Reeve, John

Summary

Father: Peter Reeve
Mother:

Birth: 3 Aug 1691, County Durham
Birth Source: Quaker Records

Death: c1743, probably Burlington County, New Jersey
Death Source: Probate

Spouse1: Sarah Simpson, m. 13 Jan 1713/4, Whitby, Yorkshire

Narrative

Children of John Reeve and Sarah Simpson:

1. Peter Reeve, b. 15 Jan 1714
2. Hannah Reeve, b. 5 Nov 1717, m. Joseph Sa(u)nders
3. Mary Reeve, b. 26 Jun 1720, m. William Rodman
4. John Reeve, b. 27 Feb 1725, d. young
5. Rachel Reeve, b. 4 Nov 1729

John Reeve was a part of the Society of Friends (Quakers). There is a certificate of removal for "John Reeves of Whitby in the County of York Mariner" and his wife signed at the Monthly Meeting for Scarborough held at Whitby, Yorshire on 1 Mar 1720 ("first day of the first Month 1719/20"). This letter was addressed "to our Friends and bretheren at Philadelphia in Pensylvania (or elsewhere) In America."

There is a certificate of removal from Philadelphia Monthly Meeting dated 24 Feb 1741 recommending John Reeve to the Friends at Burlington Monthly Meeting.

When John Reeve wrote his will in 1736, he was of the city of Philadelphia and described himself as a mariner. The will was probated in New Jersey. It mentions children Hannah, Mary, Rachel and Peter. He appointed "my loving brother Matthias Aspden" as one of the executors to his will.

We find the following marriage records which match his children:

• "Joseph Sanders of the City of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania Merchant, and Hannah Reeve, Daughter of John Reeve of the said City Merchant" married 8 Nov 1740. Witnesses include John Reeve, Mary Reeve, Dorothy Aspdin, Rachel Reeve, and others.
• On 6 Jul 1744, Mary Reeve of Philadelphia d/o of John Reeve late of Burlington deceased m. William Rodman of Burlington. Witnesses include Matthias & Dorothy Aspden, Jos & Hanah Saunders & Rachel Reeve

Notice that Dorothy Aspden was a witness for both. Her apparent husband Matthias was a witness for Mary's marriage. Since this Matthias Aspden is referred to as "my loving brother" and was made executor in John's will, it may be that Dorothy was a sister of John's. Peter Reeve and Joseph Saunders were the executors of the 1764 will of Mathias Aspden Sr. Note also that Mary's marriage record states that John Reeve was late of Burlington and deceased.

Among Philadelphia Quaker birth records, we find the following:

• Mary Reeve, b. 26 Jun 1720 d/o John & Sarah

And from Philadelphia Quaker death records, a match for his wife who died shortly before John wrote his will:
Sarah Reeves, wife of John, d. 18 Jun 1736

A marriage record from Monthly Meetings at Whitby, Yorkshire exists for John Reeve of Whitby, Mariner, "son of Peter Reeves late of Stockton in ye County of ? deceased" and Sarah Simpson daughter of Thomas Simpson of Whitby. A comparison of the witnesses to this marriage and the subscribers to his certificate of removal from the Monthly Meeting of Scarborough at Whitby make it abundantly obvious this is the same individual.

Quaker Birth records from Whitby include the following:

• Peter the son of John and Sarah Reeves was born the 15th day of ye 11th mo 1714
• Hannah ye Daughter of John and Sarah Reeves born ye 5th day of the 9th month (entry under 1717)

The marriage record of John Reeve was witnessed by a Joshua Reeve who appears to be a relative. Joshua's child's birth and death were recorded at Malton and Scarborough. His marriage record from Malton states that his parents were Peter and Sarah. It says his parents were late of London.

We find the births of John and Joshua, sons of Peter and Sarah, recorded in Stockton Quaker records, which matches the location of John's father Peter mentioned in his marriage record:

• Joshua Son of Peter and Sarah Reeve of Stockton was born the 22d Day of the 7th month called September (1688 entry)
• John the Son of Peter & Sarah Reeve of Stockton was born the 3d day of the 6th Month called August (1691 entry)

The Pennsylvania Gazette, 27 Oct 1743
All Persons indebted to the Estate of John Reeve, late of the City of Burlington, in West-New-Jersey, deceased, are desired to pay their respective Debts ; and those who have any Demands against the said Estate, are desired to bring them in that they may be adjusted, and paid as soon as Money comes in, by Matthias Aspden, Executor.

Research Notes

Note that the family Bible transcription states that Mary was born on the 28th of the sixth month.

Sources

Birth:          Durham County, Piece 1474: Monthly Meeting of Darlington: Norton (1671-1752), p21
Marriage1:  English Quaker Records, Yorkshire Piece 1351: Monthly Meeting of Pickering: Marriages (1660-1780, 1660-1780), p131

1720 Certificate of Removal - Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Minutes, 1714-1729, p203
1741 Certificate of Removal - Burlington Monthly Meeting, Births and Deaths Certificates of Removal, 1678-1805
1736 Will - John Reeve - New Jersey Will Records Vol. 4, p373
The Pennsylvania Gazette, 27 Oct 1743

1736 Death of Sarah - Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Births, Deaths and Burials, 1688-1826, p156
1740 Marriage - Hannah Reeve - Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Marriages, 1672-1759, p173
1744 Marriage - Mary Reeve - Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Marriages, 1672-1759, p196
John Reeve Family Bible