Reuben P. Evans (c1824) and Rebecca Fouts of Haywood and Macon County, North Carolina

Reuben P. Evans (c1824) and Rebecca Fouts of Haywood and Macon County, North Carolina

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The author (Marty Grant) is not related to Reuben P. Evans as far as can be proven. It is quite possible that he is related to my ancestor William Evans (c1813) as they both lived in Macon Co., NC. Though Reuben may not be a blood relative, he is my step 4th Great Grandfather since he married my ancestor Rebecca Fouts as her second husband.

Reuben P. Evans was born ca 1825/26 (per 1850 and 1880 census) or ca 1823/24 per 1860 and 1870 census. He was born in Haywood (now Macon) Co, NC (per 1850 and 1860 census). I don't know what his "P" middle initial stands for.

Reuben is most likely a son of Zachariah Evans and Mary Waters. I have no direct evidence of that relationship, but they were the only Evans in Macon County when Reuben was born, and they were neighbors and associated, and Zachariah did have an otherwise unknown son Reuben's age per the early census records.

For the 1830 census, Reuben would have been about 4 or possibly 6 years old, so ought to be enumerated in either the "under 5" (born ca 1825/30) or the 5-9 age group (born ca 1820/25). The only Evans in Macon County in 1830 was Zachariah Evans (c1795), and he had two apparent sons 5-9, and one under 5. I'm fairly sure Reuben was in the 5-9 age group.

For the 1840 census, Reuben should be about 16 years old, so he should be enumerated in the 15-19 age group (born ca 1820/25). Zachariah was again the only Evans in Macon County, and he had two sons in that age group.

On 20 Feb 1849, Reuben P. Evans obtained a marriage bond in Macon County to marry Rebecca Waters. Rebecca Fouts was born May 1822 (per 1900 census) in Ashe Co, NC (per 1850 and 1860 census), daughter of Jacob Fouts and Mary Margaret Baker. Rebecca had previously been married to Michael Jackson Waters who died ca 1846. Michael and Rebecca are my ancestors.

Reuben and family were listed on the 1850 census in Macon County just two houses from his parents, and just 6 houses from her parents. Rebecca's children from her first marriage were with them. The youngest child Susan is mistakenly listed as a Waters, but is actually an Evans.

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1850 MACON CO, NC Page 340   House/Family #  342/ 349  - TENNESSEE VALLEY Twp

EVANS REUBIN          24 M W FARMER                     MACON CO, NC         1825/1826
EVANS REBECCA         26 F W                            ASHE CO, NC          1823/1824
WATTERS LOUISA        10 F W                            MACON CO, NC         1839/1840
WATTERS JACOB          8 M W                            MACON CO, NC         1841/1842
WATTERS SUSAN C        0 F W 8/12                       MACON CO, NC         1849/1850

They were still in Macon for the 1860 census in Burningtown.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1860 MACON CO, NC Page 290B  House/Family #  879/ 896 -- BURNINGTOWN Twp  FRANKLIN P.O.

EVANS REUBIN P        36 M W FARMER             500   550 MACON                1823/1824
EVANS REBECCA         38 F W                              ASHE                 1821/1822
EVANS JACOB J         18 M W LABORER                      MACON                1841/1842
EVANS LOUISA J        17 F W                              MACON                1842/1843
EVANS SUSA C          10 F W                              MACON                1849/1850
EVANS SELA E           9 F W                              MACON                1850/1851
EVANS DIANNA           7 F W                              MACON                1852/1853
EVANS WILLIAM J        5 M W                              MACON                1854/1855
EVANS MARY L           3 F W                              MACON                1856/1857

They were in Nantahala Township for the 1870 census.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1870 MACON CO, NC Page 323B   House/Family #   11/  11--NANTAHALA Twp FRANKLIN P.O.

EVANS REUBIN          46 M W FARMER                   150     NC              1823/1824
EVANS REBECCA         48 F W                                  NC              1821/1822
EVANS SUSAN           20 F W                                  NC              1849/1850
EVANS CECILIA E       19 F W                                  NC              1850/1851
EVANS WILLIAM         15 M W                                  NC              1854/1855
EVANS MALINDA         13 F W                                  NC              1856/1857
EVANS IBBIE           10 F W                                  NC              1859/1860
EVANS GEORGE           8 M W                                  NC              1861/1862

They were still in Nantahala for the 1880 census.

