Ewell, Barbara Ann (Evans) (1821-1898) Autobio

(Second wife of the contributor's second great grandfather, David Evans. Richard N. Heywood)

Barbara Ann Ewell Evans, 1821-1898

     Barbara Ann Ewell Evans, the daughter of Pleasant and Barbara Ewell, was born the 16th day of May, 1821, in the state of Virginia, Albemarle County.

     The following sketch of her life was written by her two years before her death.

     My father and mother left that state when I was nine years old, and moved to Bedford County, state of Tennessee, where we remained three years. In 1833 we moved to Ray County, Missouri. There I witnessed the falling of the stars, November 13, 1833.

     It was in my father's house that I first heard the sound of the everlasting gospel, preached by Brother Jacob Foutz. The next elder I heard was David Evans. My mother being first to believe, she was baptized by David Evans, and the family soon followed. 

      We remained in Missouri until the Saints were driven from that state. My mother and sister were very sick when we left, and they both died shortly after our arrival in Illinois, and in the course of a few months another of my sisters died, each leaving a small child which I had charge of in connection with my father's family. This consisted of two brothers, two sisters, my father, myself and the two small babies of my sisters, I had charge of all, I was only 18 years of age at that time.

     I was baptized by Elder David Evans, and confirmed by him June 10, 1837, and I was married to him on the 23rd of November, 1841.

     I saw Joseph and Hyrum Smith after their martyrdom. It was a solemn day among the Saints. We felt like a flock of sheep without a shepherd, but the Lord had another shepherd to lead his Saints. It was Brigham Young. I was present the day he was set apart to lead the church. No Saint could dispute it for it did seem when he spoke as though it was Joseph's own voice that was addressing us. I never shall forget that day nor how the Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon the people; it came so mild, yet so penetrating that every heart beat with joy to know we had a man of God to lead the Saints, Oh, what a consolation it was to know we were not forgotten.

     I remained in Illinois until the exodus from that state, which was in 1846. Some of the Saints had neither teams or wagons. The brethren united together and made wagons for those that had none; by that means all had wagons, but not teams, and we were obliged to get away, as the mob was howling around, and Nauvoo was threatened. So my husband, being bishop of the Eleventh Ward, concluded to take the teams they had and move as many as they could. We made a start with what teams we had, crossed the Mississippi River, went a day's journey, and set the families down on the prairie. The next day they took the teams and brought the rest.

     Soon after the men got employment breaking prairie and doing other work. We took oxen and milk cows so in the fall all had teams and provisions for winter. I did considerable spinning in the tent, also quilted several quilts. One great blessing, we were generally well. We did not have many luxuries, still we felt thankful for what we had. We then started for Council Bluffs, but it was late in the fall, winter had set in, and we stopped on the headwaters of the Nodaway. The men cut hay and put up log huts. My husband made a sideloom, and I did considerable weaving that winter. The cattle could not live on the frostbitten hay so they commenced to die; our provisions began to get short; and we were obliged to leave in the month of February, 1847. We started for Missouri and lost our way. Our teams that were left gave out, and we had to kill and eat them to save our lives.

     My husband and two other men, Joseph Smith (of Lehi) and Shaw, went down to Missouri to get fresh teams and provisions, while they left their families camped on a small stream which was called Starvation Creek. We suffered from hunger and cold, but we did not complain, for we were united; we truly lived the order; we all shared alike. My husband came with fresh teams and provisions. I tell you it was a day of rejoicing. We had not heard from them since they left. They had had hard work to get teams. The people were so prejudiced against the Mormons, they were almost to return without anything. My husband told the people he would return and die with the rest of the people. One gentleman spoke and said, 'Can't you do something for these men; they seem to be honest?' The men began to volunteer, and he soon had all the provisions and teams he wanted.

     We then made another start for Missouri. The snow had fallen to a great depth, and we could not keep on the divide. After wallowing in the snow for four or five days, camping on the prairie without fire, we arrived in Nodaway County, Missouri, March 1, 1847. My son, Joseph, was born April 7th, in a house without doors, windows, chimneys or floor. My food was corn bread ground ~n a hand mill; we had bran for coffee. We stayed there three years, had plenty of work, made a good outfit and started for Utah, May 15th, 18~0. My baby was ten days old when we started. After the company got together, Bishop Evans was appointed captain. They were organized, and on June 15 we made a start for Utah.

     The cholera soon broke out in camp. People were stricken down on every side. There were five deaths in our company, my husband's oldest daughter, Mrs. Ira Hinckley, was one among them. That was a trying time. I had six small children, but none of them had the dreaded disease.  Had it not been for that we would have had a pleasant journey. After we arrived at Laramie, we all enjoyed good health.

In the year 1850, September 15th, we arrived at Salt Lake Valley, and lived there until February 15, 1851. We then moved to what was called Dry Creek, which was later called Lehi, and we have made our home in Lehi ever since.

My husband was appointed bishop of Lehi, also postmaster and served several terms in the Legislature. Our son Hyrum, was drowned at Pelican Point, in Utah Lake, July 29, 1862, age 9 years, 21 days. He had been baptized.

