Beck, Mary (Evans) (1804-1841) Bio from David Evans and His Family

Bishop David Evans and His Family

Mary Beck Evans, 1804-1841

Mary Beck Evans was born on October 18, 1804 in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania to Henry Beck and Margaret Beighel Beck.

She met and married David Evans of Pennsylvania, whose parents had moved there from Cecil County, Maryland. They were married July 25, 1826.

The couple bought a large farm in Columbus County, Ohio where two children were born: Eliza Jane and Israel.

When they heard the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or the Mormons, they accepted their teachings and were both baptized the 6th of April, 1833. Selling the farm, they moved to Richland County, Ohio where David became a missionary.

Mary toiled incessantly assisting her husband subdue the soil and making a home for her family. There were no conveniences of today. It was log huts, river water and a camp fire to furnish warmth and light. They were on the move, because of the treatment of non-Mormon people; many times being driven from their homes, sometimes without warning, leaving to save themselves, sometimes to return later for some of their belongings they had left behind when they fled.

In 1834 her husband, David, went on an assignment from Joseph Smith with a group of men known as Zion's Camp. Their mission was to reinstate the Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, to their rightful lands which had been taken from them during the persecutions in that area. Her call was to care for her family alone until his return.

David was ordained a Seventy in the First Quorum of Seventies by Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon on the 29th of April 1835. She no doubt was happy about this and gave him her full support.

In May of 1836 they were called to leave Ohio with a company of Saints, most of whom David had baptized. David was in charge of the company. On the 27th of August of that year, her little daughter, Margaret, only a year and a half years old passed away. This brought great sorrow to her parents and family.

While near Shoal Creek, Caldwell County, Missouri, their sixth child, Araminta, was born (August 21, 1838). Although she had brought happiness to this family, she did not remain long, dying when only a few weeks old.

The Evans family were with the Saints at the time of persecutions in Missouri and were at the Haunts Mill Massacre. They were forced to leave Missouri and went to Adams County, Illinois. Here another baby girl was born to them. She was named Emma.

Mary must have hoped they would remain in one place to build their home and rear the children she had given birth during those hard times.

It was in Adams County, Illinois she died at the age of thirty-seven (37) years, leaving her husband and five living children. This happened on June 20, 1841. The many moves they made, plus the hardship, trial, threats, and exposure, seemed too much for her. There must have been many times when the food supply was very low. Great courage it took to meet the dawn of each day not knowing what the night would bring. She supported her husband and no doubt had great faith in her religion.

Grandmother Mary Beck Evans

Dearest Grandmother of long ago,
Seems as Mary many things you had to forego:
To build our church, help others on their way,
When many times it was hard to be happy or gay.

You shared your mate with others as he led
them through trouble and woe,
When you did not know where he'd be called to go.
Your children you had to bury and leave behind,
As you sought refuge with people of your kind.

Yes, you gave your life, your all,
In answer to the Church's call.
Courage and faith God gave to you,
As you met each day and lived it through.

I'd loved to have known you, but I must say,
As I search for your history each day,
I'm glad to be one of your line.
And who knows, I may find your history sometime.

Great -great -great –granddaughter
DONNETTE P. HOLMSTEAD

MARY BECK EVANS

Born: 18 Oct 1804
Baptized: 6 Apr 1833
Married: 25 July 1826
Endowed: 21 June 1852
Height: 5-1/2 ft.
Weight: 140 lbs.
Color eyes: Blue
Color hair: Brown
Gen. health: Good until the hardships
Died: 20 June 1841
Cause: Exposure

Mary Beck, daughter of Henry Beck and Margaret Beighel, was born 18 Oct 1804 at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. On 25 July 1826 she married David Evans. She died 20 June 1841 in Adams County, ill, and was buried there. They are the parents of seven children as follows:

1.           ELIZA JANE EVANS, born 16 Apr 1827 at Hanover, Columbiana, Ohio; md. Aug 1848, Ira Hinckley. She died 27 June 1850.

2.           ISRAEL EVANS, born 2 Oct 1828 at Hanover, Columbiana, Ohio; md. 1 June 1849, Matilda Thomas. He died 31 May 1896.

3.           HENRY EVANS, born 25 Oct 1830 at Worthington, Richland, Ohio; md. 26 Dec 1856, Anna C. M. Bruun. He died 3 Apr 1911.

4.           MARY ANN EVANS, born 2 Sep 1832 at Worthington, Richland, Ohio; md. 23 Oct 1849, John Henry Glines. She died 13 May 1884.

5.           MARGARET EVANS, born 3 Jan 1835 at Rich-land County, Ohio; died 27 Aug 1836.

6.           ARAMINTA EVANS, born 21 Aug 1838 near Shoal Creek, Caldwell, Missouri; died 1 Oct 1838.  

7.      EMMA EVANS, born 12 Jan 1840 at Payson, Adams, Illinois; md. 22 Nov 1856, Prime Coleman. She died 11 June 1913.


Time Line added by Richard N. Heywood