Some deeper census analysis...

I've decided to get more serious about nailing down birth order and birth years if I can by comparing census data. So here is a fresh look at the census data.

Bethuel Reeve 1776 census

2 Males under 50 and over 16 years:

Bethuel 1726-1737 (makes him at least 18 when first son born)

Joel 1755 (21 birth year known from headstone and Early History of Southampton)

Daniel is away fighting in the war he is likely at least 16, birth likely btw 1758-1760

3 Males under 16 which means born after 1760:

2 Females over 16 years (before 1760):

Mary and probably Keturah

1 Female under 16 years (after 1760):

probably Bethiah

Birth order in Early History of Southampton:

Joel, Silas, Daniel, Zebulon, Jeremiah, Keturah, Bethiah

Birth order mentioned in the Will:

Joel, Jeremiah, Silas, Daniel, Zebulon, Keturah, Bethiah

My guess is Joel (1755), Keturah (1756), Silas (aft 1760), Daniel (1760), Zebulon (1761), Jeremiah (1763), Bethiah (1764) or within a year or two.

(this next part was an incorrect theory -- the Silas who was the father of this family may have been distantly related to Bethuel, but was not Bethuel's son. This Silas was the grandson of Hezakiah Reeve who removed from Long Island to New Jersey.)

Next I want to jump to the 1840 Vigo County, Indiana census. Here, in Honey Creek Township, We have in a row, Sanford Larkin, Nicholas Larkin, Nicholas Larkin Jr., Thomas Franklin, Silas Reeve and Eden Reeve (the other siblings Rufus and Eunice have died). I believe Silas and Eden are married to Larkin sisters, and Thomas Franklin is Annie Reeves husband. Sanford, Nicholas Jr, and Lucy (married to Silas) and Phebe (married to Eden) are all siblings and the children of Nicholas Larkin Sr.

Eden and Phebe's marriage is pretty well documented. But there is no evidence that Nicholas Larkin Sr. had a daughter named Lucy. Silas' wife seems to be named Lucy Larkin, she shows up later in the census record as Lucy Reeves. Nicholas Larkin Sr. recorded daughters seem to have been Phebe, Sarah Ann and Lois. Although Lucy is not documented as his daughter, it is certainly not impossible. In the 1800 census the family is listed with 2 females under 10, the 1810 census also lists the family with 2 females under 10. Even if the were newborns in 1800, they could not still be under 10 in 1810. Then again, there are no females listed with the family that are over 10. It's pretty clear that the females in the 1800 census are not the same ones in the 1810 census, so there may indeed be daughters unaccounted for. I think that Nicholas Sr.'s will might help clarify matters, or perhaps Silas Jr's will might help.

Interestingly, one of Silas and Lucy's sons, Roy Ransom Reeves, names his children as follows:

Silas Eden Reeves, Rufus Reeves, Mandana Reeves, Millard Fillmore Reeves, Artemus Lee Reeves (after a sibling), and Lucy Reeves.

Zebulon Reeve

UPDATE:  I was incorrect about Silas, the Silas Reeves living in Palmyra is not descended from Bethuel.  However, Zebulon and Abigail (Abby) are his grandchildren, the children of Daniel and Marth Russel Reeve.

I have been chasing Zebulon for sometime now. I found evidence of a Zebulon Reeve in Palmyra, too young to be brother to Joel, but perhaps his son. Today this puzzle piece slipped into place when I discovered Zebulon of Palmyra was Daniel's son (Daniel the Revolutionary Soldier and Joel's brother). What happened to Daniel and Joel's brother Zebulon, did he die without young without marrying? Answers only bring more questions it seems.

It does interest me that young Zebulon follows his Uncle Silas to the Palmyra area. I suspect that there are some more connections up there to be uncovered.

Source
The mother of Mr. Throop, also, was married a second time, to George W. Hatch, of Johnstown. By this marriage she had two sons and two daughters. The eldest son, who was named after his father, is one of the partners in the well-known firm of Rawdon, Wright and Hatch, bank-note engravers ; the younger, Israel T. Hatch, is a prominent citizen of Buffalo. One of the sisters married Zebulon Reeves, of Palmyra. The other became the wife of Gershom Powers, who represented the Cayuga district in the 21st Congress; after his death she married William B. Rochester, long a distinguished politician in the state of New York, and the Bucktail candidate for Governor in 1826, in opposition to De Witt Clinton; Judge Rochester was one of the unfortunate passengers on board the ill-fated steamer Pulaski, and was drowned in attempting to escape from the conflagration that destroyed her; his widow has since married a Mr. Fitch, a merchant at Buffalo.

After the death of her second husband, the mother of the governor remained a widow for twenty years, and died of apoplexy, in 1846, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. She was a woman of estimable character, of strong good sense and of vigorous mind; and she was warmly loved and venerated by her numerous descendants.

Source
The principal mechanics and manufacturers, were Jessup and Palmer, Benson, Wm. Sexlon, Hussey, Amos Reed, Wagstaff (the father of the well known Capt. Robert Wagstaff, of Buffalo, and the Lakes, more recently of California,) Asa Lilly, Salmon Hathway, Shattuck, Robinson, Zebulon Reeves, David Jackways, Enoch Lilly; and some others, whose names are not now recollected. Soon after 1818, and before the completion of the canal, there was a large accession to population, merchants and mechanics. Pliny Sexton, commenced there as a silver smith and watch repairer, in 1819 or, '20; afterwards, was one of the first to introduce the cooking stove into W. N. York; engaged in the Hardware business ; and is now associated with George Cuyler in the banking business.

Sorting out Eden

Update:  Eden is not a descendant of Bethuel Reeve.

Notes on Eden:

listed in Military history of Wayne County, NY p 233-234. Section titled “Rolls of the companies in the thirty-ninth infantry, as they were in the summer of 1813. In Cpt. George Culver’s company, June and July, 1812, with brother Rufus. Silas Reeves listed in Culver’s company in 1813, and Rufus and Eden are missing.

