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") ------------------------------