Rev. Alexander Devin

Notes:

Census:
1820 Gibson Co IN p 240......
1 male >45; 1 male 16-25; 3 males 10-15
1 female>45; 3 female 16-25; 2 females <10

POB from History of Gibson Co IN p. 55; FHC #0934905
This book gave YOM as 1793. Family moved to Warren County (near Bowling Green), Kentucky in 1798 & to Gibson County, Indiana in spring of 1808.
Moved to Indiana Territory March 1808 (Gilbert, Polly; Decendents of James Nowlin; updated 01.Aug.2001).

Represented Gibson Co in the Indiana constitutional convention of 1816.
Hist. of Gibson Co IN; SLC 977.235 H2p

IGI & Ancestral File say DOB 27 Mar 1769 or 22 Mar 1769
Per Hist. of Gibson Co IN DOB = 27 Mar 1769.

Bought the first lot sold in Princeton, IN.

Was Baptist minister who along with Joseph Logan and John Hightower, other Baptist preachers, established their ministry and several churches in the Warren County and Allen County, Kentucky, areas
in the late 1790s and 1800s.

Land Grant issued to Alexander Divan for 200 acres on the Sulphur Fork of Drake Creek in Warren County, Kentucky. Grant is recorded in Book 12 page 114. Surveyed 08.Aug.1799.

Alexander recorded a deed in Pittsylvania County Virigina relinquishing his rights in the estate of his father, William Devin, except for any property based on the future estate of his sister, Sarah. Written 21.Novemer.1803; recorded in Deed Book 13 page 537 on 16.January.1804. Witnessed by James Nowlin, John Emmerson, George Thomas, and James Devin.

Minister's Returns: Pittsylvania Co. Virginia; Bassett Historical Center, Bassett, Virginia Alex Divin and Sukey Nowling was mared July 19 1791; Minister not named. Looks like the handwriting of Richard Elliott - Mary Frances Reynolds Eggleston

Alexander married Susannah Nowlin on 10 Jul 1795 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.. Susannah (daughter of Bryan Ward Nowlin and Lucy Wade) was born on 12 Mar 1771 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 08 Nov 1846 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; was buried in Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A.. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

It is possible that 9 July 1791 is their marriage bond date and 10 July 1795 is the date of their marriage.

1. Lucy Devin was born on 06 May 1793 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 28 Dec 1827 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..
2. James Devin was born on 09 Jun 1794 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 27 Dec 1844 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..
3. Susan Nowlin Devin was born on 22 Sep 1796 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 05 Dec 1832 in Washington County, Indiana U.S.A..
4. Sarah Devin was born on 04 Feb 1799 in Warren County, Kentucky U.S.A.; died on 05 Dec 1844 in Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A..
5. Alexander Devin, Jr. was born on 14 Dec 1801 in Warren County, Kentucky U.S.A.; died on 13 May 1864; was buried in Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A..
6. Virginia Devin was born on 02 Jun 1802 in Warren County, Kentucky U.S.A.; died on 26 Aug 1850; was buried in Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A..
7. Joseph Devin was born on 22 May 1805 in Warren County, Kentucky U.S.A.; died on 10 Mar 1864; was buried in Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A..
8. Robert Devin was born on 22 Jun 1807 in Warren County, Kentucky U.S.A.; died on 29 Sep 1841 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..
9. Peyton Nowlin Devin was born on 08 Aug 1808 in Knox County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 27 Jul 1862 in Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A.; was buried in Devin Plot, Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Indiana U.S.A..
10. Mary Devin was born on 05 Jul 1810 in Knox County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 14 Sep 1814 in Indiana; was buried in Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Gibson, Indiana U.S.A..
11. Catherine Ann Devin was born on 08 Jul 1812 in Knox County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 27 Nov 1888 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Princeton, Indiana U.S.A..
12. Nancy Smith Devin was born on 23 Dec 1814 in Knox County, Indiana U.S.A.; died on 15 Mar 1876 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A..
13. Elizabeth Devin

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]

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.