Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-04
HIS EIGHTIErH BIRTHDAY.
An Interesting Sketch OF the Career q
Robert Purvis.


Mr.. Robert Purvis. the Distinguished anti
slavery sgitstor, 10 eighty yesrs old today. BE
and John q. Whittier are the only survivors Of
the American Anti-slavery Society, founded In
1854 Mr.. Purvis now resides in Philadelphia,
but Is well known in this city. where he has
frequently delivered public addresses His
SON. DIR. ChAs. H. Purvis, holds the position of
physician in charge OF Freedmsn's Hospital
The PhilAdelphia Prvss yesterday gave the Col.
lowing pen sketch Of tho personal appearance
OF the octogenarian:
Erect, eloquent and engaging. proud Of ne
blood that still sweeps vigorously through his
veins, the great Phlladelphia anti-slavery All.
tAtor enters into the octosenarian period Of his
lie with serenity born OF the victorious eesss-
ton OF blood-sweat strife for his fellow mar
and IN pesce strange in contrast With the
nity years oil agonlZng struggle in his youth
and middle age. And who Is Robert Purvis? A
coloreo man, as the phrase goes, Q gentle.
sweet-natured lovable, handsome, silver
tongued old colored man, with skin 90 fair
that spanish beauty might envy 10; O face 90
renned aud a manner 50 gracious and cultured
that scholar or poet ight desire il; . history
so remarkable that many OF the greatest men
in this world would gladly exchange fog
theirs could the Records OF time be changed
What has Robert Purvis been2 An impas-
stoned RgitGtor, with tongue OF scorchina
n
man who has faced death. shared in the dam
gers OF riot; a man who gave MP the certain
enjoyment OF honor and wealth abroad and
stopped TO lift his people from their miseriess
the intimate friend of Garrison, sumner, Phil
lips, Whittier. John Grown; a man who knew
the great Milberforce. ClArkson, IAfayette.
But more than all tins Robert Purvis was the
president OF the underground railway and sent
hundreds OF escaping slaves 20 security in
Canada. And now he aud John q. Whittier
nTa In La - a. q
slavery convention that met in Philsdelphis
December 4. 1888. All the others, hfty-sight
an number, have died"
Mr.. Purvis has lived in Philadelphia since be
was niae years old. He Was born in Charles.
ton. SC, Angus: 4. lslO. He inherited wealth,
which enabled him to render effective service
IN the cause OF the oppressed OF his race.
OF MOORISH DESCENT.
my grandmother" he told a Press reporter.
''was full-blooded Moor OF magnificent fee.
lures and great beauty. She had crisp hair and
a stately manner. She was captured BY an
Arab girl one day and led 20 the sea- where q
slave ship awaited her, and she was brought to
Charleston. refined woman named Day was
captlvatCd with her comeliness and bought
her, educated her and treated her as o com.
panlon. German named Baron Judah, d
flour merchant. said he loved her and they
were married h a Methodist church Two
children. son and a daughter, were born
mar kably beautiful, aud my father, William
furNIs. one oI seven sons, three OF whom had
emIgratcd from England to Charleston, became
enamored Of her and they were married. The
issue OF this union was three sons William.
Robert and Joseph. Those Of the Puryises
who remained in England became noted and
one of the sons sous. my cousin, 10 IN admiral
IN the Eng ish navy and recently commanded
the squadron of New Foundland-"
The elder lurvls was a cotton factor and a
one time vas wor,h million of dollars. He
failed IN business and came to Philadelphia to
live. Before has death he bad succeeded in
paving OF his debts and accommodating sufi.
clcnt TO leave competency TO his family. Mr..
luFSls has been twice married His hrst wife
Was coiored. One of his sons 10 prosperous
chemist IN Detroit, another, as was stated,
physiclan in charge of the Freedmsn's Hos.
p'tai IN this city, and third is sdiutant gen,
eral OF South Carolina. Mr.. Puryis' present
wife is white, Quakeress, and an author Of
some note. They have no children