Purnell and Mary Houston of Monongalia County, (West) Virginia

     Purnell Houston was born on February 1, 1755 in Somerset County, Maryland to Robert H. Houston and Mary Purnell. Mary died one year after Purnell's birth leaving her two children, Mary and Purnell, in her husband's care. Robert Houston moved from Maryland to Sussex County, Delaware where he met Priscilla Laws and married her in 1757. Purnell was raised in Sussex County, Delaware along with his sister and 13 step brothers and sisters.

January 1, 1791 Marriage

     

1775 Marriage

     Purnell married Mary Tumlinson (Tomlinson). A record of this marriage was found in a book of Delaware marriages in 1791; however, there is a DAR source that lists Mary's name as Mary Carey and the marriage solemnized in 1775.  The maiden name of Purnell's wife has been a question for many.  Was he married to two different women named Mary?  The year of his first child's birth has been listed as 1777.

Service in the American Revolution

     Purnell traveled to Philadelphia to be an apprentice to Master Young, a saddle maker. About the first of February, 1776 Purnell finished his apprenticeship and returned home to Sussex County, Delaware.

     In March, 1776 at the age of 21, he volunteered for service as a private in the Revolutionary War under Captain John Hazzard. He spent two months in a troop of about 30 soldiers that guarded the Capes of Delaware watching for British ships that were in the waters near the Capes.

     Purnell was discharged from this service and in November, 1776 he volunteered in Philadelphia in a company of Pennsylvania militia commanded by Captain Chambers which was attached to General Cadwallader's brigade. These troops were raised to guard against the enemy who was over running New Jersey. 

     In the later part of November or early December, Purnell's troop was encamped near Trenton, New Jersey on the opposite side of the River. The enemy was in possession of Trenton and on Christmas Eve, Purnell fought in the famous Battle of Trenton in which the American soldiers crossed over to Trenton and defeated 900 Hessian soldiers. The General in charge of this attack was George Washington. 

     Following this battle, Purnell marched to a place called Blackbird which was located in New Jersey. In early January, 1777 the troops marched back to Trenton where they held a bridge against the British soldiers. Purnell left at night with his troops, under the leadership of General George Washington, for Princeton and attacked the British. 

     From Princeton his troop marched to Somerset Courthouse, to Pluckemin and finally to Morristown which was the winter quarters for the American soldiers. About the last of March, 1777, Purnell's troop marched back to Philadelphia where he was discharged.

     In April, 1777 an agent of Colonel Bland of the Virginia Cavalry contacted Master Young to attend to the saddles and bridles of the cavalry's horses. Master Young asked Purnell to serve with him for two months in the service of the army from Virginia. 

     After this term, Purnell joined Master Young as a hand on a ship that was going to Boston from Philadelphia by way of Egg Harbor. On the return to Philadelphia, around Rhode Island, the ship was captured by The Unicorn, a hostile vessel. Purnell was held prisoner for eight or nine weeks. 

     After his release, he went to New London and once again joined the Revolution in service on a brig called the Privateer. Purnell never sailed, he became sick with prison ship fever and was left in New London until the ship returned from duty. In September, 1778 he sailed back to Philadelphia, ending his time of service in the American Revolution.

     Purnell returned home to Sussex County, Delaware and began to build a life with his wife, Mary. Purnell has a land assessment listing in 1785 and 1787 in Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware. (Miller and Sweet) 

     On the 1790 Reconstructed Census of Delaware, Purnell is enumerated in Mispillion Hundred in Kent County. I have been told that Purnell was willed land by his grandfather John Houston, but to date I have not located the legal documentation. (Miller)

     

     One of the clues in determining her possible maiden name is the will of Cary Tumlinson of Kent County, Delaware dated November 18, 1790.  He bequeath one half part of his estate to Mary Houston to be paid annually in the sum of pounds until her amount of the estate is reached.  If she should die before the amount is reached, then the annual amount is to be divided among her living children until then reach the age of twenty-one.

