Reeves, Edward
Summary
Father: unknownMother: probably Elizabeth REEVES
Birth: c1832
Birth Source: Census Returns
Death: 1899
Death Source: FreeBMD
Spouse1: Fanny CROOK
Narrative
On the 1841 census taken on 6 June, Edward was living in the household of Elizabeth REEVES where he is shown as aged 10 and having been born within county (that is within Hampshire). Edward is the youngest member of the household. The two elder boys, Israel James is recorded simply as IJ Reeves and Samuel Reeves, the elder, are known to be the children of Charles REEVES and Elizabeth. Next listed is Matilda, who is known to be Elizabeth's illegitimate daughter and finally young Edward.At the time of the 1851 census, on 30 March, Edward is living as a lodger in the household of Samuel REEVES, the elder, and his wife Mary at 2 Longcroft Street in the St Mary's district of Southampton. He is 19 years old and claims birth in Southampton. His occupation, like Samuel's seems to read "Coal Runner" but might also be read as "Coal Burner"; the town gas works were near by and in later decades Samuel is described as a "Stoker".
In October 1854, Edward marries Fanny CROOK the daughter of Thomas CROOK at the Parish Church of St Mary, Southampton. Both are of full age and both are living on Melbourne Street. Edward claims his father was William REEVES, a dairyman. (However researchers wonder if this is a fiction to disguise his illegitimacy, see Research Note 2 below below.) Edward signs his name and Fanny makes her mark. The witnesses were John Crook (signed his name) and Eliza Crook (made her mark).
Known children of Edward Reeves and Fanny (nee CROOK) are -
- Mary Reeves, born c 1855
- Matilda Ann Reeves, baptised Jan 1857
Agnes Reeves, born c 1859See Research Note 4 below. - Ann(Annie) Reeves, baptised April 1859
- Edward Reeves, born 1861
- Frank Henry Reeves, baptised January 1864
- Henry Reeves, baptised April 1866
- William Reeves, baptised November 1869
The 1861 census shows Edward and Fanny Reeves living at 66 Melbourne Street in Southampton. Edward is head of household; he is 29 years old and born in Southampton. Aside from their three eldest daughters there are three lodgers in the household; Ellen LIGHT (22), William HORDING (27) and Jane HORDING (7) - no family connections are known. John CROOK and his wife Eliza, who were perhaps the witness at the 1854 wedding, appear on the same census page, in a neighbouring property.
On the 1871 census, Edward is living 22 Longcroft Street, Southampton. He is described as a widower, aged 40 who was born in Southampton. The only other member of the household is his daughter Annie, now aged 12. His four youngest children, sons Edward (11), Frank H(7), Henry (4) and William (1) are inmates in the Poorhouse on St Mary's Street, Southampton. Daughter Matilda(15) is living/working nearby as a Domestic Servant.
At the time of the 1881 census, Edward is living at 23 Longcroft Street, where he is head of household. He is now 50 years old and remains a widower.
The household comprises his daughter Ann Reeves (22, unmarried), his son Edward (19), his son's wife Elizabeth A (23), sons Frank H (17), Henry (15) and William (11), plus grandson Edward H (under 5 months). Samuel REEVES remains a neighbour at 21 Longcroft Street and the parents of daughter-in-law Elizabeth A (nee ELLERY) are neighbours at 22 Longcroft Street.
On the 1891 census, Edward is still living at 23 Longcroft Street, where he is again head of household. He is now 59 years old. Only two of his children are living at home, his daughter
Edward has not been identified on the 1901 census. It is most probable his is the death recorded by FreeBMD in the Southampton Registration District in 3q1899, at aged 68 years.
Research Notes
(1) Based on his appearance on the 1841 census in the household of Elizabeth REEVES and the lifelong proximity with her known son Samuel Reeves the elder, it is felt that Edward is also the son of Elizabeth. Elizabeth's husband Charles Reeves was buried in 1826, so can't be the father of this Edward born c1832. It is known that Elizabeth had at least one illegitimate child, her daughter Matilda baptised 1828 and perhaps also a second son. As a widow, it is unlikely she would have been asked to additionally bring up one of her nephew's.(2) When Edward married in 1854, he indicated that his father was William Reeves, a dairyman. It is felt this was a fiction created to mask his illegitimacy, but with an element of truth, in that Elizabeth's husband Charles was a dairyman. Charles and Elizabeth also had a older son named William, who died age 17 about the time Edward was born, which may explain the choice of William as his alleged father's name..
(3) There is also further confusion concerning Edward's identity. Family researchers are strongly of the opinion that Edward's daughter Matilda REEVES is the same individual who married Samuel Reeves, the younger under the name Matilda REED and who named her father as Edward REED. Please also see the Research Notes for Matilda REED for further information.
(4) The only reference to a daughter Agnes was based on the misreading of a very poor quality image of the 1891 census. More recently available images clearly show her name as Ann/Anne.
Sources
Birth:Baptism:
Marriage: GRO Marriage Certificate
Death: FreeBMD 3q1899, Southampton Registration District
1841 Census: HO107, Piece 0417, Book 5, Folio 41 face, page 26
1851 Census: HO107, Piece 1669, Folio 262 reverse, Page 31
1861 Census: RG9, Piece 0674, Folio 176 reverse, Page 22
1871 Census: RG10, Piece 1188, Folio 106 reverse, Page 26, Schedule 150
1871 Census: Sons in Poorhouse - RG10, Piece 1194, Folio 78 reverse, Page 18
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 1207, Folio 87 reverse, page 26, Schedule 138
1891 Census: RG12, Piece 0919, Folio 60 reverse, Page 14, Schedule 93 -