| Notes |
- The photo of David O. Evans is from a Daguerrotype picture likely made of him between 1850 and 1855 when this type photograph was replaced by a paper process instead. David O. Evans and Margaret (Suzanne) Morgan seem to have had a very interesting life together.
My first cousin once removed, Lois Johnston of Marion, Ohio gives the following information from her memory. She remembers stories of the "terrible times" that David O. and his father, Owen Evans had of their "cattle boat" trip to America. She says that David O. Evans was married first to a "Deckard" by a preacher from Old Gilboe Church. Their marriage would not be legal now, a "shot gun" wedding. The church burned down leaving no record of their marriage. They lived in Jackson, Ohio. (CL-235,244) Lois Johnston believes that his second wife, Margaret Morgan was a niece of J.P. Morgan, her Dad's brother. This is the famous Morgan Banking family of New York. She says that Margaret Morgan was disowned by her family when she married David O. Evans. When Lois was a girl of seven, after her grandparents, David O. and Margaret Morgan Evans had died, Margaret Morgan Evan's sister came to visit her sister's family. Lois' father was William O. Evans, David's first born son.
The story in her own words, reads: "When I was 7 or 8 years old Grandma Morgan Evans' sister came from Wales, and came up Pleasant Valley to see my Dad. I remember her as a beautiful little lady, about like Aunt Grace. She had rented a "Coach" from Chillicothe, Ohio, and as I came home from school, out in front of our house, was this "funny" looking "Buggy" with 2 horses, and a man sitting on the front seat and Mom, Dad, and this lady standing by the "coach". She had a black dress and a big black hat, and white gloves, and I thought she was beautiful, and my Dad said "Lois, this is my Aunt, my mother's sister from Wales" and she gave me a silver dollar and said I had beautiful hair." (CL-244)
I have no doubt that this is a true story from the sweet manner and detailed knowledge of Lois Johnston at age 90. However, one part of her story is not fitting. I do not believe Margaret is related to the the J.P. Morgan line. The famous J.P. Morgan from New York was John Peirpont Morgan who was born in 1837, only 4 years before our Margaret Morgan would have been born. J.P. Morgan had no brothers. She, therefore, could not be his niece. I further can't believe our Margaret is closely related to this line because the John Pierpont Morgan line was living in the U.S. or banking in London England from the 1644 on. Also, none of their children were born in Ohio where Margaret consistently claims she was born. None of them lived in Wales after 1644 where her parents were born and where her sister visited her nephew, William O. Evans from. (CL-242) Lois did say that although she believes our Margaret to be related to the banking Morgans it was only hearsay. (CL-244)
David O. Evans was in the civil war and is also buried at Ebenezer Cemetery, Raccoon Twp., Gallia Co., Ohio. He enlisted on 20 Feb. 1864 as a private in Company I, 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was mustered out with the rest of his company on 28 July 1865. (CL-11,22,63) His address was listed as Thurman, Raccoon Twp., Gallia Co., Ohio. He was injured by "cars, hip, and back." (CL-363) Two Ribbons from the 3rd Annual Reunion of the 60th O.V.I. occurring on Sept. 16 and 17th, 1890 in Westerville, Ohio. are in the possession of Linda Coate with the Clark Documents. (CL:DOC)
Lois Johnston, again adds further interesting, unpublished detail. She was told as a child about how David O. Evans got pulled into the Civil War. He was out ploughing his fields in Pleasant Valley when Morgan's Raiders came through. They took him right out of the fields. He told his wife to take the children and hide in the woods. She took a quilt, cow, her two children, and their big dog and ran up to a wooded hill. She tied the quilt into a hammock and placed her two youngsters in it for safe keeping while she watched Morgan's raiders burn the bridge and take her husband with them.
A second Civil War record in him states that he mustered in on May 20, 1864 (not Feb. 20th) at Camp Chase, Ohio by Captain H. Douglas, 18th Infantry. He was in many battles, several occurring before a May 20th date, so I suspect the Feb. 20thate is more correct: Wilderness, VA (May 5-7, 1864), Mary's Bridge, VA (May 9), Spottslyvania Court House (May 8-18), North Ann River (May 23-27), Cold Harbor (June 1-12), Petersburg (June 15-19) and (July 30), Six Mile House (Aug. 18-21), Ream's Station (Aug. 18-21), Preble's Farm, Sept. 30-Oct.1), Nottoway River (Dec. 10), Fort Steadman (Mar. 25, 1865) and the Fall of Petersburg (Apr. 2). All of these battles took place in Virginia. He mustered out on July 28, 1865 at Delaney House, D.C. under Captain Sylvester Keyser with the Michigan Veteran Volunteers, ACM 1st Division 9th Army Corps. (CL-11) He returned from the war in a heroic manner, carrying home his neighbor, Mr. Foley, who had lost his leg in battle.
Due to his service during the civil war, David was given 640 acres in Gallia County, Ohio. He made sure that all of his kids received a part of it, plus a house, barn and pairs of animals in their adulthood. There was a mix up with the land. He lived on section 16, which just happened to be allocated for school property. He apparently didn't have title to the land and never knew it. When Lois Johnston's son bought this same land from the family, he ended up having to pay for it a second time when the government discovered it's unclear title. (CL-235)
In trying to trace David O. Evan's early life, I came across this confusing piece of information that might not be him at all. A David O. Evans was listed in the 1860 census for Ohio as living with the family of John Pratt/farmer in Granville Twp., Licking Co. He was 26 at the time, a farm laborer who was born in Wales. The statistics fit him. It is confusing because he was married at the time and supposedly living in Gallia Co., Ohio. His wife can not be found listed in the 1860 Ohio census. (CL-148, 217)
In the 1870 census, he was living next to an Edward Evans who was three years older than him. This Edward is a likely cousin who could lead us to discerning who one of David's uncles is. He is also just 4 doors away from his wife's grandfather, Charles Reese. (CL-383) In the 1880 census, it lists David O. Evans age as 45, making his birthday in 1835. Margaret, his wife, again states that she was born in Ohio and her parents were born in Wales. None of their children were listed as being in school, but all could supposedly read and write. (CL-233, 243)
In the 1900 census, he owned his farm free and clear, and could read and write English. He was widowed, but had the following children still living with him: Edward, Maude, Charles, Bertha, Iva, and Grace.
