Reeves, Richard

Summary

Father:
Mother:

Birth: c1811, South Stoneham/West End, Hampshire
Birth Source: census returns

Death: 1891
Death Source: FreeBMD

Spouse1: Elizabeth SMITH

Narrative

Nothing is know of Richard's early life, but see Research Notes below

Richard Reeves married Elizabeth SMITH at the Parish church of St Mary, South Stoneham in October 1833.

The known children of Richard REEVES and Elizabeth (nee SMITH) are

1. Charles Reeves, bapt September 1834
2. George Reeves, bapt February 1836
3. William Reeves, bapt April 1839
4. Emily Reeves, bapt July 1842
5. Frederick Reeves, bapt August 1848

Family Search notes the first three baptisms were at South Stoneham and the latter two at Woolston.

On the 1841 census taken on 6 June, Richard (age 30) is head of household along with Elizabeth (30), Charles (6), George (5) and William (2). All of the family are recorded as being born in county (Hampshire), although on later census returns Elizabeth claims birth in Devon. Richard's occupation is recorded as Agricultural Labourer. They are living in the tything of Allington, in the Parish of South Stoneham. In the next dwelling are a Jane Reeves (age 66) and Benjamin Reeves (age 25).

At the time of the 1851 census, on 30 March, Richard (aged 39), with wife Elizabeth (45) plus daughter Emily (8) and sons Charles (16), George (15), William (10 or 11, partially over written) and Frederick (2) are again living in West End. Richard is now a Gardener and claims birth in South Stoneham, Hampshire.

A decade later and the 1861 census shows Richard (aged 49) along with wife Elizabeth (age 58) are living on the Botley Road, West End. Sons William (20) and Frederick (14) complete the household. Richard now gives his place of birth as West End (which was previously part of the ancient parish of South Stoneham, but became an ecclesiastical parish in c1840) and he is working as a Gardener.

On the 1871 census, Richard (age 59) is still living in West End. His wife Elizabeth (68) is the only other member of the household. Richard is working as a Gardener nad again claims birth in West End.

At the time of the 1881 census, Richard (now aged 69) and his wife Elizabeth (80) are living next door to Benjamin Reeves and his family, still in West End. Richard is still working as a Gardener, but has reverted to claiming birth in South Stoneham, as does Benjamin.

On the 1891 census, Richard is now widower and his son Frederick (44) is living with him on West End Road, West End. Richard is noted as being 80 years old, a retired gardener, who claims birth in West End (as does Frederick).

Richard has not been identified on the 1901 census and FreeBMD has a death registration entry in the South Stoneham Registration District for a Richard Reeves, aged 79 in the second quarter of 1891, which is a very strong match to this individual.

Research Notes

Thus far, no positive information is to hand which identifies Richard's parents. However, there are several snippets of information which hint at a possible relationship.

• Benjamin Reeves is known to be the son of William Rives/Rivers/Reeves and his wife Jane (nee Ridder).
• On the 1841 census Richard is enumerated in the next dwelling to Benjamin Reeves and a Jane Reeves, who is possibly Benjamin's mother.
• Richard and Benjamin both marry girl's who's maiden name was SMITH and who both come from Clyst Hydon, in Devon, which was a very small village. Although there is 22 years different in age between Richard's wife Elizabeth and Benjamin's wife Jane, its is highly probable Elizabeth and Jane are sisters.
• On the 1881 census, Richard plus Elizabeth and Benjamin plus Jane are enumerated next door to each other.
• The pattern of baptisms of William & Jane's children is fairly predictable, starting Nov 1799, May 1802, gap-1, March 1806, Aug 1808, gap-2, July 1814 (Benjamin) & June 1816. Richard has been very consistent over his age, placing his birth around 1811 - which neatly fits in the gap between August 1808 & July 1814.

Based purely on this circumstantial evidence, its seems possible that Robert is the son of William Rives/Rivers/Reeves and his wife Jane (nee Ridder); making Richard and Benjamin brothers.

It would be interesting to know who registered the death of Jane Reeves (nee Ridder). Do you already have a copy of her death certificate?

Sources

Birth:       
Baptism:  
Marriage: Family Search https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NK8G-1HH
Death:      FreeBMD 2q1891 in South Stoneham Registration District.
                 
1841 Census: HO107, Piece 0402, Book 19, Folio 13 face, Page 20
1851 Census: HO107, Piece 1670, Folio 271 face, Page 49 (sic, normally only 48 pages in a printed enumeration book)
1861 Census: RG9, Piece 0682, Folio 18 face, Page 30
1871 Census: RG10, Piece 1197, Folio 92 reverse, Page 48
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 1218, Folio 101 reverse, Page 42
1891 Census: RG12, Piece 0924, Folio 87 reverse, Page 16
1901 Census: