Tevis, Nancy

(1795-1863) Nancy Nixon Tevis, a native of Louisiana, came with her husband Noah (1772-1835) and children in 1825 to settle this bluff beside the Neches. They were the first known Anglo-Americans here. They received in 1835 a Republic of Texas land grant that included much of the future site of Beaumont. Before dying, Noah Tevis sold some of this land to Henry Millard. When civilians fled toward Louisiana to escape the Mexican Army in the "Runaway Scrape" of 1836, the widowed Nancy and her eight children held their own, remaining here. In 1837 she joined with Joseph Grigsby, Millard, and others to establish a town, changing the name from Tevis Bluff to Beaumont. She was firm in upholding her rights. At one time she appealed by letter to Texas President Sam Houston against a man who claimed some of her land. She also blocked all rivalry to her profitable ferry service across the Neches and the bayous. About 1838 she married Joseph Hutcheson, who later disappeared. She survived for many years, dying during the Civil War (1861-65). Her burial was in the Tevis Cemetery, now extinct. Descendants of Nancy and Noah Tevis have been leaders in the local community. Incise in base: Marker Sponsors: Andrew Jackson Tevis Heirs and Friends

Tevis, Nancy is a historical marker in Beaumont, Jefferson County, dedicated in 1976. It is one of 109 historical markers documented in Jefferson County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 137 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.0832, -94.0970 near Beaumont. The nearest cataloged historic site is Tyrrell Public Library (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Jefferson Theatre, Tevis, Noah, and First Security National Bank.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5245010573. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.