Reeves, James
Summary
Father:Mother:
Birth: c1778, England
Birth Source: Obituary, NY Deaths
Death: 28 Apr 1838, Manhattan, New York
Death Source: NY Deaths
Spouse1: Unknown
Spouse2: Martha Smith, m. c1806
Spoues3: Rosanna Emberton, m. 23 Sep 1828, Kenilworth, Warwickshire
Narrative
Children of James Reeves and Martha:- probably James Reeves
- probably Anna Reeves
- probably William Reeves
- Martha Sarah Reeves, b. c1807
- Mary Reeves, b. c1810
- Mary Reeves, b. c1812
- Selina Reeves, b. c1814
- Joseph Reeves, b. c1816
- Thomas Reeves, b. c1817
- Joseph Reeves, b. c1819
- Emma Reeves, b. c1823, d. 1835?
James Reeves of New York City wrote his will on 14 Apr 1837 and it was proved 1 May 1838. He mentions only his wife "Rosehannah" whom he made sole heir and executrix. The probate mentions other kin named James Reeves, Anna Reeves, William Reeves, Martha Reeves, Salina Reeves, Mary Reeves, Thomas Reeves, Joseph Reeves, and Emma Reeves.
The petition document included in the probate papers state that the heirs were: "Your Petitioner, his widow, and Joseph Reeves, of the City of New York, James Reeves, Anna Reeves, William Reeves, Martha Reeves, Salina Reeves, Mary Reeves, Thomas Reeves and Emma Reeves of Coventry England, the said Emma being a minor, his only next of kin.
The Evening Post, 28 Apr 1838
This morning, 28th inst., at 7 o'clock, Mr. JAMES REEVES, watch dial manufacturer of Coventry, England, aged 60 years. His friends and those of his family, are respectfully invited to attend his funeral from his late residence, No. 53 Cross st.
The death record states he was buried in Trinity Cemetery.
Roseana Reeves is listed as a head of household in the 1840 census in New York City, age 50-60. However, no one else was in the household.
The following baptisms are from Coventry, St John Baptist, Warwickshire Parish Registers:
- (1807 Aug) 5 Martha Sarah Dr of James & Martha Reeves
- (1810 May) 21 Mary Dr of James & Martha Reeves
- (1812 Apr) 8 Mary Dr of James & Martha Reevs
- (1814) 23 Jany | Selina Daugr of | James & Martha | Reeves | Spon Street | Dial Manufacturer | T. Paris
- (1816) 16 Feby | Joseph son of | James & Martha | Reeves | Spon Street | Watch Dial Manufacturer | T. Paris
- (1817) 5 March | Thomas son of | James & Martha | Reeves | Spon Street | Watch Dial Manufacturer | T. Paris
- (1819) 26 Decr | Joseph son of | James & Martha | Reeves | Spon Street | Watch Dial Manufacturer | T. Paris
- (1823 May) 8 | Emma Dr of James & Martha Reeves | Channtry Place | Victualler | John Davis
There is a marriage for James and Rosanna in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, not far from Coventry, which indicates James had been previously married:
- James Reeves Widower of this Parish and Rosehanna Emberton Widow of this Parish were married in this Church by Banns this twenty third Day of September in the Year one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight By me ?? Atwood Curate
There is yet to be found a parish marriage entry for James and Martha. However, the marriage bond and allegation is found under Staffordshire, Dioceses Of Lichfield & Coventry and is dated 1 Oct 1806. It states that James Reeves of Coventry, St. John, watch face maker was to marry Mary Smith, a minor, of Coventry, St. Michael. It also states that James was a widower. Mary Newman of Coventry, St. Michael, gave a statement that she was the mother of Martha Smith and consented.
Although the probate indicated Emma Reeves, the youngest, was still in England in 1838, there is a burial record from Coventry, St John Baptist, Warwickshire for Emma from 28 Jun 1835, age 12. Perhaps the family in New York had not heard of her death.
Research Notes
Sources
Marriage2: Staffordshire, Dioceses Of Lichfield & Coventry Marriage Allegations And Bonds, 1636-1893 (FindMyPast)Marriage3: Kenilworth, Warwickshire Parish Marriage Register 1825 - 1849, Engl/2/1039, DRO 101
Death: FamilySearch - New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949
1840 Census: New York Ward 16, New York County, New York (Roseana Reeves HOH)
1837 Will - James Reeves - New York County Surrogate's Court, New York Will Book 77, p462
New York County, New York Probate Proceedings, 1838 (Ancestry)
Coventry, St John Baptist, Warwickshire Parish Baptism Register 1775 - 1812, DR 411
Coventry, St John Baptist, Warwickshire Parish Baptism Register 1813-1824, Engl/2/1232, DR 411
Coventry, St John Baptist, Warwickshire Parish Baptism Register 1813-1824, ENGL 09000/25, DR 581/4