William DeWitt Evans

b. 31 July 1849, d. 10 April 1913
  • William DeWitt Evans was born on 31 July 1849 in Chesterfield, South Carolina.
  • He married Mary Elizabeth Pegues, daughter of Benjamin Franklin Pegues and Sarah Ann Wilds Gillespie, circa 1872, doubtless some relation, witness his father's name Samuel Wilds Evans and her mother Sarah Ann Wilds Gillespie.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1880 census.
  • William DeWitt Evans and Mary Elizabeth Pegues appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Bennettsville, Marlboro County, South Carolina. Other members of the household included Alexina Wallace Evans, Harriet Evans and Nelle Pegues Evans.
  • The following appeared on 27 November 1892 in The Sunday News: In order that the people may see who makes their laws, The News and Courier has had biographical sketches prepared of the members of the General Assembly. . . . These sketches are given without coloring or any effort to magnify one or belittle another. They are pen pictures of the men whom the people have chosen to make their laws. . . . Marlboro. Senator W. D. Evans. William DeWitt Evans was born in Chesterfield County in 1849, but has lived since his boyhood in Marlboro County. He is a grandson of Ex-United State Senator Evans, and is a worth descendant of illustrious ancestors. For one hundred years members of this family in every generation have represented Marlboro County in one or the other branches of the Legislature. Mr. Evans has always been one of the most progressive members of the young Democracy of the country, and has been president of the Bennettsville Democratic Club for several terms. He is a man of fine ability and character, and one of the most successful planters of this section of the State, where he owns and cultivates large and fertile plantations. He has been a leader in the Farmers' Movement, and was elected in 1890 to succeed the Hon. C. S. McCall as Senator.
  • The following appeared on 1 January 1895 in The State: (Cheraw, Dec. 31) Capt. Samuel W. Evans, of this county, died near Society Hill yesterday about noon. Capt. Evans was an old resident, and a son of the distinguished Judge Evans, of ante-bellum days. He leaves three sons and three daughters, one of his sons being Hon. W. D. Evans, of Marlboro.
  • William DeWitt Evans and Mary Elizabeth Pegues appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in South Smithville, Marlboro County, South Carolina. Other members of the household included Alexina Wallace Evans, Nelle Pegues Evans, Samuel Wilds Evans, Franklin Pegues Evans, Josiah James Evans, Elizabeth Godfrey Evans, Thomas Smith Evans, Nannie Keitt Evans and Margaret D. Evans.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1900 census.
  • William DeWitt Evans and Mary Elizabeth Pegues appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, at Third Street. Other members of the household included Franklin Pegues Evans, Alexina Wallace Evans, Thomas Smith Evans, Elizabeth Godfrey Evans, Nannie Keitt Evans, Margaret D. Evans and Lucy Pegues. Also in the household were four young male boarders -- a druggist and four civil engineers employed by the railroad.
  • He was employed as a cotton buyer, according to the 1910 census.
  • William DeWitt Evans died on 10 April 1913 at age 63.
  • His wife Mary Elizabeth Pegues became a widow at his death.
  • He was interred at Old Saint David's Episcopal Church Cemetery, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
  • Last Edited: 4 Feb 2015

Family: Mary Elizabeth Pegues b. 1 January 1852, d. 28 March 1925