Father: Thomas Evans, Sr.
Mother: Jane Howerton

Spouse: Theodocia Jacobs
  m: 24/Jul/1809 - Montgomery Co. VA

Child-1: James Monroe
          2: Carter H.
          3: William Roy
          4: Thomas W.
          5: John Thomas
          6: Washington - b: 1827/1828 -  TN - m: Miranda Taylor
         7: Mahala - b: 1829/1830 - TN - nra: 1850
         8: Margaret Emma

Biographical Details:

Drewery Evans was born about 1784, probably in Montgomery County, Virginia (although Franklin County is also a possibility).  His parents were Thomas Evans, Sr., and Jane Howerton Evans.  At this time, the area covered by Montgomery County was much larger than it is at present and included the extreme southwestern part of what is now the state of West Virginia as well as extending as far eastward as Franklin County and as far southward as the border of North Carolina including all of what is now Grayson and Carroll Counties.  Therefore, it is difficult to determine the exact locality of his birth and childhood, although by the time he was an adolescent the vicinity of Clapboard Creek or the Little River seems plausible since, documentary evidence exists which indicates that Thomas Evans, Sr., along with some of his Howerton in-laws, owned land and had settled in this area by 1800.  Alternatively, historians of the Howerton family believe that Thomas and Jane Howerton Evans may have settled, at least for some time, with other Howerton relatives near Big Moccasin Creek.¹  Of course, the western regions of  present day Virginia were not included in eight original "shires" of the Virginia Colony, which were confined to the tidewater region.  However, by 1721 these lands were nominally incorporated into Spotsylvania County which had been formed from Essex, King William, and King and Queen Counties.  With the progression of settlement, western lands were transferred successively to Orange, Augusta, Botetourt, and Fincastle Counties, all of which, with the exception of Fincastle, survive with reduced territory down to the present day.  Between 1775 and 1777 Fincastle County was partitioned into Montgomery, Washington, and Kentucky Counties and, thus, became extinct.  At this time, the drainage area of Big Moccasin Creek was included entirely within Washington County and later in Russell and Scott Counties, but was never included in Montgomery County.  Therefore, Clapboard Creek in the New River valley seems a much more likely location. Theodocia Jacobs and Drewery Evans were married on July 24, 1809, in Montgomery County, Virginia.  Apparently, since the household of Drury (a variant spelling of Drewery) Evans, consisting of an adult male and female and one very young male child, appeared in the 1810 US Census for Montgomery County, they resided in Virginia at least until after the birth of their first son, James Monroe, sometime about 1810.  Moreover, later census records indicate that their second child, Carter H., was born in Tennessee in 1812.  Therefore, although the date is uncertain, it would seem that about 1811, Drewery and Theodocia Evans moved to Tennessee, apparently with close family members, probably to the eastern section of Overton County, which later became part of Fentress County.  However, they did not appear in the 1820 US Census for Overton County nor were they listed in the 1830 US Census for Fentress County.  Even so, civil records indicate that on September 16, 1829, Drewery Evans and his brother-in-law, Thomas L. Sabens, witnessed a land transfer involving other family members in Fentress County.²  The deed was proven in July of 1831.  In addition, the name "Dewy" Evans appeared on the 1833 Tax List for Fentress County.  Since, Carter Evans, probably the second son of Drewery and Theodocia Jacobs Evans, also appeared on this same list as well as other members of the family of Thomas Evans, Sr., it seems reasonable to identify Dewy with Drewery.  Such spelling variations and misspellings of proper names were common in early civil records. A possible, but uncertain, explanation for the absence of Drewery Evans and his family in 1830 census records for Tennessee is that they were resident in Illinois.  Indeed, the 1830 US Census for Morgan County, Illinois, listed the household of Drury (i.e., Drewery) Evans as containing an adult male of between forty and fifty years of age, along with seven male children of under twenty years of age, one female child under five, and an adult female also between forty and fifty years of age.  This accords well with the known composition of the family.  (The appearance of seven, rather than six, sons in the census record may imply the existence of an additional child, who, as was not uncommon for the time, died either in infancy or very young and is otherwise unknown.)  Moreover, the household of William Evans appeared on the line of the population schedule immediately following and, upon consideration of ages and family composition, it is reasonable to conclude that William Evans was likely a younger brother of Drewery, i.e., the next to youngest son of Thomas, Sr., and Jane Howerton Evans.  A further indication of a connection to this locality in Illinois is that James Monroe and Carter H. Evans, the two oldest sons of Drewery Evans, later moved to Scott County, Illinois, shortly after the Civil War.  Scott County was formed February 16, 1839, and was originally a part of Morgan County.

