History of Jonah Evans 

Biography and family record of Jonah Evans, written by himself at Samaria, Idaho on the third day of October, 1885. 

Some taken from records and some from memory, with the hope that some of my children, who are now having some education, which I never had, not the privilege of even a day of school of any kind, will take the trouble to take the most important items and write in a well bound book. 

I was born 26 February 1838, in  a small farm house close by a small village called Thanwell near Carmarthen Town, CarmarthenShire, South Wales. My father’s name is John Evans and mother’s maiden name, Esther Williams. Her father’s name was Isaac Williams and her mother’s name was Margaret Williams. 

Father and Mother had twelve children, eight of whom married and raised children, all but one whose name is Isaac. His first wife had two children by him, one died at birth and the other lived three minutes. 

I will give births and deaths here up to date:  

My father, John Evans was born 1 November 1793, in Carmarthen, Wales. He died 11 July 1871. 

My mother, Esther Williams Evans was born 15 April 1797, in New Church Parish, CarmarthenShire, South Wales. She died 24 July 1867. 

Children of my mother and father: 

David Evans b. 12 Oct 1819 d. 
Margaret Evans b. 17 July 1821 d. 1858 
Isaac Evans b. 26 March 1823 d. 21 May 1878 in Weston Ward, Oneida County Idaho territory 
Sarah Evans b. 26 June 1825 d. 23 April 1836 
Mary Evans b. 25 Oct 1827 d. April 1828 
Anna Evans b. 12 April 1829 d. September 1897 
Rachael Evans b. 25 Aug 1831 d. 1899 
John Evans b. 7 Oct 1833  
Samuel Evans b. 20 Feb 1836 d. Sep 1836 
Jonah Evans b. 26 Feb 1838  
Elizabeth Evans b. 7 April 1842  

There is one of the children’s names I cannot find on record.  

My father was a laboring man and earned his living mostly by working on a farm and that at a very small wage. I remember hearing mother say that at any one time they had six children at home at once and father earning six pence a day, which is twelve and one-half cents. Mother and the children having to live on this, Father getting his board where he worked. Hence the case of us not having any school. So you of my children, who have better privileges, can or ought to overlook my poor writing and spelling. 

When I was about five years old my father met with an accident by falling off a haystack and putting his right shoulder out of place, which, notwithstanding, the efforts of himself and no doctor, was never replaced and he lived about twenty-eight years with his arm out of joint. After this father moved his family to Carmarthen Town, for the purpose of picking up some little jobs that he might be able to do for a living, now not able to do any hard work. 

When I was eight years old, I was engaged to work at soap making for two shillings a week (48 cents) and continued at this work for two years for the same wages, and that was without board. After that I had a better offer and that was to work on a farm for my board and one suit of clothes for one year. The next year on the same farm, I received my board and one pound ($5.00). At this place I was very poorly treated. I had to run errands, rain or shine, and having very few clothes to change, had to take off my shirt at night and put it under my pillow to dry a little, then put it on in the morning, almost as wet. By such treatment, I contracted rheumatism, which at times gave me very severe pain for many years. The last attack I had was in the year 1874, at Brigham City, Utah. With that exception my health has been very good. 

During my two year service at the farm, I was sometimes beaten severely. On one occasion, I was looking after the sheep at lambing time and was given a sound beating because I could not tell at once how many lambs there were. I knew how many lambs and how many each sheep had, but could not count them all at once when I was so scared of the master who looked like a big monster. 

At another time, I well remember, although it happened thirty-six years ago, when I was eleven years old. I was working in the stack yard and saw a hare running, followed closely by some dogs. The temptation was too great for me. I had to run to see the fun, and when I returned the boy-beater was there armed with a big stick and I was given a sound thrashing, and for a few days was unable to use my arms. At the end of that year, I refused to stay with him any longer, and after that had nor more beatings, but had to work very hard. Our working hours in the summer, being from four in the morning until nine o’clock at night, with from an hour and half to two hours rest at noon. 

At one time when I was working at a farm called Forest, I had some copper money in my pocket. I put a half-penny, which is the size of fifty cents in silver, in my mouth. It accidentally went down my throat, and for a while, I could get it neither up nor down, so I nearly strangled. After a few days, I was taken very sick and by many, was pronounced a dead boy. A doctor told my mother the chances for my recovery were very slim, but after a few weeks of sickness, I recovered. 

