Armstrong Purdee (1856 - 1937)

Born 16 Mar 1856 in Jackson County, Florida, United States

Husband of Grace (White) Purdee — married 10 May 1895 in Jackson County, Florida, United States

Died 23 Dec 1937 at age 81 in Marianna, Jackson, Florida, United States

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Biography

Armstrong Purdee is Notable.

Purdee was the son of Dave Purdee and Pattie Waddell, both born in South Carolina. He reportedly was born in 1851 in Jackson County, Florida, according to his death certificate (see below).^[1] However, "Purdee was born on March 16, 1856 on John R. Waddell’s plantation located 11 miles west of Marianna," according to the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.^[2]

When he was 8 years old he was offered a ride on a horse by a Yankee soldier, which he readily accepted. Little did he know that he would become an eyewitness to the Battle of Marianna, and numerous other skirmishes, before his father was able to retrieve him and bring him back to his Jackson County home on the Waddell Plantation. His story can be read here:#77 Armstrong Purdee's Ride (100 Great Things about Jackson County, Florida).

History from "Black History Month profile: Purdee made history as lawyer"

Armstrong was born enslaved in 1856. His enslaver, John R. Waddell, owned the Waddell Plantation in Marianna, Jackson County, Florida. The land was previously an Indian Reservation located in the Springhill Community in Marianna. Because of his young age he was allowed to work as a house boy for the Milton family. Mrs Milton was particularly fond of him, and secretly taught him to read and write.

After emancipation, he became the "...protégé of Florida State Sen. William H Milton, the son of Gov. John Milton... Purdee was educated in the practice of law. The lawyers of his day were primarily sole practitioners who trained under a system of apprenticeship. After the Reconstruction era, Purdee studied law and was admitted to the bar. He became the first African-American lawyer of Jackson County. Although Purdee was not allowed to plead cases in the Jackson County jurisdiction, he traveled to Pensacola, Jacksonville and Atlanta, Georgia to plea his cases."

Purdee established a successful law practice in Marianna where he fought for justice and equality for disenfranchised African-Americans.

He also established the West Florida Bugle, a newspaper for African-Americans.^[3]

Marriage

Armstrong married Grasie [sic] White on 10 May 1895 in Jackson, Florida, United States.^[4][5]

Census Records

In the 1885 census Armstrong (age 30) was in Marianna, Jackson County, Florida.^[6] In the 1910 census Armstrong (age 51) was the married head of household in Marianna, Jackson, Florida, United States.^[7]

In the 1920 census Armstrong (age 65) was the married head of household in Marianna, Jackson, Florida, United States.^[8]

In the 1930 census Armstrong (age 74) was the married head of household in Marianna, Jackson, Florida, United States.^[9]

Death

Armstrong, son of Dave Purdee & Pattie Waddell, and husband of Grace (White) Purdee, died (age 86) on 23 December 1937 in Marianna, Jackson, Florida, United States. Cause of death was bronchial pneumonia. Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery in Marianna.^[1]

Armstrong was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Marianna, Jackson County, Florida, United States with a death date of 23 December 1937.^[10]

Slave Owners

• John R Waddell (abt.1832-), Waddell Plantation, Jackson County, Florida
• William Henry Milton (1829-1900) -loaned to him by the Waddell's

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Death: "Florida Deaths, 1877-1939"
   citing Digital film/folder number: 4031588; FHL microfilm: 2115032; Record number: 501
   FamilySearch Record: FP63-R9D (accessed 23 August 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: S3HY-6S3Q-6LW Image number 2655
   Armstrong Purdee death 23 Dec 1937 (age 86), son of Dave Purdee & Pattie Waddell, husband of Grace Purdee, in Marianna, Jackson, Florida, United States.
2. ↑ National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, NPS Form 10-946 (Rev. 04/2020), p39
3. ↑ Black History Month profile: Purdee made history as lawyer
4. ↑ Marriage: "Florida Marriages, 1837-1974"
   citing Digital film/folder number: 007621043; FHL microfilm: 931958; Record number: 50; Packet letter: J
   FamilySearch Record: FWQQ-QZN (accessed 23 August 2023)
   Armstrong Purdie marriage to Grasie White on 10 May 1895 in Jackson, Florida, United States.
5. ↑ Marriage: "Georgia Marriages, 1808-1967"
   citing Digital film/folder number: 005190891; FHL microfilm: 285294
   FamilySearch Record: FW8V-X6T (accessed 23 August 2023)
   Armstrong Purdu marriage to Grassie White on 10 May 1895 in Dougherty, Georgia, United States.
6. ↑ 1885 Census: "Florida, U.S., State Census, 1867-1945"
   Line: 24
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1506 #179715 (accessed 23 August 2023)
   Armstrong Purdy (30) in Marianna, Jackson. Born in Florida.
7. ↑ 1910 Census: "United States Census, 1910"
   citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T624; Digital film/folder number: 004970345; FHL microfilm: 1374176; Image number: 298; Sheet number: 17; Sheet letter: A; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N03336-6
   FamilySearch Record: MVKZ-JQK (accessed 23 August 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRV4-66R
   Armstrong Purdee (51), married head of household in Marianna, Jackson, Florida, United States. Born in Florida.
8. ↑ 1920 Census: "United States Census, 1920"
   citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T625; Line: 90; Digital film/folder number: 004964403; FHL microfilm: 1820221; Image number: 156; Sheet number: 6; Sheet letter: B; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N01958-1
   FamilySearch Record: MNYK-QJ3 (accessed 23 August 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRXM-SP5
   Armstrong Purdy (65), married head of household in Marianna, Jackson, Florida, United States. Born in Florida.
9. ↑ 1930 Census: "United States Census, 1930"
   citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T626; Line: 26; Digital film/folder number: 004950233; FHL microfilm: 2340056; Image number: 889; Sheet number: 6; Sheet letter: A; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N03737-0
   FamilySearch Record: ST58-2T2 (accessed 23 August 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9RHM-KF6
   Armstrong Purdee (74), married head of household in Marianna, Jackson, Florida, United States. Born in Florida.
10. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
    Find A Grave: Memorial #103335546 (accessed 23 August 2023)
    Memorial page for Armstrong Purdee (1842-23 Dec 1937), citing Riverside Cemetery, Marianna, Jackson County, Florida, USA; Maintained by More Roots Than Branches (contributor 48374087).

• Slave Schedule: "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules"
  The National Archives in Washington, DC; Washington, DC, USA; Eighth Census of the United States 1860; Series Number: M653; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7668 #94072971 (accessed 23 August 2023)
  John R Waddill, slave owner of 29 enslaved people, in 1860 in Jackson, Florida, USA. Armstrong was most likely the 4 year old boy.