Reverend
Thomas
Smith
"Tom"
Evans
Born in Bedford County, Virginia, United States
Son of John R. Evans
and Susannah (Thompson) Evans
Brother of
William Nathan G Evans [half]
Husband of
Martha Ann (Neal) Evans
— married
about 1850 in Izard County, Arkansas
Descendants 
Father of
Susan (Evans) Sanders, Meredith Thomas Evans, Sarah Elizabeth Evans, William Riley Evans, Nancy Jane (Evans) Jeffery, Martha Sarah (Evans) Staggs, John Campbell Evans, James Thompson Evans and Eliza Arnetta (Evans) Gifford
Died
at age 98
in Newburg Township, Izard County, Arkansas, United States
Profile last modified
| Created 15 Jun 2016
This page has been accessed 184 times.
Contents |
Biography
Thomas Smith Evans was born on 15 Mar 1822 in Bedford County, Virginia, United States, son of John R. Evans and Susannah (Thompson) Evans.
Thomas (~28) married Martha Ann Neal (~28) in 1850 in Izard County, Arkansas[1]. Their children were:
- Susan (Evans) Sanders
- Meredith Thomas Evans
- Sarah Elizabeth Evans
- William Riley Evans
- Nancy Jane (Evans) Jeffery
- Martha Sarah (Evans) Staggs
- John Campbell Evans
- James Thompson Evans
- Eliza Arnetta (Evans) Gifford.
He died on 8 Oct 1920 in Newburg Township, Izard County, Arkansas, United States aged 98. He is buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Band Mill, Arkansas.
Censuses
In 1850, he was living in Richland Township, Searcy County, Arkansas with his wife, 4 children and his mother, plus an extra child, John Crouch.[2]
In 1860 (aged ~38), Thomas was living in Prairie Township with his wife, Martha Ann (33); his children, Meredith T (17), William R (13), Nancy Jane (10), Martha S (8), John E (6), James T (5), and Eliza A (0); and Susan E Evans (15).[3]
In 1870 (aged ~48), Thomas was living in Union Township with his wife, Martha (48); his children, Susan (25), Nancy (20), John (15), James (13), and Elisa (10); and Ellen Evans (3).[4]
In 1880 (aged ~58), Thomas was living in Newburg with his wife, Martha Evens (58); his children, Susan Evens (36), Ellen Evens (13), and Elisa Gifford (19); and Gifford (21).[5]
In 1900 (aged ~78), Thomas was living in Newburg with his children, Ellen A (34) and Susan E Sanders (56).[6]
In 1910 (aged ~88), Thomas was living in Newburg with his children, Ellen A (44) and Susan E Sanders (65).[7]
Research Notes
My grandmother Bubba (Ida Bell Staggs Harrison) and I had a few conversations about her family. The only one I really remember is that she would talk about her GGF Tom. I knew he lived to about 99 and started the first sod schoolhouse in Arkansas. So tonight I looked at her family tree, figured this could be the guy, keyed his name, DOB, and Arkansas on the internet. This wonderful story popped up and it is so heartwarming to read. She was so proud of him. She was about 30 when he passed, and 92 when she passed. by: Linda Harrison Johnson
The Izard County Historian reprinted the following obituary in their January 1982, vol. 13, #1 issue:
"Oct. 8th, 1920 – Rev. Thomas S. Evans, died at his home near Band Mill in Newburg Township. Rev. Thomas S. Evans was perhaps the oldest man in this part of Arkansas, having reached the advanced age of 98 years and a considerable portion of his life had been spent in this county. For many years Rev. Evans was a teacher in the public schools of this county and it is said that he taught the first free public school ever taught in this State. For years prior to his death, Rev. Evans was engaged in the ministry. He was born in Virginia March 15, 1822. Married at the age of 19 to Martha A. Neal in East Tennessee, who passed away Sep. 22, 1899. He came to Ark. in 1844, and settled in Searcy County where he taught his first school. He entered the ministry of the Methodist Church at an early age and was engaged in religious work up until his health began to fail him. He was the father of 9 children, 6 living, and 5 of these attended the funeral, which was held at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Services were conducted by Rev. Noel S. Chaney of Melbourne. The deceased is survived by 4 daughters and 2 sons; Mrs. Susan E. Saunders, Mrs. Nannie J. Jeffery and Mrs. E.A. Gifford of this county; Mrs. M.S. Staggs of Blanchard, Okla.; John C. Evans of Cushion and James T. Evans of Batesville."
