Reeves, Burgess Ransom "Byrd"

Summary

Father: James Marion Reeves
Mother: Mary Ann Childers

Birth: 14 May 1853, Georgia
Birth Source: Family Bible owned by Tommie Smith and Alabama Death Certificate

Death: 4 Aug 1941 in Castor, Bienville Parish, Louisiana
Death Source: Louisiana Death Certificate

Spouse1: Sarah "Lumie" McGee
Spouse2: Becky M.R. Rushing
Spouse3: Mrs. Rebecca Jane "Jennie" Guin Murphy, m. 24 Sep 1891 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana

Narrative

Children of Burgess Ransom Reeves and Lumie McGee:

1. Mary M. "Venie" Reeves, b. c1875
2. William Emory Reeves, b. 17 Dec 1875
3. Lou Ellen Reeves, b. 6 Sep 1879
4. Carrie L. Reeves, b. 16 Jan 1882
5. Thomas Lofton Reeves b. 10 Mar 1884

Child of Burgess Reeves and Becky Rushing:

1. John Burgess Reeves, b. 3 Aug 1890

Children of Burgess Reeves and Rebecca "Jennie" Guin:

1. Elizabeth Labell Reeves, b. Sep 1892
2. Hiram Phillip Reeves, b. Nov 1894
3. Winston Allie Reeves, b. Jan 1897
4. Jennie Reeves, b. Dec 1899
5. Thomas Christopher "Tom" Reeves, b. 1905, d. 30 Jun 1941, Bienville Parish, Louisiana, m. Carrie Hardwin
6. James Franklin "Frank" Reeves, b. 1910

After the Civil War Burgess Ransom and his siblings were together with his father James Marion and his stepmother Sarah in Roanoke Al.

He left Roanoke when he was nineteen years old and moved with no other family to Bienville Parish, Castor La. This became his permanent home. He was passionate about the playing of his fiddle and won many contests with it. He was a farmer. He and his three wives parented twelve children.

He pretty consistently seems to have gone by the nickname "Bird", appearing with this name on most census records.

The Shreveport Journal, 7 Aug 1941
Methvin Man, With Over 100 Descendants, Dies
Methvin. - Funeral services were held Tuesday at Ramah Baptist church for "Uncle" Byrd Reeves, 88, who died at his home Monday after a long illness.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jennie Reeves; five sons, Will Reeves of Buena, Texas, Lofph Reeves of Ashland, Byrd Reeves of Castor, Frank Reeves of Castor, and Harmon Reeves of Baton Rouge; five daughters, Mrs. Lou Ayers, and Mrs. Carrie Pardue of Castor, Mrs. Lizzie Bates of Ashland, Mrs. Glennie Bates of Ashland, Mrs. Glennie Bates, Hodge, and Mrs. Allie Warren, Jonesboro.
Uncle Byrd had resided in the old home place where he died for over fifty years. He has been married three times, his two former wives having died. He has 60 grandchildren and 65 great-grandchildren. He was a devoted Christian and loved by all who knew him.

His death record gives his name as Burgess R. Reeves, parents Maryon and Jenie Reeves.

Research Notes

Some of the descendants of Burgess Ransom Reeves who helped me a great deal in collecting their family history are: Mr. Donald Patrick, Mrs. Virginia Caskey, Mrs. Kathleen Tilly, and Mrs. Lizzie Bates. I am indebted to them and others. (By Tommie Reeves Smith)

Sources

Death:        FamilySearch - Louisiana Deaths, 1850-1875, 1894-1960
Burial:       Findagrave - New Ebenezer Cemetery, Castor, Bienville Parish, Louisiana

1860 Census:  Northern Division, Talladega County, Alabama (B. Reeves, M. Reeves HOH)
1870 Census:  Township 21, Randolph County, Alabama (Bird Reaves)
1880 Census:  5th Ward, Bienville Parish, Louisiana (Bird R. Reeves)
1900 Census:  Police Jury Ward 5, Bienville Parish, Louisiana (B. R. Reeves)
1910 Census:  Police Jury Ward 5, Bienville Parish, Louisiana (Birdwell Reeves)
1920 Census:  Police Jury Ward 5, Bienville Parish, Louisiana (Bird R. Reeves)

Obituary, The Shreveport Journal, 7 Aug 1941