Post from 2002 billmaxey@compuserve.com UNKNOWN ACCURACY

Name: Eden REEVES

Birth Date: 24 Jan 1775

Birth Place: Newark, New York

Death Date: 17 Dec 1846

Death Place: Vigo Co., Indiana

Burial Place: HullsCemetery

Spouse: Eunice

Children: Susan

William Kelsey

Annie

Spouse: Phebe LARKINS

Marriage Date: About 1815

Children: Eunice

Cyrus E.

John

Helen Louisa

Cassius E

Notes:

1820 census in Phelps twp, Ontario Co, New York.

1830 census in Harrison twp, Vigo Co, Indiana

Helen Reynolds Burnham in her letter of 1933 says that her great

grandfather Eden Reeves served in the war of 1812.

According to the military records of Eden Reeves he served 7 days with Capt

George Culver's Comapny of Militia, 39 Reg't (Howell's New York) of

Infantry in the War of 1812 from July 11th to the 18th.

****** 1820 census in Phelps Twp, Ontario Co., New York.

1830 census in Harrison Twp, Vigo Co., Indiana

Helen Reynolds Burnham in her letter of 1933 says that her great

grandfather Eden Reeves served in the war of 1812.

According to the military records of Eden Reeves, he served 7 days with

Capt. George Culver's Company of Militia, 39 Reg't (Howell's New York) of

Infantry in the War of 1812 from July 11th to the 18th.

From ancestry poss. dates b. 24 Jan 1775, d. 17 Dec. 1846, uncited.

Phebe Larkins b. 1795 poss Richmond, RI. uncited

more confusion:

2867. Larkins — Reeves.—Phebe Larkins was b. in R. I. about 1795, and was the dau. of Nicholas Larkins. She m. Eden Reeves (who was born in or near Newark. N. J., in Jan., 1775). Eden was the son of Cyrus or Silas Reeves, who was born in England, left home when quite young, joined the English Navy and afterwards settled in this country and married. What was the name of his wife? Did Phebe Larkin have any Rev. ancestors? There were ten Larkins who served from R. I., mostly from Hopkinton or South Kingston, and one of them was named David. The name of David has been handed down in the family here. Both the Larkins and the Reeves families moved to New York, and any information in regard to them will be greatly appreciated.—H. L. R.

Eden Reeve's Family in Vigo Co.
http://www.ingenweb.org/invigo/lostcreek.htm

April 10, 1850, Mr. Oilman married Miss Helen Reeves, the fourth in order of birth of the five children of Cyrus and Phoebe (Larkins) Reeves. To this union have been born four children: Helen L., wife of James B. Reynolds; Anna; Frank, who married Alice Lee; and Harry, married to Jennie Feltus.

Facts:

The Silas who died in Lyons, NY left a will naming six children, one of them Eddon (spelling from the will). This Silas died in Lyons, NY in between January 16 and February 10th 1813 per his will. The will mentions his daughter Eunice Foster, which ties him to Suffolk Co. NY through David Haines Foster. This Silas definitely came from Long Island and with the connection to the Haines family I have every reason to believe this is the Silas named in Bethuel's will. I believe his brother Zebulon maybe be in the area as well as there is evidence of a next generation Zebulon. I'm still researching these individuals. Silas was not born in England.

Besides being in the will and listed in military musteres in 1812 and 1813, Eden is in the 1820 census in Phelps (569) Nicholas Larkins is on the previous page (496). He is in the 1830 census in Vigo. Co. IA and he is missing from Palmyra. He is also in the 1840 census in Honey Creek under the spelling Edon. There are clear marriage records for Eden Reeve and Phebe Larkins showing 1815 as the year of marriage, unable so far to confirm a first wife being Eunice Kelsey, but it's possible. Looking closer at the 1820 census, there are children listed over the age of 10, at least 3 in fact, the marrige year if 1815 is well documented so 2 things must be true, there must have been a first wife and Edon must be older. Phebe would have been 20, the census shows 1 male between 26-44, this must be Eden, meaning he was born between, 1776 - 1799, I'll need to examine the other census to narrow it down and see if the listed date is correct, at this point it's at least possible (1820: 1011011200)

Vigo Co.

UPDATE:  My theories about the Indiana Reeves being connected to Bethuel's line appear to be incorrect.  They are more probably connected to Silas of Palmyra.

These are just reseach notes I'm posting about Vigo Co., Indiana. They are neither organized, nor do I understand yet how the pieces come together.


Eden Reeve's Family in Vigo Co.
http://www.ingenweb.org/invigo/lostcreek.htm

April 10, 1850, Mr. Oilman married Miss Helen Reeves, the fourth in order of birth of the five children of Cyrus and Phoebe (Larkins) Reeves. To this union have been born four children: Helen L., wife of James B. Reynolds; Anna; Frank, who married Alice Lee; and Harry, married to Jennie Feltus.



Zadock Reeve (1796-1885) in Vigo Co. He may be the grandson of Zadok Reeve (1741-abt 1820 L.I., NY) m. Phebe Tappen. Zadok may have had up to 10 children at least Silas, Zadock, John and Jane, perhaps Elias, one of the sons maybe father to Zadock (1796-1885) possibly Elias, no solid proof on this.

http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofvigocou00brad/historyofvigocou00brad_djvu.txt

MART M. REEVE, Glenn, Lost Creek township, was born in the township where she now resides, June 25,. 1836, a daughter of Zadoc and Mary M. (Col ton) Reeve, natives of New York, former of whom was born October 14, 1796, and latter April 11, 1800. They were married December 29, 1816. Zadoc Reeve was a house and ship-carpenter, and was one of the pioneer settlers of this county. He laid ofip the first school district in Lost Creek township, and bought the farm on which Mrs. Reeve no\^ resides, containing eighty acres, before the National Road was made. He had a con- tract on the National Road from Clear Creek to Cory's Creek; also constructed the bridges across Lost Creek, Sugar Creek and Clear Creek, and built the first schoolhouse in Lost Creek township, which was called " Reeve's school-house." Mr. and Mrs. Reeve had a family of nine children, of whom Mary M. is the eighth in order of birth. Mr. Reeve was a Master Mason; he served as school trustee. He died March 7, 1885, and his wife died August 15, 1862. Mary M. Reeve has two sons: David M. and Zadoc, who are industrious and prominent farmers.


