Father: Robert EVANS
Spouse: Amelia HAWKINS
Children: Evan EVANS, Margaret Frances EVANS, Frances EVANS, Robert EVANS, Edward EVANS, John EVAN, Sarah Eloise EVANS, William EVANS, Amelia EVANS, Joseph EVANS
Spouse: Jane YOUNG
Child: Jefferson C C EVANS
Spouse: Cynthia Perry YOUNG
Child: Malinda Jane EVANS
Child: James Franklin EVANS
Child: Willis Granbury EVANS
Child: John EVANS
An article in The History of Cherokee County Texas relates:
Joseph, a man in his 70's, with a young family and comfortable circumstances, left it to ride to Texas with several of his sons. They arrived in Leon County in the mid 1840's where they built a log cabin with only one window and 9 inch thick wall to protect from possible Indian raids. Joseph returned to Alabama to get his family and they returned to Texas and settled in Cherokee County with his son, Evan Evans and his family. Joseph made frequent trips to Leon County to visit his sons, Edward and William and in January 1851, Joseph bought 1894 acres of land near the settlement of Robbins, west of Centerville. It was to this location that he moved his family. Joseph Evans had three wives and fourteen children, his last born when Joseph was about seventy-nine. His third wife recorded that in November, 1858 he had 172 living descendants.
1768: Joseph Evans tombstone in Concord Cemetery, Leon Co, TX shows birthdate in 1768 VA. Different sources say his birthdate was 1758, 1753 or 1778 in NC. According to researcher Joan Evans, the census shows his birth as 1774-5 in NC which was probably reported by Joseph rather than descendants who prepared his gravesite marker. Evans' family Bible says his birth was 1778.
aft 1776: Joseph Evans moved with his parents family to SC after the Revolutionary War. By 1800 he had married 16 year old Amelia Hawkins and began a family of his own in Greenville, GreenvilleCo, SC.
bef 1805: The family moved to TN where the next seven children were born.
1809: 22 Jan Joseph was granted 200 acres in Franklin Co, TN on Bean Creek of the Elbe River.
ca. 1820: Son William was born in Aug 1818 in TN and daughter Amelia was born in Apr 1820 in Perry Co, AL Joseph Evans is said to also have had a daughter who married in the county in AL in 1820. Joseph bought three tracts of land on 19 Jan 1820 in the county. National Archives land records in Washington indicate that Joseph bought two more tracts later in the year and took out land patents in Perry Co in succeeding years for a total of 43 patents.
1822: 4 Mar: Joseph Evans was one of seven commissioners to select the site of Perry Co seat. It is said to have been his idea to name it Marion after General Francis Marion.
State of Alabama, PerryCo, I, Reuben Locket, George Weisinger, Tillman R.E. Pool, Joseph Evans, William Ford, John Welsh and James Shackleford do solemly swear that I will select and kindly find on the site for the Public Buildings for the county of Perry pursuant to the provisions of this Act according to my best judgment without favor, fear or partiality or any other consideration whatsoever other than the commission good and equal rights and interests of the County generally.
An 1844 booklet, "Ante-Bellum Marion", and in The History of Marion, by Samuel A. Townes, confirms the above and describes that Joseph Evans was elected on 5 February 1822 as one of seven commissioners to select a site for the County Seat of Perry County. Joseph Evans proposed Muckle's Ridge, a name which won out over his opponents of which there were strong ones. Afterwards, he and four other men described above were chosen to name the new County Seat and again Joseph Evans' proposal won out. Author Townes wrote:
"Thus we are mainly indebted to Joseph Evans for the location and name of our town, and as a mark of gratitude and respect of the inhabitants, it is here respectfully proposed to name this very street, which is laid off, Evans Street. This or some other mark of respect is due and it is hoped that the corporate authority of our town, or the gratitude of our citizens will no longer remain unmindful of this duty".
1830: In the census Perry Co, AL, the family was recorded as a farmer with 8 slaves. Son Evan Evans and family (one son, four daughters) were also living in household.
1840: Census PerryCo, AL Joseph Evans (60-69); females 50-59 and 100; males 20-29, 15-19 and 10-14; 18 slaves: 13 male, 5 female. Joseph Evans was noted by friends, neighbors and family for his white stallion that he rode on frequent trips to New Orleans, always a welcome sight upon his return home bearing gifts for all.
