Eighth Generation

23. Reverend James S. PURDY III was born on 6 March 1760 in Westchester, Bronx County, New York Colony, British Colonial America.^3,4,8

BIOGRAPHY: From what I've been able to map - James D. Purdy (I am pretty sure on the D. and believe it stands for Daniel, though I am not sure) - was a circuit rider. It appears he rode circuits near Croton and Newburgh - which are both in down state NY - heading toward the NYC area, and also in the Onondaga, Cayuga Co. area of NY. The information isn't clear, but he perhaps was also a circuit rider near Orleans Co., though he would have been over 60 at the time . When I pull up where Hyde Park is on a map search - it is north of Newburgh, NY so it is possible that what you are looking at is referring to him - the dates I have are sparse (from Helen Bigford's letter) - in 1807 he was in the Newburg area, then in the Onondaga Co. area by 1812, so since this church was established 1811, it is possible. He was a Methodist-Episcopal preacher, though I don't know if that is what St. James started out as or not, or if they have just become Episcopal since some point more recent in the future. I am sure from what I've been able to put together that the United Methodist Church Archives should have something on him if anything exists. I was absolutely amazed that he was ordained by Bishop Francis Asbury - he was THE leader in the formation of the Methodist Church in the U.S. It will be interesting to see if all this can be verified. It also explains (along with the Kenyon line) why this whole branch of our family stayed strongly Methodist for so many years.

Karla Staudt, 10/16/00 He died on 6 October 1843 at the age of 83 in Barre Center, Orleans County, NY.^3,4,8,9

Obituary Notes: Died Oct. 5th [1846] in Barre General Conference, Rev James Purdy, a local deacon in the Methodist Episcopal Church. This Venerable Saint was about 84 years of age, and had been a member of the church for about 56 years, and a preacher for about 45 years.

The official testimonials to our departed friend show him to have been associated with venerated men in the cause of our common Methodism, some of whom have gone to
their reward. These testimonials bear the signatures of S. Hutchenson; F. Garrettson; E. Woolsey; B. Hibbard; N. Emory; H. Stead; W. Case; G. Draper; etc., and we learn from them that in 1799 he was connected with Croton Circuit, in the New York Conference; In 1807, and for some time afterwards, with the Newburg Circuit; and then in 1813 with the Scipio Circuit, in the Genesse Conference.

The latter part of his life was spent in Barre in the Ridgeway Circuit. He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Asbury in 1813. By his consistent life, both as a Christian and a preacher his uniform attachment to Institutions of the church of his choice, and his faithful attendance upon all the means of grace, as far as his health would permit, he rendered himself respected by all who knew him as a deeply pious and sincere Christian. It has been remarked since I came into the neighborhood that my predecessor, Rev, G. Filmore. said, at the last General Conference he attended, "You have probably passed Father Purdy's character for the last time." A brother in love feast last Sabbath morning said "I was with Father Purdy in his last moments and he charged me to tell his brethren for him, that he had tried religion for fifty six years and that it had never failed him, that he had now come to the hour that tried every other hour of his life, and all was well.

He found the consolations of that religion which had afforded him so much happiness through life, all-sufficient in a dying hour." So died this holy man of God. He had requested that his funeral sermon should be preached from Psalms XXXVII 37, -Mark the perfect man and behold the upright; for the and of that man is peace." This was done by the Preacher in charge, Rev. B. Nichols, to a large concourse of his brethren and neighbors, upon whom an evident deep and it is to be hoped lasting impression was made, favorable to that Christian piety enforced by the doctrine of the text and illustrated in the holy life and triumphant death of their deceased neighbor and friend.

Sarah Purdy, wife of the above, and about the same ago, died Oct. 13th just one week after the death of her husband. She commenced her Christian course at about the came time as her husband, having, however, for some time been deprived of the use of her reason by ago and infirmities, as to be incapable of understanding what was said to her, or communicating intelligently to others, it was impossible to ascertain the state of her religious feeling during her last Moments. But who can doubt that a consistent life of piety for fifty six years will insure a peaceful and happy end. I can not. S. Luckey"

Death: Oliver Purdy Family Bible has Rev. James death 6 Oct 1844; Obit of Rev James has death 5 Oct 1844.

Burial: Tombstones say: James d. 6 Oct 1844 and Sarah d. 13 Oct 1844 (7 days apart).

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Reverend James S. PURDY III and Sarah GEROW were married on 26 December 1784.^3,8,10 Sarah GEROW, daughter of Andrew GEROW and Anne WICKS, was born on 19 September 1760.^1,3,8 She died on 13 October 1843 at the age of 83 in Barre Center, Orleans County, NY.^1,3,4,8

Reverend James S. PURDY III and Sarah GEROW had the following children: