Reeves, James

Summary

Father: George Reeves, Sr.
Mother: probably Tabitha Geer

Birth: c 1785, Orange County, NC
Birth Source: Will of George Reeves, Sr.. Date on the gravestone which is reportedly very degraded has been reported as 18 Mar 1797, but that date is impossible. The date could possibly be 1787 and it the gravestone has been misread.

Death: 5 Feb 1849, Hancock County, Indiana
Death Source: Gravestone Mt. Gilead church cemetery

Spouse1: Elizabeth Madden, m. 7 Oct 1805 (Bond), Orange County, NC

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Narrative

The following are believed to be the children of James Reeves and Elizabeth Madden:

1. George Reeves, b. 1807, d. 24 Mar 1863; m. Elender Martindale on 15 Oct 1829
2. Eli Reeves, b. c1809, m. Amelia Curry
3. Allen Reeves, b. c1810, m. Susan Robins on 8 Apr 1830, m. Esther Stubbs in 1834
4. Harlan Reeves, b. 28 Aug 1811, d. 2 Nov 1876; m1. Elizabeth Brock on 16 Oct 1834, m2. Elizabeth Chappel on 10 Jul 1842 in Hancock County, Indiana
5. Sampson Reeves, b. 24 Nov 1815, d. 18 Feb 1879, m. Sarah Ann Smith on 1 Nov 1838 in Preble, OH
6. Edith Reeves, b. 1817, d. 5 Aug 1901, m. Levi Leary
7. Naomi Reeves, b. c1818, m. James H. Leary on 14 Dec 1835
8. Elizabeth Reeves, b. 26 Jul 1825, d. 17 May 1834 Aged 8 Y 3 M 21 D, buried in Mt. Gilead church cemetery
9. Sarah Ann Reeves, b. 1829
10. Harriett Reeves, b. 1 Nov 1832, d. 11 Sep 1846

There is much evidence to support the belief that George Reeves, Sr.'s wife and James's mother was Tabitha Geer, daughter of John Geer who died in Orange County in 1769. See Research Notes on George Reeves, Sr.'s page.

The 1810 Orange County, North Carolina census records the following household of James Reeves: 3 Males 0-10, 1 Male 26-44 and 1 Female 16-25.

James Reeves and his wife are recorded among the charter members of Mt. Gilead Baptist church when it was organized on August 19, 1827. Mt. Gilead was first known as Brandywine church until around 1838. Numerous members of James Reeves' family are buried in the cemetery at Mt. Gilead church.

He was a Justice of the Peace in Union Township of Hancock County from around 1838 to 1840.

The 1830 Census of Brandywine, Hancock, Indiana lists James Reaves (sic Reeves) with the following household: 1 Male 10-14, 1 Male 15-19, 1 Male 20-29, 1 Male 40-49; 3 Females 0-5, 1 Female 10-14, 1 Female 30-39

The James Reeves' household in Union, Hancock, Indiana in 1840 consists of 1 Male 5-9, 1 Male 50-59, 1 Female 5-9 and 1 Female 50-59.

By the 1850 census, 65 year old Elizabeth Reeves is a widow, her year of birth is listed as 1785 and her birthplace North Carolina. The only other member of the household is Sarah Ann Reeves, 21 years old and born in Indiana.

Research Notes

The youngest daughter, Harriett Reeves born 1 Nov 1832 is at times listed as a child of James' son George; however, the inscription on her gravestone in Mt. Gilead Cemetery reads Dau. Of (illegible) & Elizabeth Reeves, Aged 14 years. The gravestone of Elizabeth who died in 1834 at age 8 has a similar inscription, i.e. Dau. Of (illegible) & Elizabeth Reeves.

Sources

Will of George Reeves, Sr., Orange County NC Will Book D, pg. 605
North Carolina, Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868, Ancestry.com Database
1810 Census - Orange County, North Carolina
1830 Census - Brandywine, Hancock County, Indiana
1840 Census - Hancock County, Indiana
1850 Census - Hancock County, Indiana (HOH Elizabeth Reeves)