     "and whereas it is the wish of Purnel Houston and the said Mary Houston his wife--that the said Mary Houston should relinquish her claim of twenty pounds per year and that the said bequest should be received in one sum and laid out in lands in the counties of Monongalia or Harrison Commonwealth of Virginia for the benefit of said Mary Houston and that such lands when purchases shall be made the surity to William Candy who was left executor of the will afordsaid.  Provided he should be willing to pay the aforesaid bequest in one sum.  Therefore we Purnel Houston and Mary Houston wife of said Purnel, do by these present constitute and appoint Benjamin Reeder of Morgan Town in the county of Monongalia in the Commonwealth of Virginia our true and lawful attorney"

  Benjamin Reeder was to facilitate the above portion of the will for Mary and Purnell.  The above was signed by both Mary and Purnell on October 3, 1796.

  Mary and Purnell's daughter, Sarah Houston Hill, named a son Alexander Carey Hill, perhaps for her maternal uncle Cary Tumlinson?

Monongalia County and District Court Records
Volume 1
1776-1799

     Although I  have seen that the Houston family removed to Monongalia County, (West) Virginia as early as 1790, the first record is dated 1797.  

     In Monongalia County, Purnell was one of the local saddle makers. He and Mary also operated a dry goods store and in 1801 he obtained a license to "keep an ordinary (tavern) at the house formerly occupied by Thomas Pindell, deceased, at the forks of the road." 

     The Houston family has many listings in the early 1800 Monongalia district and county court records. Purnell must not have been a very successful financial manager as he was in debt to a good many people. He owed a number of men saddles for which he had received payment and a doctor for small pox shots given to his family. 

     There are entries of debt to Mary (Polly) for goods bought in the store. Polly was not a quiet, retiring woman. A peace bond was taken out against her for threats that she had made to a man who owed her money!

1801 Monongalia County, Virginia
Personal Property Taxes
Joseph Trickett, Commissioner
One male over 18 years old

1802 Monongalia County Virginia
Personal Property Taxes
John Evans, Clerk
April 27, 1802
1 male over 18

1805 Monongalia County Virginia
Personal Property Taxes
Rawley Martin's District
1 male over 18
1 horse, colt, mule

1810 Virginia Census
Monongalia County
August 6, 1810

Purnel Houston

Free White Males under age 10--2--Unknown children, perhaps grandchildren  

Free White Males age 10-15--1  Purnell Houston (son)

Free White Males over age 45--1  Purnell Houston

Free White Females under age 10--1  Elizabeth Houston

Free White Females age 10-15--2--Sarah Houston and Rhoda Houston

Free White Females age 26-45--1  Mary Houston

1813 List of Tithables, Monongalia County, (West) Virginia

Purnell Houston--2 males over the age of 18 and 3 horses

1820 Virginia Census
Eastern Division, Monongalia County
August 20, 1820

Purnell Houston

Free White Males age 16 thru 25--2  Unknown

Free White Males age 26-44--1  Purnell Houston (son)

Free White Males age 45 and over--1  Purnell Houston

Free White Females age 16-25--1  Elizabeth Houston

Free White Females age 45 and over--1  Mary Houston

Number of Persons Engaged in Agriculture--3

     Mary died at age seventy in Monongalia County on January 31, 1830.  She was buried in the Old Hill Cemetery.  Robert and Rebecca Caldwell Hill were friends of the Houston's and my paternal great great great great grandparents.  The Hill Cemetery  was dismantled in 1928 and the bodies of the Houston's and Hill's were moved to Mount Union Cemetery, Monongalia County, West Virginia. 

1830 Virginia Census
Eastern District Monongalia County

Pernel Houston

Free White Males age 5 thru 9--1

Free White Males age 30 thru 39--2--Purnell Houston (son)

Free White Males age 70 thru 79--Purnell Houston

Free White Females age 10 thru 14--1

     After Mary's death, Purnell went to live with one of his daughters, Sarah Houston Hill and her family. Purnell had no income or resources of his own and was 75 years of age. 

     In 1832, he applied for a pension due him from his service in the Revolutionary War. His pension was approved and he received $93.25 in two years. 

