Person:Dianah Evans (2)

Notes for Dinah Evans: Although it has been accepted by most researchers, there is no proof that Dinah, wife of John Joslin, was the daughter of James Evans and Elizabeth Evans. The Deed, in consideration of the marriage contract, was dated May 7, 1759. John's oldest son, probably was born 1754. Since two of her daughters, Elizabeth and Molly(Nancy) married men named "Evens", there is some confusion. While it is possible that marriage contracts were entered for the daughters as minors, it is more reasonable that the contract was for John himself.

The Deed listed in Book E - pages 572 and 573, Amherst Co. Va., dated August 17, 1784, for the sale of 140 acres of John Joslin's land to Elizabeth Evans for the 20 pounds records the sale of the remainder of John Joslinn's land back to his mother-in-law prior to his move to Lincoln Co., Kentucky.

From Lincoln County, Kentucky Circuit Court Books:

Wednesday the 17th Day of June, 1795

Present: Hugh Logan and James Davis, Gentlemen

The Commonwealth - Plaintiff against Dianah Joslin - Defendant

Upon a Writ De Idiota Enquereda

The Sheriff exhibited in court the report of the Jury by him summoned by virtue of the writ aforesaid in these words, To Wit: Inquisition indented and taken this second day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred & ninety four, On Dianah Joslin who has been represented to us to be Foolish and an Idiot and on her lands and Tenements goods and Chattels, before me Jonathan Forbis, sheriff of Lincoln county and by the oaths of John Magill, William Neill, James Dooley, Jacob Stevens, Ezra Morrison, Thomas Davis, Noel Johnson, John McCormack, William C. Smith, Thomas McMurray, John Bentley, Josiah Huntsman, who have been duly charged Impartially to Examine whether the said Dianah Joslin is foolish and an Idiot as is before said and whether from her nativity or from any other time And if she enjoys any Lucid intervals. The Jury on their oaths do say that the said Dianah Joslin is Foolish and not capable to govern herself, and that she was not so from her Nativity but that she has been in a Doting situation somewhere about Twenty Five or Thirty years. And that the most probable cause of her being Foolish is by her taking to Drink Spiritous Liquors. And that she hath not abanded any land or Tenements when Foolish And that she is not possessed of any land or Tenements or any other property as appears to us by the Will of her husband John Joslin, deceased. And that the Estate of the said John Joslin, deceased was worth Twelve hundred and Eighteen Pounds eleven Shillings. And that the legatees mentioned in the said Deceased's will, is John Joslin, William Joslin, Daniel Joslin, Benjamin Joslin, Elizabeth Evans, Molly Evans, and Sally Whittle, and two Grand Children, James and Lucy Joslin, children of James Joslin, deceased. All of full age except the two Grand Children. In Testimony whereof I the said sheriff as well as the Jurors aforesaid have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and year above written. Jonathan Forbis, L.S., John Magill, L.S., William Neill, L.S., James Dooley, Thomas Davis, L.S., John McCormack, L.S., William C. Smith, L.S., Thomas McMurray, L.S., John Bentley, L.S., Josiah Huntsman, L.S.

Whereupon it is ordered that William Patton, Edmond Powell & Nathan Huston be appointed a Committee for the support and safekeeping of the said Dianah Joslin. And it is further Ordered that one third part of the Estate of her husband John Joslin, deceased, be paid by his Executor to the said Committee to be by them applied to the purpose aforesaid. The said Committee having Previously given Bond in the Clerks office in the penalty of Eight hundred Pounds. Conditioned for the fine performance of the trust hereby reposed in them.