Reeves, William

Summary

Father:
Mother:

Birth: c1761, Salem, Massachusetts
Birth Source: Pension record

Death: 30 Oct 1820
Death Source: Pension record

Spouse1: Abigail Grate, m. 23 Apr 1795, Balitmore, Maryland

Narrative

Children of William Reeves and Abigail Grate:

1. Eunice Maria Reeves, b. c1798
2. Ann Amelia Reeves, b. c1805
3. Eveline Reeves, b. c1808
4. Henrietta Reeves, b. c1810
5. Washington Franklin Reeves, b. c1813
6. Theodore Reeves, b. c1816

William was a Revolutionary War soldier from Massachusetts who moved to Baltimore, Maryland. The following points are gleaned from the Pension File:

• In 1818, William Reeves states he was aged 57 (b. c1761), a native born citizen of Salem, MA, and residing in Baltimore
• Latter part of Dec 1775 enlisted under Leut Francis Cook - Capt Bakers Comp, attached to Col Hutchinsons Reg Mass Line
• 1820 - resident of Baltimore, states: "I am by profession a mariner by having been greatly afflicted have not been to sea for five years past and now confined with the Dropsy supposed incurable. My distuped? Family consists of my wife named Abigail aged 44 years, Daughter Eunice Maria 22 years, Ann Amelia 15 years, Eveline 12 years, Henrietta 10 years, son Washington Franklin 7 years, and Theodore 4 years none able to support themselves at the present time"
• Abigail m. to William Reeves 23 Apr 1795
• William d. 30 Oct 1820
• Rector of the Catholic Cathedral in Baltimore provided the record of marriage of William to Abigail Grate/Grale
• Orphans Court record contained in file states Abigail d. 31 Aug 1849?
• Henrietta and at least one sister still living in 1857, unmarried. The sister in bad health.

Federal Intelligencer, 24 Apr 1795
Married last evening, captain William Reeves of this place, to the amiable and accomplished Miss Abigail Grate of York County, Pennsylvania.

This is likely the William Reeves who attempted to excuse himself from all debts in 1797. As reported in the Federal Gazette & Baltimore Daily Advertiser on 21 Oct 1797:

Notice is hereby given,
To all whom it may concern, that I intend to apply by petition, to the next general assembly of the state of Maryland, for an act to relieve me from debts I am unable to pay, as a partner in the ouse and firm of Reeves and Farrar, as well as in my own private capacity - on my delivering up all my effects for the use of my creditors.
William Reeves
September 27

Abigail Reeves submitted the inventory of William's estate 18 Jun 1821.

It appears that all the children but Ann Amelia were living together, unmarried, in 1850, in Baltimore. In 1860, Theodore, Henrietta and Eveline were still living together.

Research Notes

It appears from the 1810 census that William and Abigail had two older sons born 1795-1800 who must have died before 1820.

Sources

Marriage1:  Maryland, Compiled Marriages, 1655-1850 (Ancestry)
                      Federal Intelligencer, 24 Apr 1795

1810 Census:  Baltimore County, Maryland
1820 Census:  Baltimore County, Maryland
1830 Census:  Baltimore County, Maryland (William Reeves, no older male listed)
1840 Census:  Baltimore County, Maryland (Abigail HOH)

Revolutionary War Pension Record, William Reeves, W1319 (Fold3)
Baltimore County, Maryland Inventory Book 32, p600
Federal Gazette & Baltimore Daily Advertiser, 21 Oct 1797