Reeves, William

Summary

Father: John Reeves
Mother: Nancy MNU

Birth: c1769, South Carolina probably Lancaster County (described as above Camden in RW pension statement for Daniel Reeves)
Birth Source: RW Pension File of Daniel Reeves

Death: 1838, Probate records of Smith County, Tennessee
Death Source: 1837 Will presented to be probated 1838

Spouse1: Rhoda Duke (Undocumented)
Spouse2: Mrs. Delilah MNU Pugh or "Dicey", widow of Francis Pugh. Married 1835

Narrative

Children of William Reeves and Rhoda Duke:

1. John Reeves, b. c1797
2. Polly Reeves
3. Moses Reeves, 5 Jan 1800
4. William Reeves, Jr., b. June 1805
5. Elizabeth Reeves, b. m. Horace Oliver

Child of William Reeves and probably Mrs. Delilah Pugh:

1. Simeon Reeves

The will of William Reeves refers to his "present wife Dicey" which creates the impression that there was a prior wife. The exact mother or mothers of the above children are currently unknown; however, Simeon may be the child of Dicey since he appears to be much younger than the other children. William Reeves' 1837 will provides that the legacy for Simeon be divided among the other children if Simeon should not live to the age of twenty-one years.

William Reeves of Smith County Tennessee gave testimony in support of Ellenor Reeves' widows application stating that he was the brother of Daniel Reeves and that Daniel was about 15 years older than himself. In that deposition he also stated that the home of their father was at that time some miles above Camden which would indicate that they were probably from Lancaster County.

In the records of Old Camden District, South Carolina which included the area of Lancaster County, both a John Reeves and Moses Reeves are on the Petit Jury List in 1780. This John Reeves is likely the father of Daniel and William. Moses may be a brother to John. Elisha Reeves who was listed in the 1790 census of Lancaster may be another son of John and brother of William. Jesse Reeves gave a deposition in Daniel's pension application stating that he was a cousin whose family lived close to Daniel's.

This appears to be the same William Reeves listed in the 1800 and 1810 census of Lancaster County, South Carolina.

From the limited information available it is not possible to positively establish whether this is the same individual listed in the 1800 census of Lancaster, SC as Will Reeves, but it appears to be.

The household of Will. Reeves in 1800 is listed as 2 males under 10, 1 male 26-44, 1 female 0-10, 1 female 26-44. In 1800, William was enumerated next door to David Williams, husband of Elizabeth Reeves Williams and near Joseph Hail, who is mentioned on deed with Reeves family members. Several members of the Blackmon family — including one Britton Blackmon — were living nearby. The presence of the Blackmons suggests continuity of residence and association since both John Reeves and Elisha Reeves were enumerated near members of the Blackmon family in 1790. Anna Reeves would later marry a younger Britton Blackmon, born about 1780, and in 1810, James Reeves would be enumerated alongside John Blackmon, Sr.

In 1810, his household is described as 1 Male under 10, 2 Males 10-15, 1 Male 26-44 and 1 Female 26-44.

William Reeves was involved in several Lancaster Co., SC, land records.

On 17 November 1799, Thomas Frizzle sold land to Moses Barnard. The land was described as adjoining the property of Colden Williams, Moses Barnard, and William Reeves. (Lancaster Co., SC, DB F, p. 109.)

On 28 December 1799, William Ferguson of Fairfield County conveyed to William Reeves of Lancaster County for 25 pounds sterling a tract lying in Lancaster County joining William Ward and Barnard's land consisting of 123 acres. William Ferguson signed the deed, which was acknowledged before Andrew Baskins, J.P. William Ferguson, Jr., Moses Barnard, and David Williams, husband of Elizabeth Reeves witnessed the deed. (Lancaster Co., SC, DB F, p. 16.)

On 15 June 1804, William (X) Reaves and James Holleman, Sr., witnessed in Lancaster County (Lancaster Co., SC, Deed Abstracts, 1787-1811, p. 167.)

On 14 November 1812, William Reeves conveyed to Joseph Haile a tract of land on Lynches Creek that joined land owned by Joseph Haile, William Baskins, and Thomas Dunn. Witnesses included Dudley Haile and David Williams, husband of Elizabeth Reeves.

On 24 December 1816, William Reeves sold to Thomas Small land on Flat Creek that had been granted to Abraham Adams on 20 January 1773 to Thomas Small. William Reeves and wife Rhody (X) Reeves signed the deed; Rhody relinquished her dower on 31 May 1817. John Reeves and John Stogner witnessed the deed. (Lancaster Co., SC, Deed Book I, p. 56.) This seems to be a tract of land granted to Alexander Adams in 1773 that Adams sold to Colden Williams, who in turn, with wife Mary, conveyed the land to Ferguson Haile, who then conveyed it to Willis Caston, who then conveyed it to William Reeves. David Williams, husband of Elizabeth Reeves, witnessed the deed, along with one Benjamin Reeves.

William first shows up in Smith Co., Tennessee land records in 1822 when James C. Robertson deeded him 65 acres on Hogan's Creek.

Research Notes

It has recently been noted that William Reeves of Smith County, Tennessee was included in Reliques of the Rives (Ryves) by James Rives Childs, pub. 1929. An individual had submitted information to Childs that William Reeves of Smith County TN was the son of Moses Rives of Brunswick County, Virginia (see page 134 of Reliques). Childs, believing this assertion included William Reeves of Smith County along with his descendants in this publication as descending from the Rives' family of Surry County, Virginia. However, the Revolutionary War pension application of Daniel Reeves' widow includes an affidavit by William Reeves of Smith County TN stating that he was the brother of Daniel Reeves. The pension statement also includes information that the parents of Daniel and William were John Reeves and his wife Nancy. Taken from information in the family bible which is included in that pension application: "Daniel Reeves the son of John Reeves and Nancy his wife was born October the 10th day 1754". It appears that the person who submitted the information to Childs made an incorrect assumption regarding William Reeves' of Smith County TN's origins.

Sources

Census:     1800 Census - Lancaster County, South Carolina
                   1810 Census - Lancaster County, South Carolina
                   1820 Census - Smith County, Tennessee
                   1830 Census - Smith County, Tennessee
History:    Daniel Reeves RW Pension Statement
                   1822 Deed - James C Robertson to William Reeves, Smith Co., TN Deed Book H, p208 (Smith County, Tennessee Deed Books B-M 1800-1835, p192)
                   1837 Will - William Reeves, Smith County, Tennessee, Will Book 6, p214
                   Court Case - Delilah Reaves vs Oliver et al, Smith County, Tennessee, 1839
                   1799 Deed - William Ferguson to William Reeves - Lancaster County, South Carolina Deed Book F, p16
                   1799 Deed - Thomas Frizzle to Moses Barnard - Lancaster County, South Carolina Deed Book F, p109
                   1808 Deed - Wilks Caston to William Reeves - Lancaster County, South Carolina Deed Book I, p55