Reeves, Sampson Witt

Summary

Father: George W. Reeves
Mother:

Birth: 9 Jun 1839, White County, Tennessee
Birth Source: Confederate Pension Application

Death: 24 Apr 1917, Tuscaloosa Confederate Home, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Death Source: Obituary

Spouse1: Virginia Nowlan, m. 9 Jun 1868, White County, Tennessee

Narrative

Children of Sampson Witt Reeves and Virginia Nowlan:

1. Charles Armistead Reeves, b. 1 May 1868
2. Willie Reeves, b. c1871

From White County, Tennessee Court Minutes:

This day Joseph Herd Guardian of Sampson Reeves minor heir of George W Reeves Deceased appeared in open Court and asked leave of the Court to sell the Land Warrant for 160 acres Land due to his Ward from the Government of the United States for the services of the said George W Reeves Deceased as a Private in the War with Mexico, And the Court after mature deliberation and believing it to be the interest of the said Ward to sell said Land Warrant when r??? the said Guardian is hereby directed to sell the same and apply the proceeds the use of said Ward.

White County Record of Wills includes the following note:

Report of a settlement made by the clerk of White County Court with Joseph Herd Guardian to Sampson Reeves minorship of George W Reeves Decd, on the 25 day of March 1850 to wit...

There is a circuit court case between Rachel Reeves and J. L. Herd in White County Court records. This suggests Rachel was probably the widow of George and mother of Sampson. Rachel is listed in 1847 White County tax records with 75 acres of land.

The 1900 census states his father was born in Virginia and mother in North Carolina.

Sampson's statements in his Confederate Pension Record gives his age, birthday and his birthplace as White County, Tennessee. He is in the household of Rachel Reeves in 1850 in White County along with Margaret Harlow(?) (40), Thomas ones (16), and Zechariah Jones (15). Thomas and Zachariah were children of Rachel by a previous marriage. There is a Chancery Court case from 1848 from White County which names Thomas and Zachariah as heirs of Zachariah Jones, deceased. William Bruster was made guardian of Thomas and Zachariah. Rachel Reaves signed statements saying she was receiving money from William Bruster for the benefit of Thomas and Zachariah. In one of the statements she refers to him as "guardian for my children." This would indicate Rachel was previously married to Zechariah Jones, and given Zechariah Jr.'s age, may have married George W. Reeves 1835-1839. However, there is a Zachariah Jones on the 1840 census in White County. This needs more research.

Sampson had moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama by 1860, but then back again after the war.

An Amelia Rieves, age 57, is listed with the family in 1870. This may be Sampson's mother. She is the same age as Rachel on the 1850 census.

Sampson is not present with the family in 1880.

The Tuscaloosa News, 25 Apr 1917
Tuscaloosa Veteran Dies at Mt. Creek
Mr. S. W. Reeves, a Confederate Soldier died Last Night at the Soldiers Home. Many Friends Here.
Tuscaloosa relatives and friends will regret to learn of the death of Mr. S. W. Reeves which occurred at the Old Soldiers Home at Mountain Creek last night and interment was made in that little city this morning.
The deceased was one of the loyal braves who went out from Tuscaloosa in defense of his country. He fought in defense of his country. He fought a good fight, and was one of the most beloved veterans in this city. The last days of his life were spent with his comrades in the home provided with comforts for Confederate Veterans by patriotic friends and the news of his death brings sorrow to the hearts of Tuscaloosians with whom Mr. Reeves was universally popular.

Research Notes

Sources

Birth:       FamilySearch - Confederate Pension Record, Reaves, Sampson W, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Marriage:   Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950 (FamilySearch)
Death:       The Tuscaloosa News, 25 Apr 1917

1850 Census: White County, Tennessee
1860 Census: Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
1870 Census: White County, Tennessee
1880 Census: White County, Tennessee
1900 Census: Talladega County, Alabama (Witt Reaves)

FamilySearch - White County, Tennessee - Record of Wills - 1841-1858, p803 (original p386)
White County, Tennessee Circuit Court Case #0911, Rachel Reeves vs. J. L. Herd
White County, Tennessee Tax Records, 1847
FamilySearch - White County, Tennessee Court Minutes Book 21 (1848-1853), p120
FamilySearch - White County Tennessee Chancery Court Records Box VIII - 1369, Bruster, Wm. vs. Jones, Thomas & Wm. Z.