid Pension and Sarah (Grindall) Purcell's application for a Widow's Pension.

John Fleet Purcell, son of John R. Purcell, was born say about 1820 in Northumberland County, Virginia---a county on the southern bank of the Potomac River at its mouth, where it empied into Chesapeake Bay. It appears, from a lack of Purcells in Northumberland County in the 1820 and 1840 U.S. Census returns, that he grew up in Westmoreland County, the upstream neighbor of Northumberland County, and that the family surname was often spelled Pursley.

Wives of John Purcell per Sarah Purcell's 1892 Civil War Widow's pension application documents (along with some sleuthing, and along with their children):
1. Juliet Ann Dawson, m. 18 Dec 1842, Northumberland Co., Va.; d. c1850, D.C.
John James Purcell, b. 22 Apr. 1843, Va.; d. 27 Jan. 1890, D.C. (perhaps a nephew, not a son).
Andrew J. Purcell, b. ca. 1846, Northumberland Co.; d. 27 Dec. 1908, D.C.
2. Clarrissa ("Classa") Shackelford, m. 8 May 1851, D.C.; d. ca. 1856-1859, D.C.; bur. Holmead Cem.
John Purcell, b. ca. 1851, D.C.
Emeline Purcell, b. ca. 1853, D.C.; d. 11 Oct. 1876, D.C.
Benjamin F. Purcell, b. ca. 1856, D.C.; d. 30 Jan. 1919, D.C.
3. Sarah Rollins, m. 10 Sep 1859, D.C.; divorced 3 Mar 1864, D.C.
4. Lucy Nicholson, m. 19 Apr 1864, D.C.; bur. Congressional Cem., 5 Nov. 1864.
5. Julia Ellen Brown (nee Bradley?), m. 26 Dec 1864, D.C.; d. 15 Feb 1879, age 68, D.C., bur. Congressional Cem.
6. Sarah Ann (Grindall) Duvall, m. 26 Jun 1879, D.C.
[Primary reference: John F. Purcell's Civil War Pension File, pp. 13, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 and 33. Sarah (Grindall) had been required to prove that all John's previous wives were dead, or out of contention.]

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1840-06-01a: US Census, 1840: No Purcells (or sound alike) in Northumberland Co.

1840-06-01b: US Census, 1840: Westmoreland, Co., Va., John Pursley: 1 FWM 20-29, 1 FWF 15-19, 1 FWF <5, 1 person engaged in agriculture, 1 person >20 who cannot read or write. No slaves. [FamilySearch: link]
{If this was "our" John F. Purcell, then he may have been living with Juliet Dawson before they were married.}

1840-06-01b: US Census, 1840: Westmoreland Co., Va., Captain John Pinsby [Pursley]: 1 FWM 40-49, 1 FWM 10-14, 1 FWM, 5-9, 1 FWM <5; 1 FWF 20-29, 1 FWF 5-9, 1 FWF <5. 1 person employed in agriculture, 1 person employed in navigation of canals, lakes, rivers. No slaves. [FamilySearch: link]
{Possibly John's father, John R. Pursel.}

1842-12-18: John F. Pursel, bachelor, marriage license, Juliet Ann Dawson, spinster dau. of George L. Dawson, 18 Dec 1842, Northumberland Co., Va. John signed with his mark. John F. was the son of John R. Pursel [FamilySearch: "Virginia, County Marriage Records, 1771-1989," FHL film 007739449, img 723 to 726, link.]
{Juliet/Julia would have to have been the mother of Andrew Purcell, b. ~1846 in Northumberland Co., Va., accordingly to the birth certificate of one of his children (see 1888-01-25, at bottom). She may have been the mother of John James Pursell, b. 22 Apr 1843, who could have been a son of John F. Purcell.}

{Per his 1892 death certificate, John should have been a resident of D.C. since 1852.}

1849-05-28: Frances Pursely m. William Weaver, 28 May 1849, D.C.
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950," film 2079252 image 343, p. 451, link (FHC), image].
{This Frances Pursely appears to be related (perhaps a sister) to John F. Purcell. See the 1850 census record (1850-06-01, William Weaver).}

1850-06-01a: 1850 US Census mortality schedule: Julia Pursell, age 27, b. Virg[ini]a, died in D.C. between 1 June 1849 and 1 June 1850, of "White Swell[in]g", duration: 5 months, Washington Ward 7, DC.
[FamilySearch: U.S.Census (Mortality Schedule), 1850, District of Columbia, Washington, Washington and Georgetown, image 21, link ].
"Remarks: {at bottom of page} This subdivision is generally considered healthy. There is a marsh in its southern extremity, causing, in Autumn, chills and fevers, producing but few fatal results. The water is very pure, and obtained from wells, at an average depth of 30 feet. The soil is alluvial, about 22 inches deep; beneath which is a deep stratum of "hard pan." / Wm Cooper A.M."
{"White swelling" is a disease of the joints, especially the knee, in which the synovial membrane undergoes pulpy degeneration. [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/white_swelling]}
{Note: There was mention of a "steam engineer" on the previous page, the occupation of a John Selby.}

1850-06-01b: U.S. Census, 1850:
William Weaver, 26, mariner, b. VA
Frances Weaver, 25, b. VA
Jane Weaver, 8, b. VA
James Weaver, 6/12, b. DC
John Purcell, 25, laborer, b. VA
Andrew, 4, b. VA.
[FamilySearch: US Census, 1850, District of Columbia, Washinton Co., Washington, D.C., dwelling 701, [FamilySearch: US Census, 1850, District of Columbia, Washinton Co., Washington, ED 4, img 40, line 10, link, image.]
{Where was John J., age 7?}

1851-05-08: John Pursley m. Clarissa A Shackelford, 8 May 1851, D.C.
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950 ," FHL film 2,079,251, image 1669, link (FHC), image. {Clarissa ("Classa"), assumed to be the mother of Benjamin Purcell b. ca. 1856, must have died between then and Sep. 1859, when John remarried. She was buried in Holmead Cem. according to affidavits found in Sarah Purcell's Civil War Widow's Pension file. This D.C.-controlled cemetery, located in the southwest corner of the intersection of 19th Street and Florida Avenue, was closed to additional burials in 1870. Subsequently, most bodies were removed to other cemeteries.}

1859-09-10: John Purcely m. Sarah Rollins, 10 Sep. 1859, D.C.
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950 ," FHL film 2,079,251, image 1569, link (FHC), image.

1860-06-01a: U.S. Census, 1860:
John Purcell, 30, machinist, b. VA, (checkbox for "cannot read or write" was not checked)
Sarah Purcell, 32, b. MD
Andrew Purcell, 13, {all the rest b. DC}
John Purcell, 9, attended school
Emeline Purcell, 7, attended school
Benj Purcell, 4
Lizzie Rollins, 16
Caroline Rollins, 7
[FamilySearch: US Census, 1860, District of Columbia, Washington Co., Washington, D.C., 1st Ward, dwelling 519, link, image.]
{We know nothing more of this son John Purcell age 9. (John J. Purcell was 17 at this time.) Lizzie (Elizabeth) Rollins shows up in Sarah (Grindall) Purcell's CW Widow's Pension documents.}

1860-06-01b: U.S. Census, 1860:
William Weaver, 35, laborer, b. Va., cannot read or write
Francis Weaver, 35, washing, b. Va., cannot read or write
James R. Weaver, 9, b. DC
Francis R. Weaver, 5, b. DC
Amanda Weaver, 3, b. DC
[FamilySearch: US Census, 1860, District of Columbia, Washington Co., Washington, D.C., 1st Ward, dwelling 519, link, image.]

