Reeves, Thomas

Summary

Father: Thomas Reeves
Mother: Ann Ayearst

Birth: c1795
Birth Source: Headstone

Death: 7 Jan 1839
Death Source: Headstone

Spouse2: Priscilla Goble, m. 6 Nov 1816, Rolvenden, St Mary the Virgin, Kent
Spouse2: Hannah Barrow, m. 6 Dec 1821, Hawkhurst, Kent

Narrative

Children of Thomas Reeves and Priscilla Goble:

1. Mary Reeves, b. c25 Jun 1819, d. 28 Feb 1822
2. Thomas Reeves, b. c15 Jun 1819

Children of Thomas Reeves and Hannah Barrow:

1. Jesse Reeves, b. c1822, d. 28 Feb 1823
2. Betsy Barrow Reeves, b. c1824
3. Francis Reeves, b. c1825
4. Harriet Ann Reeves, b. c1827
5. John Reeves, b. 1829
6. Henry Reeves, b. c1831
7. William Reeves, b. c1833

Thomas Reeves of Hawkhurst, bachelor was married to Priscilla Goble, Spinster, by license 6 Nov 1816 at Rolvenden. Jane Reeves was a witness.

The marriage record of Thomas and Hannah states that Thomas was a widower. A Francis and Jane? Reeves witnessed the marriage.

The following children of Thomas and Priscilla were baptized at Hawkhurst:
Mary Reeves, 25 Jun 1819
Thomas Reeves, 25 Jun 1819

The following children of Thomas and Hannah were baptized at Hawkhurst:
Jesse Reeves, 25 Oct 1822
Betty Barrow Reeves, 12 Mar 1824
Francis Reeves, 7 Oct 1825
Harriet Ann Reeves, 12 Nov 1827
John Reeves, 6 Jul 1829
Henry Reeves, 2 Aug 1831
William Reeves, 21 Oct 1833

There is a headstone in the same cemetery where the parents are buried for Mary, daughter of Thomas and Priscilla, Jesse, son of Thomas and Hannah, and Henry son of Thomas and Hannah:

Mary
Daughter of
Thomas and Priscilla Reeves
who departed this life
the 28th day of February 1822
aged 6 years and 6 months

Also of Jesse son of
Thomas and Hannah Reeves
his second wife
who departed this life
the 28th day of February 1823
aged 6 months
Also of Henry son of
Thomas and ....

In 1841, we find widow Hannah (35), and children, Betsey (15), John (12), and William (8) living in Hawkhurst, Kent, about 20 miles from Staplehurst. Hannah and all the children are listed as being born in Kent. Later records show that this daughter is Betsey Barrow Reeves, daughter of Thomas and Hannah Reeves (see Betsy for details).

This family moved to the US by 1850. In Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, we find them living in the household of A. Ogden, a magistrate. The following relevant individuals are listed in the household: Francis Reeves (25), John Reeves (21), William Reeves (17), Hannah Reeves (48), Richard Burt (28), Betsy Burt (26). All these were listed as born in England. Richard is listed as a physician and surgeon which matches the English 1841 census.

So far this family has not been located on the 1860 or 1861 census. However, by 1871, some of the family was back in Kent, in Tunbridge Wells. Hannah Reeves (68) is head of household, with her daughter Betsy Barron Burt (47) and grandchildren C. R. A. Burt (18) and Rose Amelia Burt (16) along with servant Mary Ann Everest (20). Rose is listed as being born in Madison, Wisconsin, while C. R. A.'s birth is listed as N. America, Middleton, likely Middleton, Wisconsin.

The National Probate Calendar provides the following under 1880:
REEVES Hannah.
Personal Estate under £100.
18 February. The Will of Hannah Reeves late of Tonbridge Wells in the County of Kent Widow who died 29 January 1880 at Tonbridge Wells was proved at the Principal Registry by Francis Reeves of Pix Hall in the Parish of Hawkhurst in the said County Esquire the Nephew the sole Executor.

Thomas and his wife Hannah are buried in St. Laurence Churchyard, Hawkhurst. Headstone says he died 7 Jan 1839, aged 44.

The will of Thomas Reeves of Hawkhurst was probated in 1839. He mentions but does not name his children. Richard Reeves, Francis Reeves, and Thomas M. Durrant were appointed executors.

Research Notes

Sources

Marriage1:  Rolvenden, St Mary the Virgin, Kent Marriage Register 1813-1837, p10
Marriage2:  Hawkhurst, Kent, Marriage Register 1813-1837, p51
Death:        See Burial
Burial:       Findagrave - St. Laurence Churchyard, Hawkhurst, Tunbridge Wells Borough, Kent

1841 Census:  Hawkhurst, Kent
1850 Census:  Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin (Hannah HOH)
1871 Census:  Tunbridge Wells, Kent (Hannah HOH)

1838 Will - Thomas Reeves of Hawkhurst, Kent - Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1839-1841, Piece 1907: Vaughan, Quire Numbers 101-150 (1839), folio 131