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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    William Bryan Ward Devin

    Male Abt 1789 - 1840  (51 years)


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

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    Generation: 1

    1. 1.  William Bryan Ward Devin was born about 1789 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A. (son of Joseph Devin and Elizabeth Nowlin); died in 1840.

      Notes:

      Named in Pittsylvania Co VA Court Records Book #13 as child of Joseph Devin

      YOB from Nowlin-Stone Genealogy; publ. 1916 SLC, UT

      It is possible he married Elizabeth Graff 15 Nov 1813 in Pittsylvania Co VA.

      Per Ancestral File: he lived in Marshall Co TN

      There is a possibility the William might be the William Devin in the 1820 census for Lincoln county Tennessee. However, it is more likely William B. W. Devin is the William Devin in the 1820 Census for Pittslyvania County Virginia. The enumeration for the Pittsylvania County census is consistant with his mother and younger brother living with him along with his mother's slave, Hannah and Hannah's children.

      The William Devin in the 1820 Lincoln County Tennessee was enumerated in close proximaty to an Olliver family, which may indicate the Lincoln county William is William Robert Devin, son of William Devin, Jr. as William R. married Rebecca Oliver in 1820.

      William married Elizabeth Croff on 02 Dec 1813 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.. [Group Sheet]

      Children:
      1. James A. Devin

    Generation: 2

    1. 2.  Joseph Devin was born on 17 Sep 1760 (son of William Devin, Sr. and Sarah Smith); died on 26 May 1804 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..

      Notes:

      DOB from Ancestral File
      YOD & POD from Nowlin-Stone Genealogy, publ. 1916 SLC, UT
      FHC #0928908 compiled by Ethel S. Mattingley says his DOD was 1804 that an
      inventory was filed 17 Sep 1804 in Pittsylvania Co VA

      Joseph married Elizabeth Nowlin on 16 February 1789 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.. Elizabeth (daughter of Bryan Ward Nowlin and Lucy Wade) was born on 20 March 1766 in Halifax County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 17 February 1847 in Lewisburg, Marshall, Tennessee U.S.A.. [Group Sheet]


    2. 3.  Elizabeth Nowlin was born on 20 March 1766 in Halifax County, Virginia U.S.A. (daughter of Bryan Ward Nowlin and Lucy Wade); died on 17 February 1847 in Lewisburg, Marshall, Tennessee U.S.A..

      Notes:

      MARRIAGE: Pittsylvania Co VA record

      Named in will of father: 1810 Pittsylvania Co VA

      Per Tennessee Tidbits 1778-1914, V.II; she probably was alive in 1838/1839
      possibly in Bedford Co TN.

      DOB () & POB from IGI & from Nowlin-Stone Genealogy, publ. 1916 SLC, UT
      Nowlin-Stone Genealogy says she died in 30.June.1835 in Marshall Co TN, which is incorrect. She was part of a Court Case adjudicated in December 1839 ["Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of Tennessee"; West Hughes Humphreys; pages 66-740]
      "The Devin Family" says Elizabeth is the daughter of Edward and Mary Wade Nowlin of Virginia; page 37. However, on page 2, a quote from the will of Bryan Ward Nowlin says Elizabeth is his daughter.

      Notes:

      16.Feb.1789 Joseph Devin and Elizabeth Nowlin surety William Devin Richard Elliott (devin file at Pedmont Genealogical Society in Danville VA Public Library from research by Anna D. Evans 07.May.1985)

      Children:
      1. 1. William Bryan Ward Devin was born about 1789 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died in 1840.
      2. Lucy Devin was born about 1790 in , , Virginia, USA.
      3. Susannah Devin was born about 1792; died after 1838.
      4. John Devin was born on 12 Sep 1793 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 12 Jan 1877 in Marshall County, Tennessee U.S.A.; was buried in Myres-Devin-Madison Cemetery, Lewisburg, Marshal, Tennessee U.S.A..
      5. Elizabeth Peyton Devin was born about 1797 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 10 Apr 1879.


    Generation: 3

    1. 4.  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. 5.  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. 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. 2. 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. 6.  Bryan Ward Nowlin was born on 08 Oct 1740 in Boone, Virginia (son of James Nowlin, Jr. and Margaret Collins); died in 1810 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..

      Notes:

      Served as Private in Illinois Campaign under Capt. Bowman. Place of residence Chatham, VA. Listed on DAR Patriotic Index page 500 for Patriotic Service. Also listed in the Military record page 262 Missouri Pioneers. [Our Families, Anna Hudelson; page 1]

      The Assembly of Pittsylvania Co. VA ordered that all male inhabitants sixteen years of age and over should take the Oath of Allegiance to the State. Bryan Ward Nowlin is listed as subscribing before William Witcher in Pittsylvania County, VA. [Our Families, Anna Hudelson; page 1]

      Was a builder by trade. Had 15 children.

      The Nowlin-Stone Genealogy by James Edmund Nowlin.

      Bryan married Lucy Wade about 1764. Lucy (daughter of Edward Wade and Mary) was born on 08 Oct 1746 in Virginia; died before 21 Oct 1790 in Chatham, Pittsylvania, Virginia U.S.A.. [Group Sheet]


    4. 7.  Lucy Wade was born on 08 Oct 1746 in Virginia (daughter of Edward Wade and Mary); died before 21 Oct 1790 in Chatham, Pittsylvania, Virginia U.S.A..

