James Liberty Purviance was born 14 January, 1733 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, the child of Irish immigrants. He later moved to Iredell Co., North Carolina.  He served in the North Carolina Line during the Revolutionary War and was nominated as captain by the Committee of Safety 11 November 1775. He continued in active service under General Rutherford and later, Generals Gates and Sumter. Gates sent Purviance, with part of his company, to join General Sumter, and he was with that army when they suffered considerable loss on the Catawba River in 1780.

Also called the Battle of Fishing Creek, the Battle of Catawba Ford pitted Sumter’s forces against British forces commanded by Banastre Tarleton, (a British commander who eventually returned to England and became a vocal pro-slavery advocate in the British Parliament.) Sumter had conducted successful attacks against the British supply lines and his forces were burdened with both extra supplies and British prisoners. Tarleton was able to surprise Sumter’s force and inflict heavy casualties.

James had married Sarah Jane Wasson c. 1764. They had twelve children, seven born prior to 1781. His family lived in the vicinity of several skirmishes and battles and his house was often used as a temporary hospital for the care of the wounded.

Prior to 1800 he moved to Bourbon Co., Kentucky, where he died at the age of 73 on 26 April, 1806.