Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-12-06
Mem Oirs Of David PurViancc.

r.
copy of book bearing the above title. It
is very Interesting memoir Of an indi-
vidual, who for many years was exten-
siycly known by our citizens, and much
respected as man Of sterling integrity
and high moral and religious worth. We
knew him long and Intimately, and no
one with whom We have been acquainted
commands our respect and vcneration,
more than David Purviance. His great
and uniform goodness Of hcart-his IN
ambitious deneanor-his humbleness-
his honcsiy-matlc him one of Gods no.
blcst images. Were we TO select one for
IN example. and wish that our close of life
should be like his, we would select that
OF the subject Of this memoir.
Levi Purviancc, has at great labor and
much expense collected together many
Interesting "reminiscences in the. life Of his
father, and other valuable matter, and
put them in neat book We make the
following extract from chapter which re-
icrs 10 a circumstance connected with the
history Of our own town The Book itself
may be had at the Richmond Book Store
'.Thc dcfcnc"lcss and the oppressed.
could always find Il friend and bcnctactor
in David Purviance. The following cir
cu,nstance will show his zeal in behalt
Of the oppressed, and his bcnevolence
towards helpless innoccncy. Although
he never took any part in protecting a
runaway slave, considering it viola
ton of our national compact. Vet he
would do everything reasonably in his
power, to protect the legal rights Of the
colored people.
While Indiana was under territorial
government, colored family came into
Wayne county to reside: some time after
wards, gentleman from Kentucky. had
them arrested. taken before Esq. kibbv.
an intelligent Justice of the peace, upon
the pretcxt. that the woman and children
were legally slaves. Some of the citizens
OF Wayne county friendly. TO the rights OF
all men. felt it 10 be their duty to have
the case fairly investigated.
They sent for David Purvance. TO at
tend the trial. he was there in due time
The plaintiffs claim was laid upon the
principle of inheritance by descent. The
history Of the case is this.-t!Ie man was
legally free. (The plaintiff laid no claim
10 him.) The woman had been born in
Pennsylvania. and by the laws OF that
State. was also entitled To her liberty; but
while young. she was moved 10 Kentucky
and held in bondage. The husband en-
tered suit in court. in the eastern part OF
kentucky for the liberty of his family-
ISilf before, the trn nj a. thn
were sent off down the Ohio River. by the
pretended owner. it is supposed 10 pre-
vent the trial. and to sell all ofthem. But
some benevolent friend at Muysvllc
learned the circumstance, and posted oil
in all haste to Cincinnati. and gave infor-
mation of this clandcs,ine affair: and
through the interposition of some kind
friends. these unfortunate creatures were
released. But they were afterwards ar.
rested in Cincinnati upon the plea. that
they were slaves: but the plaintiff failed
to establish his claim, and they were a.
gain liberated. They then moved 10
Wayne county Indiana. But they were
doomed 10 be harasscd more and more
There was no settled lawyer in WAYNE
county, at that time. but there was one
present. from an adjacent county. (sup-
posed to have been there, at the solicta-
ton of the plantff.) He took no part in
the investigation. except (upon request) 10
give some explanations of law. Esq
kibbey examined the evidence fairly
The plaintiff Git is supposedly became fear
fui OF his cause. He touched the LAWYER.
and they went to one side and after
short conference they then re,urned-
The attorney then came before the court
and stated, that he had taken fee from
the plaintiff: and insisted, that the trial be