Father: Roland (Roley) Jacobs
Mother: Millian Ann Carter
Spouse: Drewery Evans
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:
It can be inferred from the 1850 US Census for Casey County, Kentucky, that Theodocia Jacobs was born about 1790 or 1791 in Virginia, probably in either Washington or Montgomery County. Her parents were Roland (Roley) and Millian Ann Carter Jacobs. She married Drewery Evans in Montgomery County on July 24, 1809, in a double wedding with her sister, Nancy, whose spouse was Joseph Runyon.1 After leaving Virginia about the year 1811, she settled with her husband and family, first in Tennessee and later in Kentucky as well as possibly also for a short interval in Illinois. Theodocia Jacobs Evans remained in Casey County after the death of her husband, Drewery, in 1846. This is supported by the appearance in the population schedule for the 1850 US Census for Casey County of a household headed by a fifty-nine year old female named Dashia Evans, who almost certainly should be identified as Theodocia Jacobs Evans. ("Dashia" is undoubtedly a colloquial diminutive of Theodocia.) Moreover, four additional members of this family were listed, viz., Washington, Margret, Mahaly, and Morandy Evans. Within this context, it has commonly been asserted by family researchers that Morandy was a daughter of Drewery and Theodocia Jacobs Evans.2 However, it seems more likely that she was instead actually Miranda Evans, wife of Washington Evans, their youngest son. First of all, Morandy is likely a colloquialization of Miranda and, although not impossible by any means, it would have been at least somewhat of a coincidence for Washington Evans to have had both a wife and sister having this same given name. Secondly, the couple probably had been married only for a short time and, thus, it does not seem at all implausible for them to have been living with his widowed mother (i.e., Theodocia). Accordingly, there exist two Kentucky Land Patents, Nos. 13157 and 13159 for a total of two hundred acres, both granted to Washington Evans on June 29, 1849. These land parcels had been originally surveyed by Carter H. Evans and, perhaps, they were then intended to have become the homestead of Washington and Miranda Evans, but this is merely speculation. Moreover, it has further been reported that Theodocia and Washington Evans jointly purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land in the vicinity of Riffe Creek on August 26, 1852. This is likely identical to Kentucky Land Patent No. 41003, granted to Washington and Docia Evans on May 27, 1868; however, it is also reported that about 1854 Theodocia Jacobs Evans ceased paying taxes on the land she had purchased jointly with her son.3 Therefore, it would seem probable that Theodocia must have died in Casey County about this time or shortly afterward. As is the case with her husband, no burial site is known.Source Notes and Citations:Clearly, Washington and Miranda Taylor Evans were still living in Casey County in 1852 since civil records reveal the birth of a son in December of that year. In contrast, after 1850 no further evidence of his younger sister, Mahala, seems to exist. Concomitantly, no marriage record has been found for Mahala Evans; hence, it seems a reasonable presumption that she died unmarried, probably before 1860. Likewise, it has been thought by some researchers that Washington Evans also died before 1860. However, there are circumstantial reasons to believe that he possibly survived until after 1870 and may have married a second time, although this remains to be proven.4
1. Robert and Amos Runyon, Runyon Genealogy, privately published, Brownsville, TX, 1955, pg. 110.
"A double wedding was performed July 24, 1809. Joseph Runyon married Nancy Jacobs, and Dreny Evins (sic - Drewery Evans) married Theodosia Jacobs. Joseph was more than twenty-one years of age. Nancy was a daughter of Roley Jacobs, who gave his consent to the marriage. Theodocia Jacobs was Nancy's sister. The marriage bond was signed by Richard Runyon, Joseph's brother, who had permission from Roley Jacobs to secure the marriage license for the double wedding. Thomas Evins, Jr. was a witness; he may have been a brother of Dreny Evins." This marriage bond and license were apparently recorded in Montgomery County, Virginia.