About this time, my brother Isaac, was working in the mines and I decided to change my work and join him. The distance to the mine was about thirty miles. I traveled part way on foot and part by rail. At that time, I was sixteen years of age and weighed 120 pounds. Work in the coal mines seemed very hard at first, but I got used to it and liked it, though in the winter I worked many a week without seeing daylight. 

I will state here that during my nine years of labor in the mine underground, by the kind providence of a merciful God, I was miraculously preserved from any very serious accident, although working much of the time in very dangerous places. 

At one time, I had a narrow escape from immediate death. At this time, I was driving a horse and coming out of the works. The horse had, I think, seven trams of trucks loaded with about a ton and a half each of iron ore. I had to go before the horse with a candle in my hand to light his way as well as my own. Just as we went down a little grade, my light was blown out by a current of air and the horse had to run to keep out of the way of the trams. Not having any room to turn aside, I had to run too, but could not run fast enough, so was knocked down by the horse and thought sure my time had come. Here is where kind providence interfered. The horse stepped over me and continued on his way in the dark. When the first tram struck me, I was lying across  the track, with my head close to the wall or tunnel and instead of running over me, the tram somehow struck my leg and pushed me to the side, but the place was so narrow that my head and legs were badly bruised. One leg was crushed. The heel of my shoe on that foot was pulled off. My head soon healed, but I lost four weeks of work on account of my leg. 

I lived in Bryn Cwmafan and worked in coal and iron ore for six years, from 1854 to 1860, when with my family moved to Aberdare, Glamorganshire. 

I was married to Frances Bowen on December 3, 1859, when living in the Bryn, in the Morgan Parish Church. Our first child Thomas Bowen Evans, was born at Peniddwailad near Cwamavon Glamorganshire, 15 Feb 1860. Our second child was  a daughter, still born in Aberdare in Aug 1862. I stayed with my family in Aberdare three years and worked most of the time in Powell’s Coal Pit, Caumdare. 

On the first day of June, 1863, which was on Monday, my wife, myself, and son, Thomas, left Aberdare in the Cary Jenny for Salt Lake Valley, Utah. We traveled with a company of Saints by railroad to the city of London. From there we set sail for New York on board the ship Amazon, on June 1, 1863. There were over eight hundred Saints on board. We arrived in Salt Lake City, 3 October 1863. 

*Additional information on the history of Jonah Evans, written by his daughter, Effie Evans Pilgrim. 

Jonah Evas was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 5 April 1860 in Gwmavan[Cwmavon], Wales. 

Ordained a Teacher 8 July 1860 by Rees Jones. 

Ordained a Priest 27 June 1860 by Isaac Evans. 

Ordained an Elder 30 Jan 1862 by Thomas Jerymey. 

Ordained a High Priest 31 Oct 1880 by E.A.box in Brigham City, Utah. 

Father with his wife, Frances Bowen Evans, and son Thomas, arrived in Salt Lake City, 3 October 1863. Thomas was then three years of age. 

The family moved to Brigham City and from there to North Farm which was about two and one-half miles north of Brigham City. Father worked there for about sixteen years. This project consisted of a large farm and many factories, founded on a cooperative basis. It was named “Brigham City Mercantile and Manufacturing Ass.” 

  1. The original directors were: Lorenzo Snow, pres.; Samuel Smith, Abraham Hunsaker, Alvin Nichols, James Pett, H.R.Jensen, G. W. Ward, J.D.Reese, W.L.Watkins, secretary. 
  1. United Order Council: Lorenzo Snow, Samuel Smith, Alvin Nichols, H.R.Jensen, William Box, John Welch, James Bywater, and about fifty other officers. Father was one of these officers. 
  1. This enterprise consisted of a tannery, woolen factory, dairy, horn stock herd, hat factory, sawmills, cotton raising, and etc. 

Lorenzo Snow could see this was a great undertaking and required much skill and the  

labor of years, but with him, duty was the watchword and success very important. (Biography of Lorenzo Snow, chapter 38.) 

