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"He that
winneth souls is wise"
Old William Purvis (c1814-1902) from
Hawick in Scotland was a God fearing man. In the 1870s he found comfort in
religion and associated himself with the Hawick Home Mission. After his
daughter, Isabella, passed away William lived in Edinburgh with his
Grandson and found an outlet for his religious fervour at Carubber's Close
Mission which met in High Street.
William's first career was as a
whip-maker. It may have been, at this time that he moved to Hawick
from his birthplace in Melrose.
When the whip-making industry went into decline he set up shop as a
confectioner and fruiterer at 1 High Hawick with his daughter, Isabella
Scott Gowans.
In his spare time William was a keen bowler
and draughts player. He thought that the number of
squares on his draughts board corresponded with the number of words in The
Lord's Prayer. William had a tuneful voice and enjoyed singing, his
favourite was one of Sankey's Sacred Songs "Who, who are these beside
the chilly wave?"
William
was married to Christian Douglas c.1840 and lived till his 89th
year. He is interred in the Wellogate Cemetery, Hawick with other
family members.
We are anxious
to make contact with our Purvis cousins. Please email if you
have a connection.
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