John Purcell and sons in Washington, D.C. city directories:
1862: {DC city directories available via Ancestry.com start with 1862}
1864: Pursell John, engineer, h 26th west cor D north
Purcell Andrew, tinner, 590 G n
1865: Purcell Jno. engineer, h D north n{ear} Canal
1867: Pursell John, fireman, 21st west n F north>
Pursell Andrew J, stove repairer, 21st west n F north
1868: Purcell John, Cur Bur, Potomac, Gtn {National Currency Bureau, Georgetown, BEP from 1874}
1871: Purcell John F. engineer, 214 14th sw
1875: Purcell John, engineer, h 470 K sw
1877: Purcell Andrew, calker, 335 L sw
1878: Purcell Andrew, calker, 341 M sw
1879: Purcell Andrew, caulker, 477 L sw
Purcell John J, 410 13½ sw
1880: Purcell John F, engin., 110 13½ sw {prob. 410, there was no 110}
1881: Purcell John F, fireman, 410 13½ sw
Purcell John J, seaman, 410 13½ sw
Purcell Andrew, caulker, 1236 Union sw
Pursell Elizabeth, clk treas d, 410 13½ sw
1882: Purcell John, engineer, 1213 Union sw
1883: Purcell John, engineer, 1213 Union sw
1884: Purcell John, eng. 303 7th nw
1885: Purcell John F, engineer, 303 7th nw
Purcell Andrew J, calker, 1236 Union sw
Purcell John J, mariner, 410 13½ sw
1886: Purcell John F, engineer, 303 7th nw
1887: Purcell John F, engineer, 303 7th nw
1889: Purcell John, engineer, 303 7th nw
1890: Purcell John, engineer, 303 7th nw
1891: Purcell John, engineer, 303 7th nw
1892: Purcell John, engineer, 303 7th nw
1893: Purcell Sarah A. wid John, 1213 Union sw
1894: Purcell Benjamin, lab, Vant al sw
[Ancestry.com: U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Washington, District of Columbia]

1861-04-23: John Purcell enlisted for 3 mos. as a Private in Capt. McBlair's Co., 1st Battalion, D.C. Militia (Andrew Johnson Guards), and mustered in at Wash., D.C. on 23 Apr 1861. He mustered out on 23 Jul, 3 mos. later, at Wash., his age given as 32 {so he was born ~1829}. [Fold3]

1864-03-03: Divorce: John Purcell vs. Sarah Purcell, 3 Mar. 1864, Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, case no. 88 Equity. John sued Sarah (Rollins) and obtained a "divorce a sens et thoro" (a court-sanctioned separation). It appears that Sarah had left him, and he wanted to remarry. [John F. Purcell's Civil War Pension File, p. 25.]

1864-04-19: John Purcell m. Lucy Nicholson, 19 Apr 1864, D.C.
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950," FHL film 2,079,252, image 1511, p. 87 link (FHC), image.
{Technically, John was still legally married to Sarah Rollins unless he also got a "divorce a vinculo matrimonii."}

1864-11-05: Lucy Pursell bur. 5 Nov. 1864, Congressional Cem., Washington, D.C. [Find A Grave: link, plot R93/212.]

1864-12-26: John Purcell m. Ellen Brown, 26 Dec. 1864, D.C.
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950," FHL film 2,079,252, image 620, link (FHC), image.]
{This was Julia Ellen Brown, whose maiden name, or a previous married name, was Bradley.}

1870-01-24: Andrew Purcell m. Sarah West, 24 Jan. 1870, D.C.
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950," FHL film 2,079,252, img 890, (no page no.), link (FHC), image.]
{This was three years before John Mason West married Kate Duvall. John Mason West had a sister named Sarah E. West who was a year older than him; and this Sarah West is a Sarah E. West, of the right age.}

1870-02-03: Emeline Purcell m. Luthur Mangum, 3 Feb. 1870, D.C.
[FamilySearch: "Washington, D.C., U.S., Marriage Records, 1810-1953," FHL film 2,079,252, img 1450, link (FHC), image.]

1870-06-01a: U.S. Census, 1870, Washington Ward 7, Wash., DC: John Pursel, 55, civil engineer, b. VA, cannot read or write; Julia Pursel, 52, keeping house, b. Wash., DC, cannot write; Benjamin Pursel, 15, b. Wash., DC. [Ancestry.com: Washington Ward 7, Wash., DC, enum. early Jun 1870. FamilySearch: link.]

1870-06-01b: U.S. Census, 1870: Wash. Ward 7, DC, Andrew Purcell
And[re]w Percell, 23, caulker, b. DC, was living in the household of Jno E Hameyon, 27, sailor, b. VA.
[FamilySearch: link.] {Where is Sarah?}

1870-06-01c: U.S. Census, 1870: Emeline Mangum
Luther Mangol [sic], 21, steamboat hand, DC, vote
Emeline Mangol, 17, keeping h, DC
Jane Mangol, 56, wash woman, VA
Zacheriah Mangol, 58, fisherman, MD, vote
Next dwelling (3069):
Weaver Wm, 53, laborer, VA, cannot read or write, vote
Weaver Fanny, 58, keeping h, VA, cannot read or write
Ella, 13, sch, DC
Rob[er]t J., 22, sailor, DC
Creamer Elizabeth, 50, home, Bavaria, parents foreign-born
Creamer Geo, 15, bookbinder ap, DC, parents foreign-born
[FamilySearch: US Census, 1870, District of Columbia, Washington Co., Washington, D.C., Ward 7, dwelling 3066, link, image.]

