Reeve, James

Summary

Father: Charles Reeve
Mother: Frances

Birth: c1685
Birth Source: Baptism

Death: c1714
Death Source: Inventory

Spouse1: Jane White

Narrative

Baptism from Chepstow, St Mary, Monmouthshire Parish Registers:

• 1684 (1685) James the sune of Charels Riffes was Baptized the 16th Day of March

James is described as "late of Thornbury in Gloucestershire in Great Brittain" in his widow's will.

There is a marriage record among English Quaker records for a marriage between Jane White and James Reeve which occurred on 2 Nov 1713 at Frenshay, Gloucestershire. The record appears to say James Reeve was "late of Antigoa" (former name of the Island of Antigua). The marriage was published at Thornbury as well. A Charles, Frances and Rachel Reeve were witness to the marriage. Jane's will mentioned an Edmond Hewes of Thornbury and the marriage was witnessed by an Edmond Hughes. James Coventry is mentioned in her will and there are several Coventrys who witnessed the marriage as well.

There is an inventory to the estate of James Reeve dated 8 day of the 4th month 1714 in Suffolk County probate records. The account includes money "for the passage of Jane Reeve and Jabez & Frances Reeve", "cash paid for Jane Reeve in the time of her sickness & funerall charges, & also for Jabez & Frances Reeve in their sickness & to the Doctor &c." It also mentions debts paid in London. The date of marriage makes it unlikely these were Jane's children. Possibly children of James by a first wife or other relatives.

Research Notes

There was an administration from the Prerogative Court of Canterbury for:
Reeve, James, of Bristol, who died on passage to Pennsylvania. Administration to the father, Charles Reeve; the relict, Jane Reeve, having gone to Pennsylvania. (Aug. 1714).

This appears to be a good match to this James, even though the widow apparently moved on to New York from Pennsylvania.

Sources

Baptism:    Chepstow, St Mary, Monmouthshire Parish Combine (BM&B) Register 1563-1919

1714 Will - Jane Reeve - New York Will Book 8, p330 (Old Liber 8, p289)
RG6, Piece 1426, Microfilm Image 00027: Monthly Meeting of Frenchay: Marriages, Births, Burials (1676-1798), p44
FamilySearch - 1714 Inventory, Original records of administrations of estates, inventories and accounts (New York), 1600's-1700's, 1700-1825
Coldham, Peter Wilson. (1989). American Wills & Administrations in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1610-1857 (p. 259)