The first piece of land taken up by Mr. Evans, was on the east bank of the Atchelitz Creek; and on the south bank, where the Creek makes a turn. One corner of the 160 acre property is a short distance from the Chllliwack River. Atchelitz Road forms part of the east boundary of said acreage (Lot 73). (Yale Road passes through the property.) There remains no application record under Charles Evans's name for this particular piece of land. He may have acquired the rights of the former pre-emptor, as a Certificate of Improvement, dated April 7, 1865, is recorded under the name of Charles Evans.

The original pre-emptor of Lot 73 was John Corry (February 25, 1863), who may have been the builder of the log cabin that still exists on Atchelitz Road. After a year, he gave up the acreage. David Seater and John Bowes both signed the application for the property, plus Lot 74, on February 2, 1864. If both of these men had families; it would give a reason for a second log building that resembles a dwelling, to have been built. (This building, used for a root-house in later years, remains at the original site.)

It seems that Mr. Seater had left the property before April 10, 1865, as George Lyell (who knew Charles Evans in Victoria) pre-empted half of it (Lot 74) on that date. Mr. Evans had probably applied for Lot 73 about the same time; as Mr. Lyell referred to Mr. Seater as "lately" holding adjoining property (Lot 73). As there was no mention of Mr. Bowes at that time; it seems that he had vacated earlier. According to some of the old timers; the most popular reason for not staying for more than a year in the Chilliwack Valley was that one season of mosquitoes was quite enough. Lots 73 and 74 did not require much clearing an they were part of Chilliwack Prairie.

Allen and Sarah Wells, and baby daughter, Lillian, moved down from Yale to reside in the log cabin as Mr. Wells managed the farm for Mr. Evans. It is believed that Mr. and Mrs Forsyth lived on the property about that time also. Isaac Kipp helped with the construction of a large barn on the Evans place in 1865.

On March 9, 1866, at Yale, British Columbia; Charles Evans and Jane Wells were married by Methodist Minister, Reverend Ebeneezer Robson. Witnesses were Alien C. Wells and J. E. Browse. Mr. and Mrs. Evans resided in living quarters attached to the Yale Courthouse, as Charles served as Magistrate (while still employed by Barnard's Express). Charles sometimes referred to his wife as "Jennie".

The second piece of property taken up by Charles Evans was applied for on April 6, 1866; pre-emption record 592; 160 acres (Lot 72). (The usual installment of 50 cents per acre was paid. Full price, $1 per acre.) (Mr. Evans later, In 1869, donated a corner of said property for the purpose of a site for Atchelitz Church, erected under the guidance of Methodist Minister, Rev. Thomas Crosby. Donations came from the local Native Indians and inter-denominational Protestant settlers. Serving both the Sumas and Chilliwack areas, it was the first Protestant Church in the Chilliwack Valley. A cairn marks the site at corner of Yale and Mill Roads.)

The first crops were planted on the Evans farm in the spring of 1866. A farm report appeared in the newspaper, "British Columbian", on Sept. 19, 1866; "Charles Evans; 500 acres (50 acres under cultivation), 2000 bushels of grain, 50 tons of prairie hay (as Mr. Evans did not yet own 500 acres; he may have had use of nearby Crown property to remove the natural prairie hay), 800 bushels of potatoes, 250 bushels of carrots. 8 head cattle, 8 hogs. 50 poultry, 50 cows on way from Oregon, large barns, etc.

A.C. Wells purchased 160 acres in Sardis from Ann McColl in 1866. Her husband, Sgt. William McColl, had died at Yale in 1865 (June 3rd). Forsyth built a house for Allen and Sarah Wells on the property in 1867. After moving to Sardis; Mr. Wells was able to manage the Evans place also, as the distance between was only two and a half miles. A son, Edwin, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Wells in 1870.

As the Evans farm was situated only two miles from the Fraser River; the steamboats offered easy access to and from Yale. Charles and Jane often visited the Wells family, then stayed over a week-end at their own place. After one such occasion, Mrs Evans wrote from his office at Yale to his sister-in-law, Sarah Wells:

Dear Sister- Yale B.C.13th June, 1867

We arrived here all gay this mornings at 10.30. and found everything getting along finely at the house.

Al Mc Hardy speaks very highly of the butter, and wants you late in the fall, to put him up 500 lbs. for the winter.

Jennie has set some violets out in a pot for you, and will send them down if they get along serene.

I wonder if you told Forsyth to fix that bed, or if he did it of his own accord. I notice he took a good deal of pains with it.

Allen had better see what kind of tubs they make in West. when he goes down. They ought to be oak.

Mrs. Forsyth told us that Shakespear was coming up here to take likenesses. If he does, you should come up on a visit, and get the shadow of your mug, and I want a copy of it.

I could not get Jack Pennington a very nice looking shirt as there are not many to pick out of, but I got the best I could.

The butter is skookum weight this time but I suppose I need not tell you that. It is so short a time since I saw you that I have not much news, so I guess I will go home and go to bed.

Your Brother,

You bet your life

Chas. Evans

P.S. "Will Long Nose Conquer".

The third parcel of land taken up by Charles Evans on March 18, 1868; Pre-emption Record 632, was Lot 74. This property had been previously pre-empted by George Lyell. (Property was on both sides of later Sumas Central Road.) The northern half of this property was known to the Evans family as the "Grave Prairie." The site was so named because a cedar slab (near the jog in Sumas Central Road) marked the last resting place of a Royal Engineer. The inscription read; "In memory of John B. Saxby, Royal Engineer. Died June 12th, 1859. Age 19 yrs." (marker disappeared about 1938.) A wagon road, shown on early maps, passed through this field.

When Charles Evans applied for the pre-emption, it was thought that the area contained 320 acres; when in fact, it measured only 160 acres. The error was probably noticed at the time that he applied for the fourth pre-emption; Record 639. He applied for 160 acres (Lot 75) but was granted Lot 76 as well, to compensate.

Under the supervision of A.C. Wells, a large farmhouse was built at the Evans farm to accomodate the hired help (1868). As it had been built beside the log cabin; the latter was moved behind the house, and was used as a chicken-house. (Log cabin measured fourteen by twenty feet. The squared fir logs were notched at the ends, and fitted together without the use of nails. It was rebuilt on its original site in the 1950's.)

The nearby larger log building (believed to have originally been a dwelling) was twenty-nine feet long and twenty-five feet wide. The split cedar logs were also notched at the ends, but some hand forged nails were used in the construction. The building was given added insulation to the interior; and with the east windows boarded up, was converted into a root-house that was handier to the farmhouse. The original root-house was built in the same style and size, but without windows. It was situated a few hundred feet from the house. (Original root-house demolished In 1950's)

The fourth log building, a pig barn, was of split cedar but with the rounded side of the logs exposed to the exterior. (The building was taken down in the 1950's)

Last updated 31 August 1998. This digital collection was produced under contract to the SchoolNet Digital Collections Program, Industry Canada. Produced by Schoolnet Digital Collections Team.