To my knowledge, most of my REEVES' stayed in western NC while a couple moved to TN and back and forth from there. I 'll look further. ------------------------------

Temperance REAVES was born somewhere in NC on 27 May 1790. She married Kindred STRICKLAND in Wake County, NC, on 5 Jan 1811. They moved to Gordo, Pickens County, Alabama, with their children (married & single) by 1850. Can anyone help me with Tempy's family of origin? Pollyana King Brown orb@showme.missouri.edu ------------------------------

I am searching for info on George REEVES, b/1797 in KY, probably Fleming, Mason or Bracken Co. He married Alcebeth Hargett, lived in Bracken Co. until the mid-1850's, then moved to Woodlawn, Jefferson Co.,IL. Sandy McSpadden. ------------------------------

By the way, it might be simpler to reach me on my aol address, SkipponVid@aol.com ------------------------------

Food for thought on the beginning of the Reeves surname-some notes from my web page. Family Tradition of Reeves Family Although these names are represented by seperate and distinct families in many sections of Great Britain, the United States, and other parts of the world, they have undoubtely a common derivation. The name orginated in the ancient word "reve", meaning a bailiff, provost or steward. Probably most of the families bearing variations of this name have a common origin. In the feudal days of Britain almost every manor of consequence had its "reve" whose authority was to levy the lord's rent, to set to work his servants, to superintend his dominions to his best profit and to govern his tenants in peace as well as to lead them forth to war when necessity required. After the Normans invaded England in 1066, the name "reve" was changed to "bailiff". In later times the word "sheriff" (shire-reve) came into use designating the principal Governor over the English shire or country. Robert Reve of Blandford, County Dorset, was the earliest known ancestor of the English family of Reve, Rives, or Ryves. He was born about 1490. After his death in 1551, he was buried in the Church of Saint Peter and Paul in Blandford Forum where the coat of arms was found in the north window. One William Rives who settled in Virginia was considered the founder of the Rives, Ryves family in the southern states of America. He was the son of Timothy Rives of Oxfordshire, England and came to Surrey County, Virginia about 1653. The first documented representative line of this branch of the Reeves family was George Reeves who was born about 1700 in Virginia. There is no record to be found of his arrival by ship in that generation so it is quite likely that his father was the emigrant. Look for Original List of Persons of Quality, written by John Hotton in 1874, Lists John Reeves. The Reeves Family by Reeves is written about the Reeves of North Carolina, George is mentioned as possibly being one of two or three brothers who were sons of John Reeves, who settled in different parts of the colonies. According to Hotten's List of Emigrants there was a John Reeves included in the passenger list of the Christian which sailed from England 16 Mar 1634 bound for New England. Between 1620 and 1650 a Thomas Reeves from Toweester Parish, Northamptonshire, England and a William Reeves from Toweester Parish, Northamptonshire, England came to this country. There was a Thomas Reeves from Salisoury Parish, Wiltshire, England who arrived at Boston, Massachusetts between 1620 and 1650. (Bank's Topographical Dictionary of English Emigrants). The Quit Rent Rolls of Virginia for the year 1704 list a James Reeves in Essex county; Joseph Reeves in Essex county; Thomas Reeves in Charles City county; John Reeves is listed as owning 50 acres of land. Possibly John Reeves, possibly an indentured servant in Va. George Reeves c. 1700-1774, married Ann Doggett, daughter of Benjamin Doggett II, Lancaster County, VA. Asa Reeves 1730-1822, married Sarah Lambert, Lived Fleming County and Mason County Ky,1789. William Reeves 1765-?, married Eleoner Wood, went to Fleming County, KY, 1792, 22 years in KY, then to Brown County, Ohio by 182_, Rev. War Soldier. Elizabeth Reeves 1801-1872, married 1824, Ephriam Jacobs, 1802-1888, married in Brown County, moved 1839 to Adams County. IN. Sibyl ___, 1769-1853, VA, married William Jacobs born 1755, may have been a Reeves. Her father may have been William Reeves, born Prince William County, VA. ********************************************************** 16 Marcij 1634, Mildred Bredstret, Theis under-written names are to be transported to New-England imbarqued in ye Christian de Lo; Jo: White. Mr bound thither, the Men have taken ye oath of Allegeance L Supremacie. Jo:Reeves 19 years. George Reeves, SR, 1735-1811,born Drewry's Bluff, Chesterfield, VA. Died residence 6 miles from Independence, Grayson, VA. Father was George Reeves. Married Jane Burton 1739-1811, born Grayson County, VA. Children; Jesse Reeves, born abt 1760 in Independance, Grayson, VA, died 10 Sep 1833, married to Miss Terrill William Reeves born abt 1777 in Independance, Grayson, VA, married Miss Terrill. George Reeves, JR, born abt 1779 in Independance, Grayson, VA, married Jane Osborn. John Reeves born abt 1781 in Independance, Grayson, VA, married Phoebe Osborn. Anna Reeves born abt 1783 in Independance, Grayson, VA. Mary Reeves born abt 1787 in Independance, Grayson, VA. Susan Reeves born abt 1789 in Independance, Grayson, VA. Charity Reeves born abt 1792 in Independance, Grayson, VA, married Zachariah Osborn. George Reeves, father George Reeves-died 1817, Soldier in American Revolution, land grant on New River, later Grayson County, VA, then Montgomery County, VA, there in 1767. Children: Susannah married Tolliver. William. Prudence married Andrew Cox. Ann married B (Barthelomew) Austin. Polly married Doughton. Charity married Zachariah Osborne. Jane married Jessee Edwards. Elizabeth married Samuel Phipps. Lucy married David Cox. Grayson County: A history in words and Pictures (VA) <William Reynolds> reynolds@hills.net (Please note change in address no "w") Bill's Roots (genealogy) Home Page http://www.hills.net/~reynolds/index.htm (Please note change in address no "w") ------------------------------