1840: First wife Amelia died. Joseph Evans, possibly with other family members, constructed substantial family monuments to his first wife and other family members whose graves were left behind when the family emigrated to Texas in 1848. The inscription on Amelia's grave cover next to the larger monument:
Sacred to the memory of Amelia Evans, who departed this life Sept. 26th AD 1840 aged 56 years. She was born in Greenville, South Carolina.
1841: On 3 Oct, 73 year old widower Joseph Evans married 21 year old Jane (Jincia) Young. They had a son Jefferson born in Jul 1842 and Jane died within the year.
1845: Two times widowed Joseph Evans then married Cynthia Perry Young, the 22 year old sister of Jane Young. Family legend says she later told her granddaughter, Cynthia Evans Gustine, that at the time she really didn't care anything about the old man, but he had her sister's child, and was about to take him off in the wilderness (meaning Texas), so she married him to take care of the child. The couple subsequently had four children.
1848: With numerous members of extended family, the Joseph Evans family moved to Cherokee Co, TX. He is thought to have first come to both Cherokee and Leon counties in Texas first with his sons and slaves, then surveyed and bought land and then returned to AL for the rest of the extended family who desired to come to Texas. Family stories relate that the danger from Indians was great. In Leon Co, they built a log cabin with walls 9 inches thick with only one window. Upon returning to AL and back, some family members returned to Leon Co, but Joseph Evans and family first settled in CherokeeCo near his son, Evan, and his family.
1850: Joseph bought 369 acres in Cherokee County on 29 January 1849, and bought other tracts later in the year. The family is listed in the census of Cherokee Co as Joseph age 77 and wife Cynthia with children. Despite his advanced age for that era, Joseph traveled back and forth often between Cherokee and Leon counties.
1851: Joseph began to buy land in Leon Co. In January 1851, Joseph bought 1894 acres in Leon County for $1,050 a mile or two NE of Robbins. Daughter, Malinda, who was four upon their arrival, later described LeonCo as the most beautiful place she had ever seen, it was like a park with tall grass and trees and deer. Later that year he bought additional tracts in Cherokee County. He first appears on the Tax List of Leon County in 1851, and was taxed on 1894 acres on Brush Creek valued at $1,894. Joseph also continued to buy and trade land in CherokeeCo through 1855.
1858: The bible of his third wife Cynthia records that in November 1858, Joseph had 172 living descendants.
1855: Joseph Evans moved to Redland, Leon Co, TX. He lived about 0.5 mi north of the Old Craig Place, about seven mi west of Centerville. The same year he sold a ten year old slave girl named Rose for $500.
1860: The LeonCo, TX census lists household #718: Joseph 86 b. NC; Cynthia 34 b. AL; Jefferson 18 b. AL; Malinda J. 13 b. AL; Jas F. 12 b. TX; Willis 7 b. TX. That year he was recorded and assessed for real property of $8,300, and personal property at $14, 335.
1861: Joseph Evans home was about one mile north of the home of the Craig family. Charles Jefferson Craig was said to have been a close friend who stayed and sat up with him during his final illness which was prolonged for some months.
In Nov 1860, Joseph recorded his will (full text below). William Evans was appointed Executor. Mentioned in the will were wife Cynthia (Sintha), children Jefferson C., Malinda J., James F., Willis Granbury Evans, Evan Evans, Edward Evans, William Evans, Joseph Evans, deceased son John Evans, granchildren Evan Lee, children of daughter Peggy Goodman, children of daughter Milly Reed, children of son John Evans, children of sons Jefferson Evans, James Franklin Evans and Willis Granbury Evans, children of daughter Malinda Jane Evans. The inventory of his estate 25 May listed 36 slaves valued at $27,600, 1894 acres of land and notes for total worth of $55,565.23. His estate was not settled until 1875 and by that time because of the Civil War and aftermath had declined to only his land, which was sold at public auction, and the proceeds divided among his heirs. His third wife Cynthia Evans was left the home place. She died in 28 February 1891 and was buried beside Joseph in the Concord Cemetery, Leon Co.
nhunter01 originally shared this on 2 Dec 2010.
