Reeves, William

Summary

Father:
Mother:

Birth: 1824, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, England
Birth Source: Census

Death: 20 Jun 1908, Rockford, Illinois
Death Source: Obituary

Spouse1: Elizabeth Vardy/Gardy, m. 29 Apr 1851, Didbrook, Gloucestershire, England

Narrative

Children of William Reeves and Elizabeth Vardy:

1. George W. Reeves, b. 10 Jan 1853
2. Fanny Reeves, b. c1855, m. William J. Higginbottom
3. Elizabeth J. Reeves, b. c1858, m. Mr. Davenport
4. Frederick Reeves, b. c1863
5. Albert Reeves, b. c15 Jul c1875, d. 25 Apr 1948

The marriage record for William and Elizabeth state that both their father's were deceased at the time. He is listed as a nephew in the household of George W. Reeves in the 1851 census.

Rockford Republic, 20 Jun 1908
William Reeves Died at Noon
Resident of Rockford for Over Half Century. Died at His Home This Noon - Funeral Monday Afternoon
William Reeves, prominent member of Nevius Post, G. A. R., and a resident of this city for over a half century, died at his home, 327 North Horsman Street, at 12:40 o'clock this noon. He had been very seriously ill for a number of weeks and death was daily expected. Death is ascribed to infirmities incident to old age.
Mr. Reeves was born in Winchomb, Gloucestershire, England, in 1824. He came to America in 1847 stopping first at Galesville, N. Y. In 1848 he came to Rockford where he lived for two years and then returned to England, where he was married to Elizabeth Vardy at Dickbrook. In a short time he returned to this country to Williamsburg, N. Y. In 1853 he returned to Rockford where he lived until his death.
He enlisted for the Civil War in 1864 in Co. C, 146th Ill. Infantry, at Rockford, Ill. Since the war he was ever a faithful friend of Nevius Post, a man with a warm heart and a ready handshake for all his comrades.
To mourn his passing are two daughters and three sons, George W., Frederick, and Albert, Mrs. W. H. Higgenbotham of Rockford, and Mrs. W. H. Davenport of Fort Worth.
The funeral services will be held at 2:30 o'clock Monday afternoon from the home, 327 North Horsman Street. Services will be conducted by the G. A. R.

Son George's death record gives maiden name of mother Elizabeth and the birthplace of both parents as London, England.

It appear he and George Reeves came together to New York on the ship Margaret Evans in 1848. William is listed as 23, and George as 26. They are likely brothers. They also appear to both be living in the same household in 1850 in Winnebago County.

On his second return to the United States, he came on the ship Esmerelda with his uncle George Reeves's family.

Research Notes

(1)   It is probable this is William Reeves who was baptised at the Parish Church of St George, Didbrook, Gloucestershire in April 1825. If so, his parents were William and Mary Reeves; his father William's occupation is noted at that time as a Sawyer. A family link to George Reeves has yet to be made.

(2)   It is possible this is William Reeve (sic) who appears on the 1841 census in the parish of Stanway which adjoins Didbrook. This William, who is 15 years old, was employed as an Apprentice Smith. He is to be found in the household of Joseph and Mary FARDON and their 7 day old, unnamed, son. Joseph Fardon is a Blacksmith by occupation. (HO107, Piece 0367, Book 17, Folio 11 reverse, page 7, third dwelling)

The GRO Index notes the birth of a Joseph FRIDON during 2q1841 in Winchcomb Reg. Dist. with mother's maiden name of BAYLES. FreeBMD has a corresponding birth entry for a Joseph FARDON (same volume and page numbers). FreeBMD also has notes a marriage during 4q1840 in the neighbouring Northleath Reg.Dist for Joseph FARDON and Mary BAYLIS. No family connection between the Fardon's and William Reeve is presently known.

Sources

Marriage1: FreeBMD     1851, June quarter, Winchcomb(e) Registration District     -     William Reeves & Elizabeth Vardy
                     Gloucestershire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1938 (Ancestry)
Death:        Rockford Republic, 20 Jun 1908

1841 Census:
1850 Census:  Winnebago County, Illinois
1851 Census:   Didbrook, Gloucestershire, England - HO107, Piece 1971, Folio 36 reverse, Page 9, Schedule 14
1860 Census:  Winnebago County, Illinois

Passenger List - Esmerelda - arrived New York - July 1851