I served as Second Counselor in the Relief Society for eleven years. I have done work in three temples, and had a little more to do, but my health would not permit. If I cannot do it, some of my family will attend to it.

     My son, Eleazer Evans, was called on a mission to Germany. He left October 16, 1883, took a severe cold while in London; still he would not give up until he arrived in Berlin. He was sick all winter. The president released him to return home. He lived just three weeks after his return, when his noble spirit took its flight to God who gave it.

I am the mother of fifteen children, seven boys, Joseph, Hiram, David, Eleazer, Mosiah, Ephraim, and Jacob, and eight girls, Martha, Amanda, Abigail, Sarah, Susan, Barbara, Rozilla, and Mary, ten of whom are living besides an adopted child, the daughter of Louise and John Beck; I have 101 grand children, 86 living, 21 dead; 51 great-grand children, 43 living, 8 dead. I was 75 years old May 16, 1896. All my children living are married and have families. I have been a widow 13 years. I was left with three children. I feel thankful that through all the shifting scenes of life, I have been preserved thus far in the faith of the gospel, and can testify that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God."

     In addition to the foregoing her children recall some intimate incidents that may be of interest to those who read this sketch.

     At one time when food was so scarce she roasted and ate a pork rind that had been kept and used to grease the dripper that the bread was baked in. Her hunger for meat overcame everything, and the urge to satisfy that impelled her to sacrifice a family necessity.

     The fear of the Indians was ever prevalent. Often when they came to the home at meal time they were seated at the table, the best food was served to them while the children stood back in hungry expectancy hoping that all would not be consumed.

     One night when her husband was away the Indians came. Their countenances were savage, they were decked in feathers and war paint, with gestures and threatening voices they demanded an audience with the Big Chief as they called the husband. He was finally located and returned home. The mother with her children stood awe stricken in mute silence when he entered the house fearing that in their anger they would take his life. He seated himself in his accustomed place in an arm chair by the stair way and spoke calmly, kindly, persuasively to them. The infuriated savages in a short time were quieted. They did not get the scalp they had intended to take that night. Such scenes as this, however, only added to the fear already felt by the family.

     Barbara Ann Evans' children remember her as a kind, gentle, loving mother with a pleasing personality, a friend to all, her hands were ever extended to help those in need.

Barbara Ann Ewell, daughter of Pleasant Ewell and Barbara Fauber, was born 16 May 1821 at Albermarle, Virginia. On 23 Nov 1841 she was married to David Evans. She died 28 June 1898 at Lehi, Utah, Utah and was buried there.

     They were parents of the following fifteen children:

1.           MARTHA EVANS, born 20 Oct 1842 at Nauvoo, Hancock, ill.; md. 20 Oct 1859, William Winn. She died 15 Nov 1926.

2.           AMANDA EVANS, born 21 Apr 1844 at Nauvoo, Hancock, ill.; md. 29 Apr 1859, Edward William Edwards. She died 25 Mar 1881.

3.           ABIGAIL EVANS, born 27 Jan 1846 at Nauvoo, Hancock, Ill.; md. 1 Nov 1861, Ole Ellingson.  She died 13 Sep 1932.

4.           JOSEPH EVANS, born 7 Apr 1847 at Nodaway Co., Mo.; md. 21 Apr 1873, Sarah Jane Casto. He died 30 June 1899.

5.           SARAH EVANS, born 27 Apr 1849 at Nodaway Co., Mo.; md. 30 May 1867, Jacob Hodge.  She died 20 Aug 1893.

6.           SUSANNAH EVANS, born 6 May 1850 at Nodaway Co., Mo.; md. 27 Dec 1869, Isaac Alldredge. She died 23 July 1932.

7.           DAVID EVANS, born 28 Jan 1852 at Lehi, Utah, Utah; md. 1 Dec 1881, Leah May Naegle.  He died 5 Sep 1923.

8.           HYRUM EVANS, born 8 July 1853 at Lehi, Utah, Utah; died 29 July 1862.

9.           BARBARA EVANS, born 15 Mar 1855 at Lehi, Utah, Utah; md. 9 Aug 1875, John Pettit Bush. She died 22 July 1925.

10.        ROZILLA EVANS, born 4 May 1856 at Lehi, Utah, Utah; md. 31 Mar 1873, William Emil Racker. She died 15 Nov 1940.

11.        EPHRAIM EVANS, born 11 July 1858 at Lehi, Utah, Utah; died 5 May 1863.

12.        ELEAZER EVANS, born 24 Feb 1861 at Lehi, Utah, Utah; died 24 Mar 1884 unmarried.

13.        MOSIAH EVANS, born 22 Sep 1862 at Lehi, Utah, Utah; md. 14 Dec 1882, Catherine Esther Carter. He died 15 Apr 1921.

14.        MARY EVANS, born 17 May 1864 at Lehi, Utah, Utah; md. 24 Mar 1886, William P. Wanlass. She died 17 Jan 1931.

15.        JACOB EVANS, born 26 Apr 1867 at Lehi, Utah, Utah; md. 27 Nov 1887, Ann Nelson.  He died 22 Jan 1953.

Sophia Beck Evans (adopted)SOPHIA BECK EVANS (adopted)

Source:  Family records in my possession.  Richard N. Heywood