News: Looking for females who are in the pure female lines (mother to daughter) from William and Sarah who are willing to do an mtDNA test. Such a person would be descended along an all female line from Mary DEVIN Biggers or Margaret DEVIN Reynolds. The hope is to identify the markers for Sarah SMITH Devin to help identify her parents. Contact the webmaster if interested.

Devin descendant, Stanley Wayne Devin, passed away at 1:30 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2014. He was the last living child of Ira & Oleta Devin.
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    James A. Devin

    Male 1817 - 1868  (51 years)


    Generations:      Standard    |    Vertical    |    Compact    |    Box    |    Text    |    Ahnentafel    |    Fan Chart    |    Media    |    PDF

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    Generation: 1

    1. 1.  James A. Devin was born on 07 April 1817 in Virginia U.S.A. (son of James Devin and Temperance Cox); died on 11 July 1868.

      Notes:

      Census:
      1860 Pittsylvania Co VA: North District, p. 203 19 July 1860

      !MARRIAGE: Pittsylvania Co VA record (Married by J. H. Eanes)

      Twin of Sarah G. Devin

      James married Frances A. Hundley on 01 Oct 1859 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.. Frances was born on 22 Sep 1839/1840 in Virginia U.S.A.; died on 4 Jul 1921 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet]

      Children:
      1. William Robert Devin was born on 22 Nov 1861 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 20 Nov 1939 in Roanoke, Virginia U.S.A.; was buried in Evergreen Burial Park, Roanoke, Virginia.
      2. Lily Ida Devin was born about 1863 in , , Virginia, U.S.A.; died about 1896 in , , Virginina, U.S.A..
      3. Frances W. Devin was born on 19 Jun 1865 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia C.S.A..
      4. James Alexander Devin, Sr. was born on 07 Aug 1867 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 3 Jul 1928 in , , Virginia, USA; was buried in Swansonville Methodist Church Cemetery, Pittsylvania Co VA.

      James married F.A. Hundley. [Group Sheet]


    Generation: 2

    1. 2.  James Devin was born on 15 May 1781 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia (son of William Devin, Jr. and Martha Mitchell); died on 11 Aug 1854 in Henry County, Virginia U.S.A.; was buried in Devin Family Cemetery, Henry County, Virginia U.S.A..

      Notes:

      !Questions: Place of Birth Henry County or Pittsylvania County Virginia

      !MARRIAGE: Pittsylvania Co VA record

      James Devin, first child and 1st son of Wm. Devin Jr. and Martha Devin, was born May 15, 1781. In 1811, he married Temperance Cox, the daughter of James and Julia Handkins Cox. Soon after this marriage, James and Temperance Devin settled in the lower part of Henry County very near the Pittsylvania line. James was a man who possessed much mathematical genius. He followed the trade of house carpenter as well as cabinet maker for a number of years. He was a man of some literary taste and acquirement, and yielding to the wishes of the community in which he lived, he engaged a good deal of his time in teaching school. He was a successful teacher, and a large part of his later life was devoted to that profession. He died August 11, 1854. His wife died in 1867. Both were members of the Baptist church.
      To James and Temperance Devin were born six children: Elizabeth J. born 1814; William born 1812, d. 1819; James A. And Sarah G. (twins) born 1817; Robert I. born 1822 and John C. born 1831. In 1881 . . . quoting Robert Ira Devin's letter: "All are dead except Elizabeth, Robert and John". Last address given by Robert I. who was a Baptist Minister was Youngs Road, Grandville County, North Carolina. (The Devin Family; Hoffstetter, Dessa; page 4.)

      05.Aug.1813 James Devin buyer at estate sale of Martha Waller (Henry County wills abstracts page 53).
      James Devin was witness to Will of Martha Waller (Devin file at Pedmont Genealogical Society, Danville VA Public Library from research done by Anna D. Evans 07.May.1985).

      James married Temperance Cox in 19.Feb.1811 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.. Temperance (daughter of James S. Cox and Elizabeth Julia Hankins) was born on 22 Sep 1791; died on 16 Aug 1866. [Group Sheet]


    2. 3.  Temperance Cox was born on 22 Sep 1791 (daughter of James S. Cox and Elizabeth Julia Hankins); died on 16 Aug 1866.