However, by 1840 at the latest it is clear that Drewery and Theodocia Evans and their children had returned once again to the vicinity of Fentress County, since, the 1840 US Census for Clinton County, Kentucky, listed households of William, Drewry, Carter, and James Evans.  Undoubtedly, "Drewry" is a yet another spelling variation of Drewery.  Again, William Evans was probably the brother of Drewery, having also returned from Illinois.  In addition, James and Carter Evans were most likely the two oldest sons of Drewery and Theodocia Evans.  Both James Monroe and Carter H. Evans were married by 1840 and, thus, appeared in the Clinton County census records as heads of household.  It also seems that Thomas W. Evans was married and living in Casey County, Kentucky, with his wife and one young child.  William Roy Evans cannot be identified in either Clinton or Casey County census records, however, he was probably living close by.   A possibility is that he was hired out as a farm hand as would not have been unusual for a young unmarried man and, thus, was included in the household of an unrelated family.  It appears that the four younger children of Drewery and Theodocia remained living at home since, the census record indicates two younger males and two younger females resident in the household.  (There is some discrepancy with the ages of the  females, however, the entry is at the very bottom of the page, so it is possible that the census taker erroneously shifted one column rightward.)  Geographically, Clinton County, Kentucky, lies directly to the northwest of Fentress County, Tennessee.  Indeed, the Tennessee-Kentucky state border line forms the southern boundary of Clinton County, which was organized in 1835 from portions of Wayne and Cumberland Counties.  Therefore, in 1840, before the formation of Pickett County, Clinton and Fentress Counties were immediately adjacent across the state boundary.  Within this context, it is known from other sources that Evans and allied families were settled in the northern part of Fentress County, within a few miles of the present Tennessee-Kentucky boundary.  Moreover, due to errors in early surveys, the location of the border between Kentucky and Tennessee was long in dispute and not fixed permanently until 1820.  Even so, misconceptions regarding the exact location of the border may have persisted for a considerable time after this settlement; hence, it does not seem implausible to find Drewery Evans (as well as his son, Carter Evans) as a head of household in the census records for Clinton County, but apparently at the same time paying taxes in Fentress County.  Of course, he may have actually owned property in both counties, however, this should not be uncritically assumed. According to research notes compiled by Larry M. Evans, Drury Evans purchased land in Casey County, Kentucky, on the Green River and along the road leading from Liberty (county seat of Casey County) to Columbia (county seat of neighboring Adair County) on November 20, 1841.  Carter Evans, son of Drewery and Theodocia Evans, was a witness to this transaction.  In addition, Drury Evans filed an indenture between himself and Robert H. Evans and William Crouch in Casey County on April 20, 1843.³  The exact relationship between these individuals is unknown; nevertheless, there is a strong presumption that they must have been relatives or in-laws.  As noted previously, evidence exists that before 1840 another son, Thomas W. Evans, had already settled with his wife in Casey County.  Even so, it can be concluded that Drewery, Theodocia, and all of their other children moved to Casey County, during the decade of the 1840's since, with the exception of Drewery who had died by 1850, they were all listed in the 1850 US Census for Casey County.  This is further indicated by a number of land patents granted to three sons of Drewery Evans, William R., James, and Washington, by the Casey County Court during the later 1840's.⁴  These are all to be found in close proximity to the Green River in the general vicinity of Dunnville.  It is thought that Drewery Evans died intestate in Casey County, Kentucky, in April of 1846.  Moreover, an inventory, appraisement record of his estate, and bill of sale dated July 10, 1846, was recorded in Casey County the following September.⁵  His burial place is not known.

As a final point of interest, there remains to the present day a location on the Green River in Casey County called Evans' Ford.  It is located six or seven miles downstream from the town of Liberty and in the nineteenth century could well have been on the road running between Liberty and Columbia.  Moreover, various land patents cited previously are associated with Riffe Creek, Dawson Creek, and other nearby watercourses draining into the Green River.  In addition, there is longstanding oral tradition in one branch of the Evans family that associates Goose Creek with a homestead in Casey County.  Goose Creek flows generally northward, emptying into the Green River at Dunnville, which is only two or three miles further downstream from Evans' Ford.

