Reeve, Isaac W.

Summary

Father:
Mother:

Birth: c1785
Birth Source: Headstone

Death: 5 Dec 1825
Death Source: Burial

Spouse1: Margaret Smith, m. 4 Jul 1808, Essex County, New Jersey

Narrative

Children of Isaac W. Reeve and Margaret Smith:

1. John S. Reeve, b. 17 May 1809
2. Joel Reeve, b. c1811
3. Mary S. Reeve, m. William Wilkinson
4. Jane Reeve, b. c1812, d. 11 May 1813
5. Jane Reeve, b. c1814
6. Eliza Reeve, b. c1818
7. Doctor W. Reeve, b. c1819
8. Jonas W. Reeve, b. 2 Nov 1820
9. Sarah B. Reeve, b. 26 Aug 1825, m. Mr. Headley

Not much evidence of this Isaac has been found, but a number of records help to pull the pieces together, much of it through his wife. An Isaac W. Reeve's estate was administered in 1825 and mentions property at Lois Reeves's place. Lois was the widow of Isaac Watts Reeve Sr. First Presbyterian Church burial records call him "Isaac Watts Reeve Senr" which indicates he likely had a son Isaac Jr. There was an Isaac Reeve buried on 6 Dec 1825 according to the same church records. This matches the estate administration which is dated 26 Dec 1825.

From Gravestone Records from Springfield, New Jersey:
Reeve, Isaac W., d. Dec. 5, 1825, in 40th year; wife Peggy; dau. Jane, d. May 11, 1813, aged 1.2.12.

In 1808, an Isaac Reeve married a Margaret Smith in Essex County. This Margaret Reeve died 19 Aug 1869 in Millburn, Essex County, age 83. Her death record states her parents were William and Mary Smith which indicates this is the same Margaret who had married Isaac in 1808. Margaret is found as head of household in the 1830 census in Springfield, denoted as a widow. Her age (40-50) is consistent with her age at death. In 1840, there is no Margaret, but there is a "Widow I. W. Reeve" in Springfield (age 50-60). In 1850, Margaret is listed in Springfield with possible children: Jane (age 36), Eliza (age 32), and Jonas (age 29). In 1860, Joel (age 49), Jane (age 46), Eliza (age 40), and Sarah Smith (age 67) are living with Margaret.

In an 1853 deed, Joel, Jane, Eliza and Jonas are all among grantors of some land they were selling as heirs of William Reeve and possibly as heirs of Watts Reeve. This is further indication that this Isaac W. Reeve was probably a son of Watts. However, it should be noted that the death record for Jonas states his parents were John and Ann Reeve, not Isaac.

In 1871 deed more clearly lists the children and heirs of Isaac as follows:

• And being the same premises of which Isaac W. Reeve died seized, the said Doctor W. Reeve, Eliza Reeve, Jane Reeve, Joel Reeve, Sarah B. Headley, and Mary S. Wilkinson being children of the said Isaac W. Reeve and each entitled to an undivided eighth part of said premises. And the said Isaac L. Reeve being a son of Jonas W. Reeve deceased who was a son of the said Isaac W. Reeve and as such entitled to an equal undivided one eighth part and also the owner of one other equal undivided eighth part by a conveyance from John S. Reeve recorded in Book O. 6. of Deeds for Essex County on page 255, the said Isaac L. Reeve being entitled to the one third interest of the said Jonas W. Reeve and the one equal undivided one twelfth part of the above described premises.

John S. Reeve was the administrator for the estate of Margaret Reeve.

Research Notes

It may be that Isaac was married multiple times. The death record for Julia Wade, one of the heirs listed in the 1853 deed, names her parents as Watts and Hannah Reeve. She was born c.1804.

Sources

Marriage1:  FamilySearch - New Jersey, County Marriages, 1682-1956
Burial:       FamilySearch - The Genealogical magazine of New Jersey, Vol. 5, #1, p14

1830 Census:  Springfield, Essex County, New Jersey (Widow Margaret Reeve HOH)
1840 Census:  Springfield, Essex County, New Jersey (Widow I W Reeve HOH)
1850 Census:  Springfield, Essex County, New Jersey (Margaret Reeve HOH)
1860 Census:  Millburn, Essex County, New Jersey

1825 Administration - Isaac W. Reeve - Essex County, New Jersey Administration Book A, p268
FamilySearch - Death of Margaret - New Jersey Deaths and Burials, 1720-1988
1853 Deed - Betsy Canfield et al to Abner S. Reeve - Essex County, New Jersey Deed Book K8, p77
1871 Deed - Doctor W. Reeve et al to Edward S. Renwick - Essex County, New Jersey Deed Book I15, p584
Essex County, New Jersey Administration Bond Book 3, p220