Reeves, James

Summary

Father: James REEVES
Mother: Sarah mnu, but possibly SWEETAPPLE

Birth: April 1820
Birth Source: baptism

Death:
Death Source:

Spouse1: Sophia Sarah DAVIS, marr. in November 1856, died 1882
Spouse2: Henrietta MORGAN, marr. in 2q1877

Narrative

James is the third known child of James REEVES and his wife Sarah (maiden name unconfirmed but most probably SWEETAPPLE). James, like his brothers and sisters, was baptised at the Parish Church of St. Peter & St Paul in Kings Somborne, Hampshire. He was baptised in March 1821 and the parish register helpfully notes his birth occurred nearly a year earlier in April 1820.

On the 1841 census taken on 6 June, James appears in a family context in the household of his father James REEVES and mother Sarah, in Kings Somborne. James is noted has having been born in county, that is in Hampshire, and as being 20 years old; no occuaption is recorded for James.

At the time of the 1851 census, on 30 March, James is living in Kings Somborne. He claims birth in Kings Somborne and his occupation is given as "Farmer. 620 acres employing 24 labourer and 9 under ???? and 1 boy". He is unmarried and the head of a household, comprising a housekeeper, a groom and three agricultural labourers.

James married Sophia Sarah DAVIS, the eldest daughter of James DAVIS of Barton Stacy, in November 1856 at St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London. The known children of James Reeves and Sophia Sarah are

1. Rose Reeves, born 1857, marr Robey Beare BAILEY in 1891
2. Gabrielle Reeves, born 1861, marr Rev. Edward John SCOTT in 1886

A decade later and the 1861 census shows James and wife Sarah (aged 35 years), along with Rose (3 years) and Gabriella (2 months), living in Up Somborne, a hamlet in the parish of Kings Somborne. James is 40 years old and claims birth in Kings Somborne. He is a Farmer occupying 620 acres and employing 14 men and 4 boys.

On the 1871 census, James and wife Sarah (44) are still living at Up Somborne. James is now 50 years old and again claiming birth in Kings Somborne. He is described as "Landowner and occupier (of) 619 acres (employing) 15 men, 5 boys (and) women in summer when needed". Two domestic servant and two farm servants complete the household. Daughters Rose (13) and Gabrielle (10) were away as boarders at a small school in the Kentish Town area of north London at the time of this census¹.

At the time of the 1881 census, James and wife Sarah (55 years old), along with daughters Rose (23) & Gabrielle (20), are still living at Up Somborne. James is now 60 years old and his claimed place of birth remains unchanged. He is a Framer of 619 acres employing 14 men and 4 boys.

In December 1882, the Hampshire Telegraph carries an obituary for "Sarah Sophis, the wife of James Reeves, in her 57th year".

In the second quarter of 1887, FreeBMD notes the marriage of James Reeves to Henrietta MORGAN in the London City Registration District.

On the 1891 census, James, along with his second wife Henrietta, is still living at Up Somborne. James is 70 years old and a Farmer, claiming birth in Kings Somborne. In addition to two servants, the final member of the household is a visitor, Robey BAILEY. By the end of the year Robey has married James's daughter Rose. Daughter Rose is with her sister Gabrielle and brother-in-law Edward SCOTT on the 1891 census in Handsworth, Staffordshire².

James has not been identified on the 1901 census. Robey BAILEY and his second wife are living at the farm James previously occupied in Up Somborne. He is not living with his surviving daughter Gabrielle, Mrs E J Scott³. It is possible his is the death noted in FreeBMD during 1q 1896 in Winchester Registration District of a James Reeves, aged 75.

Sources

Birth:        Baptism Register
Baptism:   Hampshire Genealogical Society's Index of Baptisms
Marriage: (1) Hampshire Advertiser on 15 November 1856, page 8 and
                 FreeBMD Marr. Reg. during 4q1856 in West London Reg. Dist.
Marriage: (2) FreeBMD Marr. Reg. during 2q1887 in London City Reg. Dist.
Death:     
                 
1841 Census: HO107, Piece 0401, Book 11, Folio 8 face, Page 12,
1851 Census: HO107, Piece 1672, Folio 255 face, Page 67
1861 Census: RG9, Piece 0688, Folio 6 reverse, Page 7
1871 Census: RG10, Piece 1206, Folio 10 reverse, Page 14
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 1228, Folio 7 face , Page 7
1891 Census: RG12, Piece 0933, Folio 20 face, Page 33
1901 Census:

¹   1871 Census: RG10, Piece 0236, Folio 35 reverse, Page 50 - daughters Rose & Gabrielle
²   1891 Census: RG11, Piece 2262, Folio 26 reverse, Page 46 - daughters Gabrielle, Mrs E J Scott & Rose Reeves
³   1901 Census: RG12, Piece 1068, Folio 154 reverse, Page 8 - daughter Gabrielle, Mrs E J Scott