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1880 MACON CO, NC Page 543B  House/Family #    67/  68 -- NANTAHALA Twp

EVANS REUBIN                   W M  54 HD M FARMER               NC  SC  NC  1825/1826
EVANS REBECCA                  W F  55 WF M                      NC  MA  NC  1824/1825
EVANS WILLIAM J                W M  23 S  S                      NC  NC  NC  1856/1857
EVANS IBBA                     W F  19 D  S                      NC  NC  NC  1860/1861
EVANS GEORGE                   W M  15 S  S                      NC  NC  NC  1864/1865
WATERS BANAH B                 W F  10 GD S                      NC  NC  NC  1869/1870

Reuben P. Evans died sometime between 1880 and 1900 in Macon County. He is buried at Aquone Cemetery with a marker that simply says "Reuben Evans", with no dates. His marker matches almost everyone elses in that cemetery, so I think they were all moved there from other locations probably due to TVA construction of the Nantahala Lake.

Rebecca was listed on the 1900 census in Macon County with her son George.

1900 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The birth dates given in 1900 were part of the original census record)

1900 MACON CO, NC Page  House/Family #  122/ 126--NANTAHALA Twp

EVANS GEORGE                   HD W M APR 1865  35 S          NC  NC  NC  FARMER
EVANS GEORGE G                 NE W M SEP 1884  15 S          NC  NC  NC
EVANS REBECCA                  MO W F MAY 1822  78            NC  NC  NC

Rebecca Fouts Waters Evans died before 1910, for I did not find her on that census. She is buried beside her husband at Aquone Cemetery. Her stone curiously says "Wife of Reuben Evans". It would have been less work to put her actual name on it, but this is probably the result of her grave being moved and a new stone placed and no one (at the time) knowing her name.

Children of Reuben and Rebecca Fouts Evans.

Reuben and Rebecca had 7 children according to the various census records. Rebecca had 2 children by her previous marriage. I have additional information on some of their children, but not enough to give them their own sections here. See the register report below for more information.

Researcher List

Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):

See: Zachariah Evans and Mary Waters

Also see: Fouts Researcher List

Also see: Waters Researcher List

Register Report

1. Reuben P¹ Evans , born 1823/24 in Haywood Co, NC; died 1880/1900 in Macon Co, NC; buried in Aqoune Cem, Macon Co, NC, son of Zachariah Evans and Mary Waters . He married on 20 Feb 1849 in Macon Co, NC Rebecca Fouts , born May 1822 in Ashe Co, NC; died 1900/10 in Macon Co, NC; buried in Aqoune Cem, Macon Co, NC, daughter of Jacob Fouts and Mary Margaret Baker .

Children of Reuben P Evans and Rebecca Fouts were as follows:

2 i Susan C² Evans , born 1849 in Macon Co, NC; died aft 1871 in Macon Co, NC. She married on 16 Mar 1871 in Macon Co, NC John Thomas Barnes , born 1851/52 in Macon Co, NC; died aft 1871 in Macon Co, NC, son of John Barnes and Mary Ann (---) .

+ 3 ii Cecilia E² Evans , born 18 Aug 1851 in Macon Co, NC; died 18 Oct 1901 in Macon Co, NC; buried in Aquone Cem, Macon Co, NC. She married Jacob V B Bateman .

4 iii Dianna² Evans , born 1852/53 in Macon Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Macon Co, NC.

5 iv William J² Evans , born Nov 1855 in Macon Co, NC; died aft 1900 in Macon Co, NC. He married on 4 Dec 1892 in Macon Co, NC Alice S Garrison , born Aug 1874 in Swain Co, NC, daughter of Robert Pink Garrison and Sarah Ann Welch .

+ 6 v Mary Malinda L² Evans , born 2 Oct 1857 in Macon Co, NC; died 9 Sep 1922 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. She married Americus Erastus "Tom" Wright .