Spouse: Amelia HAWKINS
Children: Evan EVANS, Margaret Frances EVANS, Frances EVANS, Robert EVANS, Edward EVANS, John EVAN, Sarah Eloise EVANS, William EVANS, Amelia EVANS, Joseph EVANS
Spouse: Jane YOUNG
Child: Jefferson C C EVANS
Spouse: Cynthia Perry YOUNG
Child: Malinda Jane EVANS
Child: James Franklin EVANS
Child: Willis Granbury EVANS
Child: John EVANS
An article in The History of Cherokee County Texas relates:
Joseph, a man in his 70's, with a young family and comfortable circumstances, left it to ride to Texas with several of his sons. They arrived in Leon County in the mid 1840's where they built a log cabin with only one window and 9 inch thick wall to protect from possible Indian raids. Joseph returned to Alabama to get his family and they returned to Texas and settled in Cherokee County with his son, Evan Evans and his family. Joseph made frequent trips to Leon County to visit his sons, Edward and William and in January 1851, Joseph bought 1894 acres of land near the settlement of Robbins, west of Centerville. It was to this location that he moved his family. Joseph Evans had three wives and fourteen children, his last born when Joseph was about seventy-nine. His third wife recorded that in November, 1858 he had 172 living descendants.
1768: Joseph Evans tombstone in Concord Cemetery, Leon Co, TX shows birthdate in 1768 VA. Different sources say his birthdate was 1758, 1753 or 1778 in NC. According to researcher Joan Evans, the census shows his birth as 1774-5 in NC which was probably reported by Joseph rather than descendants who prepared his gravesite marker. Evans' family Bible says his birth was 1778.
aft 1776: Joseph Evans moved with his parents family to SC after the Revolutionary War. By 1800 he had married 16 year old Amelia Hawkins and began a family of his own in Greenville, GreenvilleCo, SC.
bef 1805: The family moved to TN where the next seven children were born.
1809: 22 Jan Joseph was granted 200 acres in Franklin Co, TN on Bean Creek of the Elbe River.
ca. 1820: Son William was born in Aug 1818 in TN and daughter Amelia was born in Apr 1820 in Perry Co, AL Joseph Evans is said to also have had a daughter who married in the county in AL in 1820. Joseph bought three tracts of land on 19 Jan 1820 in the county. National Archives land records in Washington indicate that Joseph bought two more tracts later in the year and took out land patents in Perry Co in succeeding years for a total of 43 patents.
1822: 4 Mar: Joseph Evans was one of seven commissioners to select the site of Perry Co seat. It is said to have been his idea to name it Marion after General Francis Marion.
State of Alabama, PerryCo, I, Reuben Locket, George Weisinger, Tillman R.E. Pool, Joseph Evans, William Ford, John Welsh and James Shackleford do solemly swear that I will select and kindly find on the site for the Public Buildings for the county of Perry pursuant to the provisions of this Act according to my best judgment without favor, fear or partiality or any other consideration whatsoever other than the commission good and equal rights and interests of the County generally.
An 1844 booklet, "Ante-Bellum Marion", and in The History of Marion, by Samuel A. Townes, confirms the above and describes that Joseph Evans was elected on 5 February 1822 as one of seven commissioners to select a site for the County Seat of Perry County. Joseph Evans proposed Muckle's Ridge, a name which won out over his opponents of which there were strong ones. Afterwards, he and four other men described above were chosen to name the new County Seat and again Joseph Evans' proposal won out. Author Townes wrote:
"Thus we are mainly indebted to Joseph Evans for the location and name of our town, and as a mark of gratitude and respect of the inhabitants, it is here respectfully proposed to name this very street, which is laid off, Evans Street. This or some other mark of respect is due and it is hoped that the corporate authority of our town, or the gratitude of our citizens will no longer remain unmindful of this duty".
1830: In the census Perry Co, AL, the family was recorded as a farmer with 8 slaves. Son Evan Evans and family (one son, four daughters) were also living in household.
1840: Census PerryCo, AL Joseph Evans (60-69); females 50-59 and 100; males 20-29, 15-19 and 10-14; 18 slaves: 13 male, 5 female. Joseph Evans was noted by friends, neighbors and family for his white stallion that he rode on frequent trips to New Orleans, always a welcome sight upon his return home bearing gifts for all.
