Histories

Biographical Information: BURRIDGE PURVIS SPEIRS or SPEARS (PURVIS), born 27th May 1826 at Kinghorn, Fife, Scotland, baptised 26th June 1826 at Kinghorn, murdered 30th December 1866 (? or 9th November 1866) by “a band of negroes” in his home Oakland Plantation, Warren County, Mississippi (See The Vicksburg Daily Herald of 2nd January 1867), where he had tried unsuccessfully (due to crop failure) to restart the family plantation following its destruction by Federal troops during the Civil War siege of Vicksburg and release of all its slaves. Alex Steward or Stewart was convicted of his murder and hanged (21st February 1867) at the Bobb Brick Yard, near the Railroad, Vicksburg, Mississippi (see The Vicksburg Daily Herald 22nd February 1867). He was living (1849) outwith Scotland (probably Liverpool, Lancashire, England) but occasionally visited and was concerned with the finances of the family's estates (notably Glassmount, Kinghorn). Present (March 1866) in Warren County, when he signed a petition on behalf of the heirs of his uncle John Purvis (see 1.1.3.7.2. above) against Thomas Purvis Bruce (see 1.1.3.1.1.6. above) who was executor of John Purvis' will and some time overseer of Oakland Plantation. Died unmarried and intestate with no heirs or relatives in the U.S.A. and with an estate of $351.