Reeves, Thomas Sr.
Summary
Father: Henry Reeves, Jr.Mother: Sarah
Birth: c1700, Essex County, Virginia
Birth Source: 1728 Will of Henry Reeves, Jr.
Death: before 6 May 1760, Spotsylvania County, Virginia
Death Source: Administrators Bond Granted - WB B, Page 443
Spouse1: probably Kerenhappuch MNU
Narrative
Sons of Thomas Reeves, Sr. named in the 1753 will of his brother, George Reeves and probated in Spotsylvania County, Virginia in March of 1754 and recorded in Will Book B, Page 183 with the exception of Brewer:Although he was not named in the will of his uncle George Reeves, Brewer Reeves of Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Virginia, who died in Christian County, Kentucky in 1799 was also a son of Thomas Reeves, Sr. It is also possible that George and Brewer were the same individual. Thomas Reeves, Jr.'s son George was previously believed to be the George Reeves who settled in Virginia's New River area in 1767, but that has been disproved based upon the DNA of his descendants. Descendants of George Reeves of Grayson County, Virginia are not DNA matches to descendants of this family who have tested.
The parentage of Brewer Reeves is clearly identified from the Augusta County VA Chancery Case - Valentine Sevoir v. Thomas Reeves. The petition in this case states "Thomas or his brother Brewer Reeves". This is the Thomas Reeves with wife Sarah formerly of Spotsylvania County and identified in another Augusta County Chancery Case - John Herndon v. Thomas Reeves as being the Thomas Reeves of Spotsylvania County.
The 1738 Essex County will of his mother, Sarah, refers to "necessaty and misfortune of my sonn Thomas" that he receive 20 pounds sterling.
Various sources list the wife of Thomas Reeves, Sr. as Sarah; however, no citations mentioning Sarah as the wife of a Thomas Reeves can be found prior to the death of Thomas Reeves, Sr. Sarah, wife of Thomas is undoubtedly the wife of his son, Thomas Reeves, Jr. and was Sarah Attwood, his cousin and the niece of Thomas Reeves, Sr. The most likely candidate as the wife of Thomas Reeves Sr. would appear to be Kerenhappuch Reeves who was named as a witness in the following deed. It is noteworthy that Edward Coleman was the first cousin of Thomas Reeves. :
- Edward Coleman and Lucrea (sic Lucretia), his wife, of St. George Parish, Spotsylvania County to Samuel Waggoner of Essex Co., and South Farnham Parish 100 acres in St. George Parish, Spotsylvania County. Witnessed by Kerenhappuch Reeves, February 5, 1744. [Spotsylvania County DB D, p181].
At this time, the only Reeves living in the area of Spotsylvania County appear to be Thomas Reeves, Sr. and his brother George. Since this was the only Reeves family found in Spotsylvania during this time period, if Kerenhappuch was not the wife of Thomas, Sr., she would have to have been the wife of his brother George; however, George left no heirs
Recorded in Spotsylvania County, Virginia on May 4, 1731 - Augustine Smith of St. Mark's Parish, Spotsylvania County to Thomas Reeves of St. George Parish, Spotsylvania County 200 acres in St. George Parish, "for the better and more perfect confirming and assuring to ye said Thos. Reeves, 200 a. of land by the said Augustine Smith, sold to his father, Henry Reeves, by deeds...in Essex Court, the 9th Septr., 1714, and by sd. Henry Reeves bequeathed to his son, Thomas Reeves", part of a patent granted said Smith on August 21, 1719.
The following are listed in the Spotsylvania County Road Orders 1722-1734:
- 7 September 1732 O.S., Page 162 - Ordered that all the Tithables On the South side of the Falls road above Thomas Reeves be added & Do Serve under Charles Steward Overseer of the road, September 7, 1732, Spotsylvania court records.
- 3 October 1732 O.S., Page 166 - Ordered that Thomas Reeves be Overseer of the road from Hazle run to the Upper Side of the falls run including the same, And the road out of the aforesaid road to the Inspectors Landing, And it is Ordered that all the Tithables On the river side, between the said Places Do Serve under the said Reeves to keep the said roads in good repair.
- 7 May 1734 O.S., Page 306 - On petition of Thomas Reeves to be Discharged from being overseer of the road from the Hazle run to the falls &c. the Same is refferred to the next Court for Consideration about deviding the said roads & tithables that live adjacent & c
- 5 June 1734 O.S., Page 324 - On petition of Thomas Reeves to be discharged from being Overseer of the Road from the Hazle run up to the falls, the Same is refferred till the list of tithables are returníd
- 3 September 1734 O.S., Page 340 - On petition of Thomas Reeves he is discharged from being Overseer of ye road from ye Hazle Run up to the falls, and James Williams is ordered and appointed to Serve in his room and all the tithables which Serve Under ye said Reeves are ordered to Serve under the Sd. Williams to help him Clear & keep in good repair ye said Road.
The Spotsylvania County Court minutes on the 5th of November, 1759 record the replacement of Thomas Reeves as constable. The record reads " Wm. Grayson sworn constable in the room of Tho.s Reeves". There is no indication as to the cause but it may be suggest that Thomas Reeves was deceased by that date. [Spotsylvania Co. VA OB 1755-1765 p151]
Thomas Reeves filed bond as administrator of the estate of Thomas Reeves, with John Bataley and William Lewis as securities, recorded May 6, 1760. On that same day in Spotsylvania County, a bond was filed by the same individuals to administer the estate of Henry Reeves, presumably, Thomas' son.
Sources
1728 Will of Henry Reeves, Jr.Spotsylvania County Road Orders 1722-1734
Spotsylvania County VA, Will Book B, Page 443
Spotsylvania County VA, Deed Book D p.168
Court Records of Spotsylvania County VA, OB 1755-1765 p151
Augusta County, VA Chancery Case - Valentine Sevoir v. Thomas Reeves