Solomon and Isaiah

Since Solomon Sr. did not leave a will, it becomes a challenge to discover his children's names and connect the lineage. In fact, except for Solomon Jr. the only way to know who Solomon's other children were may be DNA testing. Even that might be futile as I'm not entirely certain that Solomon Jr. had male issue. Solomon Jr.'s line is not one I've spent a great deal of time on yet. He is the only child who is clearly related to Solomon Sr.

Fortunately, Isaiah Reeve did leave a will that was published in the Wills of Suffolk County, Long Island [New York], Liber A, 1787-1798, which can be found in Google Books.

"A-452. Isaiah Reeve, of Brookhaven, 15 Oct. 1795...given son Silas Reeve estate for life and than to his two sons Charles and Joel Reeve equally divided...gives daughter Abigail Post five shillings annually, and if she have an heir it gets 40 pounds...gives daughter Elizabeth Homan 50 pounds...gives daughter Julianna Reeve three pounds annually and home while single and 50 pounds when married...gives daughter Mehitable Brushup, (Bishop) 30 pounds... gives four granddaughters Abigail, Catherine, Elizabeth and Marah Homan 10 pounds each...executors: son Silas Reeve and John Havens Jr. Proved 29 June 1796 by Zachariah Sandford. Administration granted 29 June 1796 to Silas Reeve and John Havens Jr."

So family count in the will totals 3 sons, 3 married daughters, 1 single daughter, at least 4 female grandchildren. We can infer that Isaiah's wife is already dead in 1795 as there is no mention of her. John Havens Jr. may or maynot be related to the family.

In the same Liber is the will of Matthew Woodruff, of Brookhaven dated 8 Feb. 1791 to which Isiah Reeve "weaver" is listed as a witness. Along with Isaiah, Mordecai Homan "cordwainer" is also listed as a witness. Likely Mordecai Homan is either Isaiah's son in law or he is Elizabeth Homan's father in law. And no doubt they all live in close proximity to each other.

In the 1776 Census, Isaiah is listed in Meritches also know at one time as the Manor of St. George, which is at the edge of Brookhaven. His family consists of 1 male above 16 years and below 50, likely this is Isaiah; two females over 16 years and 4 females under sixteen years of age. That's a total of six females, 4 daughters, a wife and one unknown female.

It appears Isaiah has no sons at home at this point, while we know they are alive, Joel and Charles are not in the census. There is a Silas in Southold that may be Isaiah's oldest son, his family is 1 male between 16 and 50, 1 female over 16 yrs. and 3 females under 16, they could be a young family.

There are two Solomons in the census, obviously one is the father and one is the son. The Solomon in Southold is obviously Sr. as the household has 1 male over 50 and one female over 16. The Solomon in Brookhaven is most likely Jr. and his household includes one male above 50, 2 males between 50 and 16, and 1 felmale above 16 likely his wife.

In the 1790 Census, we find Isaiah in Brookhaven with 2 males over 16 and 3 females. We know from Isaiah's will made in 1795 that Julianna was unmarried, she is likely one of the female and one of the married daughters was likely still single in 1790 and married before 1795. Solomon Sr. dies in 1783-4 and is now missing from the Southold Census. Solomon Jr. is missing from the 1790 census it's possible that Isaiah is now living with Solomon in Brookhaven. Oddly there is no sign of Isaiah's sons Joel and Charles; Silas has also disappeared from Southold. The will tells us that they are alive but I am uncertain where they have gone.