Reeves, Elijah

Summary

Father: Probably Thomas Reeves
Mother: probably Jane MNU

Birth: c1740, Virginia (?)
Birth Source:

Death: c1812, Fleming County, Kentucky
Death Source: Fleming County Order Book C, p343

Spouse1: Margaret "Peggy" MNU

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Narrative

Children of Elijah Reeves and Margaret MNU:

1. Spencer Reeves, b. c1770, m. Susannah Reeves d/o Asa Reeves
2. Jane "Jenny" Reeves, b. c 1774, m. Anthony Worley to Scioto County, Ohio
3. Thomas Reeves, b. c1776
4. Benjamin Reeves, b. c1770
5. Elijah Reeves, b. c1781
6. Elizabeth Reeves, m. William Rice on 13 Apr 1802, Fleming County, Kentucky
7. Margaret "Peggy" Reeves
8. Rhoda "Rhody" Reeves

Elijah Reeves' origins are unknown although it may be possible that he was related to Benjamin and Asa Reeves of Virginia and Mason County, Kentucky, possibly a nephew, the child of their brother Thomas.

Thomas Reeves was the owner of an account at Daniel Payne's store in Dumfries between 1759 and 1763 (the only period for which the store ledger survives). His account, recorded in folio 90, includes a debit entry for 28 January 1761, that included an apparent purchase of fiddle strings by his son Elijah, for which Elijah was 4 pence short, the 4 pence being added to Thomas' other purchases of the day.

This Reeves family reportedly traveled to Kentucky together with the Elisha DeWitt and Timothy Downey families on the Ohio River in the 1780's. There Elijah Reeves settled in a new village called Washington in the settlement of Limestone.

Elijah appears in Mason County, Kentucky records by late 1789 when he is mentioned in an order concerning case Abraham Leforge vs. William Ralston (OB A, p37).

Elijah and his son Spencer both appear on the tax list in Mason County, Kentucky in 1792, possibly earlier. He first bought land in 1794 in Mason County, part of which became Fleming County.

Elijah appears in Fleming County records by July 1799 when he is listed as surety for obtaining the probate on the will of Thomas Mills (Order Book A). He is listed on the tax list for Fleming County in 1800.

An Order entry from Fleming County from 2 Nov 1812 establishes that he died prior to that date:

On motion of Spencer Reeves (who made oath according to law & together with James Byers & James Filson his securities entered into & acknowledged their bond in the penalty of Four hundred dollars) Certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration in due form of law on the estate of Elijah Reeves deceased

The Inventory to his estate was taken 26 Feb 1813 in Fleming County.

There are several heirs deeds from Fleming County which establish the children of Elijah, the earliest from 1816. A deed from 1817 names all the heirs as follows: "Thomas Reeves Elijah Reeves Spencer Reeves Benjamin Reeves, William Royse, Elizabeth his wife and Anthony Worley & Jinney his wife Peggy Reeves, Rody Reeves & Peggy Reeves Senr widow of Elijah Reeves deceased all of Fleming County & State of Kentucky except Thomas Reeves & Anthony Worley & Jinny his wife of the State of Ohio & County Sciota of the one part all lawful heirs of Elijah Reeves."

Sources

Death:        Fleming County, Kentucky Order Book C, p343, entry 2 Nov 1812

1810 Census:  Fleming County, Kentucky

Mason County, Kentucky Tax Lists
Mason County, Kentucky Order Book A, entry 25 Nov 1789
Fleming County, Kentucky Order Book A, entry 8 Jul 1799
Fleming County, Kentucky Will Book A, p272 (Inventory)
The Early History of Falmouth, Pendleton Co, KY Dec. 10, 1793 - Feb. 20, 1837, p. 9
1794 Deed - Lewis Craig & wife to Elijah Reves - Mason County Kentucky Deed Book A, 1789-1794, pp. 363-364
1816 Deed - Elijah Reeves Heirs to James Tinsley - Fleming County, Kentucky Deed Book G, p201
1817 Deed - Elijah Reeves Heirs to John Mahana - Fleming County, Kentucky Deed Book G, p148
1817 Deed - Elijah Reeves Heirs to Elisha Hurd - Fleming County, Kentucky Deed Book H, p180
1819 Deed - Elijah Reeves Heirs to Elijah Reeves Jr. - Fleming County, Kentucky Deed Book I, p233
1820 Deed - Elijah Reeves Heirs to Samuel Tilson - Fleming County, Kentucky Deed Book I, p452
1830 Deed - Elijah Reeves Heirs to Milly Penland - Fleming County, Kentucky Deed Book Q, p59