Reeves, George, Jr.

Summary

Father: George Reeves, Sr.
Mother: Jane Burton

Birth: c1773, Virginia
Birth Source: Probate of Estate of George Reeves, Sr. and age estimate from census and Virginia tax lists

Death: 1811, Ashe County, North Carolina
Death Source: Ashe County Probate Records and Estate Files

Spouse1: Jane Osborne

Narrative

Children of Jane Osborne and George Reeves are:

1. Jesse Reeves, b. c1795, d. 1834, m. Margaret "Peggy" Cox
2. Mary Polly Reeves, b. 20 Nov 1798, d. 29 Dec 1894, m. Alexander B. McMillan
3. Enoch Reeves, b. 18 May 1801, NC; d. 18 Jun 1871 Alleghany County, NC, m. Mary McMillan
4. Nancy Reeves, b 23 Apr 1804, d. 14 Dec 1901, m. Hardin Cox
5. Rebecca Reeves, b. c1809, m. Allen Gentry
6. George T. Reeves, b. 15 Mar 1811; d. 5 Mar 1881 Alleghany County, NC, m. Nancy Fields

The following child previously listed has been removed based upon recent research. See Research Notes for details.
Cynthia Reeves, b. c1810, d. before 1838

The above children are documented in the Ashe County will of Jane Osborne Reeves Edwards with the exception of the daughter Cynthia who is currently undocumented. [Ashe WB A:23]

On the 1793 tax lists of Wythe County, Virginia, George Reeves is listed with 2 male tithes but son Jesse was listed individually as an adult indicating he was already 21 years of age. The two males in 1793 were surely George, Sr. and George Jr. who had apparently reached the age of 21 by 1794 when he was listed as an adult in the Grayson County tax lists.
George Reeves Sr., and George Reeves Jr, are both listed as having 1 male over 21 on the 1800 Grayson County Personal Property Tax List. In 1805, the Grayson County Personal Property Tax List includes John Reeves in addition to George Reeves, Sr. and George Reeves, Jr. These three, George, Sr., George, Jr. and John Reeves were listed again on the 1810 Grayson County Tax List.

George Reeves was recorded as a Captain of the militia, Grayson County on March 24, 1807 and George Reeves, Jr. was a Constable of Reeves’ Company, Grayson County on the same date.

George Reeves Jr. was killed by his brother-in-law William Toliver, the husband of his sister Susanna Reeves. This took place in Ashe County, North Carolina in 1811. The trial was held in Wilkes County and William Toliver was acquitted of murder but sentenced to three years for manslaughter. After this he is said to have sold his lands in Ashe County and left.

On the 8th of November 1818, George's widow Jane Osborne Reeves married David Edwards in Ashe County.

Solomon Osborne Edwards, son of Jane Osborne Reeves and David Edwards, was sued by his half brother George T. Reeves contesting Jane's will over the disposition of slaves in her will. The case went to the NC State Supreme Court and was found in favor of Solomon Edwards.

Research Notes

Cynthia Reeves was assumed to have been a child of George Reeves, Jr., born circa 1810, and died before 1838 because she wasn't listed in the settlement of his estate has been found not to have been his child. The Cynthia Reeves in various court documents and especially a chancery suit between the heirs of George Reeves, Jr. was actually the child of Jesse Reeves, son of George, Jr. A thorough review of the Chancery Case #1846-001 wherein the heirs of Jesse Reeves s/o of George, Jr. filed suit against the heirs of Jesse Reeves does not mention Cynthia as a child of George Reeves, Jr.. It names all of the heirs of George Reeves, Jr. but no Cynthia. The Petition to Divide the Estate of George Reeves, Jr. also does not name a child Cynthia other than the daughter of Jesse Reeves. Additionally the 1847 will of Jane Osborne Reeves Edwards mentions no daughter Cynthia.

Sources

Grayson County VA Tax Lists
Antebellum Grayson County, Virginia Militia
Ashe County NC Court Orders
Grayson County VA Chancery Case #1846-001, Library of Virginia Chancery Index
Petition to Divide the Estate of George Reeves, Jr.
Will of Jane Osborne Reeves Edwards, Ashe NC Will Book A p23
Cases at Law in the Supreme Court of North Carolina by Hamilton C. Jones, pub 1855