Evans, David (1804-1883) - Letter to his "Companions" 1856

(David Evans is the second great grandfather of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood)

David Evans - Letter to his "Companions" 

From the Legislature, 1856

Great Salt Lake City

December 30, 1856

Dear Companions,

          I take this opportunity of writing to you to 1st let you know that I am well, and enjoying myself every day as either Brother Brigham or Brother Heber and the twelve are with us almost every day -- preach to us the principles of the Reformation and the unsearchable riches of Jesus, and the mysteries of the Kingdom.

          We feast here every day, and the fire of God is burning in our hearts, and we have good times here in the midst of blessings. I think of my family, and pray for you daily that the Reformation may sink deep into each of your hearts, and the Lord bless you all with understanding hearts that you may understand some of the things that are coming upon the earth, and also upon the saints if they repent not.

          When I come home I shall endeavor to proceed further in setting my family in order that the fire of the Lord may be kindled in every heart in my house and round about it, and that our habitation may be a habitation of health and peace, and wickedness and evil spirits have no place with up, and not only with us but in our City, that our City even the City of Lehi may be cleansed with the spirit of judgment and burning, and every soul therein that will not worship the Lord, our God, shall die.

          Dear wives and children, remember this, the admonition of your husband and father and act accordingly, and the Lord will bless you. Read this to Brother Able and Brother Thomas, and all my family, and all who may wish to hear from me, for the day to trifle with this people is gone by, and they must repent or be damned.

          Come down in about two weeks from New Year’s day, and stay until I return.

          I remain as ever your husband in the bonds of the new and everlasting covenant.

(Signed) David Evans

Evans, David (1804-1883) Obit

David Evans (1804-1883)

Obituary -- 1883

Sketch of the life and ministry of Bishop David Evans. David Evans the son of Israel and Abigail Evans, was born in Cecil County, Maryland, October 17, 1804. When a small boy his parents moved to Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1826, when he was married to Mary Beck, and moved to Richland, County, Ohio. Here he bought and opened up a new farm, where he lived until he was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, April 6, 1833. On the11th of the same month he was ordained a Priest, and immediately commenced traveling and preaching, selling his farm to enable him to prosecute his missionary labors. He was ordained to the office of an Elder on the 21st of July, same year.

In 1834 he went in Zion’s Camp from Ohio to Missouri, with Joseph Smith the Prophet, for the redemption of Zion, and received his ordination to the First Quorum of Seventies, under the hands of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, April 19, 1835. He attended the School of the Prophets in Kirtland, in the winter of 1835 and1836, and on May 20, 1835, left Ohio for Missouri, in charge of a company of Saints, most of whom he baptized himself. He settled on Shoal Creek, Caldwell County, buying some land and again making him a home; was then with the Saints through all the persecutions in Missouri, among which was the barbarous massacre at Haun’s Mill. In December he was compelled to leave the State without his family, who shortly after followed, leaving all their property behind. Arriving at Payson, Adams County, Ill., in the spring of 1839, he commenced preaching and baptized many persons, some of whom are now prominent members in the Church. Here he lost his wife, June 20, 1841, after which he moved to Nauvoo and married Barbara Ann Ewell, November 23, 1841. She being a member of a family he baptized in Missouri. In 1842, when Nauvoo was organized into Wards, he was ordained a Bishop, August 21, to preside over the Eleventh Ward,. He remained there until the Saints were driven from Nauvoo, when he was appointed Captain of a company, many of the members remaining with the company until its arrival in the valleys, September 15, 1850.

Moved to Lehi, Feb. 15, 1851, over which place he was appointed to preside as Bishop, the duties of which he faithfully performed for 28 years, tendering his resignation August 24, 1879, on account of old age and failing health. He located the city of Lehi, and laid it off in blocks and lots with a pocket compass, tape line and square. Was elected to the first Legislature in Utah, and acted for many years in connection with that body. He was Colonel of militia, served as Mayor of Lehi several terms, and held other responsible positions. His death occurred June 23, at 1 p.m. he received a heavy paralytic stroke, which completely paralyzed his whole right side, rendering him helpless and speechless, in which condition he remained until his death.

The funeral services were held in the Lehi Tabernacle at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 24. A special train was dispatched from Salt Lake City, for the benefit of his friends and acquaintances, among whom were President Woodruff, Bishop Hunter, and others; also many came from Provo and adjacent settlements. The servies were conducted by President Smoot, and addresses were made by Bishop Hunter, President Woodruff, Bishops Hardy, Burton, and others. After the services, the remains were carried to the cemetery, followed by a numerous procession, numbering 115 vehicles containing the relatives and friends of the deceased, this being the largest cortage ever formed in Lehi. Bishop Evans is the father of 41 children, 30 of whom are living, the grandfather of 102 children, 65 of whom are living, and the great-grandfather of 22, all living.

