Reeves, John

Summary

Father: John REEVES
Mother: Elizabeth/Elisabeth COOPER

Birth: 1824
Birth Source: Baptism and Census

Death: 1893
Death Source: FreeBMD and Census

Spouse1: Sarah JENNER

Narrative

John Reeves is most probably the eldest of eight known children of John REEVES and his wife Elisabeth (nee COOPER). See Research Note 1 below. John was baptised at the Parish Church of St Peter Ad Vincula, Wisborough Green in Sussex during June 1824.

John has not yet been identified on the 1841 census. He is not in his parent's home at Newpound Common, Wisborough Green, Sussex.

The marriage of John REEVES and Sarah JENNER took place in May 1848 at the same Parish Church of St Peter Ad Vincula. The groom's father's name was recorded as John Reeves and the bride's father as Thomas Jenner. Their marriage is noted by FreeBMD as occurring during the second quarter of 1848 in the Petworth Registration District.
The known children of John REEVES and his wife Sarah (nee JENNER) are

1. George Reeves, bapt. Dec 1848
2. John Reeves, bapt. Oct 1851
3. Ann Reeves, bapt. Jan 1855
4. Eliza Reeves, bapt. Jan 1857
5. Alfred Reeves, bapt. Dec 1861
6. Alice Reeves, , bapt. Dec 1861

All of the above baptisms were performed at the Parish Church of St Peter Ad Vincula, Wisborough Green, Sussex.

At the time of the 1851 census, on 30 March, John and Sarah are living at Newpound Common, Wisborough Green. John is 26 years old and his place of birth is given as Wisboro Green, Sussex. His occupation is Agricultural Labourer. In addition to his wife Sarah (25) and their son George (2), the household is completed by a Lodger, Sarah HAMPSHIRE (44, unmarried, born Wisboro Green.)

A decade later and the 1861 census shows John and Sarah again living at Newpound Common. John is now 35 years. In addition to Sarah, the household now includes their four oldest children; George (12), John (9), Ann (6) and Eliza (4).

On the 1871 census, John appears as a Widower. His wife Sarah died the previous spring. John's age seems to be recorded as 66 (sic, whereas 46 might be expected). No specific address is given for the dwelling; the previous entry is for Lock House and subsequent entries are for New Pound. His children George(22, Ag Lab), Ann (16, House Keeper), Alfred and Alice (both 9, Scholar) complete the household.

At the time of the 1881 census, John has relocated to Clapgate (probably Clapgate Cottages, Clapgate Lane) in the Parish of Slinfold. John's age is noted as 56 and his place of birth is Wisboro Green and his occupation is Farm Labourer. His son George (32, Farm Labourer) and daughter Ann (26, House Keeper) complete the household.

On the 1891 census John is again found at Clapgate in Slinfold. He is now 66 years old, other details unchanged. His daughter Ann (36, House Keeper) completes the household.

John has not been identified on the 1901 census and it is believed that his is the death noted by FreeBMD in the Horsham Registration District during the first quarter of 1893. The age at death was given as 68, which is consistent with our subject.

Research Notes

(1) The Reeves families in Wisborough Green and adjoining parishes were extensive from the late 1700's. The same names were given to cousins etc often within a months of each other.
For example, there are several individuals who were born and baptised around 1827 named JOHN REAVES/REEVES/REVES

Child           Bapt Date and Place		Parents
Reeves, John    Jun 1824, Wisborough Green,	John and Elisabeth
                https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7CV-D52
Reeves, John    Apr 1828, Wisborough Green,	John and Betty
                https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J9CZ-3VH
Reeves, John    Mar 1830, Fittleworth,		Thomas and Sarah
                https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N5S7-FMV died 1831

Not all survived to appear on the 1841 and 1851 census and those that do aren't always found in a family context. This makes attributing the parents of those who do appear, with reasonable certainty, challenging.

From other baptismal records it is clear that John and Elisabeth are distinct from John and Betty. For example, both couples have a son William baptised in mid 1831 at Wisborough Green.

Child           Bapt Date and Place		Parents
Reaves, William	May 1831, Wisborough Green,	John and Betty
                https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J3L5-W6
Reeves, William	Jul 1831, Wisborough Green,	John and Elizabeth
                https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J9CZ-3Z6

At his marriage our subject John names his father as John Reeves. At the 1861 baptism of his children Alfred and Alice, their parents names are recorded as John and Elizabeth(sic). It is suspected that when John was asked "Parent's Names" by the Minister, he mistakenly gave the names of his own parents rather than the names of the parents of Alfred and Alice, the children being baptised.

Sources

Birth:       
Baptism:   FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J7CV-D52
Marriage: FreeBMD   1848, June quarter, Petworth Registration District
                 FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NJNR-ZQF
Death:      FreeBMD   1893, March quarter, Horsham Registration District.
                 
1841 Census:
1851 Census: HO107, Piece 1649, Folio 108 reverse, Page 1
1861 Census: RG9, Piece 0610, Folio 89 face, Page 3
1871 Census: RG10, Piece 1101, Folio 24 reverse, Page 18
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 1110, Folio 15 face, Page 23
1891 Census: RG12, Piece 0830, Folio 13 reverse, Page 20

1841 Census: Parents - HO107, Piece 1091, Book 8, Folio 26 face, Page 14