back to bio.2. Tim Mattingly, Noah Smothers, and Norman Northcutt (among others) identify Morandy as a daughter of Drewery and Theodocia Jacobs Evans. This identification is possibly originally due to the work of Larry M. Evans and appears to be based solely on the 1850 US Census. It is possible that it is correct, but when considered within context, it seems unlikely. To be more specific, in the 1850 Casey County population schedule, the birthplace of Morandy was clearly listed as Kentucky instead of Tennessee as was explicitly given for Washington, Mahaly, and Margret. If this is considered along with the stated age of each individual, a difficult chronology emerges in which Washington was born in Tennessee in 1827 or 1828, Morandy was born in Kentucky in 1828 or 1829, and, again, Mahaly was born in Tennessee in 1829 or 1830. Irrespective of any change in location, this implies that for Morandy to have been the daughter of Drewery and Theodocia Evans, these three pregnancies would necessarily have been very close together. Moreover, in the population schedule Morandy was listed last in the household even though she was evidently older than both Mahaly and Margret. Although, it was by no means a uniform convention, it was customary to list children in the population schedule immediately after their parents in order of descending age and, then, to list other members of the household, such as in-laws, collateral relatives, etc. While none of this can be considered as definitive proof, taken together it would indicate that Morandy was probably not one of the children of Dashia (Theodocia Jacobs) Evans. Thus, as asserted above, a plausible alternative is that she was Miranda Evans, wife rather than sister of Washington Evans. (Tim Mattingly, Noah Smothers, and Norman Northcutt; databases - :254736, nsmother, and :282874; worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com, 2001-2.)
back to bio.3. There was a land patent for one hundred and fifty acres issued in the names of Washington and Dosha Evans on May 27, 1868. Although the grant date is very likely subsequent to Theodocia's death, it is a possible indication that Washington Evans was still alive. In any case, the survey date was December 30, 1852, and it is probable that this was the same parcel as reportedly purchased the previous August. Perhaps, a new survey was required to correct some defect in the old title. Likewise, the issue date may be reflective of a subsequent reconveyance of the parcel to an heir or new owner, which accounts for the fifteen year interval between survey and final issuance. The details of the patent are as follows:
Kentucky Land Patent No. 41003; Grantee: Evans, Washington & Evans, Dosha; 150 acres; County: Casey; Water Course: Dawsons Cr. Riffes Cr.; Survey Name: Evans, Washington & Evans, Dosha; Survey Date: 30/Dec/1852; Grant Date: 27/May/1868: Grant Bk. 72, pg. 512. (Willard Rouse Jillson, The Kentucky Land Grants - Vol. I, Part 2, Chap. X, Filson Club Pub., Louisville, KY, 1925: pg. 1228.)
back to bio.4. It is possible that Washington and Miranda Evans moved to Clinton County, Kentucky, perhaps, in the late 1850's. Such a hypothesis is suggested by the population schedule of the 1860 US Census for Clinton County, which included the household of W. L. Evens (sic - Evans), aged thirty-three years and born in Tennessee. Moreover, his putative wife, Maranda, was thirty years of age and born in Kentucky. Clearly, this accords well with Casey County census records of 1850 if W. L. and Maranda Evens are identified with Washington and Miranda Evans. Moreover, inference from geography is favorable since the family of Drewery Evans had earlier resided in Clinton County before settling in Casey County and, in addition, it may be supposed with reasonable confidence that they still had friends and relatives living in this locality. Within this context, the Evens household also included five children between the ages of nine and one, viz., Mary M., Allen S., Thomas J., Martha, and Amanda. Clearly, all of these children were born after the 1850 census and of these, Allen, aged seven, accords well with a birth recorded in Casey County of an unnamed son to Washington and Miranda Taylor Evans on December 11, 1852.
Even so, there is no definitive evidence that W. L. Evans was, in fact, Washington Evans. Moreover, Mr. Robert Wright has identified Miranda Evans as the daughter of Allen Wakefield Beard and, thus, a member of a large extended family of early settlers of Cumberland (later Clinton) County, Kentucky. This is further supported by the population schedule of the 1870 US Census for Clinton County in which Maranda Evans was listed as "insane" and living in the household of Isaac N. Beard, who, within this context can be identified as her brother. In addition, Amanda and John A. Evans, ages twelve and four, respectively, were also resident in this same household. It would seem an obvious inference that Amanda was identical to the youngest child listed in the 1860 population schedule. In addition, Alice Evans, aged seven years, and Ida Evans, age six, were living nearby in the households of obvious relatives, viz., Allen Wakefield Beard and Sherrod W. Beard, respectively. Therefore, it is a reasonable conclusion that John A., Alice, and Ida were also children of W. L. and Miranda Evans. Nevertheless, it seems certain that the wife of Washington Evans was Miranda Taylor and, therefore, should not be identified with Miranda Beard. It is possible that this discrepancy could be reconciled if Miranda Beard had been married to "Mr. Taylor" prior to her marriage to Washington Evans; however, this is merely speculation. Concomitantly, it might be supposed that W. L. Evans died prior to 1870, although considering his wife's insanity he might have been living elsewhere, perhaps, with some of the other children, but there is no known documentary evidence supporting such a presumption.