      Notes:

      MARRIAGE: Pittsylvania Co VA record

      Notes:

      Marriage Bond 16.Feb.1811 Jame Devin and Temperance Cox daughter of James S. Cox. Surety John Devin married 19.Feb.1811 by Rev. Thomas Boaz. (Devin file at Pedmont Genealogy Society, Danville VA Public Library from research by Anna D. Evans 07.May.1985)

      Children:
      1. William Devin was born in 1812; died in 1819.
      2. Elizabeth J. Devin was born in 1814 in Henry County, Virginia U.S.A.; died after 1881.
      3. Sarah G. Devin was born in 1817.
      4. 1. James A. Devin was born on 07 April 1817 in Virginia U.S.A.; died on 11 July 1868.
      5. Rev. Robert Ira Devin was born on 14 Aug 1822 in Virginia U.S.A.; died on 30 Aug 1914 in Oxford, Granville, North Carolina U.S.A..
      6. John Clayton Devin was born on 24 Jan 1831 in Henry County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 12 Jan 1900 in Virginia U.S.A.; was buried in Cedar View Cemetery or Wilson-Waddill Cemetery.
      7. Susan C. Devin


    Generation: 3

    1. 4.  William Devin, Jr. was born in c.1752 (son of William Devin, Sr. and Sarah Smith); died on 27 Apr 1810.

      Notes:

      William, Jr. fought against England in the Revolutionary War (Dessa Hofstetter; "The Devin Family"; page 2; ...William and Sarah Devin's four oldest sons were in the Revolutionary War...). Dessa's booklet also quotes, on page 5, a letter from Robert Ira Devin to Alfred Harrison Devin, saying "My grandfather William Devin, Jr. was born in Pittsylvania County, Va. and was a soldier three years in the War of the Revolution. Two of his brothers, John and Robert, were with him in the army..."

      William Jr. participated in the battles of Monmouth, Brandywine, Germantown and others. While in the army, he had small-pox and almost lost his life. His face was left badly marked with pits.

      He and his wife, Martha, may have moved to Kentucky in 1785, but returned to Virginia in
      1789. William Jr. was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife described him to be medium size, compactly built about 5 feet 10 or 11 inch, blue eyes, light hair, and weighed about 160 pounds. He had a florid complexion. William Jr. died of cancer 28 April 1810.

      1787 Pittsylvania County, Virgina U.S.A. for William Devin, Jr.
      Personal Property Tax List: 0 white males 16-21
      0 blacks over 16
      0 blacks under 16
      2 horses, mules, etc.
      8 cattle

      Note: Either the above list is not complete or the previous paragraph is wrong
      about the family being in Kentucky between 1785 and 1789.

      The following chain of evidence shows the relationship of William Devin, Jr. to his father, William Devin, Sr., both of Pittsylvania County Virginia:
      1. William Devin, Sr.'s will dated 25.Nov.1800 recorded in Pittsylvania County VA Deed & Will Book 11 pages 243-244 on 19.Apr.1802 specifically names "William Devin junr" as one of his children.

      2. Deed book 9 page 498–499 This tract of land is "...the Land ajoining thereto and bounded as followeth, by William Devin jr lines on the
        South,..." in William Devin, Sr.'s will.

      William married Martha Mitchell on 07 Sep 1780 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.. Martha (daughter of James Mitchell and Jane) was born in 1762; died in abt.1830. [Group Sheet]


    2. 5.  Martha Mitchell was born in 1762 (daughter of James Mitchell and Jane); died in abt.1830.

      Notes:

      LDS records show approximate date of death.
      Martha was the younger daughter of James and Jane Mitchell. She was said to be a very fine singer and a woman of education and refinement.

      Children:
      1. 2. James Devin was born on 15 May 1781 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 11 Aug 1854 in Henry County, Virginia U.S.A.; was buried in Devin Family Cemetery, Henry County, Virginia U.S.A..
      2. Jane Devin was born on 15 May 1781 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
      3. John Devin was born on 4 Jul 1783 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
      4. Sarah Devin was born on 22 Apr 1785.
      5. Mary Devin was born on 21 Aug 1787.
      6. Elizabeth Devin was born on 15 Nov 1790 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
      7. Clayton Devin was born on 11 Jul 1793 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 24 Nov 1868 in Polk County, Missouri U.S.A.; was buried in Heydon Cemetery, Polk County, Missouri U.S.A..
      8. Bethsheba Devin was born on 30 Mar 1796 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
      9. William Robert Devin was born on 3 Aug 1800 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died in 1876 in Polk County, Missouri U.S.A..

