Elizabeth Durham Pruitt

Elizabeth Durham, the daughter of John Durham, was born around 1815-1820 in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

Elizabeth Durham  married Joel Pruitt, Jr. on November 9, 1835 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. [1]

Reportedly a photo of Joel Pruitt and Elizabeth Durham Pruitt, seated   [2]  (Click to enlarge)

Elizabeth's father wrote a will in March 1847 (or possibly 1849) naming his children. In his will, he stated that he had "already given unto my four eldest children daughters, namely Elizabeth Pruitt wife of Joel Pruitt, Sally Creed wife of Henry Creed, Charlotte Sparks wife of Joel Sparks and Susan Sparkes wife of Robert Sparks their portion of my world estate."  He also willed to his two younger daughters "twenty-five dollars about the amount given to my elder daughters." [3]   This will was probated in July 1863, and not only confirms the name of Elizabeth's father, but it links her to her brother-in-law, whose story can be found here.

Information about Elizabeth and Joel's family can be found here.

The Civil War years were not kind to Elizabeth, as her father died, likely from old age, prior to July 1863. Her son, Hampton P. Pruitt, died from injuries received serving the Confederacy on December 15, 1863.  Her brother-in-law, Robert Sparks, was executed for desertion in April 1864. Her son, King Pruitt, was apparently killed by the Home Guard in a skirmish in Wilkes County on December 2, 1864.

These are the deaths that we know about that touched Elizabeth's life over a few brief years.There may have been other family members who died during the Civil War that simply haven't been identified and linked to Elizabeth Durham Pruitt. She had at least four daughters who would have been old enough to have been married before or during the Civil War, but we don't know who any of their daughters married (yet).  Elizabeth also had several brothers who were probably old enough to serve in the Civil War.

Sadly, Elizabeth's story was undoubtedly similar to many other families, on both sides of the conflict, throughout the Civil War.

______________________________________

[1]   "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979" FamilySearch, Joel Prewitt and Elisabeath Durham, 9 Nov 1835. FHL microfilm 546,480

[2]  Copy of photo received from Robyn Pruitt via email. Ownership of the original is unknown. Picture is damaged with large white spots.  The female standing behind them may be a daughter.

[3]  Wilkes, North Carolina, Will Books; Will of John Durham; digital images,  FamilySearch.com;  (accessed 24 Feb 2015)