Reeves, Benjamin
Summary
Father: Asa Reeves (adopted father)Mother: Sarah Unknown (surname is listed in various online sources as Lambert but there is no documentation)
Birth: 1760, Prince William County, Virginia
Birth Source: Asa Reeves' Will Probated 3 Nov 1823 names adopted son Benjamin Reeves
Death: 1830, Mason County, Kentucky
Death Source: Biography of son Benjamin F. Reeves and Mason County Will Records Vol H, p. 496
Spouse1: Mary Crooke
Spouse2: Nancy Doing, m. 16 Oct 1820 in Mason County, Kentucky
Narrative
Children of Benjamin Reeves and Mary Crooke:- Elizabeth Reeves "Betsy", m. Peter Driskell on 28 Mar 1809
- Susan Reeves
- Fanny Reeves, m. Jeremiah Masterson on 1 Oct 1814
- Thomas Reeves
- Benjamin F. Reeves
- John Reeves
- Reason Reeves
The family are of English descent, having crossed the Atlantic at an early day and settled in Virginia, where Asa Reeve, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born and grew to manhood, was married and raised his family, removing afterward to Fleming County, Ky., where he died about 1817, at an advanced age. Mr. Reeve's father's name was also Benjamin, and he was born in Virginia about 1760, where he was married to Miss Mary Crook, the daughter of Hezekiah Crook, natives of Virginia. By this marriage were born seven children, as follows: Elizabeth, Susan, Fanny, Thomas, Benjamin F., John and Reason Reeve, all of whom are dead...his parents moved from Virginia to Mason County, Ky., and settled six miles below Maysville near the Ohio River. Here his father died in 1830, at the age of 70, his wife having died a few years previous.
The probate records of Mason County, Kentucky indicate that Benjamin Reeves married after the death of Mary Crooke, probably to Nancy Doing in 1820. There is an assignment of dower to Mrs. Nancy Reeves, widow of Benjamin Reeve recorded in Vol. H of the Mason County Will Records at page 496.
His son's biography implies that he lived in Mason County from c1795 until his death in 1830. He appears to be the Benjamin Reeves listed on on the 1810 census there and the "Benjn" Reeves listed there in 1820.
The widow Nancy is also listed repeatedly among the buyers at the estate sale of Benjamin Reeve, along with other family members Peter Driskell, Susan Reeve, Jeremiah Masterson, T(homas) Reeve and Benjamin F. Reeve who was the administrator. (Mason County Will Records Vol. I-J, p.94-99)
It appears that several children were born during Benjamin's second marriage for in the 1840 census, Mrs. Nancy Reeves is listed in Mason County with a household that includes 1 male 20-29, 1 female 15-19, 1 female 5-9 and 1 female 40-49.
In the 1850 census, Nancy Reeve(s) is listed in the household of Ignatius Reeve(s) in Mason County which would support the belief that Ignatius is the male age 20-29 in her household in 1840 and another child of Benjamin Reeve. The 1860 census lists her name as Nanny Reeves and again Ignatius is a member of the household.
Nancy appears to have left a will recorded in Spencer County, Indiana which names her daughter Mary F. Sidwell. Mary F. Reeves was married to Edgar M. Sidwell in Mason County, Kentucky, bond dated 5 Jan 1842. The bond was held by Ignatius Reeves which further ties these individuals together.
Sources
1810 Census: Mason County, Kentucky1820 Census: Mason County, Kentucky
Fleming County Will of Asa Reeves, Probated 3 Nov 1823. WB C, p 106
Rush County, Indiana, Historical Atlas, 1879
Mason County Will Records Vol H, p. 496
IBID Vol. I-J, p.94-99
1860 Will - Nancy Reeves - Spencer County, Indiana Will Book Volume 1 (1853-1880), p142