Greg- Someone recently mentioned to me that REAVES/REEVES is an Irish name, not English, but they didn't remember where they got that from and I've found nothing to prove or disprove it, but would certainly be interested in knowing. - Linda ------------------------------

Greg- 1. Quite possibly REEVE/REEVES may have been preceded by RYVES. 2. No guess on Robert RYVES' "former (French) surname". 3. Names seemed to evolve due to carelessness, uninterest, uneducation, simply not bothering to ask, sound. In my research, the various spellings (or mis-spellings) of the surname often come from the failure of others to ask for the correct spelling if they were unsure. My earliest known relative and most subsequent ancestors have spelled the surname REAVES. I have property tax receipts of my grandfather and great-grandfather and, based on the handwriting, the name was spelled differently by each clerk and none bothered to ask for the correct spelling of their name or even to spell the name as written on the deed and other tax documents. The name was ultimately spelled REAVES, REEVES, REVES, RIVES, and RIEVES on various documents in the same office. The same problem apparently exists in the census. The same family's surname at the same address has been spelled REEVES, RIVES, RIEVES, and REAVES. The majority of the family seems to have used and still uses REAVES although some have used REEVES because they tired of correcting the spelling. Well, that's my trickle of light. Hope everyone's having a safe New Year's Eve and looking forward to a prosperous New Year. Happy 1997! -Linda (LAReaves@aol.com) ------------------------------

Greg: Do you know the address of Kim Waddle's web site? I am having trouble getting info on the two Reeves I know in my family, William Reeves and daughter Jency Reeves Villines. Since you mentioned the NC>GA>TN path, which my Villines line followed, I sure I would tie in with more of the list members if I could just find a connection to these two. I am having trouble with my internet connection and can't get through to anything at this time. While I am reading something on a site I get cut off. Very frustrating. An address would make things faster to find and possible give me a chance to read something before being cut off. By the way, thanks for the tip on the Yates site (www.montana.com/yates). Turned out to be a good one for me. Marlyne rbnatali@inreach.com ------------------------------

