Reeves, Brewer

Summary

Father: Thomas Reeves, Sr.
Mother: Unknown

Birth: 14 Sep 1745, Virginia
Birth Source:

Death: c Nov 1799, Christian County, Kentucky
Death Source: Appraisal of the Estate of Brewer Reeves filed in Christian County Court 29 Nov 1799

Spouse1: Mrs. Martha Davis Long Smith, m. 21 Apr 1782, Rockingham, Augusta County, Virginia

Narrative

Children of Brewer Reeves and Martha Davis:

1. Richard Wise Reeves, b. 24 Jan 1783; d. 14 Mar 1784 in Virginia
2. Margaret 'Peggy' Reeves, b. 17 Dec 1784, d. 30 Aug 1799 in Kentucky
3. Benjamin Harrison Reeves, b. 21 Jan 1787, Augusta County VA
4. Archibald Stuart Reeves, b. 23 Aug 1789, Augusta Co., Virginia
5. Ottway Curry Reeves, b. 19 Jun 1792 in Kentucky
6. Willis Long Reeves, b. 9 Feb 1793 1796 in Kentucky

The source for this list of exactly six children and their names is the Family Record, by Thomas Davis Parks, see Sources below

Brewer Reeves is named in Augusta County court records of the 1770's as the brother of Thomas Reeves; however, the will of Thomas' uncle George Reeves in Spotsylvania County names several children of Thomas Reeves, Sr. but not Brewer. Brewer's brother was definitely Thomas Reeves, Jr. for he gave a deposition in the case of Herndon vs. Thomas Reeves for slaves mortgaged to Herndon by Thomas Reeves in Spotsylvania then removed to Augusta where he sold them. The deposition of Brewer Reeves in that case also mentions Thomas Reeves' wife Sarah.

Bruer Reeves, Benjamin Harrison and John Fitzwater were chosen to value the lands belonging to sundry landholders of the county. Rockingham County, February 18, 1782.

Brewer Reeves is listed on the 1784 tax list of Anthony Rader in Rockingham County, Virginia with 2 white tithes. As Bruor Reeves, he is again listed in Rockingham on the 1789 personal tax lists.

In June 1784, a petition was presented to the Rockingham County court for a road from the county line by Plain Mills to Harrisonburg. Brewer Reeves and others were appointed to make a report, and on July 26 the committee reported on a route for the road.

Brewer's brother Thomas Reeves, Jr. migrated to Kentucky a few years before Brewer and appeared on the 1792 tax list of Woodford County. In 1795, Brewer was also listed along with Thomas on the Woodford County tax list. The 1796 list does not include Brewer who appears to have moved on to Christian County where he was one of the earliest settlers.

In 1797 he was among the first justices of the court in Christian County, Kentucky. He is mentioned repeatedly in William Henry Perrin's History of Christian County, Kentucky. He is listed on the 1799 Christian County, Kentucky Tax list, along with a John, James, William Sr and William Jr.

Although there is no will on record in Christian County, Kentucky for Brewer Reeves, Will Book A lists the appraisal of his estate on page 19 and the settlement of his estate dated 6 Jun 1804 was recorded in the July term of the Christian County Court on pages 56 thru 62 of the same book.

The will of Martha Davis of Augusta County, named daughter Martha Rives (sic), December 26, 1805.

Note: There is much speculation and confusion regarding this family, specifically the children of Thomas Reeves, Sr. of Essex County and later Spotsylvania. The records of Spotsylvania, Frederick and Augusta counties in Virginia need to be thoroughly researched to document the family connections.

Please also see talk_Reeves_Brewer_3381

Research Notes

The Family Record (see Sources section below for link) written in 1878 by Dr. Thomas Davis Parks contains extensive biographical and detailed information about the lives of Brewer Reeves and his wife Martha Davis Long Smith Reeves. This section of the record concerning this family is too long to share here but for one interested in this family, it is definitely worth reading.

Sources

Augusta County, Virginia Court Records
Tax Lists of Rockingham County, Virginia
Tax Lists of Woodford County, Kentucky
1795 Census of Kentucky - Woodford County, Kentucky
History of Christian County, Kentucky by William Henry Perrin
Virginia Land, Marriage and Probate Records, 1639-1850 online database at Ancestry.com
1799 Estate Appraisal et al - Christian County KY WB A, pgs 19, 50, 56-62
1878 Family Record by Dr. Thomas Davis Parks from Archive.org