Reeves, William

Summary

Father: John Reeves
Mother: Unknown

Birth: 1790, Greenville, South Carolina
Birth Source: 1812 Will of George Woolf

Death: after 1880, probably Greenville County, South Carolina
Death Source:

Spouse1: Elizabeth Hawk, m. Oct 1813, Greenville County, South Carolina

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Narrative

Children of William Reeves and Elizabeth Hawk:

1. Ewel Reeves, b. 1824
2. Sarah Reeves, b. 1830
3. Dyer Reeves, b. Feb 1833
4. Susan Reeves, b. 1834

William Reeves and his brothers appear to have been living in the home of his uncle George Woolf when the 1810 census was taken. He is not listed in the 1820 census of Greenville County, or if he is his name is grossly misspelled. However, the 1830 census lists a William Reeves in Greenville with a household that contains Males - 1 <5, 4 5-9 (unless there are two sets of twins involved, this must be an error on the part of the census taker), 1 10-14, 1 40-49; Females - 1 <5, 1 5-9, 1 10-14, 1 30-39.

There is a Jane Reeves listed as the HOH in the 1820 Greenville census who may possibly be related to this family in some way but nothing is currently known to confirm a relationship.

In an 1833 General Sessions case from Greenville County, James Waldrop testified that "William Reaves did on the 10th Day of May last violently assault him the said Waldrop on the publick passway in John Spriggs's plantation, on which said Reaves now lives by kitching his horse by the bridle and turning him round." This is presumably a reference to this William Reeves as he is the only known Reeves by that name in that time and area.

On the 1850 Census, his wife's name is given as Sarah. This appears to be a mistake as his pension record states he married Elizabeth in 1813. His daughter Sarah was listed directly after his wife so it's likely this was the recorder's error.

On 25 Aug 1876, William Reaves of Marietta, Greenville Co., SC made statements for his War of 1812 Pension application. He was 83 years old. His wife's name was Elizabeth Hawk whom he married in Greenville County in Oct 1813. He volunteered in Bratons Old Field in Captain John Masseys South Carolina Troops as a substitute for James Chisem and was discharged at Fort Hawkins in April 1814.

Included in the pension application was the following endorsement:

Dear sir
In reply to yours of the 14th instant I have made inquiries about William Reaves and Asel Reaves there age is supposed to be some where in 80 eighty odd tha are very poor. But I have herd nothing against there carrecter. William Reves Neighbors say tha have always understood that he hird a substitute in the War of 1812. Asel Reaves lives some 20 or 30 miles from here in Pickens County I can only say of him there is such a man and that tha are Brothers.
Yours Respectfully H Good PM

"Aseal" Asel Reaves of Greenville County (this is in error) testified that he knew William "went to the war of 1812 and knew that he served under the assumed name of James Chisem thinks as well as he cam remember that he served in captain Hendersions company he heard Chisem & Reaves talk the matter over and knows that the agreement was complied with by the paing the money according to contract."

Sources

1830 Census - Greenville County, South Carolina
1840 Census - Pickens District, Pickens County, South Carolina
1850 Census - Eastern Division, Pickens County, South Carolina
1860 Census - Caesars Head, Greenville County, South Carolina
1870 Census - Cleavlan, Greenville County, South Carolina
1880 Census - Bates, Greenville County, South Carolina

1812 Will of George Woolf
War of 1812 Pension Record, William Reeves, South Carolina, 1876
Greenville County, South Carolina General Sessions Case #938, Stave Vs. William Reaves