Shelby, Evan, 1719-1794

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1719 - 1794

Biography

Evan Shelby was baptized in St. Caron's Church, Tregaron, Cardiganshire, Wales on October 23, 1719, the second child of Evan Shelby and Catherine Morgan. He moved with his family to the colonies when he was approximately sixteen years of age. He married his first wife, Letitia, in Washington County, Maryland at about age 25. Shelby fought in the French and Indian War and rose to the rank of captain. After the war he formed a partnership for the establishment of The Evan Shelby and Company. Chief Pontiac's Rebellion in May, 1763 caused the company to lose money and forced the partnership to be dissolved. Evan sold some of his land to pay his debts. In 1768, Evan bought seven acres in Rowan County, North Carolina. Evan moved to southwest Virginia in 1768 or 1769. He and Isaac Baker bought one thousand and forty-six acres together which they divided equally. Evan received the southern tract which is now the site of Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia. In 1774 Evan served in "Dunmore's War", an Indian uprising and served in the Revolution in Southwest Virginia to protect the frontier. After the war, Evan opposed the state of Franklin and resigned from all military and political responsibility. Evan died December 4, 1794, and is buried at Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Gordon Aronhime Collection

Collection — Other Box 1

Identifier: AppMs-0488

Arrangement

Material is organized as a single series and is arranged first alphabetically by subject or material type and then chronologically with undated material following dated material.

Dates: 1837-1981

Found in: Archives of Appalachia

Shelby Family Biographies

Collection — Box B (Small Collections)

Identifier: AppMs-0044

Scope and Contents

The Shelby Family Biographies consist of short histories of six members of the Shelby family: Evan Shelby, Jr.; Evan's sons, Moses and John Shelby; Evan's nephew, Moses Shelby, Jr.; Evan's brother John Shelby; and John's son, John Shelby, Jr. The biographies were compiled and written by Cass Knight Shelby.The collection contains two letters from Cass Knight Shelby to Gordon Aronhime dated August 29, 1959 and November 10, 1959.

Dates: 1959