Founder of Jasper declines his name
By KATIE WALDROP Staff Writer

The history of John Bevil and his family has been obtained from documents at the Jasper County Historical Commission in the Old Jail Museum on the courthouse square.

John Bevil, first American to settle in what is now Jasper County, was born in Mecklenburg County, VA on Aug. 24, 1784 to John Randolph and Laodicea (Burton) Bevil.

He moved to Jasper County, GA, where he married Frances Boynton, a native of New York; then lived in Ohio, Tennessee and Louisiana before moving to Texas in the mid- 1820s.

Bevil had eight sons. Jehu was born in GA in 1807 and married Ann Jane Taylor, daughter of Owen and Spicey McQueen Taylor. He had six children.

Alfred Monroe was born in GA in 1812 and married Adelia Gilchrist. Alfred was first a shoemaker and later operated the first ferry at Toledo Bend, Bevil's Ferry. He had five children.

Their son Frances died at a young age.

John Randolph was born around 1815 and married Caroline Beaty in 1840. This was the first marriage in Jasper County.

Little is known about their sons Riley and Joseph Francisca. Joseph was born in 1832, but it is said that neither were married.

Stewart Boynton was born in 1824 and he married Sarah Ann Spurlock, yet died a young man.

Warren Hall was born Aug. 10 1826 at the Bevil's new home on Sandy Creek and was the first native born Texan of the Bevil children. He married Margaret M.M.E. Beaty, sister of John Randolph's wife. He had six children.

Two years after the birth of their last son, Joseph Francisca, Bevil went with James H. Blount, Stephen H. Everitt, Wyatt Hanks and Thomas Holmes on Dec. 1, 1835 to San Felipe de Austin, a settlement near the site of Navasota to attend 'The Consultation' for the organization of a new government.

Life under the Mexican rule had become unlivable. When Mexican President General Santa Anna set himself as dictator, Texans retaliated by establishing a provincial government.

In 1835 only 30 families lived in the area between the Neches and Sabine Rivers, this area is now Newton and Jasper Counties.

It was at 'The Consultation' that Bevil declined having, what is now Jasper County, named after himself. He chose Jasper from growing up in GA not too many years after the Revolution.

Sgt. Jasper and Corp. Newton were a legend in that part of the country where he grew up and Bevil wished to honor the young hero.

The handwritten document passed on that Dec. first day and was approved on Dec. third.

On Nov. 26, 1836, the General Council named a commission including Bevil, Isaac Winfrey, and B.X. Mudd to organize the militia in the area of Jasper. The Jasper volunteers set out to rendezous with Houston's troops, but were too late to have a part in the battle of San Jacinto.

Bevil was the second chief justice (county judge) of Jasper County and was the first postmaster of the town of Jasper.

Frances Boynton Bevil died in 1855 and was buried in Cole Springs Cemetery east of Jasper.

After his wife's death, Bevil was so upset, his son, Warren, had him to go to his home at Bevil Mill on Twin Lakes in Tyler County.

Bevil died Nov. 10, 1862 and was buried in Hart Mill Cemetery near his son's home, five miles south of Woodville.

On Nov. 10, 1962, 100 years after the death of Bevil, Jasper honored Bevil by having 'John Bevil Day.' Over 50 of his descendants attended the ceremony held at the courthouse.