Reeves, Thomas

Summary

Father: Frederick Reeves
Mother: Elizabeth Thompson

Birth: before 1784, probably North Carolina
Birth Source: Probate of the Estate of Frederick Reeves, Case Nbr. 44 File #1864

Death: 1839 abt August 1836, unknown Lowndes County, Alabama
Death Source: Estate probated in Lowndes, Alabama 1839

Spouse1: Elizabeth Baxter d/o John and Jane Baxter, York County SC, m. c1810

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Narrative

A deed dated 1 Jun 1813 from John and Jane Baxter of York County, South Carolina, for love and affection which they bore to their children John Baxter, Jr. and Thomas Reeves who married their daughter Elizabeth is recorded in York County Deed Book G, Page 764. In that conveyance, they deed all of their property both real and personal to their children.

Thomas Reeves is named as an heir in the estate of Frederick Reeves in 1820 and is listed in the 1820 census of York County SC. He appears to have left York shortly after and by 1830 is recorded in that census living in Lowndes County, Alabama with the following household:
Males 1 0-5, 2 5-9, 2 10-14, 1 15-19, 1 40-49
Females 1 0-5, 1 10-14, 1 40-49

It is said that Thomas Reeves left home to seek out a new location and was never heard from again but proof of this is needed however that statement appears to be incorrect. The Lowndes County estate file of Thomas Reaves appears to disprove that. Based on bills submitted to the estate by local merchants, Thomas Reeves (Reaves) made numerous purchases apparently for himself and his family. On 12 Feb 1836 he purchased 1 pair of boys shoes from merchant J. B. Wilkins and again on 12 Mar 1836 he purchased another pair of boys shoes in addition to fiddle strings. He is recorded as having purchased brandy from Thomas L. Holly in August of 1836.

These bills submitted to the administrator of his estate establish that Thomas died sometime between his purchase of brandy in August and 10 Sep 1836 when an inventory of his estate was presented to the Lowndes County AL Court. A sale of his personal property is recorded by the Court on 2 Dec 1836.

Children of Thomas Reeves and Elizabeth Baxter:

1. James T. Reeves, d. c1843
2. Mariah (Mary) Reeves, b. c1811, m1 bef 1830 Malachi Edwards, m2 bef 1840 Dr. Elisha C. Wilson
3. Frederick Reeves, b. 22 Nov 1812, d. 6 Aug 1888 in Union County, Arkansas, burial in Hicks Cemetery, m. Martha Barksdale Primm
4. Jane Adelaide Reeves, b. 1818, m. James W. Primm who died 1854 in Union County, Arkansas
5. John B. Reeves
6. William P. Reeves, b. 31 Mar 1819
7. Hiram Reeves
8. Alfred Reeves
9. Eli T. Reeves, b. 1824, m. Sarah E. Strong on 14 Sep 1858 in Union County, Arkansas
10. Mary Caroline Reeves, b. 10 Mar 1826, d. 18 Jan 1863 of measels in Shelby County, Alabama, burial in Columbiana Cemetery
11. Thomas J. Reeves, b. 1835

The above children are documented by court documents settling the Estate of Thomas Reeves in Lowndes County, Alabama [MB C:172-173]

When widow Elizabeth Reeves was last recorded in Lowndes County AL it was to settle Thomas Reeves Estate and release the bonds of those individuals who had been securities for the guardianship of her minor children. At that time in March of 1839, Elizabeth was planning to move to Shelby County. The 1840 census of Shelby County has a F. Reeves who appears to be her son Frederick who was apparently the head of household of Elizabeth and her other six younger children based upon ages listed.

There were also probate documents filed in Shelby County for Thomas and his sons James T. and William P. In these documents, widow Elizabeth was appointed guardian to her children in 1838: "William Reeves, Hyram Reeves, Eli Reeves, Caroline Reeves, Alfred Reeves, Thomas Reeves, children of Thomas Reeves, dcd." John B. Reeves signed it.

The entire list of the living children of Thomas Reeves comes from a petition for sale of land from 1850 made by Elizabeth. The list noted the location of residence: Frederick Reeves (Arkansas), Jane Adelina? Prim w/o James Prim (Arkansas), Eli Reeves (Arkansas), Alfred B Reeves (Arkansas), John B Reeves (Louisiana), Hyram Reeves (California supposed), Marie w/o Elisha C Wilson (Shelby), Mary Caroline w/o D N McClanahan (Shelby), William P Reeves (Shelby), and Thomas Reeves (minor) (Shelby).

Sources

1810 Census - York County, South Carolina
1820 Census - York County, South Carolina
1830 Census - Lowndes County, Alabama
1840 Census - Shelby County, Alabama (HOH - F Reeves)
1850 Census - Shelby County, Alabama (HOH - Elizabeth Reeves)
Settlement of Thomas Reeves Estate, Lowndes County AL Minute Order Book C, p. 171-174
Lowndes County, Alabama Estate File, Thomas Reaves
Shelby County, Alabama Estate File, James T. Reeves, William P. Reeves, & Thomas Reeves, Box 14, Folders 78 & 79