1871-03-18: Marriage record, John J. Purcell and Bettie Brown, both of Wash., D.C., m. 18 Mar. 1871 by C. C. Meadow, Minister of 5th Baptist Church in Washington, "at home".
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950, film 004259001," FHL film 4259001, img 392, p. 209, link (FHC), image.]

1876-10-11: Death cert., Emeline R. Mangum, d. 11 Oct. 1876, age 23 years, married, b. in Washington, D.C., lived there her whole life, place of death: alley bet M & N & 3rd & 4½ SW, cause of death: primary: Morbus Bright {Bright's disease}; secondary: {can't read it}; duration of illness: 2 or 3 yrs; bur. Congressional Cem., 13 Oct. 1876.
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961 / 1876-1877, 8901-12000", FHL film 2,135,607, img 502, rec. no. 38, link (FHC), image.]

1879-02-15: Death cert., Julia E. Pursell, d. 15 Feb 1879, age 68, married, b. D.C, lived there her whole life; place of death: 930 Liberty St 9th & 10th & D & E; cause of death: immediate: plueuro pneumonia; duration of last illness: 6 days; bur. Congressional Cem., 16 Feb 1879.
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Deaths and Burials, 1840-1964," FHL film 4,024,911, img 1154, cert. no 19083, link (FHC), image.]

{See our Sarah Ann Grindall records history for the records history from 1879.}

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Further records concerning John's children:

1850-06-01c: U.S. Census, 1850: Margaret West 1850 U.S. Census, Eastern District {Stafford Courthouse}, Stafford Co., Virginia, dwelling 29:
Margaret West, 25, (all four b. VA)
Sarah E. West, 2
John M. West, 5/12
Winefred Knight, 45 {prob. Margaret's mother}
{The preceding family was that of Bayly Knight, dwelling 28}
Bayly Knight, 63, M, farmer, $500 R.E. (all five b. VA)
Frances Knight, 55, F
Frances A. Knight, 26, F
Bayly A. Knight, 16, M
Martin J. Knight, 14, M
[FamilySearch: US Census, 1880, District of Columbia, Washington Co., Washington, ED 87, img 18, line 48, link, image.] {This Sarah E. West seems likely to be the Sarah E. West who married John's son Andrew in 1870 (see 181870-01-24, above). This John M. West is the person who married Catherine Louisa (Kate) Duvall in 1873.}

1880-06-01a: US Census, 1880: Washington, Washington Co., D,C., 410 13½ St. SW, dwelling 137
John J. Purcell, 39, head, sailor, blind, VA, VA, VA
Elisabeth Purcell, 28, wife, keeping house, DC, VA, VA
Sarah F. Purcell, 8, dau., at school, DC, VA, DC
Next household, on next page, also at 410 13½ St. SW:
Purcell John F, 50, head, engineer, unemployed 3 mos. during census year
Purcell, Ann, 48, wife, keeping house
[FamilySearch: US Census, 1880, District of Columbia, Washington Co., Washington, ED 87, img 18, line 48, link, image.]

1880-06-01b: U.S. Census, 1880: Andrew Purcell, 1236 Union St., Washington D.C.
Andrew Purcell, 34, head, ship caulker, kidney disease, cannot read or write, b. VA, VA, VA
Sarah E., 32, wife, keeps house, cannot write, VA, VA, VA
William F, 9, son, brain disease, b. DC
Maggie B., 5, dau., b. DC
Alice, 2, dau., b. DC.
[FamilySearch: US Census, 1880, District of Columbia, Washington Co., Washington, ED 86, img 25, line 47, link, image 1, image 2.]

1880-06-01c: U.S. Census, 1880: Benjamin Purcell, Lincoln Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.
Benjamin Purcell, 25, DC, VA, VA, was a servant, laborer, in the Christopher Buchlaler household.
[FamilySearch: US Census, 1880, District of Columbia, Washinton Co., Washington, ED 4, img 40, line 10, link, image.]