B. J. Maben provided the following information written by T. J. Roddy:
"Thomas S. Evans, known as "Uncle Tommy", was born in Bedford County, Va., March 15,1822, and departed this life at his home near Newburg, Arkansas, November 8th, 1920. He was ready to go at any time, but was rather hopeful of reaching the 100th mark. A severe attack of pneumonia seized him and let him remain for only a week. His remains were laid away in the Pleasant Grove cemetery, Rev. Noel S. Chaney having conducted the funeral service.
In February 1811, he was married to Martha Ann Neal, who died in Sept. 1899. They were the parents of four sons and five daughters, of whom two sons and three daughters are still living: also there are now fifty-five grandchildren and 175 great-grandchildren looking back to them as the train of their descendants. Uncle Tommy's life as a Christian was truly great. He was converted and joined the Methodist church in 1844, at the age of twenty-two. He began his work as a minister in 1856 and continued faithful in such work till within the last decade, having preached his last sermon in May, 1911. He was ordained deacon by the Bishop Pierce, in 1866. He handled the word of truth with much ability, due to his consecrated life and devoted study. He could explain the doctrines of Methodism in such a way that his entire audience could easily understand them.
Uncle Tommy's labors were also of great success in educational activities, both musical and literary. He taught music from 1840 till 1874 and literary school from 1846 till 1900. Singing was a part of worship that always swelled his heart to great rejoicing. Both young and old rejoiced in singing under his leadership, not only because of the extreme maturity of his age, but also because of his knowledge in the rudiments of music and his soft and well trained voice. The State of Arkansas is due great honors to him for having taught her first free school, which was taught in Searcy County, in 1854. Though his education was acquired under many hardships, his work was thorough especially in English, in which he took much delight.
Uncle Tommy was very, very temperate in his habits, for he never tasted of whiskey or tobacco in any form, during his entire lifetime. As a result of this, he could read any newspaper article without glasses, or use a pen without any difficulty. To have seen him was to have seen a person of noble character, and now to live in the influence of his life is to have a rich heritage for a happy life. From his life's career, his ideas and motives were as the ones expressed in the following lines of Bryant:
'So live, that when thy summons comes to join the innumerable caravan, which moves to that mysterious realm where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death: Then go not, like the quarry-slave at night, scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust. Approach thy grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."
Thomas was a farmer - teacher - preacher (Methodist Episcopalian Church)
He married Martha Ann Neal on February 18th, 1841 in Fayetteville TN.
ATTACHED TO: Thomas Smith Evans (1822-1920)
Public Member Stories STORIES, MEMORIES & HISTORIES
TITLE: Civil War Pension
ATTACHED TO: Thomas Smith Evans (1822-1920)."
"Thomas Evans served as a Private with Co. F, 38th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, CSA, enlisting at Evening Shade, Arkansas as a Private on 8/21/1862. Reportedly, he was in Captain Austin's Company, Freeman's Brigade, Love's Battalion of the 38th Confederate Infantry. He filed for a pension on 8/8/1908, application #19230. His service to the Southern cause was undoubtedly rooted to his Virginia upbringing. He served the Confederacy mainly as a saddle maker, tanner and leather worker probably due to his age. Family history reports he was twice listed as a prisoner of war, having first been captured by Colonel Livingston's Regiment in Indiana and secondly by a Major Thomas' company in or around Batesville, Arkansas (neither incident has been verified). This author does not believe he was captured in Indiana but was probably captured in Arkansas or Southern Missouri as their was a Union officer named Colonel Livingston active in those two areas during the war. Tom may have had prior military experience in Tennessee from 1840 through 1842 but as of this writing, nothing has been verified."[8] [9][10]
Sources
- ↑ Marriage: "Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950"
citing FHL microfilm: 1003129;
FamilySearch Record: XD31-XMN (accessed 1 November 2022)
Thomas S Evans marriage to Martha Ann Neal on 18 Feb 1841 in Fayette, Tennessee, United States. - ↑ 1850 Census: "United States Census, 1850"
citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
FamilySearch Record: M67W-RMQ (accessed 1 November 2022)
FamilySearch Image: S3HT-64JZ-7B Image number 00332