Evans, Emma Beck (Coleman) (1840--1913) Short Note by G. H. Crosby Jr.

(Emma Beck Evans Coleman , the great grandmother of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood)

Emma B. Evans Coleman

As My Memory Recalls, Stories of the Colonizing of the Little Colorado River Country (Particularly Apache County), by George H. Crosby, Jr.   Repository:  MRFHC.

Extract:

Emma B. Evans Coleman, who came from Lehi, Utah, and helped to build up three southern Utah settlements, was the first president of the stake Primaries.  The stake never had a better one and Apache County never had a more interesting and witty woman than she.  I was with her in Pima the last night she was at a social function at the McFate golden wedding.  She was the life of the party.  I preached her funeral sermon ten days later…

…

The members of the Presidency of the Second Quorum of Elders comprised of William W. Eagar, Andrew P. Christofferson and Joseph B. (sic.) Heywood, are among our surviving members … The second counselor, a son of J. L. Heywood, Salt Lake’s first postmaster, was later an outstanding bishop of Alpine, and after moving here, your stake clerk and members of his family stand out in the life of both the St. Joseph and Snowflake Stakes, especially in Dr. Neal Heywood of Snowflake, once my brother member of the High Council in the St. Joseph stake.

Evans, David (1804-1883)Sketch posted by cscally

(Second Great Grandfather of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood)
See also David Evans Laid off Lehi with Pocket Compass, Square by Preston Nibley
See also -- 

David Evans - Ewell Family Historical & Genealogical Society

www.ewellfamily.org/genealogy/histories/David%20Evans.doc

In 1826 David Evans married Mary Beck and the couple purchased a large .... early in 1852, David Evans, elected member of the first territorial legislature for ...

Biographical sketch of Bishop David Evans posted by cscally1 on 27 Apr 2010

David Evans was the second child of Abigail Alexander, and Israel Evans.  He was born in Cecil County, Maryland, October 27, 1804.  His father was Welsh and his mother, German.  His maternal grandfather, Josiah Alexander was a successful miller. Sometime after David’s birth, Israel and Abby moved to Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania.  Here, Israel built a one-room log structure that he operated as a tavern.  In 1830 Israel and Abby moved north and helped to establish the town of Chatham, Ontario, Canada.  Financially successful, Israel built a carding and grist mill and operated another tavern, the Cross Keys.  David, who was in his twenties at this time, had married and stayed in Spruce Creek.

On July 25, 1826, David married Mary Beck.  Shortly thereafter, David and Mary moved to Hanoverton, Ohio.  Here, their first two children were born; Eliza Jane, April 16, 1827; and Israel, October 2, 1828.  The family then moved to Worthington, Ohio, where Henry, October 25, 1830, and Mary Ann, September 2, 1832, were born.

David and Mary joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1833.   Five days after his baptism, David was ordained a priest.  He sold his farm and began to do missionary work for his new church.   By the spring of 1834, David had been ordained an Elder and was called on an assignment from the church designated “Zion’s Camp”.  This was a thousand mile march to Jackson County, Missouri to aid the “Saints” there who, by mob force, were suffering from violence and expulsion from their homes.  Some relief was given but the effort failed to save the Saints’  homes.  The ‘camp’ was disbanded in July of 1834, and David returned home.

In 1835, David was set apart as a member of the “First Council of Seventy” by Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Oliver Cowdery.    When the body of the church was called to leave Ohio for Missouri, David was called to serve as a company captain; shepherding many of the Saints whom he had converted.  There, at  Shoal Creek their baby, Margaret died at the age of 18 months.  August 21, 1838, Mary gave birth to their sixth child, Araminta.  She died eleven days later.

David Evans was a key figure in the massacre of the Saints at Haun’s Mill on October 30, 1838.  He had met with members of the Missouri Militia, who promised they would leave the Saints in peace if they would surrender all their weapons.  This done, the next day members of the militia rode into Haun’s Mill to murder the men they had made defenseless. 

Joseph Young’s written account of the event states: “I cast my eyes on the opposite bank of Shoal Creek and saw a large number of armed men on horses, directing their course towards the mill with all possible speed.....  At this moment David Evans, seeing the superiority of their numbers (there were 240 men according to their own account) swung his hat and cried for peace.  This not being heeded, they continued to advance.”

Between nineteen and twenty church members lost their lives that day. David and his family escaped and took many of the survivors into their home until they received word of Governor Lillian Boggs’ order of the extermination of the “Mormons”.

Mary and David fled their home and settled in Adams County, Illinois. It was here on January 12, 1840, that Mary gave birth to her last child; a daughter named Emma Beck.  The following January, in 1841, David was called to serve another mission for the church, this time to Iowa.  However, when death took his wife, Mary on June 20, 1841, he quickly returned home to his motherless children.