Children of Jonah Evans and Frances Bowen Evans:  

Thomas B. Evans b. 15 Feb 1860 d. 28 April 1942 
Margaret Ann Evans b. 6 Aug 1862 d. 6 Aug 1862 

The two above were born in Aberdare Glamorgan, Wales. 

The following children were born in Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah. 

Jonah B. Evans b. 20 Nov 1864 d. 12 April 1888 
Isaac B. Evans b. 8 March 1867 d. 26 Oct 1918 
Lorenzo B. Evans b. 24 March 1869 d. 30 May 1934 
William B. Evans b. 18 May 1872 d. 29 April 1933 
David B. Evans b. 9 March 1874 d. 28 Dec 1913 
Francis B. Evans b. 26 Dec 1876 d. 21 June 1877 

Frances Bowen Evans, wife of Jonah Evans, died 27 Dec 1876, when the baby Frances was one day old. 

Jonah Bowen Evans was killed while working on the C.P. Railway, about nine miles west of Tarice, Utah. He was 23 years old. 

Jonah Evans married Catherine Clarkson Deer 9 June 1877, in Brigham City. They were married by Lorenzo Snow. She was his second wife. 

The first child, Frances Evans, was born 16 March 1878, on North Farm near Brigham City, and died 20 Aug 1880 in Samaria, Idaho. Esther Evans, born 25 March 1880 on North Farm near Brigham City, died 5 Aug 1880 in Samaria, Idaho. 

Fannie Evans b. 4 May 1881 d. 1 Jan 1944 
Irene Evans b. 24 May 1883 d. 16 Oct 1965 
Milton Deer Evans b. 31 Dec 1885 d. 26 April 1888 
Ethel Evans b. 4 Feb 1888 d. 28 Feb 1925 

Father was set apart as bishop of the Samaria Ward, 31 October 1880, and served for seventeen years until he passed away 22 January 1897. 

Only a few years after the family moved to Samaria, Idaho their home, a two-story frame house, burned down. 

Jonah Evans was married to Jane Morse, 7 Dec 1882, in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. She was his third wife. 

Children of Jonah Evans and his wife, Jane Morse Evans: 

Rose Evans b. 14 Sep 1884, in Samaria, Idaho d. 9 Aug 1958, in Malad, Idaho 
Edna Evans b. 13 Aug 1886 in Brigham City, Utah d. 8 June 1969 
Effie Evans b. 21 July 1888 in Snowville, Utah d. 13 Aug 1957 
Victor M. Evans b. 10 Nov 1890 in Providence, Utah d. 11 July 1956 in Idaho Falls, Idaho 
Melvin M. Evans b. 9 Nov 1892 in Pleasantview, Idaho d. 8 Jan 1915 in Pleasantview, Idaho 
Hazel Evans b. 11 Feb 1895 in Pleasantview, Idaho d. 20 July 1971 
Jonah M. Evans b. 22 Jan 1897 in Pleasantview, Idaho  

Father and Mother moved to Pleasantview in the year 1891. We lived in one large log room with a dirt roof. There were four children then. This room was crowded, but was always neat and clean. Later, two more rooms were added. 

Pleasantview is three miles north of Samaria, and at that time, belonged to the Samaria Ward. Father was the first bishop of this ward, having been ordained 31 Oct 1880 by E.A. Box. 

In the year 1895, Father met with an accident while trying to get a horse in the barn. Overexertion caused a heart condition which impaired his health and after that he was unable to do any hard work.  

He died 22 Jan 1897 as the result of the accident. 

Jonah M. Evans was born four hours before father died. He told mother that he would live to see this child and wanted him to have his name. Jonah was blessed and named at father’s bedside. Then father said, “Now Jane will believe I’m a true prophet.” 

It might be of interest to the descendants of Frances Bowen Evans to know that in the autumn of 1959 a relative of hers was in Salt Lake City and made an effort to find her descendants. He was directed to the Utah Genealogical Society where brother David E. Gardner directed a search of the records in an effort to help him. The letters included here show what was done. The results would have been successful had Sir Ben asked for her under her proper given name and if he had known the name of her husband. Members of the family living in Salt Lake City at the time would have been only too happy to show him a good time. 

8th Jan. 1960 

A Copy D.E.G. 

