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Archiver > MOCLAY > 2001-08 > 0997413320


From: "Don Knight" <>
Subject: [MOCLAY] John Devers
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2001 22:15:20 -0500


My apparent ancestor, John Devers died 31 Aug., 1843 in Clinton co., MO per the will date. The administrator was Merit Devers, and one of the securities was Alexander Devers. Another researcher mentioned a Nancy Maret who married a John Devers in Garrard county, KY in 1808. This is very likely the same John Devers. There were a number of members of the Maret family who lived in Clay county area at the same time as the Devers. There are a few Devers descendants with the name Merit, Merrit, etc.

John's known sons were Alex, Merit, John Perry, and James.

Alexander Devers, born in Crab Orchard, KY in 1814 lived in Missouri; 1840 Clay county, 1850-1870 Gentry county. Alexander spent the entire Civil War in the 1st MO Confederate Brigade. Two of his sons, John Arthur and Alva Merit, were also in 1st MO Confederate Brigade. These brothers plus two more, James M. and Alex Jr., were all likely involved with guerillas; specifically George Todd, and later Oliver Sheperd. James M. Devers was hung by a lynch mob in Richmond, MO for his participation in the Hughes Wasson bank robbery. This James was "captured" in Crab Orchard, KY circa 1868-9. Alex patented land in Gentry county in 1850. A considerable amount of research has been performed on this family by other cousins who would likely share additional data if there is some relationship. Alex was married to Penelope Nicholson and they had a number of other children; Elizabeth, William, Archie, Sarah, Robert, Mary and possibly others.

Merit Devers, must have died young. I only find one other document about Merit, a land patent in Gentry county in 1848.

John Perry Devers, was born 1826 in Crab Orchard, KY-died 2/17/1873 in Bethany, Harrison, MO. He married Mary Martha Lee about 1847 (would like to find marriage records). John was the sheriff of Harrison county 1856-1860. He owned and operated the Ohio House Hotel in Bethany. Would like to find John in 1850 census.

James Devers-might have died young in Kentucky.

Are these related?


a.. Salem W. Devers born 1835 son of William Dever and Jane Clark, Clinton county, MO.


b.. William Devers in 1860 Ray co., MO census.


c.. George Devers in 1860-70 Clay co., MO census, born in KY in 1832


d.. James Dever 1870 Jackson co., MO census.


e.. John C. Deavor 1870 Clay co., MO census.

Another researcher was looking for the following who is most likely related:

John Campbell Devers b. 29 Dec 1833 in Garrard Co., KY-d. Lebo, KS June 9, 1915. Moved from Ky in the 1860s to Holt, Clinton, MO. He married Josephine Holt, of Holt, MO in 1867. His first wife's name was thought to be Miranda, Marilla, or Marilda-married in KY, no children. His father's name was William or Billy Devers. There is a William Devers in 1840 Garrard co., KY census.

Will be glad to share data, or help any way I can. Thanks.

Don Knight


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