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Richard Eivens, died 1693, Albemarle County |
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| In the early days of Colonial America, many people from Europe were attracted to coming to the New World because of the promise of free land and new opportunities, as well as those who were fleeing from England during the various political upheavals taking place there. Many of them chose to settle in the Caribbean Islands, in Barbados, in particular. Among the settlers was a Welshman, Richard Eivens, who had come to Barbados during the reign of Oliver Cromwell in the mid-1600s. In 1664, during a trip aboard a ship sent to Virginia for supplies, he and his fellow passengers and crewmates were shipwrecked near Cape Hatteras, and they made it to land around Albemarle Sound, where they decided to remain. At the time, the Carolinas was a province of Virginia called Albemarle, and the regions within Albemarle were referred to as "precincts"; one of the earliest precincts of Albemarle County was Perquimans. The Richard Eivens who left a will in Perquimans Precinct in 1693, is believed to be the son of the person by that same name who had settled in the area in 1664. One WYATT Family researcher, also descended from the same family as Richard Eivens, d.1693, believes that the original Richard who settled in Barbados, may have been the ancestor of some of the EVANS families who have been known as Free Persons of Color and mulattoes in Virginia and North Carolina since at least the early 1700s. The EIVENS family was known to have had slaves, some of which may have been fathered by them and brought with them from Barbados. Another suspicion has been that various members of the original EIVENS family may have also been mulatto, probably from relationships that had occurred during their time in Barbados. The researcher has DNA matches with several people with EVANS ancestry, yet none of us can figure out exactly how we match, so far, since we have no known connection to the EIVENS line. I am quoting from him as follows: "I am definitely not descended from Rev. Hawte Wyatt. We aren't even in the same Y-chromosome haplogroup. He would be from the R1b haplogroup, while I am from I1. As confirmation, I match closely with a person descended from Nathan Wyatt of Rowan County, a brother of my 4th great grandfather William Wyatt. The autosomal DNA gives proof back to my seventh great grandfather William that married Rebekah Eivens. My best guess is that William passed through Barbados as an indentured servant or may even have been born there." Of course, it is also possible the match is through another ancestor, but currently, all we can do is to continue to research and perhaps someday more will be known about all of these connections. I don't know if any of us are truly descended from Richard Eivens, but with all of this in mind, and always open to possibilities, I have transcribed the will of Richard Eivens, which I don't believe has been fully done before, and am posting it here for anyone interested in further researching the line. | |||
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WILL OF RICHARD EIVENS
From the "North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Register, Vol.III", Pg. 219-220: Richard Eivens Departed this Life May 20, 1693. Sarah Eivens daughter of Richard Eivens & wife Elizabeth was borne Aug. 30, 1693.
Pg.403
Records of Perquimans Precinct Court:
Thomas Ralph. Perquimans, Oct. 15, 1688. Cousin John Lovett, wife Elizabeth, Executrix. Test, Rebecca Wyatt, Thomas Long. From "The Evans Family" on Perquimans County NCGenWeb:
Richard Evans was grt 240a of land in Perq Precinct 1684, on N. E. side of Perq River, near Castletons Creek. His will p in Albemarle,
Oct 2, 1693 names sons: Jonathan, & Richard, dau’s Rabakah, & Ann, wife Elizabeth, who m 2d Jeames Old Sept 11, 1694. Elizabeth Evens was a headright of
John Lee, who received a grt for land in Nansemond Co Va, on E side of Summerton Creek, April 3, 1694. The name “Eivens” according to the old Welsh spelling
was used by Richard in his will 1693. He “Departed this Life” May 20, 1693. As no mention of a birth date is given in Berkeley Par Reg, for the three eldest
children, we are led to believe they were born in Va, before moving to N. C. Ann (d of Richard Evans, & wife Elizabeth) was b Nov 4, 1685—2 Sarah, b Aug 30,
1693. She being born three months after his death is not named in his will, but her mother in a deed in Perq made provision for her, equal with the others.
(See Deeds in this book) Richard, second son of Richard (1) moved to Beaufort Co N. C. (His will, Grimes.) From "History of Perquimans County, As Compiled from Records", Pgs.40-43, by Ellen Goode Rawlings Winslow:
26. Samuel Pricklove of Perq River, Planter—in con. of £45 pd by John Durant of same, sold a patent of land given from Thomas Lepper
to John Davis, from him to sd Durant, & from him to myself. April 25, 1687. Test. Wm Chapman, Richard Eivens.
38. Grant from Lords Pro. to Lawrence Noggins, planter-230a, on West side of Perq River, in Pre'ct of Perq, adj Joshua Scott. Due said
Noggins for Trans of five persons into said Co. At Mr George Durants house, Feb 6, 1678. For more about early Albemarle, visit Albemarle County NCGenWeb, which contains many great resources for the history and the beginnings of North Carolina. Some sites with info about Richard Eivens:
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© 2014 to present. This website and all material on it are the property of Deloris Williams. You may use these records for personal research only, no materials on this website is to be reproduced or republished to a commercial website or used for commercial purposes. Last updated 04/25/2021
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