The correspondence begins in 1770, but the majority is post-1810. Most of the letters between 1810 and 1840 are addressed to Joshua Evans, Jr. and his sister-in-law Sarah Davis (1784-1857), who moved in with the family following the death of his wife, Lydia Evans, in 1818. There is a good deal of correspondence written to Davis from her sisters in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Also of note are letters written to Joshua Evans, Jr. while he was serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1820) and the United States House of Representatives (1829-1833). Subjects include state and national political issues, the introduction of various petitions to the legislature, political patronage and appointments, taxation issues, the annexation of Texas, removal of deposits from the Bank of the United States, letters regarding pensions and bounty land of Revolutionary War veterans, party politics, tariff matters, and internal improvements.

The correspondence between 1840 and 1880 is mostly to John D. Evans, as well as Sarah Davis. There are a number of letters from his sister Mary M. Baily while she was living in Memphis, Cincinnati, and Troy, New York. She describes her medical studies while attending the Troy Female Seminary. Many of the letters contain her views on women's rights, and also relate to her separation and divorce from her husband John P. Baily (b. 1805). There is a good deal of correspondence concerning the settlement of the estate of their father Joshua Evans. Also included are letters between John D. Evans and the Pennsylvania Railroad Company concerning damages to his property by the railroad.

The correspondence after 1880 concerns the activities of Edward Livingston Evans of South Boston, Virginia. There are a large number of letters between him and his future wife Mildred Blanton of Farmville concerning their courtship and marriage. Much of the correspondence also relates to his activities in the hardware business, as well as legal and financial matters. Also included are letters of sympathy written to the family upon his death on 15 March 1909.

Chrononlogical

The accounts and receipts cover the years 1806 to 1909. Most of them relate to the operation of the Paoli Inn by Joshua Evans, Jr. and his son John D. Evans.

Chronological by year.

The estate papers contain information on numerous individuals for whose estates Joshua Evans and John D. Evans served as executor or administrator. There is a large amount of material on the estates of John Campbell, Robert Clemens, Henry and Margaret Dermont, Frederick Landis, Philip Landis, and Nathaniel and Jane Lawrence. See the container list for a complete listing of individuals.

Alphabetical by name of decedent.

The subject files include account books, agreements, accounts and correspondence with the brokerage firm Thomas A. Biddle and Company, cancelled checks, circulars, clippings, and information concerning the Columbia Manufacturing Company in which John D. Evans was a partner. There are also deeds, exercise books on geometry and oceanography, guardianship papers, invitations, travel journals, and memorandum books. There are a large number of bank statements for the firm Norwood & Company in Halifax County. Also included in the subject files is information on the Paoli Monument, powers of attorney, promissory notes, information on rental property owned by John D. Evans, report cards, resolutions, tavern licenses, tax tickets and receipts, and other items.

Alphabetical.

There are a large number of oversized items similiar to those contained in the subject files.

Alphabetical by Subject.

The framed items include a letter from David Jones of Philadelphia to Brig. Gen. William Irvine of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, dated 20 April 1781, as well as a deed from David Powell to James Parry, dated 28 October 1709.

The ledger contains miscellaneous papers that were professional conserved prior to their donation to The Library of Virginia. A decision was made to leave the ledger intact, rather than split up its contents. It includes various wills and estate inventories of members of the Evans and Davis families, correspondence between John D. Evans and Edward Livingston (Evans), Bible records, genealogical notes, and other material.