Rives, James

Summary

Father: William Rives
Mother: probably Mary Young

Birth: c1785-1795
Birth Source: Census

Death: Jan-Apr 1814
Death Source: Will & Probate

Spouse1: Sarah H.

Narrative

James Rives is found living in Chester County listed next to his father William Rives. He is in the age 16-25 category with two women in the household also in the 16-25 age category.

In a Chester County Equity Bill, Robert Reives and his wife Sarah H. Reives state that "William Reives the elder died testate, and that he devised the lands alluded to in complainants amendment, to his three sons James Reives, William C. Reives and George P. Reives. Defendant Robert Reives admits he intermarried with the widow of James Reives, and that he is in possession of the lands devised to him by his father William Reives the elder, but that he only claims a moiety thereof in right of his said wife the other moiety being devised by the said James Reives to his Brother in law Henry N. Carter. Defendant also admits that James Reives the devisee of William Reives the elder died without lawful issue. Defendant can not state positively what estate the said James Reives took under the will of of his father, as neither of them ever saw said will; but that they ?? and believe the said land was devised to the said James Reives in fee simple; and that the same was not ? to him for life."

This establishes that James was married to Sarah, but that he left no children and died by the time of the court case in 1823.

There was apparently a dispute over a claimed will of William Rives. Some claimed he did not have a will while others claimed he did and left some land to his three sons James, William C., and George P. He left land to his son James which James lived on until he died and was supposed to go to James's heirs.

James wrote his will on 27 Jan 1814 which mentions his wife Sarah H. "Reivs" and his brother-in-law Henry N. Carter. Thomas Carter Sr. and Elijah Hyatt were appointed executors. It was proved 5th April 1814.

Research Notes

Sources

1810 Census:  Chester County, South Carolina

FamilySearch - Chester County, South Carolina Equity Bill 16, Robert Reives &c Vs. Benj Booth &c
1814 Will - James Rives - Chester County, South Carolina Probate Apartment 58, Package 893