Reeves, Thomas

Summary

Father: Robert Reeves
Mother: Ann

Birth: bef 20 December 1820
Birth Source: baptism at Alverstoke, Hampshire

Death: bet 1891-1901
Death Source: absent from 1901 census

Spouse1: Sarah MITCHELL

Narrative

Thomas Reeves, the son of Robert Reeves and Ann (mnu), was baptised at the Parish Church of St Mary, Alverstoke, Hampshire on 20 December 1820.

Thomas married Sarah MITCHELL at the Parish Church of St Thomas, Portsmouth, Hampshire on 9 June 1839.

Known children of Thomas Reeves and Sarah (nee Mitchell) are ....

1. Sarah Ann Reeves, bapt October 1839
2. Thomas Charles Reeves, bapt March 1842
3. Louisa Martha Reeves, bapt December 1842
4. Kate Ellis Reeves, bapt April 1853, and also known as Kate Alice Reeves

All four children we baptised at the Parish Church of St Mary, Alverstoke.

On the 1841 census taken on 6 June, Sarah Reeves is listed first (as head of household) followed by her daughter Sarah and then Thomas. The preceding household was headed by Mary MITCHELL, highly probably Sarah's mother. Thomas's occupation is shown as Mariner, he was approximately 20 years old and born in county (Hampshire).

At the time of the 1851 census, on 30 March, Thomas plus wife Sarah and their three elder children are living on Stoke Road, which is at the Gosport side of Alverstoke parish. Thomas is now 30 years old and claims birth in Alverstoke, Hampshire. He is employed at the Royal Clarence Victualling Yard of the Royal Navy at Gosport, but his actual occupation isn't specified.

A decade later and the 1861 census shows Thomas plus wife Sarah and their three youngest children still living on Stoke Road. He is now 40 years old and his occupation is given as "Master of Victualling Hoy".

On the 1871 census, Thomas and Sarah are living at Rose Cottage in Alverstoke village. Daughter Kate is still living with her parents and daughter Louisa's son George BLAKE is also living with his grandparents. Thomas is now aged 50 and his occupation is given simply as Master Mariner. The neighbouring two houses are occupied by Thomas's brothers, Joseph Reeves and Frederick Reeves.

At the time of the 1881 census, Thomas and Sarah's address is recorded as 5 St Mary Cottages, Alverstoke (but this may well be the same place as Rose Cottage). Thomas is now 60 yeras old and his occupation is recorded as "Master of Pelter, RC Yard". RC Yard would again be short-hand for the Royal Clarence Victualling Yard. According to page 196 of the Navy List for September 1871, Pelter was a 250 ton "Tank Vessel" based at Portsmouth. She was employed on Harbour Service. Daughter Kate (now Mrs Henry Seaward) is still living with her parents along with her 7 year old son, also Henry Seaward. Grandson George Blake completes the household.

On the 1891 census, Thomas plus wife Sarah are again (still?) living at Rose Cottage along with just grandson Henry Saward (sic). Henry is now 70 years old and still claiming birth in Alverstoke, has he has consistently done across all census returns. His occupation is shown as Civil Service Pensioner.

Neither Thomas nor Sarah have been positively identified on the 1901 census. FreeBMD has several possible D. Reg entries for a Thomas Reeves across the decade 1891-1901.

Sources

Birth:       
Baptism:   https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N5SV-V9Q
Marriage: FreeBMD M. Reg 2q 1839 in Portsea Isle Reg. Dist and
                 FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/N24F-N65
Death:     

1841 Census: HO107, Piece 0388, Book 1, Folio 14 face, Page 22 and Folio 14r, Page 23
1851 Census: HO107, Piece 1660, Folio 48 reverse, Page 23
1861 Census: RG9, Piece 0645, Folio 65 reverse, Page 18
1871 Census: RG10, Piece 1149, Folio 126 face, Page 55
1881 Census: RG11, Piece 1163, Folio 104 face, Page 3
1891 Census: RG12, Piece 0879, Folio 28 face, Page 17
1901 Census:

Navy List for September 1871 from Google Books http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Ru0NAAAAQAAJ
NB this single e-book also contains the Monthly Navy Lists for October and November 1871.