John Evington BITTON

Personal History of John Evington

“John Evington was born in the state of Virginia, (United States) between the years 1745-1755. His father owned a farm there when the state was being settled.

John was twelve years old when he decided, one day, to run away from home. He soon became lost and found himself on the banks of the Pocy River. He saw an old fisherman. This old man could not help him find his way back home, so he took John aboard his boat and they later went to the man’s home.

A few days later they were in Boston and John, on seeing the big ships in port, decided he would like to go be on one when it sailed. The old fisherman told him how to get on one as a stowaway. This he did and he was not found until the ship was far out to sea. He was made to work his way to London and he stayed in London until he became of age and became a seafaring man.

Then came the Revolutionary War and he joined the army in the King’s service and was a red coat, fighting against the United States. So he called himself a traitor to his country. When the war was ended he returned to England and again became a seafaring man.

When he was quite old he met and married Mary Beeble, a widow with two children. They became the parents of two children, Mina (Elizabeth) and Jane Evington, who later became interested in the Mormon church and came to this country.

Mary had heart trouble and John would, at times, take her with him on the ships. They promised each other that which ever one died first they would appear to the other one in spirit. One night after Mary had died, John arose from his bed and told his daughters about the promise that he and their mother had made to each other before she died. He then began to read the Bible. Mary appeared for a few moments and then was gone.”

The date of John Evington’s death is not known but it is assumed he is buried next to his wife in England. He had asked his children to see that his name be kept alive on earth. The fulfilment of this request was made by his daughter Jane and her husband when they named their first born son John Evington Bitton.

(The part of this history enclosed in quotation marks was written by Mary Ann Ellsworth Poole.)