     In 1834, an attorney for the United States, Washington G. Singleton, traveled to Monongalia County to interview Purnell regarding his service in the revolution. Singleton determined that Purnell had not served a sufficient amount of time to receive a pension. Singleton not only canceled the pension, but threatened to prosecute Purnell to obtain the $93.25 that he had received from the government. 

     Purnell was 80 years old, infirmed and afflicted with palsy at the time of the threat. Joseph D. Hill, Purnell's son-in-law, was persuaded to become his security. Joseph signed the note which was due in 1836 to diffuse what had become an intolerable situation for his father-in-law. Unfortunately for Joseph, assisting his father-in-law, would be a "thorn in his side" for the next 16 years, almost until his own death.  

     Before payment of the note became due, Purnell Houston died on March 9, 1835 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia at the age of 80. He is buried beside his wife Mary at Mount Union Cemetery in Monongalia County, West Virginia.

Children of Purnell and Mary Houston:

1. Susanna Houston born 1777 in Sussex County, Delaware married 1800 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia William Hollefield.

2. James Houston born 1780 in Sussex County, Delaware died 1858 in Monroe County, Indiana married Jane Eckles December 1, 1807.

3. Robert Houston born July 6, 1781 in Sussex County, Delaware died January 24, 1873 in Monongalia County, West Virginia married Rose Ann Baer.

4. William Houston born 1782 in Sussex County, Delaware died June 8, 1861 married Ellis Abigail Baker.

5. Sophia Houston born about 1793 in Sussex County, Delaware died after 1822 married William Issac Dean.

6. Sarah Houston born 1791 in Kent County, Delaware died 1878 in Monongalia County, West Virginia married Joseph Davidson Hill. My paternal great great great grandparents

7. Rhoda Houston born 1793in Kent County, Delaware died July 22 1870 in Tyler county, West Virginia married William J. Hill.

8. Purnell Houston born 1794 in Kent County, Delaware died June 4, 1881 in Monongalia County, West Virginia married Sarah McVicker.

9. Elizabeth Houston born December 23, 1802 in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia died January 30, 1859 in Maidsville, Virginia married John Sanders II.

Sources

Miller, Peggy,  Research shared with me.

Sweet, R.R., Genealogies of West Virginian Families From the West Virginia Historical Quarterly 1901-1905, "The Houstons of Monongalia", Clearfield Publishing, pages 99-102.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2025, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Mary Tumlinson Houston--Tombstone Tuesday

Find A Grave photograph
by Nicholas Laraway 2023

Mary and Purnell Houston
Tombstones back to back
My photograph

Mary
Houston
Born   18--
Departed this life
January 31, 1830 ?

     Mary Houston and her husband Purnell Houston were originally buried in the Old Hill Family Cemetery.  In 1928 their caskets along with the caskets of Robert and Rebecca Caldwell Hill were removed from the Old Hill Family Cemetery to Mt. Union Cemetery.

     There is a controversy surrounding Mary's maiden name.  Tomlinson/Tumlinson and Carey are both shown in various documents.  Was she married to someone else before Purnell?  Did Purnell marry two separate women with the name of Mary?

     One of the clues in determining her possible maiden name is the will of Cary Tumlinson of Kent County, Delaware dated November 18, 1790.  He bequeath one half part of his estate to Mary Houston to be paid annually in the sum of pounds until her amount of the estate is reached.  If she should die before the amount is reached, then the annual amount is to be divided among her living children until then reach the age of twenty-one.

     "and whereas it is the wish of Purnel Houston and the said Mary Houston his wife--that the said Mary Houston should relinquish her claim of twenty pounds per year and that the said bequest should be received in one sum and laid out in lands in the counties of Monongalia or Harrison Commonwealth of Virginia for the benefit of said Mary Houston and that such lands when purchases shall be made the surity to William Candy who was left executor of the will afordsaid.  Provided he should be willing to pay the aforesaid bequest in one sum.  Therefore we Purnel Houston and Mary Houston wife of said Purnel, do by these present constitute and appoint Benjamin Reeder of Morgan Town in the county of Monongalia in the Commonwealth of Virginia our true and lawful attorney"

  Benjamin Reeder was to facilitate the above portion of the will for Mary and Purnell.  The above was signed by both Mary and Purnell on October 3, 1796.