http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=stobie&id=I251241

5.
John Melton Coltrin (John Coltrin8, William Coltrin7, Rebecca Maxham6, Abigail Ellis5, Gideon Ellis4, Freeman Ellis3, John Ellis2, John Ellis1) was born 24 APR 1824 in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana, and died 21 FEB 1880 in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. He married Minerva Reeve 24 DEC 1848 in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana, daughter of Zadoc Reeve and Mary M. Colton. She was born 6 SEP 1826 in Sullivan County, Indiana, and died 14 SEP 1913 in Harrison Township, Vigo County, Indiana. She was buried in Highland Lawn Cemetery.


Child of John Melton Coltrin and Minerva Reeve is:
+6i.
John Coltrin was born 6 SEP 1859 in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana, and died 19 APR 1916 in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana.

Pieces of the puzzle...

**UPDATE:  May theories about Silas of Palmyra were in correct.  Additional I have discovered no evidence that any of the Indiana Reeves are connected to my line.

So I noticed something interesting this week. I'm on a quest to fit my Bethuel in to Solomon Reeve and Sarah Rumsey's family. There is no direct evidence to link Bethuel to Solomon, it's likely if there once was, it was destroyed during the British occupation of Long Island. Having hit a brick wall with Bethuel, I've been chasing down sidelines to mine. Most recently, I've been working on Silas Reeve(s).

Silas's will lists his children, two of who are Annie Reeve and Eden Reeve. Annie marrys Thomas Franklin and both her family and her brother Eden's family end up about ten miles apart from each other in Vigo Co, Indiana. Thomas and Annie Franklin settle in Sugar Creek and Edan and his family settle in Harrison. These two townships are part of twelve townships that ring Terre Haute Indiana.

Vigo County Indiana sparked something in my memory about Zadock. If you look back in my blog here Zadok, you'll see a passage about him from my favorite source, Baker. Notice there's a notation about Vigo, County. How interesting.....

A little more research show Zadock, probably Zadok's son, living in Lost Creek, Vigo Co. Indiana. Well, Lost Creek also happens to be one of the twelve townships surrounding Terre Haute, in fact Zadock Jr. is living only about ten miles from Annie and Eden. Now isn't that a coincidence, in all the country, these Reeve descendants end up living 10 miles apart. Except that experience has taught me that in genealogy coincidence is often more that coincidence. Might there be more here than an odd coincidence.

It's my theory that Bethuel and Zadok were brothers. Bethuel had son Silas who moved to the Palmyra, New York area. Zadock had son Zadock Jr. who moved to the Vigo Co. Indiana area. Silas and Zadock Jr. were cousins. Silas had Annie and Eden. Something traumatic happens to the family and Silas, his wife and Rufus his first born son die within the first three months of 1813. The British burn almost the whole town of Sodus, NY, where they were living in June of 1813. Annie and Eden also end up in Vigo, Co. Indiana just ten miles from Zadock Jr.

How do we choose where to go, where to live, where to settle down? Sometimes we stay put. Sometimes we stay near family. Sometimes we venture out to find new territory with friends or family members. Maybe family members tell us about how nice it is where they live and we decide to go try it out.

In the Reeve line, Rumsey and Wines followed their brother Bethuel to Renslaerville (all sons of Joel). Silas and possibly Zebulon (Bethuel's sons) followed David Haines Foster to Palmyra. They were distant cousins and Silas and David's children eventually married. I can rattle off names and example, some times close family, sometimes more distant, sometimes just friends or neighbors. As humans, we tend to follow what is familiar or know to us in some way, even when we strike out into new territory. Now, I could be completely wrong here, but it's quite coincidental to have them all within ten miles. Really, you have to ask what made Eden and Annie up and move to Vigo Co. Indiana when their other siblings stayed in the Palmyra area. Did they just stick a pin in the map? Or did a family member mention, oh I think Cousin Zadock moved to Vigo Co., Indiana, he always writes how beautiful it is there. Maybe there was some other reason, maybe more will be come clear as I dig deeper.

Silas's Will

**UPDATED:  Silas of Palmyra turned out not to be Bethuel's son.  I corresponded with a descendant of Silas of Palmyra who was very clear Silas of Palmyra was a different Silas.

So I wanted to put this up as soon as possible for anyone who follows my blog (is there anyone out there who actually follows my blog?). I just receive Silas' will from Ontario Co. It's very feint and difficult to read. I'm missing some of the legal terms of the time that I could not make out, but the important facts are there.

This Silas is the son of Bethuel, brother to my Joel Reeve (1755). Silas was born around 1760, but that's a guess. In his will he makes no mention of a wife, meaning she must already be deceased. There is an obituary listed for Mrs. S. Reeves dated Jan. 26, 1813, after the making of this will on Jan. 16, 1813. It may not be Silas' wife, or it might have been and at the time of the making of the will, her death was certain and imminent. At the time of the making of the will six children were living: Mrs. Eunice Foster wife to David Foster, Annie or Anna Fraklin, wife of Thomas Franklin, Elizabeth Reeve, unmarried, Rufus Reeve, Silas Reeve and Edden or Eden Reeve. The text of the will is written in one handwriting, likely by someone other than Silas, and the name Reeve(s) is used, including the (s) as are all records having to do with this family. Significantly, however, Silas' signature is in different handwriting, larger that the other words on the page, and a bit shaky as if this was indeed a dying man.

