Reeve, John

Summary

Father: Jeremiah Reeve
Mother:

Birth:
Birth Source:

Death: Dec 1723
Death Source:

Spouse1:

Narrative

In 1721, the children of his sister Elizabeth complained that John was cutting timber on land which he possessed by his father's will. They claimed he was meant to keep the land in tenantable in expectation of the children of Elizabeth Reeves and Ellen Baynes inheriting it after John's death but instead was apparently using the timber for himself. John answered that he had used the timber for repairs of the property and that it was his right as heir to do so.

John was mentioned in detail on a court case from 1726. Some of the relevant statements include:

• the said John Reeve son of the said Jeremiah dyed about two years since unmarried without issue (Susanna Reeve of Bocking)
• further saith that the sd John Reeve dyed about two years ago (Richard Bennett of Bocking)
• To the third interry this Dept saith that he did know John Reeve son of the said Jeremiah Reeve & that he dyed about two years since unmarryed & without issue (John Saunders)
• at the time of the death of John Reeve son of the said Jeremiah Reeve who as this Dept is informed died sometime in the month of December 1723. (William Rayment of Braintree)
• To the third interry this Deponent saith that the said John Reeve son of the said Jeremiah Reeve in this Deponents Deponents Deposition to the second interry named dyed about three since without issue (John Litchfeild)
• To the fourth interry this Deponent saith that the said John Reeve the son of the said Jeremiah did for five years and three quarters after the death of the said Jeremiah Reeve his father pay by himself and agents to his sister Jane Reeve or her order sixteen pounds a year being an annuity given her by the will of the said Jeremiah her father and saith that part of the same this Deponent resvd? for the said Jane's use and further saith that he hath heard John Ager in this interry named and his wife both say that the said John Reeve had paid to one of them for severall years ten pounds a year which was settled upon her by the said Jeremiah Reeve her father or to such effect. (John Kettle of Stisted)
• To the fourth interry this Deponent saith that he has heard and believes that the said John Reeve did from his fathers death pay to Abigail his sister or her husband or his Extor to the time of her decease which happened about the year one thousand seven hundred and nineteen an annuity of ten pounds p annum which was given to or settled upon her by her said father Jeremiah Reeve but saith that he knows of no sumes of money paid to Jane Reeve in this interry named (Thomas Ager of Halbobourn)
• To the fourth interry this Dept saith that of his own knowledge he knows of no mony paid either to Jane Reeve or John Ager in this interry named but it was s? reported that the said John Reeve paid to his said sister Jane sixteen pounds a year as he long as she lived and tenn pounds a year to his sister Abigail the wife of John Ager as long as she lived towards their maintenance (Edward Bateman of Bocking)
• To the seventh interry this Dept saith that he was psent and did see John Reeve in the pleadings named subscribe his name and seale publich and declare the paper writing now produced and shewn to him this Dept at the time of this his examinacon to this interry marked with the lre (A) as and for his last will and Testament the day of the date thereof at the sign of the Cork and Bell in Chelmsford in Essex and saith that the said John Reeve did write and subscribe his name to the said paper writing as the same now appeares thereto in the prsence of this Dept...that he did see Hary Young and John Jegon whose names are subscribed as witnesses ...the said John Reeve was of sound and perfect mind memory and understanding at the time of his executing the said will and very well knew what he did and saith that the said John Reeve declared but a few days before he dyed to this Dept that he was well satisfyed with what he had done and hoped I (meaning this Dept) had made all secure to his cosen the deft Thomas Baynes for it was his reall will and desire that his cosen the sd deft Thomas Baynes should have all he had or used words to that like effect (Robert Jegon of Kelvedon)
• To the eighth Intery this Dept saith that he was well acquainted with John Reeve in the pleadings mensioned whose hand is twise sett or subscribed to the paper writing marked with the ltr (P) now produced and shown unto him and saith that the same purports an account and receipt from the said John Reeve to his tenant John Webb for two years rent due Lady day one thousand seven hundred & nineteen and saith that the names John Reeve subscribed to the sd receipts is of the proper hand writing of the said John Reeve and that the said paper writing is of this Depts own hand writing (Robert Jegon of Kelvedon)
• To the seventh interry this Deponent saith that he was present and did see John Reeve in the Interry named about four years agoe at the Cork and Bell in Chelmsford subscribe his name to and seale publish and declare the paper writing or will contained in two sheets of paper now produced and shewn to him this Depot at this the time of his examinacion marked with the letter (A) as and for his last will and Testament (Henry Young of Witham)
• To the seventh interry this Dept saith that on or about the eleventh day of January one thousand seven hundred & twenty one he this Dept did see John Reeve in the pleadings in this cause named sign seal publish and declare the paper writing containing two sheets of paper now produced and shewn to him marked with the lre (A) as & for his last will and Testament (John Jegon of Kelvedon)

As these statements clearly show, this is the John who made his will on 11 Jan 1721. It was probated 24 May 1727. Written on the side is mention of the use of the document in the above case. In his will, he describes himself as of Writtle in Essex.

Although his will states he was of Writte, this is presumably the John Reeve who was buried at Bocking on 17 Dec 1723.

Research Notes

Sources

Burial:       Bocking, St. Mary the Virgin, Essex Parish Register 1670-1796, D/P 268/1/3

1721 Complaint & Answer - Jonathan Reeve et al vs. John Reeve & Thomas Baynes - National Archives, Kew, C 11/2793/38
1726 Case Depositions - Reeve et al vs Baynes et al - National Archives, Kew, E 134/12Geo1/East24
1726 Case Depositions - Reeve et al vs Baynes et al - National Archives, Kew, E 134/12and13Geo1/Trin10
1721 Will - John Reeve - Archbishop Of Canterbury: Peculiar Of Deanery Of Bocking, D/APbW 2/138