1840: First wife Amelia died. Joseph Evans, possibly with other family members, constructed substantial family monuments to his first wife and other family members whose graves were left behind when the family emigrated to Texas in 1848. The inscription on Amelia's grave cover next to the larger monument:
Sacred to the memory of Amelia Evans, who departed this life Sept. 26th AD 1840 aged 56 years. She was born in Greenville, South Carolina.
1841: On 3 Oct, 73 year old widower Joseph Evans married 21 year old Jane (Jincia) Young. They had a son Jefferson born in Jul 1842 and Jane died within the year.
1845: Two times widowed Joseph Evans then married Cynthia Perry Young, the 22 year old sister of Jane Young. Family legend says she later told her granddaughter, Cynthia Evans Gustine, that at the time she really didn't care anything about the old man, but he had her sister's child, and was about to take him off in the wilderness (meaning Texas), so she married him to take care of the child. The couple subsequently had four children.
1848: With numerous members of extended family, the Joseph Evans family moved to Cherokee Co, TX. He is thought to have first come to both Cherokee and Leon counties in Texas first with his sons and slaves, then surveyed and bought land and then returned to AL for the rest of the extended family who desired to come to Texas. Family stories relate that the danger from Indians was great. In Leon Co, they built a log cabin with walls 9 inches thick with only one window. Upon returning to AL and back, some family members returned to Leon Co, but Joseph Evans and family first settled in CherokeeCo near his son, Evan, and his family.
1850: Joseph bought 369 acres in Cherokee County on 29 January 1849, and bought other tracts later in the year. The family is listed in the census of Cherokee Co as Joseph age 77 and wife Cynthia with children. Despite his advanced age for that era, Joseph traveled back and forth often between Cherokee and Leon counties.
1851: Joseph began to buy land in Leon Co. In January 1851, Joseph bought 1894 acres in Leon County for $1,050 a mile or two NE of Robbins. Daughter, Malinda, who was four upon their arrival, later described LeonCo as the most beautiful place she had ever seen, it was like a park with tall grass and trees and deer. Later that year he bought additional tracts in Cherokee County. He first appears on the Tax List of Leon County in 1851, and was taxed on 1894 acres on Brush Creek valued at $1,894. Joseph also continued to buy and trade land in CherokeeCo through 1855.
1858: The bible of his third wife Cynthia records that in November 1858, Joseph had 172 living descendants.
1855: Joseph Evans moved to Redland, Leon Co, TX. He lived about 0.5 mi north of the Old Craig Place, about seven mi west of Centerville. The same year he sold a ten year old slave girl named Rose for $500.
1860: The LeonCo, TX census lists household #718: Joseph 86 b. NC; Cynthia 34 b. AL; Jefferson 18 b. AL; Malinda J. 13 b. AL; Jas F. 12 b. TX; Willis 7 b. TX. That year he was recorded and assessed for real property of $8,300, and personal property at $14, 335.
1861: Joseph Evans home was about one mile north of the home of the Craig family. Charles Jefferson Craig was said to have been a close friend who stayed and sat up with him during his final illness which was prolonged for some months.
In Nov 1860, Joseph recorded his will (full text below). William Evans was appointed Executor. Mentioned in the will were wife Cynthia (Sintha), children Jefferson C., Malinda J., James F., Willis Granbury Evans, Evan Evans, Edward Evans, William Evans, Joseph Evans, deceased son John Evans, granchildren Evan Lee, children of daughter Peggy Goodman, children of daughter Milly Reed, children of son John Evans, children of sons Jefferson Evans, James Franklin Evans and Willis Granbury Evans, children of daughter Malinda Jane Evans. The inventory of his estate 25 May listed 36 slaves valued at $27,600, 1894 acres of land and notes for total worth of $55,565.23. His estate was not settled until 1875 and by that time because of the Civil War and aftermath had declined to only his land, which was sold at public auction, and the proceeds divided among his heirs. His third wife Cynthia Evans was left the home place. She died in 28 February 1891 and was buried beside Joseph in the Concord Cemetery, Leon Co.
nhunter01 originally shared this on 2 Dec 2010.
