Reaves, Archibald

Summary

Father: Unknown
Mother: Unknown

Birth: 28 Jan 1775, Orange County, North Carolina
Birth Source: Family Bible

Death: 15 Sep 1839, Bedford County, Tennessee
Death Source:Family Bible & Census

Spouse1: Elizabeth Caldwell, 31 Jan 1809, Orange County, North Carolina

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Narrative

Children of Archibald Reaves and Elizabeth Caldwell:

1. Tarleton J. Reaves, b. c1810
2. Sarah Reaves, b. 14 Jan 1811, m. Alfred Campbell
3. Mary Ann Reaves, b. 4 Oct 1812, m. Thomas Newsom
4. Benjamin S. Reaves, b. c1814, m. Elizabeth
5. John Reaves, b. 19 Nov 1815, d. 16 or 22 Aug 1836
6. Archibald Reaves, Jr, b. 22 Mar 1818
7. Alexander S. Reaves, b. 14 Aug 1820
8. George Reaves, b. 14 Mar 1822
9. Elizabeth Reaves, b. 9 Feb 1821
10. Moses Reaves, b. 21 Dec 1825
11. Pleasant H. Reaves, b. 21 Jan 1828

A few of the above children need reliable documentation. A number of deeds reference many of these children as heirs of Archibald. Many of the above listed children are buried in the Reaves Cemetery in Bedford County, Tennessee whose records and photographs were the source for above dates. The headstones and early deed records list the surname as "Reaves."

For a period of about twelve years, Archibald owned a piece of land in Orange County, North Carolina in the Village at Chapel Hill. In the 1801 purchase deed, the land was described as part of lot No. 14 in the "plan of the Town adjacent to the building of the University of North Carolina." He sold this in 1814, at which time it was described as "in the Village at Chapel Hill."

The Bastardy Bonds of Orange County, North Carolina record Mary Nancy Blake naming Archibald Reeves as the father of her child. There is no date. Nancy Blake was examined by the Orange County Court on 15 Oct 1808 at which time she made a statement naming Archibald Reeves as the father of the child.

Archibald Reaves (mispelled Reives) is listed in the 1800 census of Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina as the head of a household that includes one male 16-25, one female 16-25 and one female over 45 years of age. It may be that he was still living in the home of his widowed mother along with a sister, or the younger female could also have been a first wife.

The 1810 census of Hillsborough lists an A. Reeves in a household with 1 male under 10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 16-25, 1 female 10-15 and 1 female 16-25. This listing is undoubtedly Archibald Reeves although the date doesn't completely reconcile with his age from the 1800 census. The two younger children aged 10-15 are unknown, but the male child under 10 is probably Tarlton, the first child of Archibald and Elizabeth.

Archibald first shows up in Bedford County deeds in 1816 when he received 119 acres from Daniel Johnston for $1200.

Bedford County, Tennessee's 1830 census lists an "Archa." Reeves with a household that includes 2 males under 5, 2 males 5-9, 2 males 10-14, 2 males 15-19, 1 male 50-59, 1 female 5-9, 1 female 15-19 and 1 female 50-59.

The early tax lists of Bedford County, Tennessee record Archibald Reeves presence there in 1836.

A widowed Elizabeth Reaves is listed as the head of household in the 1840 census of Bedford County.

Alexander Reeves was fined five dollars by the Bedford County Circuit court for an indictment for an affray and an assault & battery in the December 1853 term of the court ( 1853-1855, p26).

Research Notes

Archibald Reeves is recorded as the father of an illegitimate child of Nancy Blake in 1808 in Orange County:

From Orange County Births Out of Wedlock at Family Search
Blake, Nancy – Nancy Blake was pregnant when she identified Archibald Reeves as the father on 15 Oct 1808. She commenced suit against Archibald Reeves to collect child support in 1809. See images 260, 1217.

Note that the Archibald Reaves Family Bible states that he died 15 Sep 1840. However, his widow Elizabeth is found on the 1840 census in Bedford County. The census is usually conducted in June, so this date was probably recorded later in the Bible with the incorrect year.

Note also that the headstone for the son John states he died 22 Aug 1836 while the family bible states 16 Aug 1836.

Although neither Tarleton nor Benjamin are mentioned the available family Bible record, deeds and court records tie them together as children of Archibald.

Sources

Birth:          Archibald Reaves Family Bible
Marriage1:  FamilySearch - North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979
Death:        Archibald Reaves Family Bible

1800 Census:  Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina
1810 Census:  Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina
1830 Census:  Bedford County, Tennessee
1840 Census:  Bedford County, Tennessee (Elizabeth Reaves HOH)
1850 Census:  Bedford County, Tennessee (Elizabeth Reaves HOH)

Orange County NC Births Out of Wedlock at Family Search
1801 Deed - James Mitchell to Archibald Reeves - Orange County, North Carolina Deed Book 9, p286
1813 Deed - Archibald W. Reeves to Edmund R. Pitt - Orange County, North Carolina Deed Book 18, p15
1816 Deed - Daniel Johnston to Archibald Reaves - Bedford County, Tennessee Deed Book F, p560
Tennessee, Early Tax List Records, 1783-1895
Bedford County, Tennessee Circuit Court Minutes, 1853-1855, p26
Findagrave - John Reaves - Reaves Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee

broken link Reaves Cemetery, Bedford County, Tennessee