  Mary and Purnell's daughter, Sarah Houston Hill, named a son Alexander Carey Hill, perhaps for her maternal uncle Cary Tumlinson?

     DAR papers submitted in the early 1900's list Mary's maiden name as Cary and perhaps this is where the mistake was made.

 

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. All comments are welcome; however, if they are inappropriate, they will not be published.    PLEASE post your e-mail in the comment section if you would like to network about a particular surname or topic. I will capture it for my use only and not include it when I publish your comment.

© 2025, copyright Linda Hughes Hiser



Carnival of Genealogy, 75th Edition—Purnell Houston in the American Revolution

The COG topic for July 1 is “Justice and Independence ”. Since our beginnings as a nation, the United States of America has seen changes with every year, every decade, and every century. Each generation adds growth to our lives, our communities, and our nation. One thing that has never changed, however, is our desire for Justice for those who wrong us and Independence from those who try to oppress us. This edition of the COG will be hosted by Colleen at Orations of OMcHodoy.

     For me, July and Independence equals the American Revolution. I have numerous patriots in my family tree; however the most colorful ancestor who has a remarkable pension file is my great great great great  grandfather Purnell Houston.

     Purnell, the son of Robert H. Houston and Mary Purnell, was born on February 1, 1755 in Somerset County, Maryland. Purnell joined a sister, Mary. A year following Purnell’s birth, his mother died. Robert Houston married Priscilla Laws and Purnell and Mary became half siblings to thirteen children.

     At the age of twenty, Purnell married Mary Carey (there is also speculation that her maiden name may have been Tumlinson or Tomlinson). At that time Purnell traveled to Philadelphia to be an apprentice to Master Young, a saddle maker. In February, 1776, Purnell returned to Sussex County, Delaware having completed his apprenticeship.

     The following story of his Revolutionary War service is paraphrased from a sworn statement by Purnell made in a court in Morgantown on October 22, 1832 and is part of his pension file.

     In March, 1776, at the age of 21, he volunteered his services as a private in the Revolutionary War under his brother-in-law, Captain John Hazzard. He spent two months in a troop of about 30 soldiers that guarded the Capes of Delaware watching for British ships that were in the waters near the Capes. Following discharge from this service Purnell volunteered, in November, 1776, at Philadelphia for a company of Pennsylvania militia commanded by Captain Chambers which was attached to General Cadwallader's brigade. These troops were raised to guard against the enemy who was over running New Jersey.

     In the later part of November or early December, Purnell's company was encamped near Trenton, New Jersey on the opposite side of the River. The enemy was in possession of Trenton and on Christmas Eve, Purnell fought in the famous Battle of Trenton in which the American soldiers crossed over to Trenton and defeated 900 Hessian soldiers. The General in charge of this attack was George Washington. Following the battle, Purnell marched to a place called Blackbird which was located in New Jersey.

     In early January, 1777 the troops marched back to Trenton where they held a bridge against the British soldiers. Purnell left at night for Princeton, under the leadership of General George Washington, where they attacked the British. From Princeton his company marched to Somerset Courthouse, to Pluckamin and finally to Morristown which was the winter quarters for the American soldiers. About the last of March, 1777, Purnell's company marched back to Philadelphia were he was discharged.

     In April, 1777 an agent of Colonel Bland of the Virginia Cavalry contacted Master Young to attend to the saddles and bridles of the cavalry's horses. Master Young asked Purnell to serve with him for two months in the service of the army from Virginia.

     After this term, Purnell joined Master Young as a hand on a ship that was going to Boston from Philadelphia by way of Egg Harbor. On the return to Philadelphia, around Rhode Island, the ship was captured by The Unicorn, a hostile vessel. Purnell was held prisoner for eight or nine weeks. After his release, he went to New London and once again joined the Revolution in service on a brig called the Privateer. Purnell never sailed. He became sick with prison ship fever and was left in New London until the ship returned from duty. In September, 1778 he sailed back to Philadelphia, ending his time of service in the American Revolution.

