Reavis, James Sr.

Summary

Father: Edward Reavis
Mother: Hannah Alley (surname undocumented)

Birth: c1719, Henrico County, Virginia
Birth Source:

Death: 1804, Rutherford County, North Carolina
Death Source: Deed to heirs written 15 Oct 1803 was recorded in 1804

Spouse1: Elizabeth Street

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Narrative

Children of James Reavis and Elizabeth Street:

1. Elizabeth Reavis, b. 1745, m. James Doyle
2. Edward Reavis, b. c1747, m. Sarah
3. David Reavis, b. c1748, m. Gemima Reid
4. George Reavis, b. c1750, m. Sarah Pearson
5. Joseph Reavis
6. James Reavis, Jr., b. 1762, m. Martha Morgan

Although none of Edward Reavis' older children by his first wife were named in his 1750 Northampton County NC will, the will did state "all my Estate that I have not before Disposed of Be Equally Between my Loveing wife Sarah and all my children after my Debts is Discharged" with may indicate that he had previously made bequests to those older children.

James Reavis and Edward Reavis, Jr. witnessed a Northampton County, North Carolina deed of April 1747 for 290 acres on Moratock/Roanoke River in Northampton executed by Edward REAVIS.

James and Elizabeth Reavis were "received by letter" into the Dutchman's Creek Baptist Church in Surry County (now Davie County) on 5 Jun 1773.

The 1774 tax list of Surry County lists a James Reves (sic Reavis) and son Edward along with four negroes - Bobb, Dick, Sailor and Phoebe. James Reavis was listed again on the 1775 tax list of Surry County along with the same four negroes but his son Edward wasn't listed.

James Reavis is recorded in the 1790 tax list of Surry County along with James (Jr), Jesse and John Reavis.

By 1799 James had relocated to Rutherford County where he along with Abraham Fauther witnessed a deed from John Bradley to Harris Reavis in 1799. James Reves (Reaves) received a warrant for 200 acres on both sides of the Main Broad River, Rutherford County, entered July 16, 1800, Grant No. 2315 issued December 3, 1803.

James Reavis Sr. made a deed that was, in effect, his Will. "For love, good will and affection" and effective at his death, he deeded to his grandchildren, the children of his "well beloved son James, deceased," his household furniture, stock of every description, and five negroes. The grandchildren were Wilson, Mary, Morgan, Washington, Elizabeth, Lucinda, and Nancy. Witnesses to the deed were Shadrick Wren and Anslem Bradley, October 15, 1803. This deed helps us determine the date of death of James Jr., who made his will on March 11, 1801. It was filed July 6, 1803. An early historian says that Sr. outlived his wife and died about 1804. It is probable that James Sr., being a widower, was then living with his youngest son James and family, when James Jr. died about 1803. This occurred only a few months before James Sr., signed his deed (will) of October 15th, 1803. James Sr seems to have died about the beginning of 1804, instead of "about 1798". The deed passing the personal property at his death was filed November 26, 1804.

Sources

Surry and Wilkes Cos., N.C. taxables, 1771-1800; v. 01, compiled by William Perry Johnson, 1918-1980 online at Family Search
1790 Census - Surry County, North Carolina