Reeves, Ellis Samuel

Summary

Father: James REEVES
Mother: Hannah Elizabeth FURZE

Birth: 1863
Birth Source: GRO Index & 1939 Register

Death: 1939
Death Source: GRO Index

Spouse1: Mary Jane STARMES

Narrative

Ellis Samuel REEVES is the fourth known child of James REEVES and his second wife Hannah Elizabeth (nee FURZE). His birth was registered during the first quarter of 1863 in the New Forest Registration District and the GRO Index to Births notes his mother's maiden name was given as FURZE.

On the 1871 census, Ellis appears as one of six children in his parent's household at Cadnam. He is recorded as being 8 years old, born Minstead, Hampshire and a Scholar.

At the time of the 1881 census, he appears as Samuel E Reeves, the oldest of four children in the household headed by his widowed mother Hannah E Reeves. He is 18 years old, unmarried and again claims birth in Minstead, Hampshire. His occupation is given as Farmer's Son, his mother being described as a Farmer of 5 acres.

FreeBMD notes the marriage registration of Ellis Samuel REEVES and Mary Jane STARMES/STURMES during the fourth quarter of 1882 in the New Forest Registration District. See Research Note 2 below.
The known children of Ellis Samuel REEVES and his wife Mary Jane (nee STARMES) are:-

1. Florence Rose Reeves, b.reg. 4q1882 mmn REEVES (sic), married WIlliam C WHITEHORN
2. Jessie Amelia Reeves, b.reg. 2q 1884 mmn HARMES (sic), married Ernest PILGRIM
3. Harry Reeves, b.reg. 4q1885 and d.reg. 2q1886
4. Lilly Reeves, b.reg. 1q1887, married Alfred GREEN
5. William Reeves, b.reg. 2q1888
6. Bessie Alice Reeves, b.reg. 1q1890, married Silas STRIDE
7. Amy Ethel Reeves, b.reg. 4q1891 and d.reg. 4q1892
8. Fred Reeves, b.reg. 2q 1893
9. Sidney Reeves, b.reg. 4q 1898

All the above births were registered in the New Forest Registration District and except where noted above the mother maiden name (mmn) was recorded as STARMES.

On the 1891 census, he appears in the village of Bartley as Samuel REEVES, now age 28, married and claims birth at Eling, Hampshire. He is employed as a Bricklayer's Labourer. In addition to his wife Jane M (sic, also 28) are their five oldest surviving children; Rose (sic 8), Jessie (7), Lily (sic, 4), William (3) and Alice (1) along with George STARMES (age 73, widowed) whose relationship is recorded as Father (rather than Father-in-Law as might be expected).

By the time of the 1901 census, Ellis S and Mary J Reeves are living in Lower Bartley. Whilst his age remains consistent (38), he now claims birth in Cadnam, Hampshire. He is again recorded as being a Bricklayer's Labourer. His wife Mary J Reeves (38) and all other family members are recorded as being born in Bartley. In addition to their seven surviving children, Florence R (18), Jessie A (17), Lilly (14), William (13), Bessie A (11), Fred (8) and Sidney (2), the houshold is again completed by George Starmes (81, a widower) whose relationship is now correctly described as Father-in-law.

On the 1911 census Ellis Samuel Reeves is living at Lower Bartley, Netley Marsh. He notes he is 48 years old and that he was born in Minstead Parish, Hampshire. He is employed as a Bricklayer's Labourer. The subsequent line for his wife Mary Jane (48) notes they have been married for 28 years and that she has had nine children, seven of whom are then surviving and that two have died. The household is completed by William (23, single), Fred (17, single) and Sidney (12).

From the index to the 1921 census it would appear that Ellis Samuel and Mary Jane remain in Bartley. The household includes Sidney and two others.

It is likely that Ellis's wife's death registration is that noted in FreeBMD during the first quarter of 1935 in the New Forest Registration District as Mary J Reeves, age 72 (so born c1863, which is consistent).

Ellis Samuel Reeves appear on the 1939 Register at "The Cottage", Woodlands, Netley Marsh, in the household of Ernest PILGRIM and Jessie A PILGRIM, his now married daughter. He is widower and gives his date of birth as 08 January 1863 (which fits well with the Birth Registration noted above). His occupation is "Retired Builders Labourer". See Research Note 3 below.

The GRO Index to Deaths has an entry during the fourth quarter of 1939 for Ellis Samuel Reeves in the New Forest Registration District aged 76 (so born c1863 which matches our subject well).

Research Notes

(1) On the 1881 census, the enumerator has added in the final column (reserved to record various disabilities) for each dwelling "Thorngate H^d". Historically the Parish of Minstead was a detached portion of the Hundred of Thorngate, the bulk of whic is to the north of Minstead.

(2) Images of the GRO Index to Marriages (available from FreeBMD) for the December quarter of 1882 clearly show two entries. The first is for Mary Jane STARMES and the second for Mary Jane STURMES. Both entries share the same GRO Reference to the New Forest Registration District, Vol 2b page 1293

(3) On both the 1911 census and the 1939 Register, the neighbouring property is described as "Melbourne House" and on both occasions is occupied by Herbert Light and his family (no know relationship), so it in unlikely that Ellis has moved during the intervening period.

Sources

Birth:        GRO Index   1863, March quarter, New Forest Registration District
Baptism:  
Marriage: FreeBMD     1882, December quarter, New Forest Registration District
Death:      GRO Index   1939, December quarter, New Forest Registration District
                 FamilySearch
1871 Census: RG10, Piece 1184, Folio 74 reverse, Page 8, Schedule 37 - HoH James Reeves
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 1202, Folio 64 face, Page 13, Schedule 53 - HoH Hannah E Reeves
1891 Census: RG12, Piece 0912, Folio 57 face, Page 13, Schedule 52
1901 Census: RG13, Piece 1052, Folio 137 reverse, Page 10, Schedule 73
1911 Census: RG14, Piece 5929, Registration District 98, Enumeration District 7, Schedule 112
1921 Census:
1939 Register: RG101, Piece 2386j, Registration District 96, Sub District 2, E.D. Letter Code EENK, Schedule 126