Some information gives my gggrandfather David Melvin REEVES b.1795 Bladen Co.N.C. as the youngest son of Edward REEVES b.1721 Northampton Co. N.C. d.1826 Bladen Co. N.C. m Jane MELVIN b.1742 Bladen Co.N.C. d.1836 Bladen Co. Other information doesn't name David as being one of Edwards sons. If not WHO was his father? The first information says David REEVES moved to Al. with his 2nd wife and 2 of his sons from his 1st marriage. Names his 1st wife as Catherine SELLERS b. N.C., 2nd wife Mary HERRING b. N.C. One of his sons was Richard W. REEVES my ggrandfather, b 1822 Bladen Co. N.C. The 1860 census of Lowndes Co. Al. lists David REEVES 65 b. N.C. Mary 60 b. N.C. dau Margaret 22 b. N.C.( b.abt 1838)(family #537) Family #538 Richard W. REEVES 38 b.N.C.,Harriet (JONES) 29 b.Al. Julia 12 b Al.,John Duncan 8 b.Al., R. H. 6 b.Al.,Edward 4 b.Al., Mary 3 b. Al.,Liddy 3/12 b. 1860. Acouple of months ago found a birth and marriage page that had been torn from an old Bible. There was the name Duncan REEVES b.1818 N.C.( grandfather was John DUNCAN REEVES), could this be the other son! The line from John Duncan REEVES is dying out. My father David Henry REEVES had 6 daughters, 3 of us still living. Any helps out there. Rubye R. Phelps r1337@x31.infi.net ------------------------------

Hi, I have a Reeves connection in England which dead-ended with the premature death of my great grandmother, Ellen Elizabeth Reeves in 1895. I have her father's name only, John, with his occupation listed as baker on her marriage certificate. She was sixteen and but it looks not to be a shotgun wedding unless a child was born and died. I have all the records of my Great grandparents children and the first was born in 1876, 2 years later. Still, she died of complications of childbirth 8 children later after the birth of my grandfather. Family lore says they were from Ireland and she was Catholic and her mother died birthing her, but nothing is substantiated. I have no other info and would love to learn who John's siblings were, etc. Any info you have on your English connection would be greatly appreciated. I know my great grandparents lived in the Ivy Cottage on Ballard's Lane, Middlesex, London; that address is listed on several birth certificates. Thanks in advance. Jana Black ------------------------------

Hello everyone, I did have a wonderful Christmas and found some info on the Reeves from my mother in law. Warren's Grandfathers name was Walker Reeves who married Rosetta Fulk from Freedom Indiana. She has a sister named Daisey who married Frank Hasseld Sr. they had a daughter named Marilyn Fount. My mother in law did say they came from England so I am not sure where everyone fits in. Did you also know that there was a Reeves that signed the Declaration of Independence. I am not sure what the first name is but will continue to get info and pass all this along. This sure is exciting to read all about our ancesors.Hope to hear from you all soon. Becky :-) Becky Reeves :-) A smile costs nothing, but gives much! ------------------------------