Subsequently, the birth of James E. Evans on February 12, 1874, to Washington Evans, born in Fentress County, Tennessee, and Viola Pare (sic - Pair), born in Monroe County, Kentucky, was recorded in Monroe County. Indeed, it seems reasonably certain that Washington Evans, son of Drewery and Theodocia Jacobs Evans was born in Fentress County about 1827. Moreover, it is also known that Thomas and Priscilla Evans Sabens, brother-in-law and sister of Drewery Evans, had along with most of their children settled in Monroe County about 1835. Therefore, it is a reasonable presemption that Washington Evans may have moved to this locality and settled near relatives, perhaps, after the death of his wife, Miranda. Within this context, according to historians of the Pair family, Viola Pair Evans was born in Monroe County on September 27, 1855, and married Washington Evans about 1872. Three children can be attributed to them, viz., James E., Mary, and Samuel Jefferson. The family seems to have moved to Cumberland County, Kentucky, near Burkesville, perhaps, about 1876 or 1877. Indeed, Samuel's birth on December 29, 1878, was recorded in Cumberland County and, furthermore, the Cumberland County population schedule of 1880 confirms all three children (although the ages of James and Mary seem to have been inverted). In addition, this same census record reveals that Viola Evans was then a widow living with her three children in the household of her younger brother, Andrew Pair. Therefore, it is a reasonable presumption that Washington Evans died in 1879 or 1880, probably in Cumberland County. According to later family tradition, he was a logger and died of pneumonia. His widow subsequently married Tom Scott (apparently a close neighbor in the 1880 population schedule). They reportedly had four children and had moved to Denton County, Texas, by 1900, where Viola died on October 10th of that year.
Of these two sets of circumstances, it seems more likely that the latter can be plausibly associated with Washington Evans, son of Drewery and Theodocia Jacobs Evans. The former seems much less likely. Indeed, although no age is affirmed for the husband of Viola Pair, it seems probable that he was considerably older than she was since he died just a few years after their marriage.a. Relevant census records confirm the existence of the household of W. L. and Maranda Evens (sic - Evans) and of her close association with the extended Beard family. (1860 US Census Population Schedule for Clinton County, Kentucky, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 278, (microfilm: roll M653_363; img. 279), 1870 US Census Population Schedule for Clinton County, Kentucky, National Archives, Washington DC: pgs. 258B, 259A, & 261A, (microfilm: roll M593_457; imgs. 27, 28, & 34), & 1880 US Census Population Schedule for Clinton County, Kentucky, National Archives, Washington DC: pgs. 584A & 585A, (microfilm: roll T9_410; imgs. 374 & 376).)
b. Birth Records, Monroe County, Tompkinsville, KY, 1874, pg. unk., (Kentucky Birth, Marriage and Death Records, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY, (microfilm: roll 994049; img. 316)).
c. Birth Records, Cumberland County, Burkesville, KY, 1878-9, pg. unk., (Kentucky Birth, Marriage and Death Records, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY, (microfilm: roll 994031; img. 526)).
d. Children of Washington and Viola Pair Evans are confirmed by the 1880 population schedule of Cumberland County, Kentucky. (1880 US Census Population Schedule for Cumberland County, Kentucky, National Archives, Washington DC: pgs. 111A-B, (microfilm: roll T9_410; imgs. 731-2).)
e. Mamie Evans George, "Genealogical Notebook by Mamie Evans George, daughter Samuel Jefferson Evans", Denton Co. Texas, Historical Commission, unpublished MSS.
"Washington Evans, my fathers' father and my grandfather, worked at logging and the log floats down the Cumberland River. In those days, they would follow the logs for days and days and miles and miles down to a saw mill below the Tennessee border. While working on those log floats, Grandfather Evans contracted pneumonia and died at an early age. He was buried at a small place known as Center Point near Burkesville (Cumberland Co.), Kentucky."f. A summary of the Beard family is provided by Mr. Robert Wright. (Robert Wright; database - :3050572; worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com, 2005.)
g. A summary of the Pair family is provided by B. Copeland. Also cited by this researcher: "Genealogical Records, Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum, Denton, Denton Co., Texas". (B. Copeland; database - :1175291; worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com, 2002.)
back to bio.
Additional Citations:
5. 1850 US Census Population Schedule for Casey County, Kentucky, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 296B, (microfilm: roll M432_196; img. 21).6. Birth Records, Casey County, Liberty, KY, 1852, pg. unk., (Kentucky Birth, Marriage and Death Records, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY, (microfilm: roll 994032; img. 11)).
7. 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)
8. Robert L. Evans, "Our Family's History", November 9, 2001.
9. Ancestral File: 1RW9-29T, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, UT, continuously updated.