Reeve, Christopher

Summary

Father: Selah Reeve
Mother: Elizabeth VanDuzer

Birth: c1797, New York
Birth Source: Census

Death: 8 or 9 Jun 1865, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
Death Source: Article

Spouse1: Maria Hasbrook, m. 8 Feb 1825, Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, New Paltz, Ulster County, New York

Narrative

Children of Christopher Reeve and Maria Hasbrook:

1. Sarah Reeve, b. c1832
2. Selah Reeve, b. c1834
3. Hasbrook Reeve, b. c1837
4. Louis Reeve, b. c1840

The following article is from Detroit Free Press, 11 Jun 1865:

Melancholy Suicide.
We are pained to record an instance of self-destruction on the part of an old and respected citizen of Detroit, which occurred on Thursday or Friday past, the particular time, under the circumstances, not being capable of solution. The circumstance of the sad affair as they have been obtained are, that the deceased, Christopher Reeve, came to this city during the early part of the week, from Saginaw, where he had been engaged in the lumber business. On Thursday last, he was seen sitting by the grave of his wife, near "Cypress Mound," in Elmwood Cemetery, by Mr. Farwell's hired man, who was taking a body into the cemetery for interment. At that time he appeared to be writing, but as the circumstance was not unusual, no notice was taken of it. On Saturday afternoon the same man went to the cemetery on a like errand, when he discovered the body of Mr. Reeve lying upon the grave of his wife. He gave information to the man in attendance upon the grounds, and they together proceeded to the spot. It was discovered that the unfortunate man had shot himself through the head with a revolver, which he had held in his left hand. The ball entered the left temple, and passed through the brain. Death therefore must have been almost instantaneous. He was searched, and upon his person were found something over $100 in bills, some of which were rolled up in parcels, the balance were in a pocket-book. His papers, etc., were apparently just as he had arranged and left them. Among his document written in pencil was a brief explanation of the reason of his rash act, from which it appears that he has been suffering mentally since Hie death of his wife. He gave directions to lay his body in the chapel, if consistent, and after the usual forms to accord him a burial. This, with a few other directions relating to family matters, was directed to his brother, Mr. N. Reeves, of this city. There can be no doubt but that he was laboring under temporary insanity when he took his life.
The deceased was a man sixty-seven years of age, and has left three sons and a daughter to mourn his fate. His brother in this city left Saturday for Saginaw, in obedience to a dispatch that the deceased had not been seen since Tuesday last. A telegram was immediately forwarded for him to return.
Coroner McCarthy empaneled a jury Saturday afternoon to hold an inquest, but an adjournment was made until Monday morning. The money and papers belonging to the deceased have been placed in his possession. The relatives of the deceased have the sympathy of a large circle of friends in their sudden bereavement. The deceased enjoyed the friendship and respect of our citizens, to most of whom he was known as an upright, honorable man.

Research Notes

Sources

Marriage1:  FamilySearch - New York, Church Records, 1660-1954
Death:        Detroit Free Press, 11 Jun 1865

1830 Census:  Newburgh, Orange County, New York
1840 Census:  Newburgh, Orange County, New York
1850 Census:  Springwells, Waine County, Michigan