Yes, Evans seems to have disappeared, for now.
Re: the JM to Joseph Mathews this maybe so, but the John Ward in the notice in regards to the horse may not be 'the John Ward' - as there were other Wards in the area before the arrival of John and Judith. . . .. whether there is another John Ward, other than their son, who would have been still only a kid. . . is unknown at the moment
