Reeve, William

Summary

Father:
Mother:

Birth:
Birth Source:

Death: May 1799
Death Source: Probate & Burial

Spouse1: Elizabeth Marsh, m. 14 Oct 1761, South Weald, St. Peter, Essex
Spouse2: Miriam Bell, m. 9 Feb 1773, South Weald, St. Peter, Essex

Narrative

Children of William Reeve:

1. William Reeve
2. Sarah Reeve, b. c1767, m. Rev. John Thorowgood
3. John Reeve
4. Elizabeth Reeve

William describes himself as "William Reeve of Brentwood in the County of Essex Malster" in his will dated 1 Mar 1787. He mentions his wife Miriam, his brother Jonah, grocer of Bocking, and children William, Sarah, John, and Elizabeth. The will was probated 23 Nov 1799.

In William's will he gave "the house I now live in with the malting in the Back Street" to his wife Miriam. Miriam's will dated 17 Mar 1802 mentions "all that my Malthouse yard and premises...being in the Back Street in Brentwood." Her will also names as heirs "William Reeve of Chelmsford in the County aforesaid Grocer Sarah Thorowgood of Bocking aforesaid widow and John Reeve of Brentwood in the said County of Essex malster." It doesn't explicitly state these were her children, but these are presumably the same ones mentioned as William's children in his will. And therefore it's likely these were children of Elizabeth Marsh. Jonah Reeve and Joseph Reeve, both of Bocking, grocers, were named as executors to the will. Joseph was the only surviving executor when the will was probated on 9 Nov 1807 so he became sole executor. The probate also states that "Miriam Reeve the testatrix died at Braintree about the middle of June 1803."

South Weald, St. Peter's Parish register record the following:

• William Reeve of the Parish of Shenfield in the County of Essex, Batchelor, and Elizabeth Marsh of this Parish Spinster were married in this church by Banns this Fourteenth Day of October in the Year One Thousand seven hundred and sixty one by me John Territt Vicar...In the Presence of John Ballard Jonah Beckwith
• William Reeve of the Parish of Shenfield in Essex, Widower and Miriam Bell of this Parish Spinster were married in this church by Licence this Ninth Day of February in the Year One Thousand seven Hundred and Seventy Three by me John Terrill Vicar...In the presence of Jonah Reeve Nora James
• Miriam Reeve aged 79 of the Parish of Braintree in Essex was buried 21 Jun 1803 Registered 21 Jun 1803 by me F. J. W. Wollarton Vicar

This matches the age of Miriam Bell, daughter of Robert Bell of Brentwood whose baptism took place on 26 Jul 1724. This appears to confirm that this is the couple William Reeve and Miriam Bell who married at South Weald in 1773.

From Shenfield, St. Mary the Virgin, Essex Parish Register:

• William Reeve from Brentwood - 16 May (1799)

Research Notes

Sources

Marriage1:  Essex Archives - D/P 128/1/5, South Weald, St. Peter Parish Register
Marriage2:  Essex Archives - D/P 128/1/5, South Weald, St. Peter Parish Register
Burial:       Shenfield, St. Mary the Virgin, Essex Parish Register 1772-1812, D/P 295/1/3

1787 Will - William Reeve - Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Piece 1333 (Howe), folio 108 reverse
1802 Will - Miriam Reeve - Probated: Commissary of Bishop of London, D/ABW 117/2/68
Essex Archives - D/P 128/1/5, South Weald, St. Peter Parish Register
RG4, Essex Independent Registers, Piece 1752 (Brentwood, 1707-1837), folio 18