# Evan Thomas — The Maid of Sker character guide

> Evan Thomas in The Maid of Sker by R. D. Blackmore.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Evan, black Evan, honest black Evan, poor black Evan, Evan Black

**First appearance:** 0001-the-maid-of-sker

## Snapshot

A servant whose name is used as a talisman of safety in a frightened household, he anchors the small world where a castaway child is taken in.

## Who they are

Evan Thomas belongs to the labouring community around Sker, a man whose presence in his own house is invoked by his wife as a guarantee of honesty when strangers knock at night. He is an 'outrageous man to eat' when drunk, and his household runs on his appetites and his wife's low spirits. The child Bardie is brought into his home, and his fireside becomes the first shelter she knows ashore.

## In the story

### [The Maid of Sker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/the-maid-of-sker)

A local man who confronts Davy, adding tension to the narrative.

### [The Fish Are as Hungry as He Is](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/iii-the-fish-are-as-hungry-as-he-is)

Claims the shore at Sker and confronts Davy about fishing there.

### [V: A Little Orphan Mermaid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/v-a-little-orphan-mermaid)

Mentioned as being out of the way on the night Davy finds the boat, which Davy sees as providential.

### [Finds a Home of Some Sort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/vi-finds-a-home-of-some-sort)

Moxy's husband, absent on a spree, described as an outrageous eater when drunk.

### [Boat Versus Bardie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/vii-boat-versus-bardie)

Mentioned as the likely owner of the boat; Davy fears his drunken and violent reaction.

### [VIII: Children Will Be Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/viii-children-will-be-children)

Mentioned as being ill and feverish, lying in bed, and calling for ale.

### [XI: A Wrecker Wrecked](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xi-a-wrecker-wrecked)

Drunk and greedy, he commands Davy to help him plunder a wreck, brandishing a gun.

### [The Coroner and the Coronet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xiii-the-coroner-and-the-coronet)

Mentioned as unable to assert his wreck claims due to the affliction of the shipwreck.

### [A Verdict on the Jury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xv-a-verdict-on-the-jury)

Appears suddenly before the jury, delivers a chilling prophecy that six of them have seen the white horse, and leaves them shuddering.

### [XVI: Truth Lies Sometimes in a Well](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xvi-truth-lies-sometimes-in-a-well)

Evan Thomas is mentioned as 'black Evan,' whose prophecy causes Davy unease, leading him to seek lively company.

### [Sound Investments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxiv-sound-investments)

Mentioned as broken down after the death of his five sons; finds comfort in watching Bardie.

### [A Visit to a Parson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxix-a-visit-to-a-parson)

Mentioned in the context of the driver's gossip about Captain Vellacott's misadventure and the Parson's influence.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters/evan_thomas
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters