kezziah evans wheaton
1865-1929
Life Story
Early Life
Kezziah Evans Wheaton was born on December 11, 1865, in the years immediately following the Civil War. As a daughter of the Evans family, she was part of the first generation born into freedom in Newton County, Mississippi. Her early life was shaped by the challenges and opportunities of Reconstruction as Black families worked to establish independence and stability.
Marriage & Family
Kezziah married Lemon W. Wheaton (1869–?), and together they built their household in Jasper County during the turn of the 20th century. From this union, two children were born:
- Florence Wheaton (1892–?)
- Blanche Wheaton (1902–1923)
By 1920, Kezziah’s life had changed significantly. She was divorced and living in Newton County with her daughter Blanche, maintaining close ties to her Evans roots.
Occupation
Kezziah worked as a farm laborer, a common and demanding occupation for African American women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her work would have involved both field labor and the tasks of home production necessary to sustain her family.
Death
Kezziah passed away on November 10, 1929, at the age of 63. Her cause of death was recorded as heart trouble, and no medical attendant was present—reflecting the limited access to healthcare in rural Mississippi during that era.
The informant on her death certificate was Frank Wesley, indicating a trusted family or community connection.
Burial
She was buried at Bethel, a burial place shared by generations of families connected to the Bethel and Evans communities.
Legacy
Kezziah Evans Wheaton’s life reflects the resilience of post–Civil War Black families in Mississippi—rooted in labor, land, kinship, and survival. Through her daughters Florence and Blanche, and through her extended Evans relations, her lineage remains part of the historical fabric of Newton and Jasper Counties.
Resting Place
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- Mississippi, U.S., Index to Deaths, 1912-1943
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
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