Reeves, George

Summary

Father: Edmund REEVES
Mother: Ann BROCKHURST

Birth: 1861 at East Dean, Sussex
Birth Source: FreeBMD & Census Returns

Death: probably 1934
Death Source: FreeBMD

Spouse1: Mary ANSELL/HANSELL

Narrative

George is the third known child of Edmund Reeves and his wife Ann (nee Brockhurst). His birth was registered in the fourth quarter of 1861 in the Westhampnett Registration District of (West) Sussex. George was baptised at the Parish Church of All Saints, East Dean, Sussex in January 1862.

On the 1871 census, George appears in his parent home at East Dean, Sussex, He is 9 years old, born in East Dean and a Scholar.

At the time of the 1881 census, George is most probably the individual recorded as a servant in the household of Leonard and Emma Dearling at The New Inn, Rumbolt Hill, Midhurst, Sussex. He is 19 years old and claims birth in East Dean, Sussex and is working as an Ostler.

In 1887, George marries Mary HANSELL, although elsewhere her family name is recorded as ANSELL.

Known children of George Reeves and his wife Mary (nee ANSELL/HANSELL) are

1. Claud Henry Reeves, born 1888
2. Bertie Reginald Reeves, born 1889
3. Percy Harold E. Reeves, born 1891
4. Lily Christina M. Reeves, born 1892
5. Charles Edwin Reeves, born 1895
6. Beatrice Daisy A. Reeves, born c1897
7. Violet Blanche Reeves, born 1899
8. Clarence Alfred E Reeves, born c1903

Additionally it is highly probable that Archibald George HANSELL, whose birth was registered in 1887 in the quarter prior to George and Mary's marriage, is the son of George and Mary. He appears on the 1891 census in the household of Edmund REEVES as Archibald G Reeves a grandson ¹ as well as in his parents household as Archibald George Reeves. On the 1911 census Mary notes there were 9 children born to the marriage, all of whom were then surviving.

On the 1891 census, George and Mary were living on Charles Street in Petersfield, Hampshire. George is 30 years old, claims birth in East Dean, Sussex and is working as a Coachman. In addition to George and Mary, the household comprises four sons, Archibald George REEVES (age 4 but as noted above he also appears in his grandparents household), Claud Henry (3), Bertie Reginald (19 months), Percy Harold Edmund (3 months) plus Lydia Ann ANSELL (age 37, sister but more probably George's sister-in-law).

By the time of the 1901 census, George and Mary were living on North Road, Petersfield. George is 39 years old, is working as a Livery Stable Coachman and claims birth in Chichester, Sussex. In addition to George & Mary, Claude (sic, 12), Bertie (11), Lily (8), Charles (5), Daisy (4) and Violet (1) complete the household.

A decade later and the 1911 census shows George and Mary living at 20 Osborne Road, Petersfield. George is now 49 years old and is employed as a Coachman at a Livery Stables. He was born in East Dean, Sussex. George and Mary have been married for 24 years and have had nine children, of whom all were surviving at that date. Their seven youngest children are living with them.

George's son Charles served in the Army during WW1 and died in 1918 in France. The CWGC notes that George and Mary were still living at 20 Osborne Road.²

It is highly probable George's death is that recorded in the third quarter of 1934 in the Petersfield Registration District. The age at death is noted as 72.

Sources

Birth:        FreeBMD, 1861 December quarter, Westhampnett Registration District
Baptism:  FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J364-HBB
Marriage: FreeBMD 1887, September quarter, Petersfield Registration District
Death:       probably FreeBMD 1934, September quarter, Petersfield Registration District
                 
1871 Census: RG10, Piece 1116, Folio 41 reverse, Page 10,
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 1131, Folio 7 face, Page 7
1891 Census: RG12, Piece 0946, Folio 5 face, Page 3
1901 Census: RG13, Piece 1093, Folio 36 reverse, Page 32
1911 Census: RG14, Piece 6172, Reg.Dist 106, Sub Dist. 1, Enum.Dist. 3, Schedule 174

¹     1891 census RG12, Piece 0845, Folio 40 reverse, Page 6 - son Archibald
²     CWGC http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1767449/REEVES,%20CHARLES%20EDWIN
            - Death of son Charles Edwin Reeves