Father: Robert EVANS
Spouse: Amelia HAWKINS
Children: Evan EVANS, Margaret Frances EVANS, Frances EVANS, Robert EVANS, Edward EVANS, John EVAN, Sarah Eloise EVANS, William EVANS, Amelia EVANS, Joseph EVANS
Spouse: Jane YOUNG
Child: Jefferson C C EVANS
Spouse: Cynthia Perry YOUNG
Child: Malinda Jane EVANS
Child: James Franklin EVANS
Child: Willis Granbury EVANS
Child: John EVANS
An article in The History of Cherokee County Texas relates:
Joseph, a man in his 70's, with a young family and comfortable circumstances, left it to ride to Texas with several of his sons. They arrived in Leon County in the mid 1840's where they built a log cabin with only one window and 9 inch thick wall to protect from possible Indian raids. Joseph returned to Alabama to get his family and they returned to Texas and settled in Cherokee County with his son, Evan Evans and his family. Joseph made frequent trips to Leon County to visit his sons, Edward and William and in January 1851, Joseph bought 1894 acres of land near the settlement of Robbins, west of Centerville. It was to this location that he moved his family. Joseph Evans had three wives and fourteen children, his last born when Joseph was about seventy-nine. His third wife recorded that in November, 1858 he had 172 living descendants.
1768: Joseph Evans tombstone in Concord Cemetery, Leon Co, TX shows birthdate in 1768 VA. Different sources say his birthdate was 1758, 1753 or 1778 in NC. According to researcher Joan Evans, the census shows his birth as 1774-5 in NC which was probably reported by Joseph rather than descendants who prepared his gravesite marker. Evans' family Bible says his birth was 1778.
aft 1776: Joseph Evans moved with his parents family to SC after the Revolutionary War. By 1800 he had married 16 year old Amelia Hawkins and began a family of his own in Greenville, GreenvilleCo, SC.
bef 1805: The family moved to TN where the next seven children were born.
1809: 22 Jan Joseph was granted 200 acres in Franklin Co, TN on Bean Creek of the Elbe River.
ca. 1820: Son William was born in Aug 1818 in TN and daughter Amelia was born in Apr 1820 in Perry Co, AL Joseph Evans is said to also have had a daughter who married in the county in AL in 1820. Joseph bought three tracts of land on 19 Jan 1820 in the county. National Archives land records in Washington indicate that Joseph bought two more tracts later in the year and took out land patents in Perry Co in succeeding years for a total of 43 patents.
1822: 4 Mar: Joseph Evans was one of seven commissioners to select the site of Perry Co seat. It is said to have been his idea to name it Marion after General Francis Marion.
State of Alabama, PerryCo, I, Reuben Locket, George Weisinger, Tillman R.E. Pool, Joseph Evans, William Ford, John Welsh and James Shackleford do solemly swear that I will select and kindly find on the site for the Public Buildings for the county of Perry pursuant to the provisions of this Act according to my best judgment without favor, fear or partiality or any other consideration whatsoever other than the commission good and equal rights and interests of the County generally.
An 1844 booklet, "Ante-Bellum Marion", and in The History of Marion, by Samuel A. Townes, confirms the above and describes that Joseph Evans was elected on 5 February 1822 as one of seven commissioners to select a site for the County Seat of Perry County. Joseph Evans proposed Muckle's Ridge, a name which won out over his opponents of which there were strong ones. Afterwards, he and four other men described above were chosen to name the new County Seat and again Joseph Evans' proposal won out. Author Townes wrote:
"Thus we are mainly indebted to Joseph Evans for the location and name of our town, and as a mark of gratitude and respect of the inhabitants, it is here respectfully proposed to name this very street, which is laid off, Evans Street. This or some other mark of respect is due and it is hoped that the corporate authority of our town, or the gratitude of our citizens will no longer remain unmindful of this duty".
1830: In the census Perry Co, AL, the family was recorded as a farmer with 8 slaves. Son Evan Evans and family (one son, four daughters) were also living in household.
1840: Census PerryCo, AL Joseph Evans (60-69); females 50-59 and 100; males 20-29, 15-19 and 10-14; 18 slaves: 13 male, 5 female. Joseph Evans was noted by friends, neighbors and family for his white stallion that he rode on frequent trips to New Orleans, always a welcome sight upon his return home bearing gifts for all.
