Reeves, William

Summary

Father: John Reeves
Mother:

Birth: c 1812 at Nettlebed, Oxfordshire
Birth Source: 1851 census return

Death: between 1881 & 1891
Death Source: Second wife Ann is a widow on 1891 census

Spouse1: Ann Maria MASTERS, died 1857
Spouse2: Ann mnu

Narrative

From the information provided at the time of his marriage, it would seem his father was John Reeves and he claims he is 26 years old, placing his birth about 1814.

William married Ann Maria Masters on 6 July 1840 in Southampton, Hampshire. FamilySearch does not note the parish, but a corresponding FreeBMD marriage registration confirms the place.

Known children of William Reeves and Ann Maria (nee Masters) are...

1. William Reeves, bapt. 18 July 1841
2. Mary Ann Reeves, bapt 11 December 1842
3. Richard Reeves, bapr 9 March 1845
4. William Reeves, bapt 22 October 1848
5. Benjamin Reeves, bapt 22 December 1850
6. Thomas Reeves, bapt 12 Jun 1853

Additionally, it is most probable the following is a child of this same couple

1. Ann Maria Reeves, bapt 9 November 1856

All the above baptisms occurred at the Parish Church of St Mary in Southampton, Hampshire

At the time of the census in June 1841, William, Maria and their son William (1 month old) were living on Charlotte Street in the St Mary's area of Southampton in the same building as Benjamin Masters, Mary (19), Richard (12) and Georgina Masters (8). William indicates he is 20 years old, that he was not born in county (Hampshire) and his occupation is given as a labourer.

By the time of the 1851 census, William and Ann were living at 41 Chandos Street in the St Mary's area of Southampton. In addition to their children, Mary Ann (8 yrs old), Richard (6), William (3) & Benjamin (8 months old), Ann's father Benjamin Masters and her 18 year old sister Georgina are living with them. William's age is recorded as 39 and he claims birth at Nettlebed in Oxfordshire. He is now a mariner.

A decade later and the 1861 census notes that William is now a widower. His daughter Mary Ann (18) is keeping house for him and her younger brothers William (14), Benjamin (12) and Thomas (10). William's age is now given as 60 (sic) and he is a Ship's Foreman. His place of birth is simply Oxford(shire).

By the 1871 census, it would appear William has remarried and also shed several years in age. He and his new wife Ann (aged 49 years, born Uxbridge Middlesex) are living at 2 Cross Street in the St Mary's area of Southampton. William's son Thomas Reeves (19) is living with them. William now claims he is 52 years old, just 3 years older than his new wife, and is working as a labourer. The county of his birth is clearly Oxfordshire, but the place is a little unclear, perhaps best read as "Gandon Hill". About 2 miles north west of modern day Nettlebed, the A4130 road is called "Gangsdown Hill".

On the 1881 census, William and Ann are living at 20 Grove Street. He is a 66 year old general labourer, born Oxfordshire.

It is probable that William died before the 1891 census. An Ann Reaves (sic) aged 75 born Middlesex who is described as "Widow of William, a fireman" is in the Poor House on St Mary Street, Southampton and is most probably this William's widow. Given the fluid nature of William's age over the years, a probable death registration hasn't been identified.

Sources

Birth:
Marriage: FreeBMD m. reg. in September quarter 1840, Southampton Registration District
                  FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N6N3-ZJ6
Death:

1841 Census: HO107, Piece 0417, Book 7, Folio 13 face, Page 20
1851 Census: HO107, Piece 1669, Folio 550 face, Page 28
1861 Census: RG9, Piece 0673, Folio 66 reverse, Page 6
1871 Census: RG10, Piece 1191, Folio 125 face, Page 29
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 1209, Folio 35 face, Page 5
1891 Census; RG12, Piece 0920, Folio 126 reverse, Page 16