Reeve, Isaac

Summary

Father:
Mother:

Birth: 4 Jul 1784, Newburgh, Ulster County, New York
Birth Source: Obituary, Headstone

Death: 23 Dec 1863, his residence near Laporte, Indiana
Death Source: Obituary, Headstone

Spouse1: Harriett Howell
Spouse2: Ann F. Arnold, m. 3 Nov 1831, Milo, Yates County, New York

Narrative

Children of Isaac Reeve and Harriett Howell:

1. Isaac Van Duzer Reeve, b. 29 Jul 1813
2. Charles Howell Reeve, b. 15 Jan 1822
3. Frances Louisa Reeve, b. 16 Jun 1824

Children of Isaac Reeve and Ann F. Arnold:

1. John A. Reeve, b. 26 Sep 1832
2. Harriet H. Reeve, b. 7 Feb 1835
3. James Selah Reeve, b. 5 Jul 1838
4. Budd Reeve, b. 26 Feb 1842
5. Emma Reeve, b. c1844

Note that Newburgh was in Ulster County at the time of his birth, but later became part of Orange County.

The death certificate for Charles and Frances gives the mother's name as Harriett Howell while Isaac V. D.'s states it was Mary Howell. Charles's also states Charles was born in Oneida County which helps match this Isaac to the one living in Sangerfield, Oneida County in 1820. Son John's obituary states he was born in Bath, New York, which is in Steuben County. This therefore appears to be the Isaac Reeves who was living there in 1830.

Dawson's Fort Wayne Daily Times, 29 Dec 1863
Died, at his residence near Laporte, Indiana, on the 23d of December 1863, ISAAC REEVE, in the 80th year of his age.
Mr. REEVE was born at Newburgh, Orange County, New York, on the 4th day of July, 1784, and removed to Laporte in the early days of that county. His father was one of the earliest settlers on the Walkill river, and was one of the founders of the now beautiful city of Newburgh on the Hudson, - having been driven from his home on Long Island by the British, during the revolution, after losing his property by confiscation, because he would not take the oath of allegiance to George III, but preferred to cast his lot with the good men of that time who were determined to have for themselves and leave to their children a government of their own based on principles of justice and liberty. The subject of this obituary was a firm believer in the doctrines of the immortal Jefferson, and a hater of tyranny and oppression in its every shape. A lover of the Constitution, and a defender of the rights of the people under it, he gave his vote and his influence for the preservation of the one and the fullest exercise of the other. He died a good and true man, - had always acted from a sense of duty, doing right because it was right to do right, - knowing neither selfishness nor unkindness. Ben when men were patriots, and when our young country was struggling for existence, he has lived beyond the days of its prosperity, and breathed out his own life as that country is departing her glory. Knowing that fanaticism had been our ruin, he eschewed it, despised it, -and took the part of his country and her constitution, bringing down upon himself, in this day and generation, the avowed vengeance of "loyal" bigots, who threatened the life of the old man because he did not believe with them, and would not worship at the shrine of the fanatic's Baal. He was buried at Plymouth, on the 26th of December, inst.

Isaac wrote his will on 1 Dec 1859 and it was proved 8 Mar 1864 in LaPorte County. He mentions wife Ann F. Reeve, children John A., Harriet, James, Budd, Emma Reeve, and additionally sons Isaac V. D. Reeve of the US Army and son Charles H. Reeve.

Research Notes

The fact that he was born in Newburgh, New York in 1784 and his father was a refugee from Long Island makes it highly likely he is closely connected to Selah Reeve. he Refugees of 1776 from Long Island to Connecticut actually lists him as a son. In addition, the biographical sketch on his son Charles Howell Reeve contained in states: "His father, Isaac Reeve, was the son of Selah Reeve, one of the earliest inhabitants of Orange County, New York, who, rather than take the oath of allegiance to the English crown, forfeited his property on Long Island when it was taken by the British during the Revolution, and moved up the Hudson, among the Indians." However, the list of children for Selah contained in the old grammar book published 1777 does not list an Isaac. It may be that Isaac was the son of Jeffery Reeve or Benjamin S. Reeve, sons of Selah. The 1790 census does indicate Jeffrey had a young son.

Sources

Marriage2:  FamilySearch - New York, Yates County, Swann Vital Records Collection, 1723-2009
Death:        Obituary, Dawson's Fort Wayne Daily Times, 29 Dec 1863
Burial:       Findagrave - Stringer Cemetery, Marshall County, Indiana

1820 Census:  Sangerfield, Oneida County, New York
1830 Census:  Bath, Steuben County, New York
1840 Census:  La Porte County, Indiana
1850 Census:  Pleasant, La Porte County, Indiana
1860 Census:  Pleasant, La Porte County, Indiana

Western Biographical Publishing Company. (1880). A Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men of the State of Indiana, Vol. 2, The Thirteenth Congressional District, p53
1859 Will - Isaac Reeve - LaPorte County, Indiana Will Book A, p266