Reeves, Robert Henry

Summary

Father: Charles REEVES
Mother: Mary mnu

Birth: 1853
Birth Source: FreeBMD & Census

Death:
Death Source:

Spouse1: Agnes COOMBES

Narrative

Robert Henry REEVES is the child of Charles Reeves and his wife Mary, whose maiden name is presently unconfirmed. His birth was registered in the second quarter of 1853 in the Highworth Registration District. It is highly probable he is the individual baptised as Henry Robert Reeves at the Parish Church of The Holy Cross, Chiseldon, Wiltshire in October 1853.

The 1861 census shows Robert living with his parent and five siblings at Badbury, a hamlet within the parish of Chiseldon in Wiltshire. He is 8 years of age and his place of birth is given as Chisledon (sic Chiseldon), Wiltshire

On the 1871 census, Robert H Reeves is again to be found living with his parent at Badbury. He is now 18 years old and was born at Badbury. He is working as a Labourer in an Iron Works; an occupation he shares with his older brother Joseph.

At the time of the 1881 census, Robert Henry Reeves, along with his brother Joseph, is still living in his parent's home at Badbury. He is now shown as aged 27 and born in Chisledon (sic). He is working as a General Labourer.

Robert Henry Reeves married Agnes COOMBES during the fourth quarter of 1889. Their marriage was registered in the Devizes Registration District of Wiltshire.
The known children of Robert and Agnes (nee Coombes) are

1. Vashti Matilda Ellen Reeves born c1892
2. Montague John Reeves, born 1893
3. Lucy Minnie G Reeves, born c1896
4. William Henry Reeves, born 1897
5. Alfred Ernest Joshua Reeves, born 1899
6. Albert Sydney Reeves, born 1900

The births of their four eldest children were recorded in the Highworth Registration District and the younger two in Swindon Registration District. Swindon Reg.Dist. succeeded Highworth Reg.Dist. when the latter was abolished in May 1899; both included the civil parish of Chiseldon.

Robert and Agnes have yet to be identified on the 1891 census. They are not recorded as living with his parents.

By the time of the 1901 census Robert, his wife Agnes and their six children are living at Badbury Bottom, Badbury. He is shown as being 47 years old and claimed birth in Chisledon (sic) Wiltshire. He is working as a "Cattle man on Farm".

On the 1911 census Robert describes himself as a 57 year old widower, who was born a Badbury in Wiltshire, He gives his occupation as "Cowman on Farm". Although only to be completed by married women, he also indicates six children born alive, of whom six are still living and none have died. In addition to Robert, five of his children are listed as living at home; only daughter Lucy is absent.

Robert's two eldest sons Montague John Reeves and William Henry Reeves died within a few months of each other in 1916, both whilst serving in the Army during WW1.

It is highly probable that Robert's death is that noted by FreeBMD in the second quarter of 1930 in the Swindon Registration District, aged 76.

Research Notes

Sources

Birth:        FreeBMD 1853 June quarter, Highworth Reg.Dist.
Baptism:   FamilySearch as Henry Robert Reeves https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J3R4-DL5
Marriage: FreeBMD 1889 December quarter, Highworth Reg.Dist.
Death:      FreeBMD 1930 June quarter, Swindon Reg.Dist.
                 

1861 Census: RG9, Piece 1270, Folio 77 face, Page 11
1871 Census: RG10, Piece 1880, Folio 79 reverse, Page 4
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 2016, Folio 72 reverse, Page 6
1891 Census:
1901 Census: RG13, Piece 1904, Folio 58 face, Page 7
1911 Census: RG14, Piece 11772, Reg.Dist. 240 (Swindon), Sub Dist. 2 (Swindon), Enum.Dist. 6, Schedule 25

1891 Census: parents only - RG12, Piece 1581, Folio 66 face, Page 5