HAIRSTON.org ID#19, b. 16 August 1780, d. 6 November 1839
| Birth* | Col. William Ethelbert ERVIN was born on 16 August 1780 in Williamsburg, South Carolina.1,2 |
| He was the son of Hugh Ervin and Elizabeth JAMES. |
| Marriage* | Col. William Ethelbert ERVIN married Elizabeth DICK on 19 November 1801 in South Carolina.1,2 |
| Census 1830* | Col. William Ethelbert ERVIN appeared on the census of 1830 in York, South Carolina, Capt. William Ervin, males 30-39 1, 60-69 1, females 10-14 1, 40-49 1, slaves 9.3  |
| Property* | Bought a large tract of land from the Choctaw Nation. |
| Religion* | He was made a Ruling Elder of Bethel Presbyterian Church, Lowndes County, Mississippi in March 1834.4 |
| Will* | He left a will on 11 October 1839, Mentioned: Sons - John Milton, James Washington, Edwin Alexander, William, Daughters - Margaret Mariah Gibson, Jane Magdelen Ervin, Sarah Ann Ervin. Probate Book E, Page 482, Lowndes County, Mississippi. |
| Death* | He died on 6 November 1839 in Lowndes, Mississippi, at age 59.1,4,2 |
| Burial* | He was buried in Liberty Hall Cemetery, Lowndes, Mississippi.5 |
| Probate* | His estate was probated on 30 January 1843 in Lowndes, Mississippi, Probate Book E, Page 482. |
| Biography* | From "Historical Sketch of the Bethel Presbyterian Church, Lowndes County, Miss. prepared for the Semi-Centennial Celebration, June 21, 1884", page 16.
Capt. William Ervin, another Elder of the first set, was the next that was called to a seat in the upper sanctuary. He also was from South Carolina, where he had exercised the office of Ruling Elder; and came out to this new country among the early settlers, for the sake of his large and interesting family. He deeply felt the religious deprivations of his new home, and longed for the privileges of the sanctuary, and the preaching of that gospel under the influences of which he had been trained, which he had embraced, and whose saving power he wished his household to experience. He deserves to be gratefully remembered for his zeal and activity in the establishment of this Church. The first sermon was preached in a grove near his house; the first tabernacle of worship was erected on his land; and when the weather was too inclement to admit of holding the services under "the Shelter," his doors were thrown open, and the worship of God was held under his own roof. He died, Nov. 6, 1839, after serving as a Ruling Elder for five years and a half, but having lived to see the mantle of his office fall upon one of his sons. He is well represented to-day io your membership through bis descendants. His widow, Mrs. Eliza B. Ervin, who was received on examination, October 1 0, 1841, survived him about five years, and died in 1844. Seven of their children became communicants of this Church, viz: James W. Ervin, Dr. John M. Ervin and Edwin A. Ervin. each specially mentioned elsewhere, Mrs. Jane M. Willson, along with her husband David I. Willson, received on examination May 25, 1839; Mrs. Margaret M. Gibson, received by letter, October 10, 1841, and subsequently dismissed elsewhere; Mrs. Susanna L. Jordan received on examination May 14, 1842, and dismissed to Mayhew Church, Sept. 20, 1847; and Mrs. Sarah Ann Cox, received on examination, "May 1, 1853. Mr. Willson died, Aug. 23, 1839. In 1841, his widow, Mrs. Jane M. Willson was united in marriage with the Rev. John M. Morrow, and took a dismission to Mayhew Church, near which Mr. Morrow resided. Of these Mrs. Cox alone is still with you. Mrs. Jane Ervin, a sister of Capt. Wm. Ervin, who married a namesake, was received on examination in June, 1838, and was removed by death in 1843. |