Person Page - 15572

     John Evans was born in 1804 at Longacre, London, England^G.² He married Rachel Adams, daughter of John Adams and Vahineatua (?), on 26 November 1824 at Pitcairn Island^G.³ He died on 30 December 1891 at Norfolk Island^G.²
     On 10 December 1823, when the Cyrus arrived in Pitcairn, and John Buffett volunteered to remain on the island as schoolteacher, 19-year-old Evans had a tearing decision to make. Buffet was his best friend and mentor. Since Buffett had signed on the ship in Honolulu, Evans had attached himself to the well-traveled and intelligent older seaman. Now Buffett had chosen to leave. It was not until the Cyrus had left was it descovered that young Evans had hidden himself in the hollow stump of a tree on the island. When discovered, it was decided to allow him to stay.
He was reportedly a very tiny man, reports of his height range from 5' to 5'3' tall. His father was either a coachmaker or a watchmaker in Longacre, England (depending on who read the original record). He apparently had an above average education for a sailor.
It was not long before he sought the hand of Rachel Adams, daughter of John Adams, who was 7 years his senior. Adams was initially not impressed, feeling that Evans was too young to seriously consider marriage, but Rachel convinced him to relent.
The arrival of Joshua Hill in 1832 marked the beginning of a very trying period in the lives of Evans, Buffett, and Nobbs. Realizing that these three would be the most threatening to his plans and beliefs, Hill singled them out for special humiliation and punishment. The ill-treatment that the three endured reached a climax when they were forced to leave the island in March of 1834, on board the Tuscan. They were carried to Tahiti, where Evans appears to have traveled to the Gambier Islands where he was later reunited with his family. They were not able to return to Pitcairn until after Hill's forced departure in 1837. Their stay on the Gambiers was not comfortable, as the islands were suffering a food shortage at the time. Reportedly, the family returned to Pitcairn in a very emaciated condition.
Little is known of his activities on the island. He was fully accepted by his neighbors, and settled down to a quiet life on the island. He appears to have never played an important role in island affairs.²

     Rachel Adams was born in 1797 at Pitcairn Island^G.² She was the daughter of John Adams and Vahineatua (?)¹ She married John Evans on 26 November 1824 at Pitcairn Island^G.¹ She died on 7 September 1876 at Norfolk Island^G.¹
     She was also known as Rebecca.¹ From 26 November 1824, her married name became Evans.²
     When John Evans asked for her hand, he did not meet with much success. Her father did not approve of people marrying too young, and Evans was only 19, and the disparity in their ages was also an obstacle. However, the matter was referred to Rachel for decision, and her answer came quickly, 'Try it, daddy'. At length he reconsidered, and they were wedded with a ring formed of the outer circle of a limpet shell.²

     Cecil Wilfrid Quintal was born on 26 January 1888 at Norfolk Island^G.¹ He is the son of John James Heywood Quintal and Elizabeth Eadie Clow.¹ He married Dorothy Frances Tyer, daughter of Frederick Samuel Tyer and Frances Harriet Jordan, at New Zealand^G.¹
     He emigrated to New Zealand^G arriving on circa 1907.²

     Maria Angelina Laura Evans was born on 30 May 1857 at Norfolk Island^G.¹ She was the daughter of William Evans and Rebecca Christian.¹ She married, firstly, John Timothy on 16 February 1887.¹ She married John Augustus Adams, son of Jonathan Adams and Phoebe Quintal, on 20 August 1901 at Norfolk Island^G.² She died on 11 December 1920 at age 63.¹
     From 16 February 1887, her married name became Timothy.² From 20 August 1901, her married name became Adams.²

     Mary Florence Evans was born on 7 December 1858 at Norfolk Island^G.¹ She was the daughter of William Evans and Rebecca Christian.¹ She died on 2 December 1880 at age 21 at Norfolk Island^G.¹

     Olivia May Adams was born on 24 October 1892 at Norfolk Island^G.¹ She was the daughter of John Rigger Adams and Maria Elizabeth Christian.¹ She died on 30 May 1897 at age 4 at Norfolk Island^G.¹

     Charles Medley Evans was born on 9 May 1862 at Norfolk Island^G.¹ He was the son of William Evans and Rebecca Christian.¹ He married Clara Flora Nobbs, daughter of Alfred Augustine Nobbs and Mary Emily Christian, on 17 December 1896 at Norfolk Island^G.²
     He fought in the First World War, with the 4th Battalion, 61st Battalion, and 62nd Battalion.²

     Lucy Ella Robert Evans was born on 31 October 1863 at Norfolk Island^G.¹ She is the daughter of William Evans and Rebecca Christian.¹

     Amelia Evans was born on 30 August 1865 at Norfolk Island^G.¹ She was the daughter of William Evans and Rebecca Christian.¹ She married George Edward Nobbs, son of Fletcher Christian Nobbs and Susan Quintal, on 19 July 1887 at Norfolk Island^G.² She died on 3 April 1940 at age 74 at Norfolk Island^G.¹
     From 19 July 1887, her married name became Nobbs.²

     Emily Rachel Evans was born on 28 April 1867 at Norfolk Island^G.¹ She was the daughter of William Evans and Rebecca Christian.¹ She died on 7 February 1887 at age 19 at Norfolk Island^G.¹