Updated:  September 2025

Sources:

-Johnston, Ross B., Ed., West Virginians in the Revolution, Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland, 1977, page 138.

-Purnell Houston American Revolution Pension File # S15467

-Tombstone of Purnell Houston, Mt. Union Cemetery, Route 119, Union District, Monongalia County, West Virginia.

-Virdin, Donald O., Houston Family Bible, Delaware Bible Records, Volume I, Heritage Books, page 46.

Tombstone Tuesday--Houston's of South Charleston, Ohio

What's that old saying....curiosity killed the cat. (Apologies to all cat lovers out there--remember I have three of them myself.) I hope it doesn't come to that, but I am dying of curiosity to know who is inside the Houston mausoleum. When we were in South Charleston, Ohio this past weekend, Ken and I stopped by the Greenlawn Cemetery, just north of town. Right in the middle was this most impressive burial mausoleum with HOUSTON carved on the front. In my shot it is hidden under the American flag.

The Houston family was one of the primary movers and shakers of the village of South Charleston and Clark County at the turn of the 20th century. This particular branch of my Houston family would be considered my half cousins. The progenitor of the branch stopped by the Morgantown area to see his half brother, Purnell Houston, my gggg grandfather in the early 1800's before settling in Kentucky and then on to Clark County, Ohio and South Charleston.

The mausoleum is an important local landmark

and even has several postcard photos of it!

Original in the possession of my cousin

My half 6th cousin, now living in his great great granduncle's home in South Charleston, was able once to get inside the mausoleum as the key was, for years, in an unknown location. It is still not all that readily accessible to the family. There are photos of the tombs buried inside, plus a listing of the names and dates.

Of the eight spaces, seven are filled. As a family historian I am on a "need to know" mind set at present. Who is in there? We were not able to get inside this visit. I have my fingers crossed that my cousin will locate the photos and written piece of paper. Currently, I am struggling with misplaced items, the primary one being the rather lengthy listing of this very branch of the Houston line!!! So I know how it is. So much work....so little time.

One day I will open my e-mail and there it will be.

Photo with lens pushed against the metal mesh front window

Houston House, Houston, Renfrewshire, Scotland--Wordless Wednesday

     NEVER WORDLESS!!! This my ancestral home in Renfrewshire, Scotland located in the small conservation village of Houston (pronounced House-ton in the states and Whos-ton in Scotland). 

     The large mansion was built in 1872 on the original site of the Houston castle. In 1994 the mansion was converted into six separate houses. The ivy covered building in the front, called the west wing, was for sale when we visited in 2005. This wing incorporates the original northern section of the 13 century castle. 

     To say I was totally blown away when I first stood in front of this building would be an understatement. Just think, I could have purchased a piece of my history for a mere 375,000 pounds!!!

Tombstone Tuesday--Purnell Houston

1755 February
Purnell Houston
Was Born he
Departed this life
March 1835

When I began writing this blog, I was going to give you the entire enchilada, but have decided to simply do the tombstone. Purnell deserves his own blog—he was quite a colorful character!

Purnell is my paternal gggg grandfather. His parents were Robert H. Houston and Mary Purnell. He was born February 1, 1755 in Somerset County, Maryland and died in Monongalia County, (West) Virginia on March 9, 1835. He is from a long line of Houston’s originating in Scotland, living in Pocomoke, Somerset County, Maryland about 1660, and moving to Milford, Sussex County, Delaware. Purnell moved his family to Morgantown, (West) Virginia around 1800.

He is buried in Mt. Union Cemetery, north of Morgantown, West Virginia on Route 119. He and his wife, Mary Houston were originally buried in what was called the old Hill Cemetery located in Morgantown. As the town and university began to grow, old pioneers from the cemetery were moved to Mt. Union.

Sources:

-Mt. Union Cemetery, Route 119, Union District, Monongalia County, West Virginia.

-Virdin, Donald O., Houston Family Bible, Delaware Bible Records, Volume I, Heritage Books, page 46.