1. Bryan R. Howerton, "Howertons on the Virginia Frontier", Howerton Heritage Newsletter, Spring 2000. (Wally Howerton (ed), www.howertonheritage.com/HowertonHeritageSpring2000.htm, 2000.); also Private correspondence with Bryan R. Howerton.
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2. "Page #228 - Instr. #107  Stephen Evans to Jane and Susan Evans, All of Fentress County, State of Tennessee, 16 Sept. 1829.  Cons. $40.00, 30 Acres on Waters of Wolf River on Bates Creek.  Stephen Evans, (L. S.)  Witnesses: /s/Drewry ^hisX_mark Evans  /s/Thomas L. Sohanes (sic - Sabens)
     Proven by Drewry Evans & Thomas L. Saohans, July 25, 1831.  J. H. Richardson, Clerk  By his Deputy W. B. Richardson  Registered, 9 March, 1833.  Wm. Evans, Regr."  (Deed Bk. A, Fentress Co., TN, pg. 228. - Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, TN. (microfilm: roll - Fentress Co. #7)  (extracted by Albert R. Hogue, unpublished MSS.))
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3. This indenture made this 20^th day of April 1843 Between Drury Evans of the county of Casey of the one part and Robert H. Evans and William Crouch of the County aforesaid of the other part witnesseth that the said Drury Evins for an in consideration of the sum of ninety eight Dollars with interest thereon from the first day of March 1841 in hand paid hath granted bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant bargain sell and convey unto the said Robert H. Evans and Wm. Crouch seven head of horses, ten head of cattle, sixty head of hogs, two feather bedsteds and furniture household & kitchen furniture, one wagon and geer, three ploughs, three hoes and three axes and two mattocks to have and to hold the said property with the increase thereof unto the said Robert H. Evans & William Crouch and their heirs &c forever the sd. Drury Evans hereby covenants with the sd. Robert H. Evans & William Crouch that he has title to the above discribed property and will warrant and defend the title thereof unto the said Robert H. Evans & Wm. Crouch their heirs or assigns from the claim of all persons whatever yet it is agreed that should the said Drury Evans or anny other person for him in one Month pay and satisfy the said sum of ninety eight dollars with interest afsd. unto the said Robert H. Evans & Wm. Crouch & the costs of said conveyance then this above obligation to be void. --- to remain in full force witnesseth my hand & seal the day and date above written.  /s/D. Evans (seal)
     Casey County (sct) I, Joel Sweeney, clerk of the County Court of Casey Do hereby certify that on the 20^th of April 1843 the foregoing deed was presented to me & acknowledged by the sd. Drury Evans to be his act and deed whereof the same is truly recorded in my office.  /s/Joel Sweeney, Clerk  (Deed Bk. 4, Casey Co., KY, pgs. 581-2.)
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4. Kentucky Land Patent No. 12036;  Grantee: Evans, William R.; 50 acres; County: Casey; Water Course: Honey Locust Br. & Riffs Cr.; Survey Name: Evans, William R.;  Survey Date: 8/Mar/1847; Grant Date: 20/Jul/1848: Grant Bk. 24, pg. 197.  (Willard Rouse Jillson, The Kentucky Land Grants - Vol. I, Part 2, Chap. X, Filson Club Pub., Louisville, KY, 1925: pg. 1227.)

Kentucky Land Patent No. 13156;  Grantee: Evans, James; 100 acres; County: Casey; Water Course: Riffe Cr. Green R.; Survey Name: Evans, James;  Survey Date: 6/Dec/1848; Grant Date: 29/Jun/1849: Grant Bk. 26, pg. 152.  (Willard Rouse Jillson, The Kentucky Land Grants - Vol. I, Part 2, Chap. X, Filson Club Pub., Louisville, KY, 1925: pg. 1227.)

Kentucky Land Patent No. 13157;  Grantee: Evans, Washington; 123 acres; County: Casey; Water Course: Riffe Cr. Dawson Cr.; Survey Name: Evans, Carter H.;  Survey Date: 26/Feb/1847; Grant Date: 29/Jun/1849: Grant Bk. 26, pg. 153.  (Willard Rouse Jillson, The Kentucky Land Grants - Vol. I, Part 2, Chap. X, Filson Club Pub., Louisville, KY, 1925: pg. 1227.)