Sir Ben Bowen Thomas 

7. Greenhalgh Walk 

London N 2. England 

Dear Sir Ben: 

It will be no doubt a pleasure to learn that record of Frances Bowen and descendants has been found. The following are the particulars: 

  1. The record of Frances Bowen, as wife of Jonah Evans emigrated from Wales to Utah: 

Emigration Records, Compiled in European Mission Office, Liverpool, England, 1849-1918. Now at the Church Historian’s Office Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.  

Book 1047, 1861 to 1863, page 308. No. of passengers 895, of whom 118 were Welsh. Ship Amazon of 1600 tons Register, Captain Hovey, Master. Sailed from London, 4 June 1863, arrived New York 18 July 1863. No. 166 Jonah Evans, age 25, Collier: Country of birth Wales. Frances Evans, age 25 wife, country of birth Wales; Thomas Evans, age 3 son, country of birth Wales. Last address: ℅ George G. Bywater. No. of notification, 28. No. of tickets, 264. No. of permanent Emigration Bond 1633. Fares paid L11 6s. Pd. with balance from East Glamorgan Conference account. Paid as far as Florence Nebraska. 

The Welch passengers included a brass band from South Wales, as also members of a choir on their way to Zion, and they “discoursed sweet music on the poop deck,” as the ship was departing the dock and sailed down the River Thames. 

The last address, “George G. Bywater” relates to the place where the fare was paid, probably in Merthyr Tvdfil [Tydfil]. Glamorganshire, as Bywater was in charge of the Welsh Conference of the Church. (see enclosed photocopy). 

  1. No record was found of special mention for the family crossing the plains from Florence (now called Omaha) Nebraska to Salt Lake City, by ox train. They undoubtedly traveled in what is known as Capt. Daniel D. McArthur’s Church train of immigrants, which had started at Florence, 6th August, with seventy-five wagons and arrived at Salt Lake City 3rd October 1863. The distance from Florence to Salt Lake City was over 1,000 miles. 
  1. No newspaper obituary notice was found for Mrs. Frances Evans, but that of her husband is in the Deseret News of 4th February 1897 as per enclosed photocopy. The following are some of the points in the obituary: 

Jonah Evans, a Bishop of Samaria Ward of the Church died at Pleasantview on 22nd January 1897. (This is a town in Oneida County, Idaho, six miles from Malad). Both of these towns were settled by Welsh families. Jonah Evans was the first Bishop of the Samaria Ward, having been appointed 31st October, 1880. His first wife had died, also three sons and daughters. 

The records of the Church for the Samaria Ward were then searched. Jonah Evans, his wife Frances formerly Bowen, and seven children were recorded. Enclosed is a family group record showing details. Frances Bowen, as Mrs. Evans, died 27 December 1876 at Brigham City, Utah. This is a city about sixty miles north of Salt Lake City on the main highway to the state of Idaho. (see enclosed map showing Salt Lake City, Brigham City, and Samaria, the latter just over the border from Utah into Idaho). 

In 1877 the widower, Jonah Evans married Catherine Deer, widow of Elias Clarkson. Catherine was a Welsh woman from Neath, Glamorganshire, her family having, at one time, been connected with Cadoxton, Juxta, Neath. 

On 7th December 1882 Jonah Evans married Jane Morse who was born in Logan, Utah, and a daughter of Welsh parents. 

From the information thus marshalled we proceeded to find whether or not any descendants were interested in genealogical research. We believe we have located the name and address of Frances Bowen Evans’ living daughter-in-law. 

Mrs. Hannah W.E. Snyder, 453 N. Grant, Pocatello, Idaho. 

Record has also been found of a granddaughter: Mrs. Constance Evans Jensen, wife of Mr. Donald S. Jensen, 1017 North Hayes, Pocatello, Idaho. 

Enclosed is a copy of the family group record for Thomas Bowen and his wife Margaret Clement. This shows the seven children mentioned in your letter concerning this family group. This is in duplicate. Please return the copy that has red pencil crosses on it, together with additions or comments that might help us. Please accept our best wishes. 

Sincerely, 

David E. Gardner 

Printed by Isaac W. Evans, a printer and grandson of Jonah Evans. 

(Next page there is a photo of a group of five boys. On the back of the picture it says, Lillie Evans Boys. One of them is Milton and he was associated with R. B. Davis.)