There also appears to be an obituary for Rufus dated 16 Mar 1813 in a local paper. Something terrible happened to this family, it seems that three members died within the first few months of 1813. Silas, Rufus and Eden all appear in militia list for 1812, and one in 1813. The families deaths could be related to the War of 1812. According to the Wayne Co. site:

The town of Sodus is one of only two towns in Wayne County to ever experience a military battle within its borders. In the morning of June 19, 1813, during the War of 1812, the British attacked Sodus Point. The British seized the stores in the warehouses and burned the town.

This event occurred in June so it was not directly responsible for their deaths. Silas and Eunice appear to have stayed in the area, Anne Franklin went to Vigo Co., Indiana, and I have not located Eden or Elizabeth yet.

In the name of God, Amen. I Silas Reeves of the

town of Lyons, in the county of Ontario, being

weak in body, but of sound and perfect mind

and memory that is to say fit. I give and bequeath

to my three daughters all my household furniture and (?)

able belonging to my house Mrs. Eunice Foster, Anney

Franklin and Elizabeth Reeves and I do also give

and bequeath to my son Silas Reeves all my freehold

estate real and personal not be fore (?) to his

heirs and assigns forever I do also give to my son

Rufus Reeves one hundred dollars to be paid out

of my real or personal estate I do also give to my

son Edden Reeves fifty dollars to be paid out of

my real or personal estate and after the (?)

(?) to my three daughters above named I do

also give unto my daughter Elizabeth Reeves so

long as she shall live unmarried one quarter grant

of my real estate after the (secured legacy?) is paid for her

use so long as is a (??) I do also hereby appoint

Rufus Reeves and Silas Reeves sole executrix

of this my last will and testament hereby revoking

all former wills by me made in (?) where of I

have here unto set my hand and seal the sixteenth day

of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight

hundred and thirteen.

Signed sealed (?) and Silas Reeve (signed)

(?) by the above named

Silas Reeves to be his last will

and testament in the presence of us

who have hereunto subscribed our

names as witnesses in the (?)

of the testator.

David H. Foster

Luke Mason

James Reeves

appears to have been proved 10 Feb 1813

Link to download will

Always Check Again

I learn new things and new lessons every day. This week I had a major break through that cleared up a number of things that have been puzzling me for years.

Lately on Ancestry.com I have been meeting a number of new cousins (hi all). The decision to keep paying Ancestry is one I struggle with continually. Is it worth the convenience of having census records at my finger tips. Well the fact that I have been meeting so many folks lately with common ancestry to mine make the choice a little easier. It also has me rethinking my decision about posting my research on Ancestry.com. Ancestry takes ownership of any research that you post on their site. Should your membership lapse, like mine did for a bit, they just add anything you posted to their general site. In other words, you lose all control and all access (well except read only access). I've worked hard on my research and I want to openly share it, but I don't want to lose control over it. Still thinking...

On to discoveries, I found photos of Joel and Anna's headstones on Ancestry.com. The dates on these stones confirmed a number of facts that had been in question. I have seen Joel's death date before, but had no idea where the date was originally recorded. I also had no idea how the birth year of 1755 came about, it seemed to have just been plucked from thin air and cited in "The Early History of Southampton". As it turns out, his death date and age are provided on his headstone. With those two pieces of information, one can compute Joel's year of birth. As it turns out, photos of Joel and his wife, Anna Wines, headstone had been photographed in the last few years and posted on findagrave.com along with the headstones of Jetur, Wines and a daughter I never heard of, Amanda. The findagrave site was one I was familiar with, but when I began my research about 10 years ago, there was not much posted yet. It proves that you should always revisit sites to look for new additions.

The information on Anna's headstone answers some crucial questions. In the History of Mattituck there is a confusing entry of a marriage for Joel Reeve and Anna Wines dated 1800. This has thrown me for years, along with confusing census data. I thought for many years that Joel might have had two wives one who was the mother of half the children and then a later wife who was the mother of the younger children. The dates on this headstone however prove that Anna Wines was Joel's only wife and she did live long enough to be the mother of all Joel's children. This does not explain the 1800 marriage date, but in the end the headstone is the stronger evidence.

I have also puzzled many years over Wines and Jetur who disappeared. Recently, I found some documents that led me to believe that Jetur went to Califonia looking for gold and died there. Jetur's headstone in North Sea Cemetery proves that Jetur died before he had a family at 19 and the Jetur Reeve that went to California was not Joel's son. A few years ago, I found one census record for a Winas Reeve and wife Leah in Renslaerville that I strongly suspected was Joel's son Wines. The headstone for Wines with his wife's name, Leah, at the bottom, tell me I was right. Wines lived his life in Renslaerville with his brother Bethuel for at least part of his life. Knowing now that I have the right person, I can go back and chase him through the records.

Lastly, these headstones at North Sea Cemetery prove that Joel and Jeremiah never used the "Reeves" spelling of their name. Just like me, other people, census takers and record keepers, tacked the "s" on the end of their names too. Which made me quip "Some are born with "s", some concede to "s" and some have "s" thrust upon them".

The lesson here is keep a list of relevant sites that you go back and check for new information on a regular basis. You never know what will get added and what new information will turn up. New facts can change your whole direction on an individual and sometimes a whole line.

The Begining

When I first started working on my families genealogy I only had my Granfather's name and my Great Grandfather, Oscar Reeve. I knew Oscar came to California from Ohio somewhere and had settled in the San Jose area. That was it. My father really didn't remember too much. I started running google seaches for Oscar Reeve and behold, some kind soul had posted Oscars obituary on Roots Web (the free precurser to many genealogy sites). It's sad I can't even locate that post anymore since ancestry.com gobbled up rootweb. Oscars obituary gave me a number of family names as well as the town of Willoughby Ohio.