1840: First wife Amelia died. Joseph Evans, possibly with other family members, constructed substantial family monuments to his first wife and other family members whose graves were left behind when the family emigrated to Texas in 1848. The inscription on Amelia's grave cover next to the larger monument:
Sacred to the memory of Amelia Evans, who departed this life Sept. 26th AD 1840 aged 56 years. She was born in Greenville, South Carolina.
1841: On 3 Oct, 73 year old widower Joseph Evans married 21 year old Jane (Jincia) Young. They had a son Jefferson born in Jul 1842 and Jane died within the year.
1845: Two times widowed Joseph Evans then married Cynthia Perry Young, the 22 year old sister of Jane Young. Family legend says she later told her granddaughter, Cynthia Evans Gustine, that at the time she really didn't care anything about the old man, but he had her sister's child, and was about to take him off in the wilderness (meaning Texas), so she married him to take care of the child. The couple subsequently had four children.
1848: With numerous members of extended family, the Joseph Evans family moved to Cherokee Co, TX. He is thought to have first come to both Cherokee and Leon counties in Texas first with his sons and slaves, then surveyed and bought land and then returned to AL for the rest of the extended family who desired to come to Texas. Family stories relate that the danger from Indians was great. In Leon Co, they built a log cabin with walls 9 inches thick with only one window. Upon returning to AL and back, some family members returned to Leon Co, but Joseph Evans and family first settled in CherokeeCo near his son, Evan, and his family.
1850: Joseph bought 369 acres in Cherokee County on 29 January 1849, and bought other tracts later in the year. The family is listed in the census of Cherokee Co as Joseph age 77 and wife Cynthia with children. Despite his advanced age for that era, Joseph traveled back and forth often between Cherokee and Leon counties.
1851: Joseph began to buy land in Leon Co. In January 1851, Joseph bought 1894 acres in Leon County for $1,050 a mile or two NE of Robbins. Daughter, Malinda, who was four upon their arrival, later described LeonCo as the most beautiful place she had ever seen, it was like a park with tall grass and trees and deer. Later that year he bought additional tracts in Cherokee County. He first appears on the Tax List of Leon County in 1851, and was taxed on 1894 acres on Brush Creek valued at $1,894. Joseph also continued to buy and trade land in CherokeeCo through 1855.
1858: The bible of his third wife Cynthia records that in November 1858, Joseph had 172 living descendants.
1855: Joseph Evans moved to Redland, Leon Co, TX. He lived about 0.5 mi north of the Old Craig Place, about seven mi west of Centerville. The same year he sold a ten year old slave girl named Rose for $500.
1860: The LeonCo, TX census lists household #718: Joseph 86 b. NC; Cynthia 34 b. AL; Jefferson 18 b. AL; Malinda J. 13 b. AL; Jas F. 12 b. TX; Willis 7 b. TX. That year he was recorded and assessed for real property of $8,300, and personal property at $14, 335.
1861: Joseph Evans home was about one mile north of the home of the Craig family. Charles Jefferson Craig was said to have been a close friend who stayed and sat up with him during his final illness which was prolonged for some months.
In Nov 1860, Joseph recorded his will (full text below). William Evans was appointed Executor. Mentioned in the will were wife Cynthia (Sintha), children Jefferson C., Malinda J., James F., Willis Granbury Evans, Evan Evans, Edward Evans, William Evans, Joseph Evans, deceased son John Evans, granchildren Evan Lee, children of daughter Peggy Goodman, children of daughter Milly Reed, children of son John Evans, children of sons Jefferson Evans, James Franklin Evans and Willis Granbury Evans, children of daughter Malinda Jane Evans. The inventory of his estate 25 May listed 36 slaves valued at $27,600, 1894 acres of land and notes for total worth of $55,565.23. His estate was not settled until 1875 and by that time because of the Civil War and aftermath had declined to only his land, which was sold at public auction, and the proceeds divided among his heirs. His third wife Cynthia Evans was left the home place. She died in 28 February 1891 and was buried beside Joseph in the Concord Cemetery, Leon Co.
nhunter01 originally shared this on 2 Dec 2010.
