Reeves, George

Summary

Father: probably George REEVES
Mother: probably Lucy STONESTREET

Birth: c1806
Birth Source: Census

Death: 1891
Death Source: FamilySearch and FreeBMD

Spouse1: Charlotte SUSANS

Narrative

George REEVES was very consistent across many census returns that he was born in Mayfield, Sussex in 1806 (give or take a year). However, it is probable he was the son of George REEVES and Lucy (nee STONESTREET) who was baptised at the Parish Church of St Dunstan, Mayfield in December 1804. He had an elder brother Richard REEVES and beyond that nothing further is known of his early life.

FamilySearch notes the marriage of George REAVES (sic) and Charlotte SUSANS in August 1830 at the Parish Church of St Dunstan, Mayfield.
The known children of George REEVES and Charlotte (nee SUSANS) are

1. Ann Reeves, born c1832
2. Harriet Reeves, born c1833
3. Boaz Reeves, born c1836
4. George Reeves, b.reg. 1838
5. Ruth Reeves, b.reg. 1842
6. Naomi Reeves, b.reg. 1847
7. William Reeves, b.reg. 1849
8. John Reeves, b.reg. 1851

The birth of each of their five youngest children was registered in the Uckfield Registration District.

On the 1841 census taken on 6 June, George and Charlotte are living at Bayley Yard, Buxted, Sussex. George is enumerated has having been born in county (that is to say in Sussex) and was employed as an Agricultural Labourer. Their four eldest children, Ann, Harriet, Boaz and George are living with them.

By the time of the 1851 census, on 30 March, George and Charlotte have moved to Shottens Hill, Rotherfield, Sussex. George is now 45 years old and gives his place of birth as Mayfield, Sussex. He is working as an Agricultural Labourer. In addition to his wife Charlotte (age 42, born Waldron, Sussex), the household includes their children Harriet (18, Buxted), Boaz (15, Buxted), George (13, Buxted), Ruth (9, Buxted), Naomi (4, Mayfield) and William (2, Rotherfield).

A decade later and the 1861 census shows George and Charlotte living in the hamlet of Five Ashes in the parish of Mayfield, Sussex. George is now 54 years old and again claims birth in Mayfield. In addition to his wife, Charlotte (age 52), their sons George (23), William (11) and John (9, Rotherfield) are listed. George is specifically enumerated as "George Reeves Jun^r". Sharing the same dwelling, but enumerated alone on the next schedule is a "George Reeves Sen^r". His relationship is shown as a Lodger, but it is strongly suspected this is our subject's father.

On the 1871 census, George and Charlotte are again to be found in Five Ashes, Mayfield. George is now 65 years old and now working as Gardener (Domestic). In addition to Charlotte (61), their children William (32), John (19) and Naomi(24) complete the household.

At the time of the 1881 census, George and Charlotte are still living in Five Ashes, Mayfield, but they now live alone. He is now 75 years old and his occupation is still a Gardener. Charlotte is 73 years old. Both remain consistent about their place of birth, Mayfield and Waldron, respectively.

On the 1891 census, George and Charlotte are to be found at No. 1 Orchard Cottages, Mayfield. George is now 85 and again gives his occupation as Gardener Domestic. Charlotte is 83.

Neither George nor Charlotte have been identified on the 1901 census. It is probable that George's death is that registered during the second quarter of 1891 in the Uckfield Registration District, age 85. Although not specific about the parish, FamilySearch also notes a Sussex burial in June 1891 of a George Reeves, age 85.

Research Notes

(1) It is likely that George's wife Charlotte died very shortly after George. FamilySearch notes a second Sussex burial also in June 1891 (and less than a fortnight after George's burial) of a Charlotte Reeves, age 75 (sic). Whilst there is no corresponding death registration for a Charlotte Reeves in the Uckfield Registration District, there is one in the Stepney (London) Registration District, again age 75 (sic). This location fits with the known location of their married daughter Naomi on the 1891 census.

Sources

Birth:       
Baptism:   FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJD6-5M3J
Marriage: FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NK4H-G3N
Death:      FreeBMD     1891, June quarter, Uckfield Registration District
Burial:     FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J8T5-32J
                 
1841 Census: HO107, Piece 1116, Book 1, Folio 7 reverse, Page 7
1851 Census: HO107, Piece 1640, Folio 130 reverse, Page 14
1861 Census: RG9, Piece 0574, Folio 114 reverse, Page 8
1871 Census: RG10, Piece 1051, Folio 55 reverse, Page 16
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 1051, Folio 23 reverse, Page 16
1891 Census: RG12, Piece 0783, Folio 47 face, Page 9