jane evans chapman
1860-1927
Life Story
Jane Evans Chapman was born in 1860 in Newton County, Mississippi, to Steve Evans (1815–?) and Ila Jane Evans, members of one of the early African American families rooted in the post–Civil War communities of Newton County. Her upbringing was shaped by the agricultural rhythms of rural Mississippi, where Black families worked the land, sustained each other, and built community institutions that kept their histories alive.
Marriage and Family Life
Jane married Make Chapman (1855–?), and together they built a large family that became foundational to the Chapman lineage in the Altare- Bethel areas of Newton County. From their union, several children were born. The known children include:
- Amie Chapman (1883–?)
- Lillie Chapman (1885–?)
- Mason Chapman (1885–1964)
- Peter Chapman (1889–?)
- Dump Chapman (1893–1980)
- Mennie Chapman (1897–?)
- Carta Chapman (1901–?)
According to the 1900 federal census, Jane reported being the mother of 10 children, with six living at that time—a reflection of the high infant and child mortality rates faced by Black rural families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Like many women of her era, Jane worked as a farm laborer on the home farm, contributing significantly to the livelihood of her household while also bearing the responsibilities of motherhood, household maintenance, and community connections.
Later Years and Death
Jane’s life was marked by resilience in the face of hardship. She lived through Reconstruction, Jim Crow, economic instability, and rapidly changing conditions for African American families in the South. Despite these challenges, she maintained her household and supported her children into adulthood.
Jane Evans Chapman passed away on October 7, 1927, at the age of 66. Her cause of death was recorded as tuberculosis of the heart, an illness that often progressed with limited access to medical care in rural communities. Her son Dump Chapman was the informant on her death certificate.
She was buried in the Evans Cemetery, in Newton Mississippi—resting among family, neighbors, and the generations who shaped the Newton County area.
Legacy
Jane’s life reflects the enduring strength of Black women in rural Mississippi during a time of limited resources and great hardship. Through her children and grandchildren, the Evans–Chapman lineage remains deeply connected to the land and communities she helped sustain. Her story, preserved through records and family memory, continues to illuminate the broader history of African American life in Newton County.
Resting Place
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1870 Federal Census
- 1880 Federal Census
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- Mississippi, U.S., Index to Deaths, 1912-1943
- U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939
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