this is part of my family history To: "brenda (Baker) phenis" , "Theresa Goss" , "linda lee baker" Message contains attachmentssylvester evans - pond creek.jpg (360KB)

Ana wrote:
Date: Wed, 09 Aug 2006 11:19:56 -0400
From: Ana
To: Donald Baker ,
Jeff Baker ,
Jo Burkhardt ,
Joe Dean ,
Mike Baker of Indiana ,
Mike Baker of Texas
Subject: Mahala (Evans) Baker

Cousins - Hello

This is my first attempt at a multiple mailing from a single entry. Let me know if you get this.

AND it you know of anyone else interested in the family genealogy - love to know who they are.

I believe I have made substantial headway into the parents and grandparents of Mahala Margaret Evans which I want to share. BUT don't put this in with ink just yet - needs more work.

As you probably know, the story is told - Mahala's parents were never married, but they had a bunch of children. Their father acknowledged them as his children and they often lived in his house hold. He had a wife and they also had children, but the wife was mentally unhinged for years and years.

I copied from microfilm the death certificate for Amanda (Evans) May, the oldest known sister of Mahala - b in 1866 & died in 1952 - her parents were listed as Sylvester Evans & Mary Jackson.

With this I found Mary Jackson had married one John McIntosh about 1887 & her two youngest daughters, Ellen and Sarah were living in that household. These are Mahala's youngest sisters. Ellen (1885- 1976) married Henry Clay Riley - Lincoln's cousin.

Irene (my mother-in-law) and Mittie (Oscar's wife) told me Mahala's mother was a McIntosh - so I have searched endlessly for a Miss McIntosh.

Sylvester Evans had lived in Owsley Co., Ky, at least until 1880 (census records of Owsley) but in 1890 he lived in the Pond Creek District of Jackson Co - as per the 1890 Civil War veterans roll. He was then Paralyzed and had Yellow fever - I suspect he didn't live much longer, don't you! On the 1870 census Sylvester Evans & wife & their children are next door to James & Nancy Jackson with a daughter, Mary Ann Jackson with some little children who could be more of the unknown sibblings of Mahala.

His next door neighbor on that list Daniel Lyttle (Little)'s son, Alfred Little m 1887 in Jackson Co - to Laura Evans (1871-1956) older sister of Mahala & they had another sister (no first name) who married "a" McDaniel -

The 14th Ky Cavalry (Union) was a scouting unit. ( you can use Google to find more of this unit if you are interested). Cavalry Units were composed of men who could supply their own horses! Much better than the Infantry who walked.

Lincoln's father, John "Coony John" Riley, was also a civil war soldier but I cannot find my notes on his unit and service.

Kentucky Death Certificates are "closed" after 1955 now so only Amanda's is available on microfilm.

These are some fantastic genes you have inherited for Mahala's sisters and brother all lived into their 80's and 90's (brother Alfred died at age 95+). Given their time span that is most REMARKABLE. I still have more siblings to find.

Tentatively - Sylvester Evans parents were Jesse Evans & Edde Smith & Mary Ann Jackson's were James Jackson and Nancy Helton. I found those names on the Internet but so much information and family trees on line are totally wrong.