Histories

Biographical Information: JOSEPH PURVIS, born 1812, died 17th (or ? 23rd per Philadelphia County burial records although this was probably his burial date ?) January 1857 aged 44 from intemperance, buried in St Joseph's Cemetery, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, or at St Thomas Episcopal Church, 5th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but was moved (11th July 1887) to the burial lot (No. 294) of his brother Robert Purvis (see 1.1.3.2.2. above) at Fair Hill Burial Ground (see OA.1117), Germantown Avenue and Cambria Street, Philadelphia. Educated at the Pennsylvania Abolition Society's Clarkson School and (1828-30) at Amherst Academy (later absorbed by Amherst College), Amherst, Massachusetts. Signed (February 1844) the settlement of his father-in-law's will in Philadelphia. He bought (1835) a farm of about 250 acres on Hulmeville Road in Bensalem, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, about 3 miles from Bristol, Pennsylvania, and this same distance from Byberry Meeting House, Byberry, Pennsylvania, and his brother Robert's (see 1.1.3.2.2. above) farms there. He was living here in 1850 and his widow in 1860. From here he helped in the escape to Canada of fugitive slaves. He also owned and rented out two further farms. In 1852 he sold his main farm and bought another called “Fair View”, also near Bensalem. In the process of his real estate dealings, he built up sizeable mortgages and debts which rebounded on his widow when he died suddenly (1857) and intestate. Although he inherited wealth equal to his brother Robert (see 1.1.3.2.2. above), he lacked his business sense and died in debt. Married (January 1838) Sarah L. Forten (born 1814, died 30th October 1884 in Philadelphia, buried in the cemetery of St James the Less, Philadelphia), a poet and abolitionist in her early days but much burdened by children, farm and debts after her husband died (1857), daughter of James Forten (born 1766, died 1842 (before 7th March), will probated in Philadelphia 17th February 1844), a free negro of Philadelphia, wealthy sailmaker and businessman (Forten & Sons), and of Charlotte Forten, and younger sister of Harriet D. Forten (born c.1810, died June 1875), who married his elder brother Robert Purvis (see 1.1.3.2.2. above), having eight children:-