Reeves, James

Summary

Father: possibly William Reeves
Mother:

Birth: c1765 probably Greenville, South Carolina
Birth Source: Age Estimated from 1820 Census

Death: c1850, possibly Obion County, Tennessee or Arkansas
Death Source:

Spouse1: Nancy Goodwin

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Narrative

Children of James Reeves and Nancy Goodwin:

1. Susan Reeves, b. c1801
2. Jesse Goodwin Reeves, b. c1803, Christian or Trigg County, KY; d. 1829, Obion County, TN.; m. Mahala Nedry, Obion County, TN
3. William Reeves, b. c1805; d. c1820.
4. Samuel Reeves, b. d1808, Christian or Trigg County, KY; m. Elizabeth Purvis, 7 Jun 1829, Obion County, TN
5. Urias Reeves, b. c1810, Christian County, KY; d. c1848, Obion County, TN.; m. Martha Boyett, 13 Apr 1833, Obion County, TN
6. Elizabeth Reeves, b. c1812; m. W. Dickerson
7. Leah Reeves, b. c1814, Christian County, KY; d. c1865, Obion County, TN; m. William C. Miles, 24 Dec 1829, Obion County, TN
8. Lettie Reeves, b. c1816, Poss. Christian County, KY; m1 John Nedry on 5 Mar 1838, Obion County, TN; m2 Thomas H. Boyett, 22 Sep 1850, Obion County, TN
9. Nancy Reeves, b. 1820, Gallatin County, IL; d. c1860, Sebastian or Scott County, AR; m. Thomas Boyett, 1 Jan 1838 in Obion County, TN
10. Bethel (Chester) Reeves, b. c1822, Gallatin County, Illinois; m. Harriet Jane McNeely, 15 Jan 1844, Obion County, TN

Above children documented in 1841 will of their grandfather, Jesse Goodwin.

According to family Dawes depositions taken in 1896, James Reeves was half Cherokee but the application was rejected by the courts.

James G. Reaves is recorded as receiving a grant for 237 acres on both sides of Beaver Dam Creek in Spartanburg County in August of 1794. Grant is recorded in Greenville SC Grant Book D, Pg. 291. He then sold this land to Samuel Jamison on 30 Jul 1795 (DB D, p453).

He appeared in the 1800 Second Census of Kentucky in Christian County along with a John Reeves, William Reeves and another unidentified William Reeves. There is evidence to indicate that James had migrated to Kentucky from South Carolina after his marriage to Nancy Goodwin. Whether there was a family connection between James and John Reeves is unknown but both a James and John Reeves are recorded in the 1790 census of Greenville County, South Carolina but in no other census are they found there. Additionally, a William Reeves and an older William Reeves are both recorded in adjoining Spartanburg County, SC in 1790 but by 1800 have left the area. These may not be the same four individuals, but there are numerous indications that they are, including the presence of several other residents of the Greenville/Spartanburg area with connections to the Reeves family in Christian County, Kentucky as well.

The elder William Reeves (referred to as "Sr." in some deeds) is also associated in deeds with James. From Spartanburg County, South Carolina deeds compiled by Gerald Witt:
Page 177-Deed Book F, Page 401-402-Aug 19, 1795-William Reeves (Spartanburgh) to James Smith (same); for £100 sold 200 acres on both sides of S fork of Pacolet River; border: NW & SE-remainder of grant, SW-Samuel Fowler, and SE-William McClure; where William Reeves lives; part of grant to Joseph White then in North Carolina and granted “again” Feb 3. 1775 Gov. William Bull to Mathew Harper, Sr. Witness: John McGuyne, Thomas Alexander and James Reeves. Signed William Reeve’ mark. Wit: oath Nov 30 1795 John McGuyne to James Hooper. Recorded: Dec 30, 1799.
From Spartanburg County/District South Carolina, Deed Abstracts Book A-T (1785-1827) by Albert Bruce Pruitt

After leaving Christian County, Kentucky, the family is found in Gallatin County, Illinois in the 1820 Illinois census but by 1830 had moved to Obion County, Tennessee. This James Reeves is not listed as head of household in that census, but very probably the male 50-59 living in the household of his son Urias .

Sources

Spartanburg County/District South Carolina, Deed Abstracts Book A-T (1785-1827) by Albert Bruce Pruitt p. 176, DB F:398-400
Greenville SC Grant Book D, Pg. 291
1795 Deed - James Reaves to Samuel Jamison - Spartanburg County, South Carolina Deed Book D, p453)
1790 Census - Greenville County, South Carolina
1800 - Second Census of Kentucky
1810 Census - Christian County, Kentucky
1820 Illinois Census - Gallatin County
1841 Will of Jesse Goodwin