Reeves, James

Summary

Father: James REEVES
Mother: Hannah Elizabeth FURZE

Birth: c 1856
Birth Source: Birth Registration & Baptism

Death:
Death Source:

Spouse1: Emma Frances FIFORD

Narrative

James REEVES is the oldest known child of James REEVES and his second wife Hannah Elizabeth (nee FURZE). His birth was registered during the first quarter of 1856 in the New Forest Registration District and the GRO Index to Births notes his mother's maiden name was given as FURZE. He was baptised at the Parish Church of St Mary, North Eling, in the village of Copythorne, Hampshire in March 1856.

At the time of the 1861 census, James appears with his parents at Bartley, Hampshire and two younger brothers. He is 5 years of age, was born at Eling, Hampshire and is a Scholar.

On the 1871 census, James again appears with his parents, now at Cadnam, Hampshire. He is now 15 years old and working as an Agricultural Labourer. His place of birth is again given as Eling.

FreeBMD notes the marriage of James REEVES and Emma Frances FIFORD during the fourth quarter of 1877 in the New Forest Registration District.
The known children of James REEVES and his wife Emma Frances (nee FIFORD) are:-  

1. Emma Martha Reeves, b.reg. 1879, married Edwin SCLATER
2. Elsie Maude Reeves, b.reg. 1882, married William GREEN

The births of both daughters were registered in the New Forest Registration District and the GRO Index to Births shows the mother's maiden name as FIFORD on both occasions.

At the time of the 1881 census, James, along with his wife Emma and daughter Emma where living at Cadnam, Hampshire. He claims to be 26 years old and remains consistent about being born at Eling, Hampshire. He is working as a Labourer. Charles FIFORD (20), who is described as "wife's brother" completes the household. See Research Note 1 below.

On the 1891 census, James is again living at Cadnam. He now claims to be 35 years of age, born Eling and is working as an Agricultural Labourer, His wife Emma F (also age 35), daughters Emma M (12) and Elsie M (8) along with Rose FIFORD (age 20, single, niece) complete the household. See Research Note 2 below.

By the time of the 1901 census, James and family are to found at Bartley, Hampshire. He now claims to be 43 years old but his place of birth are consistent with prior returns. He is now working on his own account as a General Dealer. His wife Emma (also 43) and daughters Emma (22, single) and Elsie M (18 and also single) complete the household.

On the 1911 census James and Emma are again to be found at Bartley, living in Ivy Cottage. James indicates he is 55 years old and was born in Copythorne, Hampshire. He works as a Farm Labourer. His wife Emma Francis (sic) Reeves is 54 years old and they have been married 33 years. She has had two children who are both then still living. He then list his son-in-law William Green (33 and also a Farm Labourer) and his daughter Emma Martha GREEN, who is 32 years of age and has been married for eight year. He notes she has given birth to two children, one of whom is still living and one of whom has died. His surviving grandson William Maurice GREEN, who is just two years old, completes his household.

It is likely James was still alive at the time of the 1921 Census. The index to the census indicate there is a James Reeves of the right age living in the civil parish of Copythorne, along with Emma Martha and three others.

Neither James Reeves nor his wife Emma have been identified on the 1939 Register. It is possible he is the James Reeves whose death is noted in FreeBMD during the second quarter of 1936 in the New Forest Registration District, age 79, so born around 1853, which is not a perfect match for our subject. FreeBMD also notes the death of an Emma F REEVES during the fourth quarter of 1931 in Southampton Registration District, age 77, so born around 1854. The GRO Index to Deaths confirms her full name as Emma Frances REEVES. Whilst the age at death is a good match for our subject's wife, the location, the neighbouring Reg. Dist. of Southampton, would suggest further research would be beneficial.

Research Notes

(1) Charles Fiford, who appears on the 1881 census as James's "wifes brother" can be found on the 1861 census, along with his older sister Emma in the household of their parents William and Martha FIFORD at Bartley, Hampshire. On the 1861 census Charles is just 1 year old and Emma 7 years old; a good match for both of them. (RG9,Piece 0672, Folio 27 face, Page 15, Schedule 15)

(2) Rose Fiford, present in James's household on the 1891 census, claims birth on the Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight Family History Society's database of birth registrations notes a Rosina Winifred FIFORD whose birth was registered during 1870 in the Godshill Registration Sub-district, with mother's maiden name of SOFFE. On the 1901 census Rosina W FIFORD appears at 3 Devonshire Terrace, Ventnor, Isle of Wight in a family context. Her parents are Alfred W FIFORD (58, born Eling, Hampshire) and Jane FIFORD (also 58, born Minstead,Hampshire). There are three younger siblings, all born Ventnor, Isle of Wight. (RG13, Piece 1031, Folio 92 reverse, Page 38, Schedule 247)

On the 1861 census Alfred William Fiford (age 18, so born about 1843) and Emma Fiford (age 7, born c1854) both appear in the household of William Fiford and his wife Martha noted in (1) above.

Sources

Birth:        GRO Index   1856, March quarter, New Forest Registration District
Baptism:  
Marriage: FreeBMD     1877, December quarter, New Forest Registration District.
Death:     
                 
1861 Census: RG9, Piece 0672, Folio 28 face, Page 17, Schedule 83 - HoH James Reeves
1871 Census: RG10, Piece 1184, Folio 74 reverse, Page 8, Schedule 37 - HoH James Reeves
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 1204, Folio 6 reverse, Page 4, Schedule 19
1891 Census: RG12, Piece 0912, Folio 5 face, Page 3, Schedule 21
1901 Census: RG13, Piece 1052, Folio 85 face, Page 17, Schedule 108
1911 Census: RG14, Piece 5929, Reg. Dist. 98 (New Forest), Sub Dist. 3 (Eling), Enumeration Dist. 5, Schedule 151
1921 Census:
1939 Register: