Reeves, William Hickerson

Summary

Father: Bennett Dudley Reeves
Mother: Mary MNU

Birth: 1838, Alabama
Birth Source: Census records

Death: possibly before October 1874
Death Source: Statement to Chancery Court regarding Estate of Bennett Reeves

Spouse1: Elizabeth "Bettie"

Narrative

Children of William Hickerson Reeves and Elizabeth:

1. Emma Eugenia Reeves, b. 27 Nov 1870
2. Carrie Reeves, b. 25 Feb 1874

Throughout the years following Bennett Reeves's death in 1862, William H. Reeves and his brother George W. Reeves were administrators of his estate. After George W. Reeves died in August 1866, William continued to manage the estate. The affects of the Civil War were severe for the estate. Buyers at the estate sale were generally southerners with much of their worth supported by Confederate currency which became completely worthless and was devastating to the estate.

In 1867, the other heirs of Bennett Reeves along with their mother, sued to remove William as the administrator of the estate blaming him for mishandling it. In October 1874, a statement contained in the Chancery file by W. C. Bishop states that William H. Reeves had "departed this life". William was scheduled to give a deposition to W. C. Bishop, Special Commissioner, regarding information pertinent to the estate, but he failed to appear for the depositions. Sometime later, Bishop was informed that he was no longer living, but no proof can be found other than this statement. No probate documents have yet been found to support this nor have guardian records been located to identify all of his children beyond what is available in census records.

Research Notes

The household of Elizabeth Reeves, incorrectly listed as Rives, in the 1880 census of Oktibbeha County, Mississippi lists the above children in addition to 7 month old Nellie. If William Reeves had, in fact, died prior to October 1874, Nellie could not possibly be William Reeves' child; however, there is no definitive proof that the statement regarding his death prior to October 1874 is accurate.

In the 1900 census of Caledonia, Lowndes County, Mississippi, Bettie Reeves, mother-in-law, is recorded in the home of Jesse and Emma Wells. In neighboring residences are found the families of Richard and Carrie Reeves Moore and Thomas and Nellie Reeves Acker.

Sources

1850 Census - Lowndes County, Mississippi
1860 Census - Lowndes County, Mississippi
1870 Census - Police District 3, Lowndes, Mississippi
1880 Census - Oktibbeha County, Mississippi (HOH M.E. Rives)
1900 Census - Caledonia, Lowndes County, Mississippi
Estate File of Bennett Reeves, Lowndes County, Mississippi #1223