Reeves, Edward Ayearst
Summary
Father: Thomas REEVESMother: Ann AYEARST
Birth: c 1793, Benenden, Kent
Birth Source: Baptism and Census
Death: 1865, Sussex
Death Source: FreeBMD
Spouse1: Sarah Hind ROW
Spouse2: Alice Walter WILLIAMS
Narrative
Edward Ayearst REEVES is the second of eight known children of Thomas Reeves and his wife Ann (nee AYEARST). He was baptised in August 1793 at the Parish Church of St George in Benenden, Kent. Edward's rather uncommon second given name is a reflection of his mother's maiden name. Nothing more is presently known about his early life.
Edward Ayearst REEVES married Sarah Hind ROW during June 1816 at Petworth in Sussex. See Research Note 1 below.
The known children of Edward Ayearst Reeves and Sarah (nee ROW) are
- Emma Reeves, bapt. 1817
- Sarah Rose Reeves, bapt. 1819 and see Research Note 2 below.
- Caroline Reeves, bapt. 1820
- Edward Reeves, bapt. 1823
- Susannah Reeves, bapt. 1825
- James Row Reeves, bapt. 1826
- John Reeves, born c 1831 Sussex
- Abraham Reeves, b.reg. 1839 Sussex
On the 1841 census taken on 6 June, Edward and Sarah Reeves were living on North Street in Lewes, Sussex. Edward's age is noted as 45 and he was not born in county (that is to say not in Sussex). His occupation seems to be recorded as "Cl." perhaps an abbreviation for Clerk. Their children Emma (24), Caroline (20), John (10) and Abraham (2) along with a Mary Ann COPPARD (18, no occupation noted) complete the household.
The death of Edward's wife Sarah Hind Reeves was registered during the third quarter of 1849 in Lewes Registration District and in the first quarter of 1850 FreeBMD notes the marriage of Edward Ayearst REEVES to Alice Walter WILLIAMS. Alice was several years Edward's senior and there were no children born to this marriage.
At the time of the 1851 census, on 30 March, Edward and Alice Reeves were living on High Street in the Parish of St Thomas in the Cliffe, Lewes, Sussex. Also known as St Thomas at Cliffe, this area is on the east bank of the River Ouse. Edward's age is noted as 57 and his place of birth as Benenden, Kent. He is a Master Grocer employing one man. Edward's new wife Alice W Reeves is aged 65 and she was born in Marden, Kent. In addition to Edward's son Abraham (aged 11, born Lewes, Sussex) the household is completed by Sarah A DEVALL (18, a general servant, born Ringmer Sussex).
A decade later and the 1861 census shows Edward and Alice Reeves were still living on High Street in the Parish of St Thomas in the Cliffe, Lewes, Sussex. Edward in now 67 years old and again claims birth in Benenden, Kent. His occupation is again Grocer. Edward's daughter Caroline (aged 40, born Benenden) is living with them and she is working as a Grocer's Assistant. The household is completed by Kessia CLARKE (20, a house servant, born Wadhurst).
Neither Edward nor Alice have been identified on the 1871 census. FreeBMD notes the death of Alice Walter REEVES during the fourth quarter of 1862 and of Edward Ayearst REEVES during the first quarter of 1865 both within the Lewes Registration District.
Research Notes
(1) Although Petworth is about 65 miles distant from Benenden, based on the the relatively uncommon second given name there is little doubt that this is the marriage of our current subject.(2) On both her 1841 marriage registration and her 1885 death registration, Sarah's second given name appears as ROW, reflecting her mother's maiden surname.
(3) By the time of the 1861 census Edward's son also called Edward had established his photographic business at the western end of Lewes High Street, at number 159.
Sources
Birth:Baptism: FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7RD-M2V
Marriage1: FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N29Q-6JT
Marriage2: FreeBMD 1850, March quarter, Lewes Registration District
Death: FreeBMD 1865, March quarter, Lewes Registration District
1841 Census: HO107, Piece 1120, Book 1, Folio 44 reverse, Page 33
1851 Census: HO107, Piece 1643, Folio 562 reverse, Page 9
1861 Census: RG9, Piece 587, Folio 35 face, Page 7