Reeves, Abraham
Summary
Father: Edward Ayearst REEVESMother: Sarah Hind ROW
Birth: 1839 in Lewes, Sussex
Birth Source: FreeBMD and Census
Death: 1929
Death Source: FreeBMD
Spouse1: Elizabeth CRIPPS
Spouse2: Thirza JEFFERY
Narrative
Abraham REEVES, is the youngest of eight known children of Thomas Reeves and his wife Ann (mnu). FreeBMD notes his birth was registered in the Lewes Registration District during the second quarter of 1839.On the 1841 census taken on 6 June, Abraham appears in his parent's home on North Street, Lewes. He was two years old and was born in county (that is to say in Sussex). Three of his siblings complete the household.
His mother Ann died in 1849 and his father Edward marries Alice WILLIAMS the following year.
At the time of the 1851 census, on 30 March, Abraham is living with his father Edward and step mother Alice on High Street, Lewes. His age is recorded as 11 and his place of birth as Lewes, Sussex.
The marriage of Abraham REEVES and Elizabeth CRIPPS is noted by FreeBMD as occurring during the third quarter of 1859 in the Lewes Registration District.
The known children of Abraham REEVES and his wife Elizabeth (nee CRIPPS) are
- Elizabeth Alice Reeves, b.reg. 1860
- Edward Ayearst Reeves, b.reg.1862
- Mercy Hannah Reeves, b.reg. 1866
- David Cripps Reeves, b.reg. 1868
A decade later and the 1861 census shows Abraham and Elizabeth living on St Johns Street in Lewes, Sussex. He is 22 years old and claims birth in Lewes, Sussex. He was working as a Grocer's Shopman. Their 10 month old daughter Elizabeth A Reeves completes the household.
Abraham Reeves, his wife Elizabeth and their children have yet to be identified on the 1871 census.
At the time of the 1881 census, Abraham and Elizabeth were living in Beckenham, Kent. Elizabeth is shown as head of household at 1&2 Alexandra Terrace and daughters Elizabeth A Reeves and Hannah Reeves are enumerated with her (schedule 172). Her occupation is shown as Missionary Wife. Schedule 173 shows a Richard ALLEN (plus wife and daughter) at 3&4 Alexandra Terrace. His occupation is Manager Coffee Tavern. There is no known family connection. Schedule 174 for the Coffee House, Alexandra Terrace lists five Lodgers including firstly Abraham Reeves, followed by his two sons (also shown as Lodgers) Edward Reeves and David C Reeves.
This 1881 census return shows Abraham was 42 years old and was born in Lewes, Sussex. His occupation is shown as Missionary. See Research Note 1 below.
It is presumed that Abraham's wife Elizabeth died sometime between the 1881 census and June 1888. Elizabeth Reeves is a relatively common name, but taking into account her age and localities, there are two strong possibilities noted at FreeBMD; both during the first quarter of 1887.
- Firstly, Elizabeth age 54 (so DoB c1833, matching the 1881 census reasonably accurately) in Uckfield Registration District.
- Secondly, Elizabeth age 57 (so DoB c1830, matching the 1861 census) in Brighton Registration District.
The marriage of Abraham REEVES and Thirza JEFFERY is noted by FreeBMD as occurring during the second quarter of 1888 in Farnham Registration District. Farnham was Thirza's home town.
The known children of Abraham REEVES and his wife Thirza (nee JEFFERY) are
- Ruth Reeves, b.reg. 1890
- Herbert Reeves, b.reg. 1891
- Thirza Reeves, b.reg. 1892
- Emma Grace Reeves, b.reg. 1894
- Ethel May Reeves, b.reg. 1895
- Frederic Reeves, b.reg. 1897
On the 1891 census Abraham and Thirza are living on Framfield Road, Uckfield. Abraham's age is given as 52 and his place of birth remains consistent as Lewes, Sussex. The first word of his occupation has been partially obliterated by subsequent annotations to the enumeration schedule, but the remainder reads ".. Evangelist Living on Own Means". Their daughter Ruth (aged 1) completes the household.
By the time of the 1901 census Abraham and Thirza have moved their family to 87 Trafalgar Road, Portslade by Sea, Sussex. Abraham is now 61 years old, born in Lewes. His occupation is given as "Missionary In Charge". Their five youngest children are living in the parental home; daughter Ruth is a visitor in Uckfield.
On the 1911 census Abraham and Thirza are now living at 105 Trafalgar Road, Portslade by Sea. Abraham notes he is 70 years old and was born at Lewes, Sussex. He and Thirza have been married for 22 years and during that marriage she as born six children, all of whom are then still surviving. He gives as his occupation Undenominational (sic non-denominational) Resident Missioner. Their son Herbert, daughters Emma Grace and Ethel May and son Frederic are all living at home. Daughter Ruth is living in the same house hold in Uckfield where her relationship is shown as "Adopted" and daughter Thirza is working in a Hospital at Streatham, London as a Nurse.
It is probable Abraham death is that noted by FreeBMD during the third quarter of 1929 within the Lambeth Registration District, London at Age 90. We know from the entry on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for his son Herbert that Abraham had moved to London.
Research Notes
(1) There is a little information regarding the Alexandra Mission House, Beckenham at http://mcleanmuir.proboards.com/thread/243/alexandra-mission-hall.Sources
Birth: 1839, June quarter, Lewes Registration DistrictBaptism:
Marriage1: FreeBMD 1859, September quarter, Lewes Registration District
Marriage2: FreeBMD 1888, June quarter, Farnham Registration District
Death: FreeBMD 1929, September quarter, Lambeth Registration District
1841 Census: HO107, Piece 1120, Book 1, Folio 44 reverse, Page 33
1851 Census: HO107, Piece 1643, Folio 562 reverse, Page 9
1861 Census: RG9, Piece 0586, Folio 92 face, Page 13
1871 Census:
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 0851, Folio 22 reverse, Page 38
1891 Census: RG12, Piece 0785, Folio 38 reverse, Page 14
1901 Census: RG13, Piece 0943, Folio 31 reverse, Page 10
1911 Census: RG14, Piece 05205, Reg.Dist. 80 (Steyning), Sub Dist. 3 (Shoreham), Enum.Dist. 3, Schedule 217