Reeve, James

Summary

Father: James Reeve, Esq
Mother: Anna Wines

Birth: c1756
Birth Source: Baptism

Death: 4 Mar 1830
Death Source: Headstone

Spouse1: Parnal Wickham, m. 1 Aug 1779
Spouse2: Mehetable Wells Downs, m. 18 Sep 1794

Narrative

Children of James Reeve and Parnal Wickham:

1. Anna Reeve, b. c1782
2. James Wickham Reeve, b. c1786
3. Keziah Reeve, b. c1790
4. Irad Reeve, b. c1791
5. Edmund Reeve, b. 1792

Children of James Reeve and Mehetable Wells Downs:

1. Molly Reeve, d. 6 Jun 1797
2. Hannah Reeve, b. c1797, m. George Lewis Conklin
3. Fanny Reeve, b. c1798, d. 16 Jan 1832
4. Edward Reeve, b. c1801
5. Phebe More Reeve, b. 28 Jul 1804
6. Jeremiah Reeve, b. c1809

James's baptism is recorded in Mattituck Presbyterian Church records:

• James Reeve | James Jr & Anna | Oct 30, 1756

James is buried in Mattituck Pres Cemetery. His headstone reads: "In/memory of/Deac JAMES REEVE/who died March 4, 1830./in the 74th year/of his age."

His headstone refers to him as Deacon James and the Mattituck church records indicate he was a Captain when he became a member in 1790. His second wife Mehitable became a member in 1806. From the membership records:

• Capt. James Reeve | 1790 | On Exam | Chosen Deacon in Mattituck Aug 6 1790
• Mahitable Reeve (wife of D'n James) | 1806 | On Exam

It appears he was married twice. His first marriage is recorded in church records as follows:

• James Reeve ye Son of James R. | Parnal Wickham | Aug 1, 1779

They then record her death as follows:

• Parnal Reeve | June 30, 1793 | Wife of Capt. James

Parnel was buried at Mattituck Pres and her headstone reads: "In Memory of/Mrs Parne;/Wife of Cap./James Reeve/who died June 30 1793/aged 36 years."

The following baptisms pertain to him and his first wife:

• Keziah Reeve | James & Parnel | June 20, 1790
• Irad Reeve | Deacon J | Feb 12, 1792
• Edmon Reeve | James | March 24, 1793

His second wife was Mehetable W. She was buried in Mattituck Pres as well. Her headstone reads: "Mehetable W./Relict of/Deac. James Reeve/Died Dec. 19, 1865/AE 92 ys 2mo & 7ds." Her death is also recorded in one of the church record books.

Their marriage was recorded by Rev. Zechariah Greene in Setauket Presbyterian Church Records:

• 1794 Sepr 18 | James Reeve Esqr & Mahitable Wells Downs of Southold

The following baptisms from Mattituck Pres pertain to him and his second wife:

• Hannah Reeve | Decn James | Mar 12, 1797
• Fanny Reeve | James Esq | Oct 21, 1798
• Edward Reeve | James Esq | Apr 19, 1801
• Phebe More Reeve | Dcon James | Sept 16, 1804
• Heremiah Reeve | Dn. James | Apr 2, 1809

The following deaths are also recorded pertaining to this family:

• Molly Reeve | June 6, 1797 | ye poor Child of Capt. James Reeve

The Salmon Records record the following marriages:

• 1779 Aug 1 Jems Reeve & parnel Wikem
• 1794 Sep 18 Cpt Jemes Reeve Mehttible Downs

They also record Parnel's death:

• 1793 June 30 Cpt Jemes Reeves wife Parnel

In 1803, James and his wife Mehetable were parties to a bond with James Downs, John & Hannah Halsey from Mr. Benjamin to take care of the widow Elizabeth Downs (Mehetable's mother) during her life.

Although Suffolk County wills don't appear to have been digitized and made available online, the will of James, dated 16 Mar 1829, is mentioned in the Terry Manuscripts. According to Terry, it includes the following relevant information:

• In the name of God Amen I James Reeve of Southold &c yeoman. Wife Mehetable. "Daughter Fanny, infirm," sons Irad & Edward, daughter Hannah, wife of George L. Concklin. Names Phee M. Wickham, wife of Joseph P. also, daughters of Wm Wickham, Parnel, Elizabeth & Nancy. Son Jeremiah Reeve, son James W. Reeve is to have "the north sid which I purchsed of John Woodhull, Esq. My one half of Robins Island. Sons Irad & Edward Exrs

Research Notes

Wickham-Ballard genealogists claim James had a son named Nathaniel as well.

Sources

Baptism:    Mattituck Presbyterian Church Records - 1751-1809 Record Book
Marriage1:  Salmon Records
Marriage2:  Salmon Records
                   Setauket Presbyterian Church Records
Burial:       Findagrave - Mattituck Presbyterian Burying Ground, Mattituck, Suffolk County, New York

Stuart Tuthill Terry Manuscripts - Southold Record Abstracts
Findagrave - Parnel Reeve - Mattituck Presbyterian Burying Ground, Mattituck, Suffolk County, New York
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9718104/mehetable-w-reeveFindagrave - Mehetable Reeve - Mattituck Presbyterian Burying Ground, Mattituck, Suffolk County, New York
Findagrave - Fanny Reeve - Mattituck Presbyterian Burying Ground, Mattituck, Suffolk County, New York
Mattituck Presbyterian Church Records - 1749-1921 Record Book