josephine wesley
1850-1887
Life Story
Early Life
Josephine Wesley was born around July 1850, likely in the years just before or during the Civil War. Little is known about her early life, family background, or the circumstances of her childhood, as no official records have survived to document her story.
Her lifetime spanned a period of immense transition for African Americans in Mississippi—moving from enslavement or its immediate aftermath into Reconstruction. Josephine represents one of the earliest generations of women in the Evans community whose lives helped shape the roots of the settlement.
Marriage & Family
No records have been located that identify her husband, children, or extended family. Despite the gaps in documentation, the wording on her headstone and her burial among the Evans and Wesley lineages suggest she was a respected mother and central figure within her family and community.
Death
Josephine Wesley passed away in January 1887. Her death occurred long before official Mississippi death certificates were required, leaving the details of her final days unrecorded.
Burial
Josephine is buried in the Evans Cemetery, and her headstone is the oldest known marker in the cemetery.
Her stone bears a deeply personal inscription:
“Rest mother, rest in quiet sleep,
While friends in sorrow o’er thee weep.”
This inscription provides the clearest glimpse into how she was remembered—deeply loved, mourned, and honored by those who knew her.
Legacy
Though few records survive, Josephine Wesley’s presence in the Evans Cemetery marks her as one of the earliest known mothers connected to the Evans, Wesley, and related families. Her grave stands as a testament to the early generations whose names and sacrifices built the foundation for the community that followed.
Resting Place
Photos/Albums
Sources
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
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