Reeves, John

Summary

Father:
Mother:

Birth: about 1815 at Camerton, Somerset
Birth Source: census & FreeBMD

Death: 1883
Death Source: FreeBMD

Spouse1: unknown
Spouse2: Sarah (perhaps nee CHAPPEL and formerly BARTLETT)

Narrative

Very little is presently know of John's early life. The 1881 census gives his age as 65, suggesting his birth in about 1816 and his likely death registration two years later give his age as 69, suggesting he was born about 1814.

It is not known when John married his first wife, nor her name.
The known child of John and his first wife is

1. Delilah Reeves, b.reg. 1850

FreeBMD notes the marriage of John Reeves and Sarah BARTLETT occurred during the second quarter of 1856 within the Clutton Registration District. See Research Note 1 below for thoughts about Sarah.
The known child of John Reeves and Sarah (perhaps nee CHAPPEL and formerly BARTLETT) is

1. Walter Reeves, b.reg. 1863

John's wife Sarah also had a daughter Thirza BARTLETT prior to her marriage to John.

John is first identified on the 1881 census at Frome Hill, Radstock, Somerset. He is 65 years old, was born at Camerton, Somerset. He gives his occupation as Coal Miner.

By the time of the 1891 census, John's wife Sarah appears alone on Woodborough Lane, Radstock. She is described as a widow. It is highly likely that John's death, aged 69, is that noted by FreeBMD as occurring during the second quarter of 1883 in the Clutton Registration District.

Research Notes

(1) Prior to marrying John in 2q1856, Sarah gave birth to a daughter Thirza BARTLETT, whose birth was registered in Clutton Reg.Dist. during 3q1853. This daughter married Frederick HAMBLIN in 3q1881 in Sturminster Reg.Dist. in Dorset and in old age Sarah Reeves is living with her son-in-law Frederick and daughter Thirza (1901 & 1911 census returns).

On the 1851 census, there is a couple Thomas Bartlett (age 25, born Radstock, a coal miner) and wife Sarah (age 27, also born Radstock). Neither Thomas nor Sarah BARTLETT have been identified on the 1861 census. However, there is a death registration for a Thomas Bartlett in 3q1854 in Clutton which might be this individual, so leaving Sarah Bartlett free to marry John Reeves in 3q1856, again Clutton.

During 4q1849 within the Clutton Registration District, Thomas Bartlett married Sarah CHAPPEL.

(2) The possibility that Delilah and Thirza might be one and the same individual is discounted. Both have be identified on the 1891, 1901 & 1911 census returns and they each have a probable birth registration entry noted by FreeBMD

(3) In the decade 1851-1861, in addition to Delilah, there are two other birth registrations in the Clutton Registration District, which includes Radstock. Fred Reeves whose birth was registered in 1q1854 and Henry Reeves in 2q1857. There is also a death registration for a Henry Reeves in 1q1858.

Fred (Frederick) who claims birth in Radstock and his wife Martha has been identified on the 1881, 1901 & 1911 census returns, so he is known to have survived to adulthood. However, like John, Sarah, Delilah, Thirza and Walter, he has not been found on the 1861 and 1871 returns, which might suggest he is perhaps also the son of this elusive John.

Sources

Birth:       
Baptism:  
Marriage1:
Marriage2: FreeBMD   1856, June quarter, Clutton Registration District
Death:      FreeBMD 1883, June quarter, Clutton Registration District
                 
1841 Census:
1851 Census:
1861 Census:
1871 Census:
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 2429, Folio 42A face, Page 5
1891 Census: RG12, Piece 1928, Folio 32 reverse, Page 10 - widow Sarah