Reeves, George

Summary

Father:
Mother:

Birth: c 1775
Birth Source: 1851 census

Death:
Death Source:

Spouse1: Elizabeth mnu

Narrative

Little is known with certainty about George's early life. There is conflicting information between the 1841 and 1851 census concerning his place of birth. In 1841 he claims birth outside of Hampshire, yet on the 1851 census he is credited with birth in Kings Somborne. The Hampshire Genealogical Society's Index of Baptisms does not have an entry around 1775 (+/-10 years) which would fit this individual. On balance, it is more probable he was not born in Hampshire.

Details of George's marriage to Elizabeth (maiden name unknown) have yet to be found but this couple baptised four children at the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, Kings Somborne in the period 1808 to 1819, namely

1. George Reeves, bapt. May 1808, marr. in 1831 to Elizabeth HOLDAWAY
2. Elizabeth Reeves, bapt. June 1811, marr. in 1834 to John HOLDAWAY
3. Charlotte Reeves, bapt Jan 1815, marr. in 1837 to James DOLTON
4. John Reeves, bapt. June 1819 Feb 1817, marr. in 1839 to Sarah LIVELY.

On the 1841 census taken on 6 June, George Reeves is head of household living at Upper Brook (a hamlet about 2 miles south south west of Kings Somborne). He is 60 years old, working as an Agricultural Labourer and does not claim birth in county (that is he was born outside of Hampshire). The only other person living in same dwelling is Ann Reeves, aged 10, who was born in county. It is highly probable this Ann is George's granddaughter by his daughter Charlotte.

At the time of the 1851 census, on 30 March, George is living in the household of John HOLDAWAY and his wife Elizabeth and their six children, where he is described as John's father in law. John Holdaway married Elizabeth REEVES in January 1834 in Kings Somborne which would support the "Father-in-law" relationship.

On the 1851 census George's age is given as 76 and his occupation is shown as "Pauper Agricultural Labourer". Strangely his marital condition is shown as "Mar(ried)", where as it is more probable he is a Widower. And his birth place along with everybody else in the household is shown as Kings Somborne. John's mother Rebecca HOLDAWAY completes the household.

George has not been identified on the 1861 census. He is not living with any of his known children although granddaughter Ann Reeves has not been traced. It is therefore probable he died in the preceding decade.

FreeBMD lists the death registration of two individuals named George Reeves in the Stockbridge Reg. Dist. in this period; the first in 1q1858 and the second in 4q1859. The more recently available GRO Index to Deaths, shows the George who died in 1858 to be 1 year old, eliminating him as a possible candidate. The George who's death was recorded in 4q1858 is shown as being 83 years old, a very strong match to this individual.

Research Notes

(1) Enumerated on the same page as George in 1841 at Lower Brook are John HOLDAWAY & Elizabeth (nee Reeves) and three children living in the household of Robert and Rebekah (sic) Holdaway, most probably John's parents.
(2) Son George Reeves is very specific on both the 1861 & 1871 census in claiming birth at "Brook, Hampshire". Brook is a hamlet within the parish of Kings Somborne.

Sources

Birth:        from 1851 Census
Baptism:  
Marriage:
Death:     GRO Index     1859, December quarter, Stockbridge Reg.Dist.
                 
1841 Census: HO107, Piece 0401, Book 12, Folio 1 reverse, Page 3
1851 Census: HO107, Piece 1672, Folio 248 reverse, Page 54
1861 Census: RG9, Piece 0686, Folio 46 reverse, Page 2 and continued on Folio 47 face, Page 3 - son George Reeves
                      RG9, Piece 0688, Folio 3x? face, Page 37 - daughter Elizabeth HOLDAWAY (widow)
                      RG9, Piece 0688, Folio 23 reverse, Page 16 - daughter Charlotte DOLTON
                      RG9, Piece 0075, Folio 25 face, Page 1 - son John Reeves