Evander Wilder McIver (1855-1940)

My great-grandfather, Evander Wilder McIver, was born in North Carolina on August 22, 1855 to the marriage of John Roberson McIver and Lucinda Wilder.

Evander, who descended from the Scottish Clan Maciver, was the seventh of eight children born to John and Lucinda.

He was a brother to John Wilder, William Neal, Kenneth Wilder, George Wilder, Matthew Wilder, and Lucinda McIver.

The 1860 census shows Evander and family living in Cumberland, North Carolina.  

In the 1870 census, Evander is listed as a laborer living with the McGilvary family in Pocket, Moore County, North Carolina.

The 1880 census shows Evander and wife Lucy (believed to be Lucy Blaylock) living in Oakland, Chatham County, North Carolina.  Also living in the same household were his father, John Roberson McIver and brother, John.

Evander and Lucy had one son, Donald John McIver, who was born on October 16, 1880.  It is assumed that Lucy died at some point after Donald's birth as records show a second marriage for Evander in 1889.

It should also be noted that records indicate son, Donald, moved with Evander and his second wife to Mississippi in the early 1900s.  His 1917-1918 WWI draft registration cards show a residence of Millard, Pearl River County, Mississippi.

Evander's second marriage took place on July 25, 1889 to Lillie Tufford.

The wedding ceremony was held in the home of H. W. Hill in Quewhiffle, Cumberland County, North Carolina.

The Justice of the Peace, D. K. McDuffie performed the ceremony with witnesses listed as D. N. Leslie and H. W. Hill.

Following their marriage, it is believed by family that Evander, Lillie and possibly Donald lived in Southern Pines, North Carolina; though no records have been found to confirm.




The next available census record shows the family living in Pearl River, Mississippi in 1920.

Evander Wilder McIver passed from this life in 1940.  As I have been unable to locate a 1940 census record for him, I am led to believe that he died prior to April 1 census.  He is buried in the Military Baptist Church Cemetery in Sumrall, Lamar County, Mississippi.

The following children were born to the marriage of Evander Wilder McIver and Lillie Tufford:

Robert Lee
Arabelle Philips
Minnie
Flora Jane
Matthew Ranson
Ludie Emaline
Coy Howard

One of Evander's granddaughters remembered that Evander was of the Presbyterian faith and that their house in Mississippi resembled the family home on the once popular television show, The Waltons.

He was called grand-daddy by his grandchildren; all of whom loved to spend the night with him.  As Evander aged, he lost his eyesight.  Grandchildren remembered Grand-Daddy Evander rubbing the tops of their heads as a way of telling them apart.

A special "thank you" to Margo Necaise for sharing family information on Evander.

Lillie Tufford (1871-1941)

Lillie Tufford was one of my maternal great grandmothers.  She was born in Raeford, Hoke County, North Carolina on April 12, 1871 to the marriage of Peter Tufford and Mary Hill.   

On July 25, 1889, Lillie married Evander Wilder McIver in Quewhiffle, Cumberland County, North Carolina.  The ceremony took place in the home of H. W. Hill and was performed by D. K. McDuffie, Justice of the Peace.

The marriage certificate states that Lillie's parents were both deceased.

Family researchers believe that Lillie's mother, Mary, died shortly after Lillie's birth and that her father placed her in an orphanage.

Canadian census records show that Peter Tufford traveled back to his birthplace after Lillie's birth in 1871.  He lived in the Ontario area for several years before moving to North Branch, Michigan where he died in 1890. 

It is also believed by some family researchers that a cousin who operated a store took Lillie out of the orphanage.  She supposedly lived with this cousin's family until she married.

Could this family have been that of Henry William Hill?  Is this Henry William Hill the same H. W. Hill in whose home Lillie and Evander were married?  The search for Lillie in the 1880 census has thus far proved unsuccessful. 

Henry William Hill was a brother to Mary Hill and therefore, an uncle to Lillie.  The 1870 census shows Henry living with his mother, Mary Woods Hill, in Cumberland County, NC.  His occupation is listed as a store clerk.  The 1880 census shows him living with his wife, Annie Benoy, in Moore County, NC.  His occupation is listed as a merchant.

It is believed that Lillie and Evander lived in Southern Pines, North Carolina after their marriage.  They moved to Mississippi prior to 1902 and the death of their daughter, Arabelle Phillips McIver on August 12, 1902.  Family members report that Evander traveled to Mississippi first and the family followed on a train.

The earliest census record for Lillie found to date has been the 1920 census which shows Lillie, Evander and children living in Pearl River, Mississippi.

The following children were born to the marriage of Lillie Tufford and Evander Wilder McIver:

Robert Lee, 1890 NC-1913 MS
Arabelle Phillips, 1893 NC-1902 MS
Minnie, 1895 NC-1979 MS
Flora Jane, 1898 NC-1991 MS
Matthew Ranson, 1901 ?-1976 MS
Ludie Emaline, 1903 MS-1989 MS
Coy Howard, 1907 MS-1993 TX

Lillie passed from this life on February 10, 1941 and is buried in Caesar Cemetery in Pearl River, Mississippi.  It is remembered by family that she was a good cook, especially tea cakes with syrup.

Courtesy of Margo Narcaise

A special "thank you" to Margo Necaise for sharing family information on Lillie.