He moved his five children, ranging in age from fourteen years, to fifteen months to Nauvoo and there he was married to Barbara Ann Ewell, November 23, 1841.  In Nauvoo, Joseph Smith organized the city into ecclesiastical units.  He ordained David the Bishop of the South side Eleventh Ward on August 20, 1842. 

In 1846, once again the Saints were forced to flee from their homes.  David and his family made an arduous journey to Council Bluffs, arriving in 1847.  They remained there until1850, preparing for the journey west.  On June 15, 1850, David captained fifty-four wagons that left from Kanesville, Iowa for the Salt Lake Valley.  They arrived September 15, 1850.

In February, 1851, Brigham Young called David to oversee the building of a colony of Saints settled at Dry Creek, in Utah Valley, thirty-two miles to the south of Salt Lake City.

In a show of sentiment for David Evans, the inhabitants of the colony, named it, “Evansville”.  In 1879, it became Lehi. 

Shortly after the family’s arrival, George A. Smith organized the Dry Creek Ward and appointed David, Bishop.  He served in this position for the next twenty-eight years.

David showed a devoted dedication to church and community.  He located the city of Lehi and laid it off into blocks and lots with a pocket compass tape line and square.  He was elected to the first legislature in Utah and remained in that body for many years.  On March 6, 1854, David was elected Mayor of Lehi, and served for three terms. He was a Colonel of militia and a Major in the Lehi Military District.  In 1854, he supervised the building of a fort and stationed guards at all gates for the protection against marauding Indians.  In 1833, David was appointed Postmaster of Lehi and operated the office out of his home.  His home also housed the city’s telegraph.  In 1852, under the direction of John Taylor, Phillip DeLaMare  arrived in the Salt Lake Valley with sugar beet seeds imported from France.  Bishop Evans was able to secure a small part of this.  The beets later led to the most important factor in Lehi’s (and the Scalley family’s) commercial development - the Sugar Industry.

With two partners, David began operating a threshing machine and fanning mill in the summer of 1854.  Several years later he built a tannery that operated until 1870.  With his son, Israel, he helped establish the first cooperative store in Utah.  This project, “The Lehi Union Enterprise” was immediately successful and led to the organization of the Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution (ZCMI - which later became the first department store in the United States).

In accordance to the patriarchal order of marriage, David Evans married seven wives and fathered forty-one children. 

A letter written in 1858, by Lt. Jesse A. Gove, a member of Johnston’s Army, gives an insight into the Evans’ home life—

“ Bishop Evans was our host; he is the highest church dignitary in the place and keeps a sort of hotel.  The bishop is a corpulent and quite sociable old man (he was fifty-four years of age).  A multitude of children were running about the house; they were very well behaved, made no noise, kept out of the way and bore a very retiring disposition; they took care of each other, the elder ones acting a matrons to their younger relatives...”

David Evans was a leader of men.  He had a sense of humor that kept hope alive in the face of hardship.  He cared for all in his charge with wisdom.  He loved to dance. 

On June 19, 1883, he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and without speech.  He died four days later, on June 23^rd.  His funeral was held in the Lehi Tabernacle. Wilford Woodruff, President of the Church offered the eulogy. A cortege of one hundred-fifteen vehicles followed his remains to the Lehi Cemetery where he was laid to rest.

Beck, Mary (Evans) (1804-1841) Bio Ancestry

(Second great grandmother of the contributor, Richard N. Heywood)

Beck, Mary (18 Oct 1804-20 Jun 1841)               

Public Member Stories:  Ancestry.com

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/8185050/person/-984707156/story/d9c58e42-c286-4fae-9c03-8e296bdc15d9?src=search

David Evans and Mary Beck Family History

After the marriage in Pennsylvania David and Mary bought a large farm in Columbus Ohio, where they had two children:  Eliza Jane and Israel. David and Mary became Mormons on 6th April 1833, sold the farm and moved to Richland County Ohio and David became a missionary for the Church.  They were persecuted and moved from place to place often having to leave behind any belongings.  The lived in log huts, with campfires and river water as resources. In 1834 David left his wife and children to go on mission with a group known as Zions camp to Jackson County Missouri to regain lands that had belonged to the mormons that had been wrongfully taken from them.  In May of 1836 they were called to leave Ohio with a group of Mormons (most of whom David had baptized).  On 27 Aug 1836 they lost a child Margaret only 1 1/2 years old on the journey.  While near Shoal Creek Caldwell County, Missouri, their 6th child Araminta was born only to die a few weeks later. The Evans family were with the Mormons at the time of the persecutions in Missouri and were at the Haun's Mill Massacre.  They were forced to leave Missouri and went to Adams County, Illinois were Emma was born. Mary died at 37 on 20 Jun 1841 in Adams County Illinois leaving her five living children and husband. David married Barbara Ann Ewell 23 November 1841. DeniseKnapp1added this on 26 Oct 2008

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

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