Kentucky Land Patent No. 13159;  Grantee: Evans, Washington; 77 acres; County: Casey; Water Course: None; Survey Name: Evans, Carter H.;  Survey Date: 8/Mar/1847; Grant Date: 29/Jun/1849: Grant Bk. 26, pg. 155.  (Willard Rouse Jillson, The Kentucky Land Grants - Vol. I, Part 2, Chap. X, Filson Club Pub., Louisville, KY, 1925: pg. 1227.)
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5. Inventory & appraisement  A True & Just Inventory & appraisement of all the personal estate of Drury Evans deceased which was produced to us by William Evans his administrator
 

1 bull	$3.50
1 cow	6.50
Red Cow & Calf	$8.50
1 waggon	20.00
1 sorrell mare	16.00
1 sorrell Horse	20.00
1 black coalt	20.00
1 lot Castings	1.00
1 Iron	.25
1 side & Mans saddle	1.00
2 blind bridles	.75
1 pair Guns	2.35
1 pair britchen	2.00
1 shovel plough	.75
1 bulltongue plough	.75
1 swudletree & Clivis	.62½
2 Hoes	.31¼
1 axe & hoe	1.12½
2 R hook	.50
1 Clock	6.00
1 Rifle gun	5.00
1 lot glass & plate	1.00
3 pails	.75
1 Coffee Mill	.25
1 Chest	1.50
1 looking Glass	.50
1 swudletree & c	.37½

July 10^th 1846

     We do Certify that the foregoing appraisement was truly & justly made of which was produced to us by his administrators to their best Judgement all of which we respectfully Report to the County Court of Casey  Given in our hand this date above written  /s/Rich^d L Smith  /s/G. W. Danson  /s/Vincent C Rubarts
     We do Certify that the foregoing Inventory contains all the personal property of & estate of Drury Evans deceased which has to come to our hands this 10^th July 1846 /s/William C Evans  /s/Dosha Evans

     Sale bill of the property of Drury Evans Decd
 
 

6 glases  Mahaly Evans	$ .25
1 lot plates  M Evans	.25
Dosha Evans  2 saddles	1.00
1 bulltongue plow  Wash Evans	.25
W Evans  1  plough	.66¼
R Evans  1 swudletree	.25
1 swudletree & clivis  R Evans	.25
1 Grubbing hoe  C Evans	.25
1 axe  W Evans	.33
2 W Hoes  R Evans	.25
1 pair gun  R Evans	.50
1    do  R Evans	1.12½
2 blind bridles  L Edwards	.75
1 pair britchen  J brock	2.00
2 R hook  L Edwards	.25
1 B Colt  M Evans	11.50
1 sorrell horse  M Evans	10.00
1 sorrell Mare  C M Evans	8.00
1 waggon  L Edwards	24.50
1 Bull W Lawhorn	4.00
1 Red Cow & Calf  Carter Evans	7.62½
	$73.99¾

 

1 B. Cow  B Haynes	7.00
1 R Gun
1 R Gun  J Miller	5.12½
1 Chist  M Evans	.25
1 Glass	.50
	$12.87½

Casey County sct
     At a county court held for Casey County on the 2^nd Monday in Sept 1846 the foregoing Inventory and appraisement & sale bill was produced to the Court examined & approved by the Court & ordered to be Recorded whereupon the same is truly Recorded in my office  atteste /s/Joel Sweeney Clk
     The total appraised value of the estate was $121.28¾.  All of the items were household objects, farm implements, livestock, and harness gear.  (Such items as "swudletrees", "britchen", and a "clivis", were harness parts and can be identified with whiffletrees, swingletrees or singletrees, brichen or brichen straps, and a clevis.)  These items, again, appear on the associated bill of sale and actually brought a total of only $86.86¼  (the first subtotal was apparently incorrect by half a cent).  The buyer's names were also listed and were family members and neighbors.  (Will Bk. 1, Casey Co., KY, pgs. 375-8.)
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Additional Citations:

6. 1810 US Census Population Schedule for Montgomery County, Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 620, (microfilm: roll M252_70; img. 64).

7. 1830 US Census Population Schedule for Morgan County, Illinois, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 88, (microfilm: roll M19_24; img. 179).

8. 1840 US Census Population Schedule for Clinton County, Kentucky, National Archives, Washington DC:  pg. 339, (microfilm roll M704_108; img. 167).

9. Fentress County Tax List of 1833, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, TN.  (Bruce York (tr), Fentress County TNGenWeb Archives, 2000.)

10. Larry M. Evans, "Notes by Larry M. Evans", Springfield, IL, May 7, 1979, unpublished.  (non-circulating copy available in the Casey County Public Library, Liberty, KY)

11. Robert L. Evans, "Our Family's History", November 9, 2001.

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