Evaline ‘Eve’ Staley

Evaline "Eve" Porter was born in NC, and died 1834 in Wilkes Co., NC. [1]

Disputed Origins

Said to be a daughter of Joseph Porter and Sarah Jane "Betsy" Porter But:

From http://www.genforum.genealogy.com/porter/messages/6548.html (dead link)

"Several years ago while doing research on Joseph Porter (ca1737-1820) of Wilkes County, NC, I met Samuel Sebastian, now deceased. At that time, I had confirmed seven of eleven children of Joseph & Sarah Reynolds Porter. Mr. Sebbastian was so sure EVE was a daughter. In my sketch written some years ago I listed Eve as a possible daughter because I was not fully convinced. I am still not convinced. Eve was possibly a sister to Joseph or a cousin. I hope those who have Eve listed as a daughter will correct their records."

Family

Updated March 2019

From https://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=rstaley01&id=I0688

Eve Porter married Jacob Staley 1786 in Randolph County, North Carolina, son of Jacob Staley and Barbara ?. He was born BEF 1774 in Guilford County, North Carolina, and died JUN 1829 in Probably White County, IL.

Children of Eve Porter and Jacob Staley are:

• + 2 i. Adam Staley was born 1787 in Randolph Co., North Carolina, and died 1867 in Clinton Co., Kentucky.
• 3 ii. Barbara Staley was born 1788 in Randolph Co., North Carolina, and died 1862. She married Hardwick Johnson.
• 4 iii. Elizabeth Staley was born 1793 in Randolph Co., North Carolina, and died 1869. She married Frederick Tysor 25 DEC 1811 in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
• + 5 iv. Jacob Staley was born BET 1794 AND 1804 in Randolph County, North Carolina, and died ABT 1865 in Wilkes Co., North Carolina.
• 6 v. Ellender Staley was born 1797 in Randolph Co., North Carolina, and died 1869. She married John Dowdy 11 FEB 1815 in Wilkes Co., North Carolina.
• + 7 vi. Mary Staley was born ABT 1798 in Randolph Co., North Carolina, and died AFT 1850 in Russell County, Virginia.

Rebecca Hull is seen as a daughter in some trees but the timeline & geography doesn’t seem to fit, so she was disconnected in March 2019.

Older list

Eve married Abt. 1782 in NC to Adam [SIC] Staley.

Children of Eve Porter and Adam Staley:

1. Rebecca Staley, b. Abt. 1775, d. date unknown.
2. Adam Staley, b. Abt. 1787, d. date unknown.
3. Barbara Staley, b. 1788, d. 1862, Hays, Wilkes County, NC.
4. Elizabeth Staley, b. Abt. 1793, d. date unknown.
5. Mary Staley, b. Abt. 1795, d. date unknown.
6. Ellender Staley, b. Abt. 1797, d. date unknown.
7. Jacob Staley, b. 1784, d. date unknown.

Notes

Gleanings From Randolph County Criminal Actions:Capias (4 Jul 1799):

against Jacob Staley to make bond for keeping the peace with his wife Eve Staley, she making oath before Daniel Dawson that she is afraid he will beat, wound, maim or kill her. Jacob posted bond 6 july 1799, with Conrod Staley and Shubal York, securities.

Eve had petitioned for a divorce in 1807 and then again in 1810 at the NC General Assembly. She obtained the divorce in 1813, after Adam died.

In 1822 Mary Stailey (Staley) (Eve's dau) sent a Power of attorney to David Rousseau of Wilkes Co., NC (Son in law of Eve) to represent her in her part of estate of Joseph Porter Sr. deceased (Father of Eve). John Dowdy (son in law of eve) also got the land of Joseph Porter Sr.

The N.C. General Assembly were the ruling body regarding granting divorces in those days. Eve had petitioned for a divorce in 1807 and then again in the 1810's. Since the General Assembly, which was in Raleigh four hours away from Wilkes by car on our modern interstate system, only met 1 or 2 times a year, it's conceivable that Jacob, Eve's husband could've died before the Assembly granted the divorce.

There is a document showing Eve requested that the State Legislature give her a bedroom separation. This was the closest thing to a divorce at that time in NC, and gave the wife the right to live in the home if they were abandoned or abused by the husband. The theory is that Eve and her family were abandoned by Adam Jacob after they moved to Wilkes County.

Comments

• [1] a birthdate of 1745 is impossible if she is indeed the daughter of Joseph Porter and Sarah Jane Reynolds.
• 1803 The NC State Legislature granted Eve's request for a Legal Separation.
• 1807 The NC State Legislature denied Eve's request for a Divorce.

Links

• “The Three Jacob Staleys by Robert M. Staley,” Revised November 6, 2004. document attached (no longer online at the original URL)
• Eileen A. Averill familytreemaker site
• https://s3.amazonaws.com/photos.geni.com/p13/01/7e/99/31/534448390f65bdcb/tjs_original.png