Do you ever feel ‘stuck’ on a research question? Well, I’m stuck and I’m not talking about a ‘brick wall’ type question.
My poorly phrased research question is
Do James Evans and Sarah Garrett Evans really have four (or more) daughters either going by Polly Evans or named Mary Ann Evans?
No, I’m not kidding. The FamilySearch tree shows 3 daughters going by Polly and one named Mary Ann. Below are the children listed on the FamilySearch tree:
- Polly Hannah Evans McIntosh (1805-1851)
- Polly Ann Evans Hubbard (1816-1880)
- William Evans (1818-?)
- Jane B. Evans Ross (1820-?)
- Polly Ann Evans Thompson (1821-1896) – with at least 2 records listing her as Mary Ann Thompson
- Child Evans (1824-?)
- Elizabeth Evans Harger (1825-1856)
- James Evans Jr (1826-?)
- Mary Ann Evans (1826-1911)
- Isadore Elizabeth Evans Davis (1827-1893)
- Henry Evans (1827-1909)
- Vashti A Evans Wells (1830-?)
- Nancy Emaline Evans Winkle (1832-1900)
- Child Evans (1836-?)
- Child Evans (1838-?)
- Isaac E. Evans (1841-1861)
Since the first two daughters were born prior to the marriage of James Evans and Sarah Garett in 1818, it is possible (probable) that they are not the daughters of this couple.
Researching Polly Ann Evans and her husband Jesse Hubbard , I was trying to find anything connecting Polly Ann to parents or siblings. Although I have not found such a record, I have found a record that suggests that Polly Ann may be related to a different Evans family. That record is her husband’s patent for land in Warrick county, Indiana. In the section to the north of Jesse Hubbard’s land are four parcels of land patented by Henry H. Evans.
While the Henry Evans land is near the Hubbard land, the James Evans land is not close to the Jesse Hubbard patent. Instead it is several miles to the northwest.
While these land records do not prove anything, the proximity of the Hubbard land to the land of Henry H. Evans suggests looking for a connection between Polly Ann Evans Hubbard and the family of Henry H. Evans. Based on their birthdates, I’m actually wondering whether Polly Ann Evans could be a sister to Henry H. Evans and/or James Evans and not a daughter.
Below are transcripts of the Hubbard patents that places Polly Ann Evans Hubbard in the neighborhood of Henry H. Evans.
Certificate
No. 13731
The United States of America
To All to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:
Whereas, Jesse Hubbard of Warrick County, Indiana
has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Vincennes
whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Jesse Hubbard
according to the provisions of the act of Congress of he 24th April 1820, entitled “An act making further provision for the sale of the Public Lands,” forthe north west quarter of the north west quarter of section one in
United States Bureau of Land Management, “General Land Office Records,” database with images, BLM.Gov (http://glorecords.blm.gov : viewed online 15 June 2023), Jesse Hubbard.
township seven south or range eight west int he district of
lands subject to sale at Vincennes, Indiana containing forty
acres
according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been pur-
chased by the said Jesse Hubbard
Now Know ye, that the United States of America, in consideration of the premises, and in conformity with the
several acts of Congress, in such cases made and provided, have given and granted, and, by these presents, do give and grant, unto the said Jesse Hubbard
and to his heirs, the said tract above described:
To have and to hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities and appurtenances of whatsoever nature thereunto belonging, unto the said Jesse Hubbard
and to his heirs and assigns forever
In testimony whereof, I, Martin Van Buren
President of the United States of America, have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto
affixed.
Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the first day of September in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight and of the Independence of the United States
the sixty third
By the President: Martin Van Buren
By H Van Buren Jr Sec’y
Certificate
No. 20006
The United States of America
To All to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:
Whereas, Jesse Hubbard of Warrick County, Indiana
has deposited in the General Land Office of the United States, a certificate of the Register of the Land Office at Vincennes
whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Jesse Hubbard
according to the provisions of the act of Congress of he 24th April 1820, entitled “An act making further provision for the sale of the Public Lands,” forthe south west quarter of teh north west
United States Bureau of Land Management, “General Land Office Records,” database with images, BLM.Gov (http://glorecords.blm.gov : viewed online 15 June 2023), Jesse Hubbard.
quarter of section one in township seven south
of range eight West, in the District of Lands
subject to sale at Vincennes Indiana con-
taining forty acres
according to the official plat of the survey of the said Lands, returned to the General Land office by the Surveyor General, which said tract has been pur-
chased by the said Jesse Hubbard
Now Know ye, that the United States of America, in consideration of the premises, and in conformity with the
several acts of Congress, in such cases made and provided, have given and granted, and, by these presents, do give and grant, unto the said Jesse Hubbard
and to his heirs, the said tract above described:
To have and to hold the same, together with all the rights, privileges, immunities and appurtenances of whatsoever nature thereunto belonging, unto the said Jesse Hubbard
and to his heirs and assigns forever
In testimony whereof, I, Martin Van Buren
President of the United States of America, have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of the General Land Office to be hereunto
affixed.
Given under my hand, at the City of Washington, the first day of Augustin the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine and of the Independence of the United States
the sixty fourth
By the President: Martin Van Buren
By H Van Buren Jr Sec’y