      Notes:

      Name maybe Mary Wade from "The Devin Family"; page 37.

      Notes:

      Pittsylvania County Virginia Marriages p. 18-186 file case.

      Children:
      1. Nancy Nowlin
      2. 3. Elizabeth Nowlin was born on 20 March 1766 in Halifax County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 17 February 1847 in Lewisburg, Marshall, Tennessee U.S.A..
      3. Payton N. Nowlin was born on 04 May 1767 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 04 Apr 1837 in Saline County, Missouri U.S.A..
      4. Bryan Ward Nowlin, Jr. was born on 08 Oct 1768 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 03 Jun 1835 in Bedford County, Tennessee U.S.A.; was buried in Harbin Cemetery, Marshall County, Tennessee U.S.A..
      5. Lucy Nowlin was born on 14 Dec 1769 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died in Nov 1834 in Caldwell County, Kentucky U.S.A..
      6. Susannah Nowlin 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..
      7. James Nowlin was born on 29 Jun 1772; died in 1826.
      8. Martha Nowlin was born on 11 Jun 1774; died in 1774.
      9. Rev. David Nowlin was born on 15 Aug 1775 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 11 Aug 1838 in Madison County, Alabama U.S.A..
      10. Mary Nowlin was born on 18 Apr 1777.
      11. Richard Wade Nowlin was born on 03 Oct 1778; died on 28 Oct 1880.
      12. Catherine Nowlin was born on 26 Oct 1779; died on 24 Dec 1830.
      13. infant son Nowlin was born in Mar 1781; died in Mar 1781.
      14. Sarah Nowlin was born on 01 Aug 1782; died on 02 Mar 1804.
      15. Samuel Nowlin was born on 09 Jan 1784; died on 13 Dec 1863.
      16. Anne Nowlin was born on 08 Oct 1785; died on 14 Aug 1864.
      17. Sherad Nowlin was born on 13 Nov 1789.


    Generation: 4

    1. 10.  Thomas Smith was born in in ; was christened in in ; died in Deceased in ; was buried in .
      Children:
      1. 5. Sarah Smith was born on 20 Mar 1727/28; died before 22 Nov 1800.

    2. 12.  James Nowlin, Jr. was born on 13 Nov 1715 in Goochland County, Virginia; was christened in in (son of James Nowlin, Sr. and Sarah Ward); died on 18 Jul 1808 in Boone Creek, Virginia U.S.A.; was buried in .

      Notes:

      KLV note about Susan Nowlin, daughter of Bryan Nowlin I, says her grandfather came from Ireland. Is James Nowlin from Ireland?

      The Assembly of Pittsylvania Co. VA ordered that all male inhabitants sixteen years of age and over should take the Oath of Allegiance to the State. James Nowlin is listed as subscribing before William Witcher in Pittsylvania County, VA. [Our Families, Anna Hudelson; page 1]

      James married Margaret Collins about 1738. Margaret (daughter of Daniel Collins) was born in in Scotland. [Group Sheet]


    3. 13.  Margaret Collins was born in in Scotland (daughter of Daniel Collins).
      Children:
      1. Sherrod Nowlin
      2. Lewis Nowlin
      3. 6. Bryan Ward Nowlin was born on 08 Oct 1740 in Boone, Virginia; died in 1810 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
      4. David Nowlin was born in May 1741 in Halifax County, Virginia U.S.A..

    4. 14.  Edward Wade was born about 1727 in Saint Peter's Parish, New Kent, Virginia; died between 1790 and 1791 in Greene County, Georgia U.S.A..

      Notes:

      Lived in Pittsylvania County, Virginia about 1779. Was a Patriot and Soldier (Patriot Index DAR. page 708) A private in Va. Troops under Capt. William Witcher. Took Oath of Allegience under Capt. William Witcher March 1776. (Rooster of Rev. Soliers in Georgia, compiled by Mrs. Edward McCall p.172). Edward Wade made his Will in February 1790 saying Lucy Nowlin had received fifteen poiunds and he gave to his deceased daughter's [children] money. [Our Families; Anna Hudelson; page 2]

      The Assembly of Pittsylvania Co. VA ordered that all male inhabitants sixteen years of age and over should take the Oath of Allegiance to the State. Edward Wade is listed as subscribing before William Witcher in Pittsylvania County, VA. [Our Families, Anna Hudelson; page 1]

      Edward married Mary. Mary was born about 1730. [Group Sheet]


    5. 15.  Mary was born about 1730.

      Notes:

      Living in 1790. [Our Families; Anna Hudelson; page 2]

      Children:
      1. Mary Wade
      2. David Wade
      3. Grissel Wade
      4. Edward Wade
      5. Thomas Wade
      6. Chloe Wade
      7. Anna Wade
      8. Christine Wade died before 1791.
      9. 7. Lucy Wade was born on 08 Oct 1746 in Virginia; died before 21 Oct 1790 in Chatham, Pittsylvania, Virginia U.S.A..
      10. Peyton Wade was born in 1775.


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