Reeves, Spencer

Summary

Father: Elijah Reeves
Mother: Margaret "Peggy"

Birth: c1765, Virginia
Birth Source: Estimated based upon census

Death: before Aug 1823, Fleming County, Kentucky
Death Source: Probate Court records (see Research Notes below)

Spouse1: Susannah Reeves, m. 6 Nov 1790, Mason County, Kentucky.
Spouse2: Mary "Polly" Spencer, m. on 28 May 1811, Fleming County, Kentucky.

Narrative

Children of Spencer Reeves and Susannah Reeves are:

1. Noah Reeves
2. Elijah Reeves, b. c21 Jan 1795
3. John R. Reeves
4. Paul Reeves, b. c1795
5. Thomas D. Reeves, b. c1800
6. George Reeves, b. c1804
7. Nancy Reeves, b. c1804, m. Samuel Ishmael on 01 Apr 1823 in Fleming County, Kentucky
8. Martha Jane Reeves, m. James McDaniel on 26 Dec 1825

Probable Children of Spencer Reeves and Mary Spencer:

1. Margaret Elizabeth Reeves, b. 23 Sep 1813, d. 7 Apr 1791, m. Henry Kissick on 20 Nov 1834,
2. Susannah Reeves, b. c1815
3. Elizabeth Parker Reeves, d. by Aug 1845
4. Athalia Reeves
5. Mary "Polly" Ann Reeves, b. bef 1820
6. Silas Reeves, b. c1822

A deed from 1817 mentions Spencer Reeves of Fleming County as an heir of Elijah: "Thomas Reeves Elijah Reeves Spencer Reeves Benjamin Reeves, William Royse, Elizabeth his wife and Anthony Worley & Jinney his wife Peggy Reeves, Rody Reeves & Peggy Reeves Senr widow of Elijah Reeves deceased all of Fleming County & State of Kentucky except Thomas Reeves & Anthony Worley & Jinny his wife of the State of Ohio & County Sciota of the one part all lawful heirs of Elijah Reeves."

The above youngest children of Spencer Reeves were still minors for whom a guardian was appointed at his death. A guardian was also appointed for Martha Jane who was very likely the last child born to Spencer and Susanna Reeves. Martha Jane married in 1825 so she was not an adult when Spencer Reeves' estate was being probated in 1823.

Spencer Reeves married Susannah Reeves, daughter of Asa Reeves whose relationship to Spencer and his family is unknown. The marriage record records that the Bondsman was Samuel Jones, permission was granted by Elijah Reeves and was witnessed by William Reeves.
The children of Spencer and Susanna Reeves have not been documented in historical records.
Although there are no probate documents that provide definite documentation of Spencer and Susannah Reeves' children, George, Noah, Thomas, Elijah Reeves and Samuel Ishmael, believed to be a son-in-law of Spencer's, are listed in numerous documents pertaining to Spencer's estate. In the sale bill of "exempted property" dated 5 Jul 1824 that appears to include family members and heirs, these individuals are all listed as well as several other individuals whose relationships are unknown. (Fleming County Will Records Vol C p. 164). Spencer's children who were minors at his death are recorded in guardianship records. Noah Reeves was appointed guardian for Spencer's minor children Susannah, Margaret, Elizabeth, Atha, Polly Ann, Martha Jane, and Silas on Feb 2, 1824. security: Thomas Reeves, Samuel Ishmael, William Ulet, and Paul Reeves. It is probable that Spencer's second wife, Mary Spencer, was the mother of most of these minor children.

In the court records from May 1829 it was "Ordered that Noah Reeves be summoned to appear here at the next court to shew cause if any he can why he shall not be removed from the office of Guardian to the heirs of Spencer Reeves decd." (OB E, p121) In the Nov 1829 Court, Susan (age 14) chose William McDaniel guardian and Margaret (over 14) chose Samuel Ishmael (OB E, p158). It was "ordered that Benj. Northcutt, James Markwell, and Truman Day Esqrs or any two of them settle with Noah Reeves late Guardian to Susan & Margaret Reeves and report the same to the next County Court." (E, p159). Their settlement was recorded by the court in Jan 1830. (WB D, p92) Athalia Reeves chose Thomas D. Reeves as guardian. (OB E, p303) Mary Reeve (over 14) chose William McDaniel in July Court 1834. (OB F, p11)

The primary estate sale for Spencer Reeves also includes these same individuals as buyers along with Paul Reeves. (Fleming County Will Records Vol C p. 100-102)

Some of the information above for the children of Spencer Reeves is based upon online information and family data of Filson and Kissick families.

Research Notes

The date 18 Aug 1823 is widely reported as Spencer Reeves' date of death but that is the date an inventory of his estate was filed with the Probate Court and not his date of death.

The extensive probate records recorded in Volumes C, D, G and H of the Fleming County Will Records appear to pertain to Spencer Reeves, born 1765, and numerous Reeves' individuals believed to be his children are mentioned in these documents, i.e. Noah, Elijah, Thomas D., etc. However, the documents recorded in October 1823 pertaining to the estate sale of Spencer Reeves name the widow as Polly (Mary) Reeves. Previously it was believed there was a Spencer Reeves Jr. who married Mary Spencer on 28 May 1811, but it now appears that Spencer Reeves was the husband of Mary Spencer and there was no child "Spencer, Jr.". Mary Spencer Reeves married Elijah Reeves, Jr. (Spencer's brother) on 29 Jul 1824 and is described as the widow of Spencer Reeves in the marriage records.

In a mortgage from Thomas D. Reeves to Lewis D. Markell from 1837, he sold land that was under his care in relation to the guardianship of "Susannah Reeves now Susannah McDonnald." It appears she may have married a McDonald by that time. (DB U, p105)

Sources

Marriage1:  Kentucky, Compiled Marriages, 1802-1850 (Ancestry)
Marriage2:  Fleming County, Kentucky, Marriage Index, 1798-1857 (Ancestry)

1810 Census:  Fleming County, Kentucky
1820 Census:  Fleming County, Kentucky

Fleming County Tax Lists of 16 Aug 1800
Fleming County Will Records, Vol B, p. 176, Estate of Elijah Reeves, Spencer Reeves Administrator
Fleming County, Kentucky Probate Volume C, p. 98, 101, 163, 164, 227, 244, 339, 408; Volume D, p. 52, 92
Probate Records for the Estate of Spencer Reeves from Fleming County Will Records
Fleming County, Kentucky Order Book E, pp. 121, 158, 159, 303
Fleming County, Kentucky Order Book F, p11
1817 Deed - Elijah Reeves Heirs to Elisha Hurd - Fleming County, Kentucky Deed Book H, p180