Reeves, John Reuben

Summary

Father: Henry REEVES
Mother: Charlotte CLAPSHAW

Birth: 1847
Birth Source: Census & FreeBMD

Death: 1919
Death Source: see below

Spouse1: Ann ALLEN
Spouse2: Emma SIMMS

Narrative

John Reuben REEVES is the fourth of five six known children of Henry Reeves and his wife Charlotte (nee CLAPSHAW). His birth was registered during the June quarter on 1847 in the Portsea Registration District. He was baptised at the Parish Church of St Thomas, Portsmouth in March 1851, just prior to the 1851 census.

At the time of the 1851 census, on 30 March, John was living at 19 Newport Street, Portsea. He was in the home of his widowed maternal grandmother Hannah CLAPSHAW (nee mnu) along with his mother Charlotte and elder brother Henry. His elder sister Harriet was living next door - see Research Notes below. John is 3 years old, born Portsea and his occupation is recorded as Mariner's Son.

A decade later and the 1861 census shows John now living at 15 Newport Street, Portsea with his mother Charlotte as the first listed member of the household where she is described as "Wife" rather than "Head". His elder brother Henry completes the household. John is now 13 years old and working as a Brass Fitter.

In 1868 John Reuben Reeves married Ann ALLEN. Their marriage is recorded in the Portsea Island Registration District during the June quarter.

Known children of John Reuben Reeves and Ann (nee Allen) are

1. Ernest John Reeves, born 1873, died 1909
2. Henry Reuben Reeves, born 1878, died 1917

John and Ann have yet to be identified on the 1871 census.

At the time of the 1881 census, John and his wife Ann are living at 3 St Vincent Street, Portsea. Their two sons complete the household. John is 33 years old and claims birth in Portsmouth. He is working as an Engine Fitter and Turner.

On the 1891 census, John and his wife Ann are again to be found at 3 St Vincent Street, Portsea. He is now 43 years old and described as a Fitter [of] Marine Engines. Again their two sons complete the household.

It is probable that John's wife Ann dies in 1892 and that hers is the death recorded in the June quarter in the Portsea Registration District. John marries Emma SIMMS during the June quarter of 1893, again in the Portsea Registration District.

By the time of the 1901 census, John and his wife Emma are living at 73 Cornwall Road in the Kingston district of Portsmouth. He is 53 years old and now working as an Electrical Fitter. John's son Henry completes the household.

On the 1911 census, John & Emma are again found at 73 Cornwall Road. John is now 63 years old and still claims birth in Portsmouth. He gives his occupation as "Late Fitter (Electrical)". Henry, John's son is still living at home with his father and step-mother.

John's son Henry lost his life in 1917 serving during WW1. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission additionally notes that Henry was   "Son of the late John Reeves and Ann Reeves".   At first glance this might suggest John predeceased his son, in which case the best fitting entry from FreeBMD seems to be that recorded simply as John Reeves in the March quarter of 1917, aged 66. However our John would have been 70 years of age at this date. Noting that the initial data following WW1 was assembled over several years, a slightly later death date for John might also be possible. FreeBMD records the death of a John R Reeves in the Isle of Wight Registration District in December quarter of 1919, age 72 which is a much better fit for our subject. The Isle of Wight Family History Society's BMD Death Index confirms this individual to be John Reuben Reeves.

Research Notes

On the 1851 census, in the neighbouring property of 20 Newport Street is the household of Reuben & Mary Ann PHIPPARD and long with John's elder sister Harriet Eliz REEVES. Harriet's relationship is Niece and her occupation is Servant. FamilySearch shows Reuben Masters PHIPPARD married MAry Ann CLAPSHOW (sic) in November 1843 at the parish Church of St Thomas, Portsmouth. https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N246-T2H

The 1861 census shows Reuben and Mary Ann PHIPPARD living at 16 Newport Street, again neighbouring Charlotte Reeves. This might suggest the properties had been renumbered rather than these two families having moved.

It is probable John's mother Charlotte died in the decade 1861-1871 as she has yet to be identified on the 1871 census. Additionally there is a probable death registration in the March quarter of 1865 in the Portsea Registration District which may be her. Reuben Phippard and his wife Mary are still living at 16 Newport Street, Portsea at the time of the 1871 census.

Sources

Birth:        FreeBMD - 1847 2q Portsea Registration District
Baptism:   FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N5KN-SVF
Marriage: (1) FreeBMD - 1868 2q Portsea Island Registration District
Marriage: (2) FreeBMD 1893 2q Portsea Registration District
Death:      FreeBMD 1917 1q Alverstoke Registration District or alternately
                  FreeBMD 1919 4q Isle of Wight Registration District
                  IoW FHS http://www.isle-of-wight-fhs.co.uk/bmd_1/deaths/d_results_1.php?surname=Reeves&forenames=John&oname=&died_start=1919&died_end=1919&Search=Search
1851 Census: HO107, Piece 1659, Folio 13 face, Page 18
1861 Census: RG9, Piece 0643, Folio 182 reverse, Page 16
1871 Census:
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 1157 Folio 26 face, Page 1
1891 Census: RG12, Piece 0870, Folio 46 face, Page 7
1901 Census: RG13, Piece 0985, Folio 105 reverse, Page 26
1911 Census: RG14, Piece 5525, Reg.Dist. 90 Sub Dist. 2, Enum.Dist 4, Schedule 6