As I searched I kept coming accross the name Joel which I knew was Oscar's middle name. Fairly quickly I found the census records for Joel Rumsey Reeve 4/25/1823-2/16/1909. I spent the better part of a year working through census records, made multiple all day trips to the Sutro Library in San Francisco and even a week long genealogy vacation to Salt Lake City. I became convinced that Joel 1823 was connected to Joel 1755 and his father Bethuel, but I had a missing link. About that time I reconnected with a Cousin who had also done a lot of genealogy research. She send me her material and there was Rumsey 1790. I had already found the The Early History of Southampton, which gave me this nugget:

Reeve Family
For a long time the descendants of James Reeves of Southold have spelled the name Reeve. Bethuel Reeve of Southold town bought land in North Sea in 1758 and resided there. He was of about the fourth generation in Descent from James.
1. Bethuel d. 1782, had w. Mary and ch. 2 Joel b 1755, 3 Silas, 4 Daniel, 5 Zebulon, 6 Jeremiah, 7 Keturah and 8 Bethia.
2 Joel d. Dec. 14 1831, had w. Anna and ch. 9 Bethuel, 10 Rumney, 11 Wines, 12 Jeremiah and 13 Jetur.
12 Jeremiah had ch. 14 Jetur, 15 Barnabas, 16 Jeremiah, 17 Frances, 18 Bethuel, 19 Josephine, 20 Charlotte and 21 Charles.
From: The Early History of Southampton, Long Island, New York with Genealogies by George Rogers Howell, M.A. (Yale University), 2nd ed., pub. 1887 Southampton, Long Island, New York,

However, the ascertion that Bethuel was a descendant of James was much in doubt and not proof of it has been found then or since. This made me a bit sceptical of the accuracy of Mr. Howell's information. I really wanted more hard source proof. Then I found Bethuel and Rumsey living next door to each other in the 1820 Renslaerville census. Feeling more confident I began to scour any Long Island Record I could get my hands on. Finally, I found what I was looking for, a school record from the North Sea School:

North Sea School Taught by William Lemuel Sandford Quarter began 29 Sept. 1795 Ended 15 March 1796. The first six names on the list are as follows:
Bethuel Reeves (would have been 12)
Phebe Reeves
Rumsey Reeves (correct spelling on the first name this time he would have been about 5)
Orinda Reeves
Polly Reeves
Bethiah Reeves

The document is signed by the "Trustees" Joel Reeves, Samuel Scott, and Stephen Harris.

The book of records of the town of Southampton : BOOKS 1, 2, 3 and 4 - 1st book. 1639-1660 -- 2nd book. 1660-1717 -- 3rd book. 1717-1807 -- 4th book. 1809-1870, AUTHORS: Southampton, Henry P Hedges, William S. Pelletreau, Edward H. Foster, including all the writings in the town clerk's office from 1639 to 1660: with other ancient documents of historic value, Sag Harbor, N.Y.: J.H. Hunt, book and job printer.

At last I had my secondary proof that Rumsey was Joel's son, and as a bonus I got his daughter's names as well. With the help of the Curator at the Renslaerville Historical Society, I was able to flaesh out Rumsey's family more. Then I discovered the History of the Western Reserve which provided lots of details about Rumsey's son Joel. Having cleaned up the ties between my two Joels. It was time to turn my attention on Bethuel's origins.

The mystery of Bethuel is why I began this blog. I read some tips on genealogy that said a blog was a great way to keep your research handy and in one place. I've found it very helpful, hopefully it's helpful for others as well. As I come accross records or things I want to save, I have a button in my browser that puts it in my blog. I also store links and facts I refer to frequently. Eventually, I may resort to help from a professional genealogist to see if there is anyway to really link Bethuel to Solomon. Who knows, there maybe some obscure document, deed or legal paper that survives that will tie them together. Or perhaps I will have to resort to DNA, but I don't even know if there is a living male that is proven to be in Solomon's line. Proving Israel and Bethuel were brothers might be easier, but it doesn't make the puddle jump. I've resorted to hunting down side lines to mine in the meantime. I've been finding a fair amount about what I think happened to Bethuel's sons Silas and Zebulon.

Rumseys

Rumsey is an unusual name, in fact in my research there are only 3 Rumseys on Long Island prior to 1800. Rumsey 1 was the son of Israel Reeve and is documented as having died on the Prison Ship Jersey with his brother Benjamin (We assume this Benjamin is the one who Salmon Records shows in 1782 (no month or day given) who died "about 3 weeks ago"). Rumsey 2 was born in 1789 he was the son of Luther Reeve, grandson of Israel Reeve. Rumsey 3 was born in 1790 and was the son of Joel Reeve (b. Abt. 1755).

Where does a name like Rumsey come from? Most likely it's origin is in remembrance of a mother's maiden name. Much like "Wines Reeve" is an ommage to the Wines family into which Anna Wines Reeve was born. Most researchers believe that Rumsey is a derivitive of the surname "Ramsey/Rumsey". Baker states on p. 270 of his Study:

"...we think it more likely he (Israel) was a son of Solomon Reeve 3 (Joseph 2, Thomas 1) because, as Mather notes Solomon married in 1724 Sarah Rumsey and Israel had a son Rumsey (and a daughter Sarah)."

Baker theorizes that Israel was the son of Solomon Reeve and Sarah Rumsey because of the use of the name Rumsey. This is the simplest explaination of the use of the unusual name. Unfortunately, Solomon left no will and there is no record of his children other than the conclusion that Solomon Jr. was one of his son. I can only think of three reasons Joel (b. abt 1755) would name his second son Rumsey. He named his first son Bethuel after his father, and his second son Rumsey was named for his first wife's maiden name. Now this is a very plausible theory until one realizes that no other marriages besides that of Solomon Reeve and Sarah Rumsey, occurred on Long Island between the Reeves and the Ramseys/Rumseys.