>To: Greg Reeves<greg@rapidnet.com> (Greg Reeves) >From: REEVES@atlanta.com (Bob Reeves) >Subject: Re: Etymology of the REEVES surname >Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 08:40:58 LOCAL > >This is my first post to the list, so if the address isn't correct, please >forward to the general list address and inform me of the proper id. >The early work which advances this premise (and draws on Hutchins "History of >Dorsort" as the primary reference) is James Rives Childs "Reliques of the >Ryves," a huge volume published in the 1930's. JRC was a highly educated >academic and diplomat who did extensive research into the Ryves roots in >England. He also suggests the French origin, but is less specific than your >Waddle/Hoke reference. > >Incidently, paperback reprints are available. I ordered one through Blairs >Book Service at www.genealogy.com. > >Apparently the "Y" in RYVES is pronounced as an "EE" and the "S" is silent as >pronounced in French. > >>1. was RYVES the old English spelling for what today might be spelled >>REEVE/REEVES? > >Yes. > >>2. what was Robert RYVES's *former (French) surname?* Anyone wanna >>speculate on whether Robert RYVES changed his name upon arriving in England >><1545 and what his former name may have been? > >Childs remarks on cities/geographic entities in Frances named Rives. > >>3. Why, over time, would RYVES evolve first into RIVES (and other variates) >>and only eventually into REEVE and REEVES? > >In the periods in question, as emigration occurred and education levels >varied, the name was spoken far more often than written. As a result, RYVES, >RIVES, REIVES, REVES, REAVES, and REEVES would sound the same and the written >variants resulted over time. With the silent "S", RIVE, REEVE, and REAVE would >result. >I highly recommend that you find a copy of "Reliques" by James Rives >Childs...it is the best reference to the English Ryves that I have found. >P.S. Coach Dan Reeves is from Americus, Georgia. He is currently being courted >by the Atlanta Falcons. ------------------------------

Hello: In response to your posting I have information that the first Reeve of my family to come to the U.S. was Robert Reeve (no"s") with his wife, believed to be named Agnes. They were married in Wales in 1610 and sailed to the U.S. aboard the Bevis in 1638. Unfortunately, I have no corraborating documentation, only information from another genealogist with whom I have exchanged information here on AOL. Hope this is of some help. Sincerely, William L. Reeve ------------------------------

'Not really meaning to use bandwidth irresponsibly, but I'm kinda curious and ready for an "end-of-the-year" break from conventional genealogical research...(if you haven't concluded before now that I'm up against a roadblock in my own legitimate REEVES research, this will help...) Does anyone know anything of the ancestry of the following 4 "famous" REEVES's? 1. Jim REEVES, the ledgandary country music recording artist, 2. Dan REEVES, the NFL coach, currently unemployed, 3. Kenau (sp?) REEVES, the "generation X" movie actor, 4. "Big Country" REEVES, NBA player, former Oklahoma State University basketball standout. NFL coach Dan REEVES, I know, is originally from SC where many early REEVES's were from. Singer Jim REEVES, I suspect, lived in the TN/KY region. "Big Country" REEVES is probably *from* Oklahoma (imagine that!). I know absolutely nothing about the young (and good-looking, I'm told, although I've never seen even one of his movies, at least that I know of) Kenau REEVES. Actually, while this query is clearly frivolous, I *am* asked rather routinely whether I'm "related" to one or more of these 4 guys and I'm sick and tired of saying; "I don't know." I suspect that many of you likewise are asked the same question? Where did these 4 guys come from, anyway? Anyone know? Greg Reeves REEVES-L Listowner greg@rapidnet.com ------------------------------