    3. 6.  James S. Cox was born about 1760 in Halifax County, Virginia U.S.A. (son of John Cox and Mary Seay); died in Dec 1828 in Mountain Valley, Henry, Virginia U.S.A..

      James married Elizabeth Julia Hankins on 04 Oct 1790 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.. Elizabeth (daughter of William J. Hankins and Elizabeth Davis) was born in 1773; died on 14 Mar 1859 in Sandy River, Pittsylvania, Virginia U.S.A.. [Group Sheet]


    4. 7.  Elizabeth Julia Hankins was born in 1773 (daughter of William J. Hankins and Elizabeth Davis); died on 14 Mar 1859 in Sandy River, Pittsylvania, Virginia U.S.A..

      Notes:

      Possibly related to Polley Hankins, wife of John Devin.

      --Marriage Register of Henry County, Virginia Vol. 1 1853-1878; Old Mill Printers.
      --1850 Census for Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Oct 29, 1850, #1055: Elizabeth J. Cox, age 77, born in Virginia, and property valued at $1,398. She was living alone.
      -- 1859 Pittsylvania County Virginia Death Register, Elizabeth Cox died of old age on March 14, 1859; her death was reported by her daughter, Mary Allen.

      Notes:

      Joseph Akin provided the surety bond for the marriage.

      Children:
      1. 3. Temperance Cox was born on 22 Sep 1791; died on 16 Aug 1866.
      2. William H. Cox was born on 15 Aug 1802 in Virginia U.S.A.; died in Feb 1890.
      3. Mary Hankins Cox was born about 1807 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 16 Mar 1893.
      4. Mourning R. Cox was born about 1813.
      5. Elizabeth Cox died before 02 Jul 1832.
      6. Susannah Cox was born about 1800.
      7. Jane D. Cox was born about 1806.
      8. Samuel Cox
      9. Catherine Cox was born about 1811; died before 04 Jul 1850.
      10. James Madison Cox


    Generation: 4

    1. 8.  William Devin, Sr. was born in 1724; died before 19 Apr 1802 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..

      Notes:

      William Devin, Senior is considered to be the Progenitor of the protestant Devin family in the United States of America. William Devin, Senior of Virginia was born in Dublin, Ireland and came to America in 1745 or 1746. In 1750, he married Sarah Smith and settled in what is now Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
      --The Devin Family, page 1.

      CJR says William Devin (father of William Jr. and Alexander) came from Alsace Lorraine, France. --Email 25 February 1998.

      A William Davin along with son James Davin is listed in the 1767 list of Tithables for Pittsylvania County, Virginia Colony.

      Like many landowners of the era and region, William Devin Senior owned slaves. His will states that he owned at least one male slave, named Alleck, which he bequeathed to his daughter Sarah Devin.
      -The Devin Family, page 2.

      William Sr. served as Sergeant of Infantry, Virginia Continental Line. He "received a certificate for balance of full pay, according to act passed November session 1781". [more likely this was his son William Jr.]
      -The Devin Family, page 3.

      Children listed in will: James Devin, Mary Biggar, William Devin, Jr.
      Robert Devin, Joseph Devin, heirs of Margaret Reynolds, decd.

      References:

      (1) War Records No.4 Page 166

      (2) Will of William Devin Senior recorded April 19, 1802 in deed and Will Book 11, page 243, of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Will was signed 25 Nov 1800.
      (3) 1787 Pittsylvania Co VA for William Devin, Sr.

      1787 Pittsylvania Co VA for William Devin, Sr.
      Personal Property Tax List: 2 white males 16-21
      1 black over 16
      0 blacks under 16
      8 horses, mules, etc.
      12 cattle
      Comments:

      Dessa's booklet mentions a letter to Alfred Harrison Devin written by Rev. Robert Ira Devin son of James, son of William Jr, son of William Sr. The letter is said to make the following statements: 'William Devin born 1724.'"