Perhaps Joel was so moved by the deaths of the patriot soldiers aboard the Prison ship Jersey, that he resolved to commemorate Rumsey 1 by naming his second son in his honor. Certainly this could have happened this way and there may be a bit of truth in it. But I prefer the last possibility, which is that Joel named his second son for his grandmothers familiy and his uncle's lost son Rumsey 1. He may even have been inspired by his cousin Luther who name one of his sons, Rumsey 2 who was born a year earlier, after his brother Rumsey 1. I think this is a rather compelling theory and makes the case for Israel and Bethuel being brothers and sons of Solomon even stronger. In fact, when writing his manuscript in the 1970's, Baker did not have the information about my line that has since come to light. He in fact dismissed Bethuel as being a descendant of one of the earlier Southamton Reeves such as Thomas Reeves. It was not until I was able to substantiate Rumsey 3 as a grandson of Bethuel in 2004, that the name Rumsey became solidly connected to Bethuel. It's a critical piece of the puzzle in my mind. Connecting to Solomon is crutial as it transports both Israel's line and Bethuel's line back across the Atlantic Ocean to England.

Four Brothers from France

In todays post I'm going to examine the Reeve myth that four brothers, huguenots, came from France, the original spelling of the name was Revee, or pronunced that way. One brother spelled his name Rives and went south.

As I've shown already this legend is well documented in Israel's line as recounted by his decendant and quoted in both Mather's and Baker's books. What is interesting is source in print for my own line in the History of the Western Reserve.

"The first Reeves came from Dijon, France. They were Huguenots, and, seeking religious freedom, the most fled to England, though a few settled in Ireland and Holland."

Huguenots were French Protestants who were persecuted in France for their beliefs. Many fled to other countries including the American Colonies where they founded New Paltz and New Rochelle in New York. There was a small settlement on the south shore of Staten Island as well. There are currently a large number of sites on line that list surnames of Huguenot families that immigrated to America. None of these sites list the name Reeve, Reeves, or even Revee. The closest names listed are Rives that became Rivers in America or Revere. While there does appear to be a surname "Revee", it seems to be an alternate spelling of perhaps Reve or Rive and may be related to Reeve.

I think this story is a confusion, perhaps exageration of the true story, or poor research of the surname Reeve. As anyone researching the surname Reeve should know, a Reeve in England was a minor official. They were a sort of tax collector and enforcer of the laws for the Lord in feudal times. Chaucer's "The Reeve's Tale" is a classic example of the Reeve, if a bit unflattering. It shows that Reeve's were well established in England by the time Chaucer was writing his tales in the late 1300's. The modern word Sheriff was dervived from the Shire Reeve. There are may assertions that Reeves and their many spellings came from France. This is true, the first Reeves crossed the English Channel with William to Conqueror in 1066. There were Reeves in France, and Reeves crossing to England throughout this time period. Some may have been Huguenots, but like any Profession based name like Cooper, Tanner or Smith, there were loads of Reeves. The following is a quote from "Reliques of the Rives":

"That the Ryves or Rives family is of French derivation is susceptible of proof from the pronunciation of the name: even after a separation of four or more centuries from France, the "i" in "Rives," as also the "y" in "Ryves," is pronounced as the French "i": that is to say, like the English double "e" in "Reeves." As a general rule, with but insignificant exceptions, the final "s" in French is not pronounced; and, it might be expected, therefore, that the early generations in England would have pronounced the name, "Reve.""

Currently, it is universally accepted that all variations of spelling of the name originate from Norman feudalism in France. That does not mean however that there was one Reeve ancestor, nor that all Reeves are somehow related any more than would it be true that all individuals bearing the surname Smith are related.

One of the first most complete studies of the Reeve surname was the Reliques of the Rives by J. Rives Childs, published in 1929. This particular work deals with the decendants of Robert Ryves (1490-1551) of Dorsetshire, England. This work also details the immigration of William Rives to Colonial Virginia in the mid to late 1600's. William is the founder of a long line of Rives of various spellings throughout Virginia, Tennesee and the Carolinas. Childs states in his book:

"Although the descent of the emigrant, William Rives, unfortunately is not susceptible of record proof - despite the fact that no pains have been spared in the effort to establish the fact beyond cavil - inferential evidence thereof is by no means lacking.
Comparison of the baprismal names used by the first and later generations of the family in Virginia with those of the Oxfordshire branch of the Dorsetshire family reveals a striking similarity and gives strong support to the assumption that the emigrant ancestor of the Virginia family was the youngest son of Timothy Ryves. As a renealogist has remarked: "In old families, baptismal names were religiously adhered to, and it is almost a certainty that any line of descendants may be placed upon the main stem by attention to the baptismal names""

I find it interesting that a work as cited as Reliques of the Rives is as dependant on "inferential evidence" as my line is to make the leap back to England.

I think over time, research from different Reeve lines has been muddled together and confused by poor research. I think that the migration of Reeves from France to England in general has been mixed up with the flight of Huguenots from France, and suddenly Reeves were Huguenots. The fact is that the Reeve surname was well established in England long before the rise of the Huguenots and the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in the late 1500's. I think this confusion is where the Huguenot notion originates and the four brothers from France.

Consider the children's game "Telephone", there is a long line of people and the first person whispers a message in the next person's ear. The last person in the line speaks the message they received out loud. The fun is to see how the message changed at the end of the line. This is the trouble with oral traditions, each teller changes the story a little bit until it's hardly recognizable. In Genesis, god made the world in seven days, this is hardly likely, more likely this is a representation of a longer period of time, simplified for convenience and limited understanding. In a the barely literate world of Colonial America, ancestors who crossed the English Channel with William the Conqueror, are compressed in time to generations that are closer and easier to imagine.

