Reavis, Mark

Summary

Father: Isham Reavis, Sr.
Mother: Anne Matilda Jones

Birth: c1772, Northampton County, North Carolina
Birth Source:

Death: 1835, Boone County, Missouri
Death Source: Will & Probate

Spouse1: Lucy Bradley

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Narrative

Children of Mark Reavis and Lucy Bradley:

1. Jones Bradley Reavis, b. c1795
2. Andrew Ashley Reavis, b. 1796
3. Edwin Reavis, b. 30 Mar 1798
4. James Reavis, b. 1800
5. Anderson Reavis, b. c1800-1810
6. Overton Reavis, b. c1803
7. Daniel Reavis, b. c1805
8. Doctor Reavis, b. c1808
9. Martha Reavis, b. 16 Mar 1810
10. Calvin Reavis, b. 1812
11. Mary Reavis, b. 1815
12. John Newton Reavis, b. 17 Oct 1817

On the 17th of August 1799, Mark Reavis along with his father Isham, brothers Edward, Charles, Isham Jr. and brother-in-law Royal Potter were appointed by the County Court of Warren County, Kentucky to work on a road under overseer Robert Lee.

He is listed on the 1800 tax lists of Warren County, Kentucky along with Edward (listed as Revis), Charles and Isham Reavis (there is no indication of whether this is Isham Sr. or Jr.). Mark is still listed as a resident of Warren County in the 1810 census along with other family members such as brothers Edward (listed as Revis), Isham, Jr., Daniel and William, as well as cousin Harris Reavis. But by 10 Jul 1824, Mark who was described as ″of Boon County, Missouri″ had received a certificate for 80 acres in Boone County which was followed by more certificates for land there in 1827 and 1833.

Mark Reavis was an original member of the Sugar Creek Baptist Church, now extinct, in Missouri Township, Boone County, Missouri which was organized on 2 Nov 1823 (Evans and Thompson, Tombstone Records 1934, 122).

In an 1884 biography of Thomas M. Reavis published in the History of Monroe and Shelby Counties, Missouri, the following is found in regard to his grandfather, Mark Reavis:

Mr. Reavis grandfather, Mark Reavis, an early settler in Kentucky from North Carolina, became a pioneer settler in Saline county, Mo., but finally made his home near Columbia, in Boone county, where he resided until his death. He moved from Virginia to Buncombe county, N. C., and from there moved to Warren county, Ky., in or about 1800. After a residence in Kentucky of some 18 or 20 years he came on to Missouri in 1820, locating at first in Saline county St. Charles, Cote Sans Dessein and Old Franklin were then small landings or villages on the river. In the upper part of Saline county, his uncle, Ned Reavis, discovered a valuable salt spring and decided to engage in the manufacture of salt. He accordingly procured kettles in St. Louis or some other place where they could be obtained, and other utensils necessary for that purpose. He made salt in that county until after steamers began to navigate the Missouri in 1819. They made the cost of transportation so cheap that salt could be brought up the river from other and larger works at a distance and sold for less than it could be made for in Saline county or this part of the country. The manufacture of salt was therefore discontinued. Mr. Reavis, the subject of this sketch, remembers hearing his father relate what an excitement the advent of the first steamboat up the Missouri created. The father went some distance to see it, and knew of many who went miles to view the great wonder. Saline county then being too far away even from the outposts of civilization, the family moved back and settled near Columbia, Boone county, where the grandfather spent the remainder of his days, one of the highly respected old citizens of that county.

A biography of his grandson John Reavis published in 1895 also includes this information about Mark:

The paternal grandparents of our subject were Mark and Lucy (Bradley) Reavis, who were born, grew to maturity, and were married in Kentucky. Afterward settling in Boone County, Mo., Mr. Reavis purchased a farm, and besides assisting in its management operated a horsemill for grinding grain. He was an extensive slaveowner in early days, but was a kind master. He died in Boone County at a venerable age, as did also his esteemed wife. They were the parents often children. Edwin died on the old farm near Bowling Green, Ky.; Jones married Habbah Modiset, and died in Monroe County, Mo.; James is our subject's father; Daniel married Eliza Chappel, of Boone County, Mo., and is now deceased; Andrew, a farmer, died in Saline Countv, Mo., in 1841; Overton died while on his way to California, and his wife, formerly Nancy Berry, died in Saline County; Doctor married Delilah Carey, and died in Saline County; John married Elizabeth Preston, and is a farmer of Monroe County, Mo.; Martha became the wife of Milton D. Berry, and now makes her home in Greenwood County, Kan., where her husband's death occurred; and Polly married William Ward, and both died in Pettis County.

Mark wrote his will on 28 Jul 1835 and it was proved on 6th November of the same year. In it he mentions is wife Lucy and "all of my children namely Jonas B. Reavis, Anderson Reavis, Edwin Reavis, James Reavis, Overton Reavis, Daniel Reavis, Doctor Reavis, Martha Berry, Mary Ward, and John N. Reavis."

Research Notes

Some trees list another son named Calvin, born around 1812. So far, no actual records mentioning this individual have been found. He wasn't mentioned in the will. If he existed, he probably died young.

Sources

1810 Census:  Warren County, Kentucky
1830 Census:  Boone County, Missouri

Warren County, Kentucky Court Records
Tax Lists of Warren County, Kentucky
Evans and Thompson, Tombstone Records 1934
U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907
History of Monroe and Shelby Counties, Missouri, pub 1884
1835 Will - Mark Reavis - Boone County, Missouri Will Book B, p83
Archive.org - Chaman Publishing. (1895). Portrait and biographical record of Johnson and Pettis counties, Missouri, p401