Howdy again! In addition to my recently-stimulated curiousity regarding the geographical origin of the "REEVES" surname, I'm becoming increasingly aware that our "primary" REEVES surname has several variations in its spelling, including RYVES, RIVES, REAVES, RIEVES, REVE, and REEVE. Consequently--and in an attempt to reconcile their supposed common origin--I'd like to inquire of you'all just what we (collectively) know about the etymology of our REEVES surname and its (many) variations. A few months ago, a 4th cousin, once removed, of mine named Patricia Reeves MacLean of Fresno, CA wrote: "I think the derivation of the name REEVES is fairly commonly known as an English occupational name defined variously as the reeve of Manor, the keeper of order among the Lord of the Manor's peoples, collector of rents, and other interpretations of managerial duties of a reeve, the office of which eventually devolved into the reeve of the shire, hence Shire-reeve from whence we get our term Sheriff. Parts of Canada still call this office holder a Reeve and I imagine the term is still used in parts of England, although I cannot truly vouch for England's present use but I can for some parts of Canada. Obviously the English took the term with them wherever English rule went, and no doubt to other parts of the British Isles. However the definition may vary in details, I think this is the gist of it." Looking up "reeve" in my aging Webster's New World Dictionary, it says: "[ME. refe., earlier irefe; AS. gerefa; prob. < base of refan, to call out; cf. SHERIFF], 1. In English history, a) the chief officer, under the king, of a town or district. b) the overseer of a manor; steward; bailiff. 2. in Canada, the president of a village or town council." Clearly, Reeve is an English word w/ English roots. But the Robert RYVES (c1490-1560) shared by Kim Waddle, Bessie Reeves Hoke and others was *first* (reportedly) a French Huguenot who only *after* fleeing France and emmigrating to England became "landed gentry," purchasing Ranston Castle and 1600 acres in Dorsetshire, England from Henry VIII in 1545. That seems to suggest then that Robert "acquired" his RYVES surname after arriving in England from FranceSo... 1. was RYVES the old English spelling for what today might be spelled REEVE/REEVES? 2. what was Robert RYVES's *former (French) surname?* Anyone wanna speculate on whether Robert RYVES changed his name upon arriving in England <1545 and what his former name may have been? 3. Why, over time, would RYVES evolve first into RIVES (and other variates) and only eventually into REEVE and REEVES? Can anyone shed any light on these questions specifically, or on the etymology of the REEVES surname more broadly? Greg Reeves REEVES-L Listowner greg@rapidnet.com ------------------------------

Hi everyone! 'Trust that everyone had a nice Christmas and now are eager to begin a new, fresh year? I'd like to inquire of you'all just what we (collectively) know about the geographical origin of our REEVES surname and its spelling variations. Bessie Reeves Hoke, of Carlisle, IN and co-author of the 1985 (now out-of-print) book "Our Reeves and Related Families, 1490-1985," reported that the first known "REEVES" was Robert RYVES (c1490-1560). He was a French Huguenot refugee that fled France <1545 and settled in Dorsetshire, England and it's from him that many of the U.S. REEVES's (especially those that followed the NC>GA>TN path) are derived. The info on Kim Waddle's web site (http://______) appears to collaborate this geographic origin. However, my family and others have long believed (admittedly, without evidence) that our "REEVES's" came originally from Wales. Can anyone shed any light on this, albeit minor, descrepancy on geographic origins? Are both "right?" Greg Reeves REEVES-L Listowner greg@rapidnet.com ------------------------------

Searching for information on my wife's great grandfather ancestors: George Emery Agusta Reeves; born 27 Dec. 1862 at Winterset, Iowa; died 9 Jun, 1941 at El Reno, OK. He married (1888) Ella Floretta Ames; born 18 Feb, 1870 at Emporia, Kansas. Thanks, Gary ------------------------------

Hi! Aha! Finally someone is referring to where the Reeves lived BEFORE they came to the US! I have Ellen Elizabeth Reeves, b. 1856-58 in Whitechapel, London to John Reeves, a baker. I hav eno substantiation on his info but family lore says he was from Ulster, Ireland and that Ellen's mother died giving brith to her. That is all I have. Does anyone have more info on the Irish connection or Irish lines? Thanks, Jana Black ------------------------------

I am interested in getting information on REAVES. Thank you. parogers@knox.mindspring.com ------------------------------

I am interested in finding any information on Edgar REEVES born abt 1919 and his wife Edith Eyvonne HILL born Abt 1937. Her parents were Noble Arthur HILL, born 1912 & Beth WOLF, born 1916. Also any information about their children Lonny LeRoy Reeves born 1956, Teddy Arthur Reeves born 1957, Ethel Eyvonne R.,born 1959, Virgil Mack or Buzz R., born 1960, Barbara LeeAnn R.,born 1961, Jay F. R. born 1962, Charles Rank R. born 1963, Linda Kay R. born 1965, Carolyn Susanne R.,born 1969, Jim EDD R., born 1971, and Bea J. R., born 1972. Happy New Year to all. Alice Corfman alice@corfman.com ------------------------------