Reeves, Winifred MNU

Summary

Father: Unknown
Mother:

Birth: 1786, Virginia
Birth Source: Census

Death: Sep 1869, probably Prince William County, Virginia
Death Source: U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885, year ending June 1870

Spouse1: John U. Reeves

---

Narrative

Children of John U. Reeves and Winifred:

1. James T. Reeves, b. 1807
2. Walter C. Reeves, b. 1809
3. Unknown daughter born 1811 to 1815, probably Catherine wife of John Mullen
4. Julia A. Reeves, b. 1818, m. Capt. Elkanah S. Swann 11 Aug 1836 in Washington D.C.
5. Mary Jane Reeves, b. 1830, d. 11 Jul 1873, m. William H. Duvall, m. 26 Sep 1844
6. William A. Reeves, b. 1824
7. John U. Reeves, Jr., b. 1823

John U. Reeves named his daughter Julia Swann along with her husband in an 1851 deed of gift to them. Daughter Mary Jane Reeves is listed in the Index of Death Records of Prince William County, Virginia and identified as the daughter of John and Winifred Reeves.

There is currently no documentation to support the identity of the unknown daughter born 1811-1815 as Catherine Mullen, wife of John Mullen. Catherine Mullen was born 1814 according to census and their household was adjacent to the residences of Winifred Reeves and other members of this immediate family in census of 1850 and 1860.

A recently discovered deed of 16 Jan 1830 by John U. Reeves and Winifred, his wife, to Phillip Carter, has identified the husband of Winifred Reeves. [PWC DB 12, p.14] Prior to the discovery of this deed, the only record of Winifred was as the head of household in the 1840 and 1850 census.

John U. Reeves' household in the 1830 census of PWC consisted of 2 Males 5-9, 1 Male 15-19, 1 Male 20-29, 1 Male 30-39, 1 Male 60-69, 1 Female 10-14, 1 Female 15-19, 1 Female 30-39, 1 Female 70-79 and 3 Slaves. It is assumed that he is the male 30-39, and the older individuals in the household are his in-laws or other elderly family members.

Winifred Reeves is first found as an apparent widow in the 1840 census of Prince William County, Virginia with a household consisting of 2 Males 15-19, 1 Female 10-14 and 1 Female 50-59. In that census, her name is incorrectly spelled "Windford". The 1850 census of Prince William County lists one child, William A. Reeves age 26, still living in her household.

The will of John U. Reeves was presented for probate on 2 July 1861 to the Prince William County Court. His 1860 will only names as his heirs, the children of one Mary Savage who was deceased by that date. He left the house and lot in town where he lived, plus three thousand dollars to her daughter Mary Elizabeth Savage, his plantation to her son John. There were also legacies to her son Thomas I. Savage and daughter Susan V. Rankin. There is no mention in his will of Winifred, his wife previously identified or his children. Neither is there any suggestion as to whether Mary Savage and her children may have been relatives, i.e. Mary Savage having been his daughter and her children his grandchildren. Although it is also possible that theirs was a "common law" union and he was the father of these children since he does not appear to have lived in the same household with Winifred after around 1830. The will was contested when presented to court in August of 1841 but on a later date after statements were taken by the subscribing witnesses, the court accepted the will and recorded it.

Sources

1830 Deed, John U. Reeves & Winifred, his wife, to Phillip Carter, PWC DB 12, p. 14
1840 Census - Prince William County, Virginia
1850 Census - Prince William County, Virginia
1860 Census - Prince William County, Virginia
Virginia, Deaths and Burials Index, 1853-1917, online database at Ancestry.com (Mary Jane Reeves)
U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1885, year ending June 1870 online at Ancestry.com