Thomas S Evans (28) in Richland Township, Searcy, Arkansas, United States. Born in Virginia.1850 United States Federal Census: Richland Township, Searcy, Arkansas, United States Name Sex Age Occupation Birth Place Thomas S Evans M 28 Virginia Martha A Evans F 28 Tennessee Thomas M Evans M 7 Arkansas Susan E Evans F 5 Arkansas Wm Ryley Evans M 3 Arkansas Nancy Jane Evans F 0 Arkansas Susan Evans (Thomas's mother) F 61 Pennsylvania John J Crouch M 0 Arkansas - ↑ 1860 Census "United States Census, 1860"
citing Page: 85; Affiliate Publication Number: M653; Affiliate Film Number: 50; FHL microfilm: 803050; Record number: 14041;
FamilySearch Record: M87Y-835 (accessed 1 November 2022)
FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GYBF-9B2M Image number 00365
Thomas S Evans (38) in Prairie Township, Searcy, Arkansas, United States. Born in Va.1860 United States Federal Census: Prairie Township, Searcy, Arkansas, United States Name Sex Age Occupation Birth Place Thomas S Evans M 38 Va Martha Ann Evans F 33 Tenn Meredith T Evans M 17 Tenn Susan E Evans F 15 Arks William R Evans M 13 Arks Nancy Jane Evans F 10 Arks Martha S Evans F 8 Arks John E Evans M 6 Arks James T Evans M 5 Arks Eliza A Evans F 0 Arks - ↑ 1870 Census:
"United States Census, 1870"
citing Page: 1; Affiliate Publication Number: M593; Line: 22; FHL microfilm: 000545554; Record number: 19207;
FamilySearch Record: MNC7-JZS (accessed 1 November 2022)
FamilySearch Image: S3HT-DZHW-N8F Image number 00485
Thomas Evans (48) head of household in Union Township, Izard, Arkansas, United States. Born in Virginia, United States.1870 United States Federal Census: Union Township, Izard, Arkansas, United States Name Sex Age Occupation Birth Place Thomas Evans M 48 Virginia, United States Martha Evans F 48 Tennessee, United States Susan Evans F 25 Arkansas, United States Nancy Evans F 20 Arkansas, United States John Evans M 15 Arkansas, United States James Evans M 13 Arkansas, United States Elisa Evans F 10 Arkansas, United States Ellen Evans F 3 Arkansas, United States - ↑ 1880 Census:
"United States Census, 1880"
citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .
FamilySearch Record: MNWC-388 (accessed 1 November 2022)
FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9YB8-97RZ Image number 00429
Thomas Evens (58), married, Farmer, head of household in Newburg, Izard, Arkansas, United States. Born in Virginia, United States.1880 United States Federal Census: Newburg, Izard, Arkansas, United States Name Sex Age Status Relation Occupation Birth Place Thomas Evens M 58 Married Head Farmer Virginia, United States Martha Evens F 58 Married Wife Keeping House Tennessee, United States Susan Evens F 36 Single Daughter At Home Arkansas, United States Ellen Evens F 13 Single Daughter At Home Arkansas, United States Gifford M 21 Married Son-in-law Farmer Tennessee, United States Elisa Gifford F 19 Married Daughter Keeping House Arkansas, United States - ↑ 1900 Census:
"United States Census, 1900"
citing enumeration district (ED) 165, sheet 3B, family 53, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,062.
FamilySearch Record: M3FW-BCH (accessed 1 November 2022)
FamilySearch Image: S3HY-XC7Q-R6C
Thomas S Evans, widowed head of household in Newburg, Izard, Arkansas, United States. Born in Virginia.1900 United States Federal Census: Newburg, Izard, Arkansas, United States Name Sex Age Status Relation Occupation Birth Place Thomas S Evans M Widowed Head Virginia Ellen A Evans F 34 Single Daughter Arkansas Susan E Sanders F 56 Widowed Daughter Arkansas - ↑ 1910 Census:
"United States Census, 1910"
citing enumeration district (ED) ED 53, sheet 7B, family 142, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 53; FHL microfilm 1,374,066.
FamilySearch Record: MKVS-G1H (accessed 1 November 2022)
FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9RVV-S79 Image number 00225
Thomas S Evans (88), widowed head of household in Newburg, Izard, Arkansas, United States. Born in Virginia.1910 United States Federal Census: Newburg, Izard, Arkansas, United States Name Sex Age Status Relation Occupation Birth Place Thomas S Evans M 88 Widowed Head Virginia Ellen A Evans F 44 Single Daughter Arkansas Susan E Sanders F 65 Widowed Daughter Arkansas - ↑ http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=53430817
- ↑ "Evans, Thomas BATTLE UNIT NAME: 38th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry SIDE: Confederacy, COMPANY: F SOLDIER'S RANK IN: Private SOLDIER'S RANK OUT: Private FILM NUMBER: M376 ROLL 7 https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=B504289B-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A
- ↑ "38TH ARKANSAS INFANTRY REGIMENT CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA COMPANY F EVANS, THOMAS Pvt - Enr 21 Aug 1862." (http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/38indx.html)
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E > Evans > Thomas Smith Evans
Categories: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Izard County, Arkansas
Confirmed by marriage records, census, death records, etc. My father also had grave markers from the Jeffery (Jeffrey) in Izard, Arkansas which were lost after Dad'said death.