1884-04-08: Marriage record, Benjamin F. Purcell and Louisa Cook, both of Wash., D.C., m. 8 Apr. 1884, D.C. by (___)? Chapman, Minister of Ryland M. E. Church, of Washington City.
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Marriages, 1811-1950 004259005," FHL film 4259005, img 737, p. 501, link (FHC), image.]

1888-01-25: Birth record for a son of Andrew J. and Sarah Elizabeth Pursell, b. 25 Jan. 188, D.C. Andrew was a "ship calker" born in "North Thumberland" {Northumberland} Co., Va. Sarah's maiden name was Sarah Elizabeth West and she was born in Va. Place of birth: 1236 Union st S-W. This was the 8th child born to Sarah.
[FamilySearch: cert. no. 49326, link, image]

1890-07-27: Death cert., John James Purcell, d. 27 Jan. 1890, age 47 years, 3 months, 5 days {so b. 22 Apr. 1843}, mariner, b. Va., res. of D.C. for 40 years, father and mother b. Va., place of death: 1247 I st. N.E., immediate cause of death: cerebral apoplexy and coma, duration: two days, bur. Glenwood Cem, D.C. 28 Jul.
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961," cert. no. 73187, link (FHC)], image]

1896-06-06: Death cert., Louisa Purcell, d. 6 Jun 1896, 1209 Shalier's Court S.W., age: 31 yrs. 1 mo. 15 days {so b. 21 Apr. 1865}, housewife, b. Va., res. of D.C. for 18 yrs, father & mother b. Va., cause of death: primary: (cebrosis)? of liver, immediate: exhaustion, duration of last sickness: 14 mos., place of burial: Westmoreland Co. Va. via steamer, bur. 8 Jun.
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961, Index to deaths, 1896, 107501-110700 ," img 608, cert. no. 108094, link (FHC), image.]

1901-01-11: A "Benjamin Purcell, white" was one of seven persons alleged to be dangerously insane and without property or estate. Legal proceedings were commenced against them by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia. Physicians were appointed to examine them.
[Newspapers.com: (Wash.) Evening Times, 9 Jan 1901, p. 12. image.]

1887-xx-xx: Ancestry.com, "U.S., Register of Civil, Military, and Naval Service, 1863-1959", res. Washington, 1 Jul 1887, Official Register of the United States, Containing a List of Officers and Employees in the Civil, Military, and Naval Service, 1887, vol. 1, p. 695, img 705: Government of the District of Columbia, Public Schools, Fourth Division, Janitors, Andrew Purcell was one of four, with a compensation of $16 p.m. {per month}.
[Ancestry.com : link , image.]

1905-xx-xx: Ancestry.com, "U.S., Register of Civil, Military, and Naval Service, 1863-1959", Official Register of the United States, Containing a List of the Officers and Employees in the Civil, Military, and Naval Service Together with a List of Vessels Belonging to the United States, 1905, vol. 1, p. 649, img 661: Navy Department, Navy-Yards and Naval Stations, Yards and Docks: Andrew Purcell, Calker, b. Virginia, appointed: Somers (County), Va. {since there is no Somers Co. in Va. this may refer to a ship named the USS Somers, or possibly Somers, Lancaster Co.}, employed Washington, D.C., compensation p.d. $2.96 {per diem, per day}.
[Ancestry.com : link, image.]
{This must refer to some earlier year since Andrew was insane by 1905.}

1908-12-27: Death cert., Andrew J. Purcell, d. 27 Dec. 1908, at Government Hospital for the Insane, D.C.; age 68, married, ship calker, b. Va., cause of death: primary: melancholia agitatas (aterio-sclerosis), 5 mos.; immediate: embolism of inferior mesenteric artery with gangrene of bowel, 10 days. Length of time deceased was an inmate: 19 days, residence: D.C., bur. Congressional Cem., 30 Dec.
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961; Death, 1908-1909, 183101-185800," img 616, cert. no. 183596, link (FHC), image.]

1919-01-30: Death cert., Benjamin Purcell, d. 30 Jan 1919, Saint Elizabeth Hospital, D.C. Benjamin was a sailor, b. in DC, a resident of D.C. since birth. He had been an inmate of the hospital from 2 Oct. 1914. The immediate cause of death was cerebral arterio sclerosis. He was buried in Congressional Cem., 3 Feb.
[FamilySearch: "District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961," cert. no. 251048, link (FHC)], image]

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