His likely christening record was located in Llansandffraid Parish Records for Cardigon, Wales. It states that he was christened on Apr. 1, 1832 and that his parents residence was the town of Llanon in that parish where he was born. It does not give his birth date. His father was a laborer. His parents were married two years before this in the same Parish Church. I could not find any of their other children being born in this same parish. (CL-232, 256)
Obituary in Unknown Newspaper: Original was in possession of Marcena Clark Coate.
Transcribed in verbatim. A SAD DEATH Mr. David O. Evans was born in Cardigan Co., South Wales, March 5, 1834. When trying to frighten a chicken from his favorite horse's noon repast of April 20, the horse became alarmed and unexpectedly kicked him which caused his death. He suffered untold agony until he succumbed to the inevitable at 3 a.m. Apr. 23, 1903, being at the time of his death 69 years, one month and 18 days. He emigrated with his parents to this county at the age of five and settled near Centerville, Ohio. His boyhood days were spent on the farm at home, faithful in the discharge of the duties of pioneer life. He was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Morgan Aug. 26, 1858, to this happy union 11 children were born. The mother and two children, Johnny and Mrs. Elizabeth Davis having proceeded him to the better world. William Edward, David and Charles Evans, Mrs. Barbara Davis, Mrs. Bertha Macomber, Maud, Iva and Gracie Evans all living in this immediate vicinity, were present during his short affliction and did all that loving hands could do to alleviate his sufferings. Early in the year of 1864, when our country was undergoing the strains of a civil war which was necessary to overthrow one of the greatest curses of humanity, slavery, he gladly offered his service to his county, and as an old comrade has said, "Whenever he undertook to do a thing he went at it in earnest." When Pres. Lincoln issued a call for volunteers, Mr. Evans answered the call bidding his wife and little one a hasty farewell, offered his service and life in defense of his country. He was mustered into the U.S. service at Camp Chase, Ohio, May 1864 as a private in Company I, 60th regiment of the Ohio Volunteers.
Although in the war but the two last years he was in some of the hottest contests of the war. He was at almost every engagement in Grant's campaign against Richmond beginning at the battle of the Wilderness to the capture of Richmond some of the most noted of which was Wilderness, Spottsylvania C.H. Cold Harbor, Gaines' Mill, before Petersburg when the mine there exploded; Weldon R.R.; Ft. Steadman and charge on the rebel works before Petersburg April 2 and his regiment was the second that marched into the city of Petersburg, Virginia, and the second to place the flag on the dome of the Court House. At the charge on the rebel works before Petersburg one of his comrades was wounded and unable to retire in safety, implored Mr. Evans' assistance as the means of saving his life. He hesitated but a moment and plunged into the peril amidst the flying bullets of the enemy and got his comrade on his back and crawled back into our lines in safety, thus saving the life of his comrade at the greatest risk of his own; similar instances having occurred in his life in the great struggle, so great was the tenderness of his heart.
At the close of the war he received an honorable discharge, returned home and devoted his attentions to his loved ones. He settled on the farm which was his home at the time of his death. He was a good neighbor, always ready to accommodate his neighbors and very sympathetic in times of affliction. He was a member of the Baptist Church at Ebenezer up to the time the church ceased to hold services, and he was a constant reader of his Bible and other good books. He was a true and loyal husband, a kind and generous father who will be greatly missed by his children, friends and neighbors. (CL-51,74)
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TRANSCRIPTION OF LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION FOR DAVID O. EVANS by Linda Coate
No. (7585?), Admin. Doc. 2, Page 185 Probate Court, Gallia County, Ohio, In the matter of the estate of David O. Evans, deceased. APPLICATION FOR LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION, Filed May 11th, 1903 (W. ?) Probate Judge. David D. Evans being duly sworn says that David O. Evans late a resident of the Township of Raccoon in said County, died on or about the 23rd day of April A.D., 1903, leaving the following persons his only next of kin: William O. Evans, son, P.O. Box, Rio Grande, OH Barbara Davis, daughter, P.O. Box, Rio Grande, OH Edward Evans, son, P.O. Box, Rio Grande, OH David Evans, son, P.O. Box, Rio Grande, OH Maude Evans, daughter, P.O. Box, Rio Grande, OH Charles Evans, son, P.O. Box, Rio Grande, OH (Bertha) McCumber, daughter, P.O. Box, Rio Grande, OH Ivy Evans, daughter, P.O. Box, Rio Grande, OH Grace Evans, daughter, P.O. Box, Rio Grande, OH Hazel Davis, granddaughter, P.O. Box, Thurman, OH The undersigned asks to be appointed Administrator of the estate of said deceased and on his oath aforesaid says the amount of personal property will be about $250 and of real estate about $2080, Total $2330. He offers a bond as administrator in the sum of $500. (Signed) W. Minturn, Probate Judge, the State of Ohio, Gallia Co., ss. The undersigned being Sworn, says that there is not to his knowledge any last Will and Testament of the alleged intestate David O. Evans, deceased. (Signed) David D. Evans Sworn to before me, and signed in my presence, this 11th day of May A.D. 1903 (Signed) W. Minturn, Probate Judge. (CL-67)
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1832 - 1903 (71 years)
[5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 19, 22, 24] 