7 vi Isabel "Ibby"² Evans , born 1860 in Macon Co, NC. She married on 9 Feb 1889 in Macon Co, NC James Henry Rowland , born 1867/68 in Macon Co, NC, son of William L Rowland and Mary Jane Trammell .

8 vii George² Evans , born Apr 1865 in Macon Co, NC; died aft 1900 in Macon Co, NC.

Generation 2

3. Cecilia E² Evans (Reuben P¹), born 18 Aug 1851 in Macon Co, NC; died 18 Oct 1901 in Macon Co, NC; buried in Aquone Cem, Macon Co, NC. She married on 2 Apr 1871 in Macon Co, NC Jacob V B Bateman , born Jun 1849 in Macon Co, NC; died aft 1900 in Macon Co, NC, son of Archibald Bateman and Mahala Lambert .

Children of Cecilia E Evans and Jacob V B Bateman were as follows:

+ 9 i Rebecca Ann³ Bateman , born 1871 in Macon Co, NC; died 1957 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. She married Devereaux M Burchfield .

10 ii Archibald³ Bateman , born 1872/73 in Macon Co, NC.

11 iii Reuben P³ Bateman , born 1874/75 in Macon Co, NC.

12 iv Effa M³ Bateman , born 1876/77 in Macon Co, NC.

13 v John W³ Bateman , born 13 Nov 1879 in Macon Co, NC; died 13 Sep 1902 in Macon Co, NC; buried in Aquone Cem, Macon Co, NC.

14 vi Benjamin³ Bateman , born Sep 1880 in Macon Co, NC.

15 vii Morgan³ Bateman , born Aug 1883 in Macon Co, NC.

16 viii Grover³ Bateman , born Sep 1885 in Macon Co, NC.

17 ix Leander³ Bateman , born Mar 1889 in Macon Co, NC.

18 x Iler³ Bateman , born May 1891 in Macon Co, NC.

19 xi Clyde³ Bateman , born Apr 1894 in Macon Co, NC.

6. Mary Malinda L² Evans (Reuben P¹), born 2 Oct 1857 in Macon Co, NC; died 9 Sep 1922 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. She married on 5 Apr 1878 in Cherokee Co, NC Americus Erastus "Tom" Wright , born 18 Mar 1858 in Rhodo, Cherokee Co, NC; died 7 Apr 1934 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC, son of James S Wright and Caroline C Winfrey .

Children of Mary Malinda L Evans and Americus Erastus "Tom" Wright were as follows:

+ 20 i Palice³ Wright , born 28 Dec 1878 in Cherokee Co, NC. She married Samuel Carver Franks .

21 ii Leora³ Wright , born 3 Oct 1880 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 31 Jul 1901 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Red Marble Cem, Cherokee Co, NC.

22 iii Walton³ Wright , born 3 Feb 1883 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 30 Sep 1886 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Red Marble Cem, Cherokee Co, NC.

+ 23 iv Troy Kenneth³ Wright , born 25 May 1885 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 1955 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. He married (1) Lula M Sherrill ; (2) Bessie Louella Panther .

24 v Osburn Long "Auz"³ Wright , born 26 Sep 1887 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 10 Sep 1921 in Macon Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. He married on 15 May 1918 in Macon Co, NC Myrtle Rowland , born 1896/97 in Macon Co, NC, daughter of Luther Rowland .

+ 25 vi Claude McFadden³ Wright , born 27 Sep 1889 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 2 Sep 1959 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. He married Harriett Holloway .

26 vii Alice³ Wright , born 21 Mar 1892 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 22 Apr 1976 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. She married in 1910/20 in Cherokee Co, NC Allen Dewitt Murray , born 25 Aug 1891 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 7 Jun 1978 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC.

27 viii Bennis G³ Wright , born Aug 1894 in Cherokee Co, NC.

+ 28 ix Drew Deweese³ Wright , born 10 Nov 1896 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 1957 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. He married Carrie Lorene Rose .

29 x Emmett C³ Wright , born 3 Sep 1898 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 19 Feb 1927 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC.