In the absence of availible evidence, people often turn to conjecture which they repeat as though it were proven. Eager genealogists see several Reeves living in the same area and assume they are related. Searching google for the origins of the surname Reeve brings up a business were you can buy a copy of your coat of arms with a very general outline of it's origins. The information is generally correct, but over simplified and copied from multiple sources. Reeves in general, were not nobility to begin with. Now certain ancestors of lines like Robert Ryves may have been awarded lands or titles or purchased them. Certainly, Robert Ryves coat of arms is valid for that line of Reeves. Everyone wants to have noble blood though, the idea of being related to nobility is very seductive. I have one family line that has been claiming relationship to a English Countess for a century even though no one can prove it. Robert Ryves might have had some land and minor titles, this makes it very desirable to somehow tie to that line. Many Reeves probably rang true to Chaucer's charicterizations, being hungry for greater position and power; to be the Lord and not his agent.

It would be quite attractive to weave a tale of four brothers of noble blood, persecuted in France, who came to America and founded four branches of Reeves one brother who used the name Rives and went south. Simply borrowing bit's and pieces of the truth and of other Reeve's tales and melding them into one large family story.

The facts are, that when you try to find any substantiating evidence, the whole fairy tale falls apart. The true tale should sound more like four brothers who's ancestors originated in France and crossed the English Channel with William the Conqueror. Perhaps there were four brothers, but the immigrants seem to be more distant than Israel and Bethuel's generation. Maybe "came from France" referred to the earlier history and was interpreted as more recent history by young ears.

Parallel Families: Israel and Bethuel

The speculation about Israel and Bethuel began as a footnote attached to Israel Reeve in Mather's The refugees of 1776 from Long Island to Connecticut.

"The family tradition is that Israel was French. We have always been told stories of our old French grandfather, Israel the weaver; that he was one of four, or more, brothers who came from France; that the spelling of the name was changed; it was supposed the spelling was Revee, or was pronounced as if spelled Revee; that the family was of noble birth, which was not impossible amoung the Huguenots. Our g. grandfather, Luther, used to be very proud of his French blood, which he called "royal blood". He said he was one-eighth French blood, which was worth more than all the rest. The "one-eighth" which he claimed makes me look farther than his father for his French blood. As I count it, the Frenchman should be his g. grandfather. However, as our grandfather told us of his grandfather, the Frenchman, we had always supposed he was indeed the immigrant. We have so far failed to find either the parents of Israel Reeve, or record of his coming to this country. As others theorize, and do not hesitate to publish his parentage as they see it, I feel that our family tradition as to his nationality should receive as much consideration as their theories; especially the one which calls him sone of Daniel and Experience who were married six years after he was born! Of the year of his birth we are positive. Among the decendants of Bethuel we find, practically, the same traditions as our own. That of four, or more, brothers from France; the change in the spelling or pronunciation of the name; and they add that one of the brothers went South and his name is Rive or Rives. Thay also have the name Rumsey in their family. As we knew nothing of this family except an occasional rumor of a Rumsey Reeve who lived in Willoughby, Ohio, and had a prominent nose (as had my grandfather Rumsey) the tradition have now been handed from one to the other. After 10 years of research, we have not found the ancestors of Israel; nor thye, the ancestors of Bethuel. (Mrs. H.A.R.C.)"

The parallel traditions are significant even if the are not accurate. It certainly points to a relation of some kind. If Israel and Bethuel were immigrants to this country, there should be a record of at least one of them arriving. They did not spring from the ground fully grown. There are records of arrivals in the colonies far older that the time in which these men lived that still exhist, and if the records of arrival were destroyed, as we have seen from other lines, there are records of departure that can be referenced. In all this time no one had found such records for either Israel, Bethuel or the fictional boat that arrived from France with the four Reeve brothers. The Huguenots as a group are well documented and Reeve is not among the lists of names of of protestants fleeing France. If Israel and Bethuel are not immigrants, then they were born in the colonies to some family.

Rumsey Reeve of Willoughby, Ohio is no rumor, he is my ggg grandfather. In fact, there are only three Rumsey Reeves in Suffolk County, New York up to 1800. Israel's son who dies on the Prison Ship "Jersey", Luther's son who is born in 1789, and Joel's son (Bethuel's grandson) Rumsey who was born in 1790. There really are no other Reeve/Reeves families using the name Rumsey. Baker might be wrong about Isaiah and Zadok being brothers to Israel and Bethuel, he might even be wrong about Solomon being their father. However, I think there is significant and compelling arguments to say that Israel and Bethuel are related.

Israel Reeve

Israel's line, of all the possible sons of Solomon, is the line that parallels Bethuel's line the most closely. Israel's line is also possibly one of the more researched and documented genealogical lines. Baker says of Israel:

(c) Israel (possibly), a refugee from Southold to Lyme, Connecticut in September 1776 with 8 passengers (p278) which corresponds to the size of his family in 1776 Census (p123). Considerable information about him is given on p521 of Mather's Refugees (p278 hereof) including speculation of his parentage by a descendant, Mrs. H. Amelia Reeve Chapin.

She reported a tradition that Israel was one of four or more brothers who came from France. She nevertheless considered, by doubted, that Israel was son of Solomon and Sarah as "it does not seem probable that Israel fled to Connecticut, leaving his aged parents as Southold".

We dealt with this matter at some length on pages 124 & 270, including "It is true Solomon was of avanced age in 1776...but we believe the circumstances in Southold following the defeat of the Revolutionary Army in the Battle of Long Island were such that few men of Israel's age (46) would stay in Southold, regardless of the age of their parents. We therefore think it could well be that Israel was a son of Solomon". We might add that another reason for Solomon to stay was his refusal to sign the Association in 1775. We also noted that Israel had a son Rumsey and a daughter Sarah who may have derived their names from their mother, Sarah Rumsey.

If the reported tradition that Israel was one of four or more brothers from France is correct, Israel of course could not be a son of Solomon. While traditions have oftentimes proved to be accurate, we wonder if it is in this instance. For Israel and his brothers to settle in a remote part of the English colonies in the same area as other Reeves who seem to be related to the Southold or Southampton families, would be quite a coincidence.