Spouse: Amelia HAWKINS
Children: Evan EVANS, Margaret Frances EVANS, Frances EVANS, Robert EVANS, Edward EVANS, John EVAN, Sarah Eloise EVANS, William EVANS, Amelia EVANS, Joseph EVANS
Spouse: Jane YOUNG
Child: Jefferson C C EVANS
Spouse: Cynthia Perry YOUNG
Child: Malinda Jane EVANS
Child: James Franklin EVANS
Child: Willis Granbury EVANS
Child: John EVANS
An article in The History of Cherokee County Texas relates:
Joseph, a man in his 70's, with a young family and comfortable circumstances, left it to ride to Texas with several of his sons. They arrived in Leon County in the mid 1840's where they built a log cabin with only one window and 9 inch thick wall to protect from possible Indian raids. Joseph returned to Alabama to get his family and they returned to Texas and settled in Cherokee County with his son, Evan Evans and his family. Joseph made frequent trips to Leon County to visit his sons, Edward and William and in January 1851, Joseph bought 1894 acres of land near the settlement of Robbins, west of Centerville. It was to this location that he moved his family. Joseph Evans had three wives and fourteen children, his last born when Joseph was about seventy-nine. His third wife recorded that in November, 1858 he had 172 living descendants.
1768: Joseph Evans tombstone in Concord Cemetery, Leon Co, TX shows birthdate in 1768 VA. Different sources say his birthdate was 1758, 1753 or 1778 in NC. According to researcher Joan Evans, the census shows his birth as 1774-5 in NC which was probably reported by Joseph rather than descendants who prepared his gravesite marker. Evans' family Bible says his birth was 1778.
aft 1776: Joseph Evans moved with his parents family to SC after the Revolutionary War. By 1800 he had married 16 year old Amelia Hawkins and began a family of his own in Greenville, GreenvilleCo, SC.
bef 1805: The family moved to TN where the next seven children were born.
1809: 22 Jan Joseph was granted 200 acres in Franklin Co, TN on Bean Creek of the Elbe River.
ca. 1820: Son William was born in Aug 1818 in TN and daughter Amelia was born in Apr 1820 in Perry Co, AL Joseph Evans is said to also have had a daughter who married in the county in AL in 1820. Joseph bought three tracts of land on 19 Jan 1820 in the county. National Archives land records in Washington indicate that Joseph bought two more tracts later in the year and took out land patents in Perry Co in succeeding years for a total of 43 patents.
1822: 4 Mar: Joseph Evans was one of seven commissioners to select the site of Perry Co seat. It is said to have been his idea to name it Marion after General Francis Marion.
State of Alabama, PerryCo, I, Reuben Locket, George Weisinger, Tillman R.E. Pool, Joseph Evans, William Ford, John Welsh and James Shackleford do solemly swear that I will select and kindly find on the site for the Public Buildings for the county of Perry pursuant to the provisions of this Act according to my best judgment without favor, fear or partiality or any other consideration whatsoever other than the commission good and equal rights and interests of the County generally.
An 1844 booklet, "Ante-Bellum Marion", and in The History of Marion, by Samuel A. Townes, confirms the above and describes that Joseph Evans was elected on 5 February 1822 as one of seven commissioners to select a site for the County Seat of Perry County. Joseph Evans proposed Muckle's Ridge, a name which won out over his opponents of which there were strong ones. Afterwards, he and four other men described above were chosen to name the new County Seat and again Joseph Evans' proposal won out. Author Townes wrote:
"Thus we are mainly indebted to Joseph Evans for the location and name of our town, and as a mark of gratitude and respect of the inhabitants, it is here respectfully proposed to name this very street, which is laid off, Evans Street. This or some other mark of respect is due and it is hoped that the corporate authority of our town, or the gratitude of our citizens will no longer remain unmindful of this duty".
1830: In the census Perry Co, AL, the family was recorded as a farmer with 8 slaves. Son Evan Evans and family (one son, four daughters) were also living in household.
1840: Census PerryCo, AL Joseph Evans (60-69); females 50-59 and 100; males 20-29, 15-19 and 10-14; 18 slaves: 13 male, 5 female. Joseph Evans was noted by friends, neighbors and family for his white stallion that he rode on frequent trips to New Orleans, always a welcome sight upon his return home bearing gifts for all.
