Bethuel - the will and 1776 census

Bethuel lived on Long Island, New York, his whole life. He was born about 1727, which is only a guess from the 1776 census of Southampton which lists him as being under 50. His will was proved in 1882, wills were ususally proved within a year of death.

"P88. In the name of God, Amen. I, Bethuel Reeve, of Southampton,
Suffolk County, shoemaker and tanner, being infirm of body. I leave to my wellbeloved wife Mary, two thrids of my lands and buildings; to be improved by her three years after my decease, then the improvement of one half of my
lands and buildings to be improved by her while she is my widow; Also, one third of all my moveable estate; one feather bed with reasonable furniture. Unto my eldest son, Joel, one third part of my lands and buildings; to improve
the same from the last of next March to the term of three years following (if he improves it personally) and then the improvement of one half of my lands and buildings as long as his mother remains my widow; otherwise, to be void; and further, on consideration of these above improvements fulfilled, then I give to him the one half and one sixth part of all my lands and buildings. Unto my two sons, Jeremiah and Silas, all the lands and tenements remaining, in equal shares. If they should ever sell they are to give their brother Joel first offer. Unto my two sons, Daniel and Zebulon Reeve, 20 each. Unto my two daughters, Keturah and Bethiah Reeve, 20 each. I make my son Joel and David Haines Foster, of Southampton, executors.
Dated July 25, 1776. Witnesses, John Lum and David Lum, David Haines Foster, of said county, yoeman. Proved, July 3,
1782."

In the will we find Bethuel's trade, that he was sick or injured by July 25th 1776, the begining of the American Revolution, the names of his wife and children. Mary's last name was Haines and her family lives next them in every census after. David Haines Foster is also related to Mary and I believe his son marries a Reeve. The John and David Lum are also neighbors. It seems that neither Keturah nor Bethiah are married yet in 1776. All five sons are alive in 1776 when he writes the will. It is likely Bethual recovered somewhat from his illness and lived until 1781-2. Considering, however that Long Island was under British occupation from late August 1776 until the evacuation of the British in mid August 1783, it's possible that Bethuel died and the will was unable to be proved due to the situation.

The Census of Southampton 1776, shows Bethuel Reeve's Family as consisting of 2 Males under 50 and over 16 years; 3 Males under 16 years; 2 Females over 16 years and 1 Female under 16 years. The will shows 9 in the family, but the census records 8 in the family. Daniel is missing , he was in the Army of 1775 and British occupation of Long Island made it difficult to return home and he probably continued on in the army.

It is thought by most that Bethuel and Mary were married about 1752-3. We know from the will that Joel is the oldest and his year of birth is listed in the "Early History of Southampton" as 1755, the other four brothers would have been born after that. Joel stayed on the land he inherited from Bethuel and then passed it to his son Jeremiah b.1806 some time about 1830. Joel is not in the 1840 census, but Jeremiah and Joel's widow Anna are there near the Haines, Jennings and Lum decendants.

Daniel married Martha Russell on February 14, 1782 (note that this is the same year that Bethuel's will is proved and about a year before the British evacuation). Daniel and Martha resided in Westhampton.

So far I have been unable to untangle what happened to the daughters, following the women from this time is always more difficult.

Silas may have moved to Palmyra New York, but there are many Silas' to weed through to find the correct one.  (**Silas of Palmyra turned out not to be Bethuel's son).  I have yet to discover any solid leads on Jeremiah or Zebulon. Jeremiah is such a popular name, it's like a wild goose chase. Zebulon should not be as difficult to find as he seems to be though.

What family Bethuel belongs to is a puzzle. He does not appear to be an immigrant, but there is no documentation about his parentage that I or others have so far uncovered.

Bethuel is an old testement name, the Father of Rebecca. In hebrew it means "Man of God" or "House of God", and appears nine times in the Book of Genesis.