Generation 3

9. Rebecca Ann³ Bateman (Cecilia E² Evans, Reuben P¹), born 1871 in Macon Co, NC; died 1957 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. She married on 27 Dec 1900 in Cherokee Co, NC Devereaux M Burchfield , born Sep 1879 in Swain Co, NC; died 1962 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC, son of Josiah "Sye" Burchfield and Ivalee M "Ivy" Wright .

Children of Rebecca Ann Bateman and Devereaux M Burchfield were as follows:

30 i Earl W⁴ Burchfield , born 1901/02 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 22 Jun 1920 in Cherokee Co, NC.

31 ii Victor⁴ Burchfield , born 1904/05 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 20 Feb 1927 in Cherokee Co, NC.

32 iii Enga⁴ Burchfield , born 4 Jul 1907 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 21 Aug 1907 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Red Marble Cem, Cherokee Co, NC.

33 iv Nina⁴ Burchfield , born 5 Aug 1908 in Cherokee Co, NC.

34 v Indy Sue⁴ Burchfield , born 3 Apr 1910 in Cherokee Co, NC.

35 vi Sye⁴ Burchfield , born 1913 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 1984.

20. Palice³ Wright (Mary Malinda L² Evans, Reuben P¹), born 28 Dec 1878 in Cherokee Co, NC. She married on 1 Mar 1900 in Cherokee Co, NC Samuel Carver Franks .

Children of Palice Wright and Samuel Carver Franks were as follows:

36 i Infant⁴ Franks , born 31 May 1914 in Almond, Swain Co, NC; died 31 May 1914 in Almond, Swain Co, NC; buried 1 Jun 1914 in Davis Cem.

23. Troy Kenneth³ Wright (Mary Malinda L² Evans, Reuben P¹), born 25 May 1885 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 1955 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. He married (1) on 30 Jul 1907 in Graham Co, NC Lula M Sherrill , born Feb 1887 in Graham Co, NC; died 28 Oct 1918 in Cherokee Co, NC, daughter of Ute Sherrill and Mary C Harrison ; (2) abt 1920/21 in Cherokee Co, NC Bessie Louella Panther , born 22 Mar 1897 in Swain Co, NC; died 1989 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC, daughter of Alfred Pinkney Panther and Martha Elizabeth Gibby .

Children of Troy Kenneth Wright and Lula M Sherrill were as follows:

37 i Paul⁴ Wright , born 1904/05 in Cherokee Co, NC.

38 ii Alma Hildred⁴ Wright , born 12 Apr 1908 in Cherokee Co, NC.

39 iii Gerald⁴ Wright , born in Cherokee Co, NC.

40 iv Mary Ruby⁴ Wright , born in Cherokee Co, NC.

41 v Ray⁴ Wright , born in Cherokee Co, NC.

Children of Troy Kenneth Wright and Bessie Louella Panther were as follows:

42 i Lionel Benton⁴ Wright , born 1921; died 1986.

43 ii June Evelyn⁴ Wright ,.

44 iii Jim Morrison⁴ Wright , born 9 Nov 1924 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 11 Apr 1925 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC.

25. Claude McFadden³ Wright (Mary Malinda L² Evans, Reuben P¹), born 27 Sep 1889 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 2 Sep 1959 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. He married in 1910/20 in Cherokee Co, NC Harriett Holloway , born 24 Dec 1894 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 4 Mar 1973 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC.

Children of Claude McFadden Wright and Harriett Holloway were as follows:

45 i Leora⁴ Wright , born 1917/18 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 26 Jan 1992 in Waynesville, Haywood Co, NC; buried in Graham Co, NC.

46 ii Mildred⁴ Wright , born in Cherokee Co, NC.

47 iii Wendell⁴ Wright , born in Cherokee Co, NC.

48 iv Doris⁴ Wright .

28. Drew Deweese³ Wright (Mary Malinda L² Evans, Reuben P¹), born 10 Nov 1896 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 1957 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC. He married aft 1920 in Cherokee Co, NC Carrie Lorene Rose , born 1905 in Cherokee Co, NC; died 1990 in Cherokee Co, NC; buried in Valleytown Cem, Cherokee Co, NC, daughter of James Holland Rose and Mary Miranda Cable .

Children of Drew Deweese Wright and Carrie Lorene Rose were as follows:

49 i Mary Azalea⁴ Wright .