      These statements may be accurate, but Dessa's booklet, as written, seems to relate that these records have Irish origins. There is a Camden Parish in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. If the referenced records are from the Virginia parish, why do they mention the marriage of William and Martha Devin? Is the Sarah Devin mentioned in the records actually William Sr.'s spouse rather than his sister? Another theory is that the William and Martha Devin mentioned in the parish of Camden records is William Devin and Martha Mitchell and the 2 in 1720 is actually an eight.



      William married Sarah Smith in 1750. Sarah (daughter of Thomas Smith) was born on 20 Mar 1727/28; died before 22 Nov 1800. [Group Sheet]


    2. 9.  Sarah Smith was born on 20 Mar 1727/28 (daughter of Thomas Smith); died before 22 Nov 1800.

      Notes:

      Not named in will of her husband which was dated 25 November 1800.
      Dessa's booklet mentions a letter to Alfred Harrison Devin written by Rev. Robert Ira Devin son of James, son of William Jr, son of William Sr. The letter is said to make the following statements: "Records of the Parish of Camden: 'Sarah Devin born March 20, 1728.'"

      Smith surname assumed based on serveral grandchildren named 'Sarah Smith _____'. No documents have been found to support her last name except for a manuscript by Dessa Hoffstetter. However, its source is suspect.

      Notes:

      Possibly married in Virginia Colony or Pennsylvania Colony.(speculation)

      After Sarah and William were married, they settled in the area now known as Pittsylvania County, Virginia. William and Sarah were members of the Presbyterian Church and accumulated some wealth. They had eleven children; some dying in childhood. Their four oldest sons fought in and survived the Revolutionary War. (Hofstetter, Dessa; The Devin Family; page1)

      The Devin property in Pittsylvania County, Virginia is shown by deeds and records to be near the Bannister River in the southwest corner of Pittsylvania County, northwest of Danville and east of Martinville, Virginia. In February 17, 1794, William Sr. deeded property to William Jr. as recorded in Pittsylvania County, Virginia Courthouse records. William Sr. bequeathed his house to his daughter, Sarah Devin.

      Children:
      1. James Devin was born about 1748.
      2. John Devin was born in 1750 in Virginia.
      3. 4. William Devin, Jr. was born in c.1752; died on 27 Apr 1810.
      4. Mary Devin was born about 1757; died after 1802.
      5. Margaret Devin was born about 1759; died about 1798 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; was buried in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
      6. Robert Devin was born on 06 Apr 1759 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; died on 10 Apr 1834 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
      7. Joseph Devin was born on 17 Sep 1760; died on 26 May 1804 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
      8. Sarah Devin was born about 1761; died before 16 Oct 1848 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
      9. Rev. Alexander Devin was born on 22 Mar 1769 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 05 Jan 1827 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; was buried in Devin Plot, Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Indiana U.S.A..

    3. 10.  James Mitchell

      James married Jane. [Group Sheet]


    4. 11.  Jane
      Children:
      1. 5. Martha Mitchell was born in 1762; died in abt.1830.

    5. 12.  John Cox

      John married Mary Seay. [Group Sheet]


    6. 13.  Mary Seay
      Children:
      1. 6. James S. Cox was born about 1760 in Halifax County, Virginia U.S.A.; died in Dec 1828 in Mountain Valley, Henry, Virginia U.S.A..

    7. 14.  William J. Hankins was born about 1750 in Stafford County, Virginia (son of Daniel Hankins and Hannah); died on 15 Nov 1824 in Henry County, Virginia U.S.A..

      William married Elizabeth Davis. Elizabeth (daughter of Davis and Williams) was born about 1756 in Halifax County, Virginia U.S.A.. [Group Sheet]


    8. 15.  Elizabeth Davis was born about 1756 in Halifax County, Virginia U.S.A. (daughter of Davis and Williams).
      Children:
      1. John Hankins
      2. William J. Hankins
      3. Jane Davis Hankins
      4. Mary Rebecca Hankins
      5. Reuben Hankins
      6. Mary Smith Hankins
      7. 7. Elizabeth Julia Hankins was born in 1773; died on 14 Mar 1859 in Sandy River, Pittsylvania, Virginia U.S.A..
      8. Margaret Hankins

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