Benjamin Evans
Biography 1999, Carolyn Geittmann
(see also the biography for Jacob Palmer)

Benjamin EVANS, born circa 1796-1798 in Virginia, was first found in Obion County in Jan. 1835 when he served as a juror. His oldest daughter, Mary Jane, was born in Tennessee 11 Aug. 1823 so Benjamin had been living elsewhere in Tennessee then. He was located in the 1830 Census of Williamson Co., having married there 07 Feb. 1882 to Elizabeth REID and they appeared in the 1830 Williamson Co. Census as:

2 Males (0-5 yrs); 1 Male (5-10 yrs); 1 Male (30-40 yrs)
1 Female (5-10 yrs); 1 Female (30-40 yrs)

Benjamin bought 50 acres on Houser Creek in Obion County from David THOMPSON 03 June 1836.

Benjamin was listed in the 1840 Census of Obion County, having had another daughter by then:

1 Male (5-10 yrs); 1 Male (10-15 yrs); 1 Male (15-20 yrs); 1 Male (40-50 yrs)
1 Female (5-10 yrs); 1 Female (15-20 yrs); 1 Female (40-50 yrs)

His first wife, Elizabeth, died before 05 Jan. 1843 when in Obion County, Benjamin married Mary BURFORD, who may have been a widow and they were listed still in District #1 of the 1850 Census with my great grandparents, Mary Jane EVANS and James Lowry PALMER, who had married 1842 in Obion County, living nearby.

In 1860 Benjamin EVANS was elected Obion County Trustee.

Benjamin’s second wife, Mary, died before 08 July 1860 when again in Obion County, Benjamin EVANS married his thired wife, a widow, Mrs. Sarah E. ( ? ) CALDWELL. Sarah had been married to Isaac W. CALDWELL, listed in the Obion County 1840, 1850 Census, had a daughter, Docia, born circa 1840 and a son, Wallace/Walter, born circa 1849. Benjamin and Sarah E. were in the 1860 Census soon after their marriage, again in 1870 and 1880.

Benjamin signed his will 20 July 1880 naming his beloved wife, Sarah E. EVANS, youngest son,James Madison EVANS, and among other of my children,@ Benjamin F. EVANS, John E. EVANS, Elizabeth L. CALDWELL and Mary PALMER. He added a codicil 31 Dec. 1884 revoking his legacy to his son Benjamin (Jr.) and naming Benjamin (Jr.)’s wife, Sallie E. EVANS as the legatee instead. The will was filed in the August term of court 1887 as Benjamin had died shortly before then, probably around the age of 86-88.

Meanwhile, Benjamin’s beloved wife,Sarah E., who was born 28 Dec. 1816, died 17 Feb. 1884 and was buried in Harelson-Scott Cemetery in Union City where Benjamin’s son, James Madison, who was born 06 Aug. 1848, died 11 Feb. 1890, was also buried.

Benjamin’s will stated that: I gave Mary PALMER in her life time all of my estate that I desired her or her children to have. This was because Mary’s husband, James Lowry PALMER later left Mary and her children and Benjamin had likely helped her financially when she needed it the most. Mary died 18 Aug 1877 before Benjamin signed his will.

Note: see also the biography of James Palmer.