1840: First wife Amelia died. Joseph Evans, possibly with other family members, constructed substantial family monuments to his first wife and other family members whose graves were left behind when the family emigrated to Texas in 1848. The inscription on Amelia's grave cover next to the larger monument:
Sacred to the memory of Amelia Evans, who departed this life Sept. 26th AD 1840 aged 56 years. She was born in Greenville, South Carolina.
1841: On 3 Oct, 73 year old widower Joseph Evans married 21 year old Jane (Jincia) Young. They had a son Jefferson born in Jul 1842 and Jane died within the year.
1845: Two times widowed Joseph Evans then married Cynthia Perry Young, the 22 year old sister of Jane Young. Family legend says she later told her granddaughter, Cynthia Evans Gustine, that at the time she really didn't care anything about the old man, but he had her sister's child, and was about to take him off in the wilderness (meaning Texas), so she married him to take care of the child. The couple subsequently had four children.
1848: With numerous members of extended family, the Joseph Evans family moved to Cherokee Co, TX. He is thought to have first come to both Cherokee and Leon counties in Texas first with his sons and slaves, then surveyed and bought land and then returned to AL for the rest of the extended family who desired to come to Texas. Family stories relate that the danger from Indians was great. In Leon Co, they built a log cabin with walls 9 inches thick with only one window. Upon returning to AL and back, some family members returned to Leon Co, but Joseph Evans and family first settled in CherokeeCo near his son, Evan, and his family.
1850: Joseph bought 369 acres in Cherokee County on 29 January 1849, and bought other tracts later in the year. The family is listed in the census of Cherokee Co as Joseph age 77 and wife Cynthia with children. Despite his advanced age for that era, Joseph traveled back and forth often between Cherokee and Leon counties.
1851: Joseph began to buy land in Leon Co. In January 1851, Joseph bought 1894 acres in Leon County for $1,050 a mile or two NE of Robbins. Daughter, Malinda, who was four upon their arrival, later described LeonCo as the most beautiful place she had ever seen, it was like a park with tall grass and trees and deer. Later that year he bought additional tracts in Cherokee County. He first appears on the Tax List of Leon County in 1851, and was taxed on 1894 acres on Brush Creek valued at $1,894. Joseph also continued to buy and trade land in CherokeeCo through 1855.
1858: The bible of his third wife Cynthia records that in November 1858, Joseph had 172 living descendants.
1855: Joseph Evans moved to Redland, Leon Co, TX. He lived about 0.5 mi north of the Old Craig Place, about seven mi west of Centerville. The same year he sold a ten year old slave girl named Rose for $500.
1860: The LeonCo, TX census lists household #718: Joseph 86 b. NC; Cynthia 34 b. AL; Jefferson 18 b. AL; Malinda J. 13 b. AL; Jas F. 12 b. TX; Willis 7 b. TX. That year he was recorded and assessed for real property of $8,300, and personal property at $14, 335.
1861: Joseph Evans home was about one mile north of the home of the Craig family. Charles Jefferson Craig was said to have been a close friend who stayed and sat up with him during his final illness which was prolonged for some months.
In Nov 1860, Joseph recorded his will (full text below). William Evans was appointed Executor. Mentioned in the will were wife Cynthia (Sintha), children Jefferson C., Malinda J., James F., Willis Granbury Evans, Evan Evans, Edward Evans, William Evans, Joseph Evans, deceased son John Evans, granchildren Evan Lee, children of daughter Peggy Goodman, children of daughter Milly Reed, children of son John Evans, children of sons Jefferson Evans, James Franklin Evans and Willis Granbury Evans, children of daughter Malinda Jane Evans. The inventory of his estate 25 May listed 36 slaves valued at $27,600, 1894 acres of land and notes for total worth of $55,565.23. His estate was not settled until 1875 and by that time because of the Civil War and aftermath had declined to only his land, which was sold at public auction, and the proceeds divided among his heirs. His third wife Cynthia Evans was left the home place. She died in 28 February 1891 and was buried beside Joseph in the Concord Cemetery, Leon Co.
nhunter01 originally shared this on 2 Dec 2010.
Family Members
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