As we noted on p124 Israel was born 1730, married Theodosia Case in 1753 (June 17 - see p67) in Cutchogue Chruch, was a Representative in Connecticut Legislature and dies at Lyme, Conn. (The date of his death was June 6, 1813; his wife died April 2, 1808, per Salmon Records). Israle Reeve witnessed the 1760 will of Joshua Wells (p135), and a 1763 deed for land at Indian Neck (p.40). This is the same part of Southold in which Solomon Reeve received land under the 1722 will of his father, Joseph Reeve. He was appointed Executor of the 1774 will of Benjamin Case, and in the same year he witnessed the will of Timothy Wells (p135).

His four sons were Benjamin, Rumsey, Israel Jr. and Luther who also were refugees to Connecticut (see Mather's Refugees, p518 etc.) Israel Jr and his sister Mehitabel were baptized on July 10, 1757 at Cutchogue (p67).

Mather (p521-p278 hereof) says Israel Reeve Jr married Fannie Lord; also that he served and was wounded in the Revolution and received a pension. "After the War he returned to Southold. He also served in the War of 1812; and was, for some time, warden of the State Prison at Auburn, N.Y.". He witnessed a Southold deed in 1788 (p40) and participated in expense of building the meeting house in Cutchgue 1788-91 (p315). He appears in Southold 1790 Census with 1 male over 16 and 2 females over 16 (p128). His daughter Sarah died in Southold August 8, 1798 (p103). We obtained a photo copy of his PEnsion Application papers; a summary of them is given in the Military Records Chapter of our Study, p217. It shows he was born on June 5, 1757 and was a mariner of Southold in 1787, was of Cayuga County, N.Y. in 1824, and moved to Massachusetts in 1835.

Benjamin & Rumsey, two of the other sons of Israel Reeve, also served in the War and died in the prison ship "Jersey" (Mather, p518 & 527 - p275 & 284 hereof). We assume this Benjamin is the one who Salmon Records shows in 1782 (no month or day given) who died "about 3 weeks ago" (p101).

Luther, last sone of Israel Reeve, was born in 1759, served in the War, shows as age 17 in August 5, 1776 Muster of Capt. Paul Reeve's Company (p213), married 1785 Anna Pearson, was a pensioner in Ohio in 1828, and died at New Lyme, Ohio Dec. 13, 1843, age 83. Mumerout descendants of Luther's son Rumsey Reeve (1789-1863) joined the D.A.R. Mather p525 (p282 hereof) carried out this line at some length. Mrs. Chapin stems from this branch of the family. Luther was a refugee from L.I. to Conn. in 1776 (p282).

This is a long quote so I'll continue this discussion in the next post.

Zadok Reeve

Poor Zadock, I've seen his name spelled so many ways; Zadok, Zedoc, Zydoc and Ledok just to name a few. Baker states on page 373 of his manuscript:

(e) Zadok (possibly) who appears in Southold 1776 Census immediately after Solomon which indicates Solomon may have been his father. His Family consisted of 1 male age 16-50 (Zadok himself as he was born about 1741; he shows as age 19 in 1760 in the Suffolk County Militia), 1 male under 16, 1 female over 16 and 1 under. He also is in 1790 Census - 1 male over 16, 2 under 16, 3 females. He married Phebe Tappen on March 8, 1768 at Aquebogue. The Church Records state they were both of Wading River. Date of their Death unknown. Zadok Reeve witnessed the 1780 will of Timothy Hudson.
We should add that a Zadok Reeve was in the Riverhead Tax List in 1819 & 1820 but not in 1821 and was in Riverhead Census in 1800 and 1810. Also a Zadok Reeve is buried in Vigo County, Indiana, died March 7, 1885, age 88-4-24 (b 1796) who may have been his son, or grandson.

I believe the Zadok in Riverhead is indead the same Zadok, looking at the neighbors and placement with them. By the 1790 census Zadok has two boys and 2 girls. The 1800 census however shows a family of ten. It's unclear whether Zadok has eight children or that this might be a blended family. In 1800 Zadock would be close to 60 and it is possible that an older child and his family living with Zadok, caring for the aging parents. Although not proven, I suspect the names of at least some of Zadok's children are Zadok Jr., Silas, John and Jane. But again more research is necessary as this is not my direct line.

Early Census of Long Island

This is a convenience post, since I find myself constantly looking for and interpreting the early Long Island Census.

Theses are the catagories for the 1776 Census:
1. Males above 50 years of age
2. Males above 16 and under 50 years of age
3. Males under 16 years of age
4. Females above 16 years of age
5. Females under 16 years of age
6. Male and Female negros above 16 years of age
7. Male and Female negros under 16 years of age

These are the categories for the 1790 Census:
1. Males 16 years of age and above
2. Males under 16 years of age
3. Females including heads of families
4. All other free persons
5. Slaves

Pre 1790 Census resources:

1675 Census:
East Hampton

1698 Census:
Southold
Southampton

1737 Census:
Suffolk County

1776 Census:
Brookhaven Town Early Census
Southampton east of the watermill
Southampton west of the watermill
Inhabitants of New York 1774-1776 at Ancestry
Refugees from Long Island

1778 Census:
Suffolk County

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.

Sons of Solomon continued...

I had a lot to say about the meanings of names in a previous post, so now I want to look at the names of the proposed sons of Solomon. Let's begin with the father himself.

Solomon means peace. Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba, he succeeded his father as king of Israel. He wrote the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. The wisdom of Solomon is proverbial because when asked what gift he would have from God, he asked only for the wisdom he would need to rule.

Isaiah means "salvation of god; the Lord helps me". He is one of the major prophets and writer of the Book of Isaiah. He prophesied the birth Immanuel.

Israel means "God perseveres". When Jacob, son of Isaac, was in his nineties, God changed his name to Israel as a token of blessing. His 12 sons became the ancestors of the Israelite nation.

Zadok means "just, righteous". In the bible Zadok was a high priest who showed great courage during the reigns of David and Solomon.

Bethuel means "house of God". The name Bethuel appears in the Book of Genesis. He is Rebekah's father, and some versions of the story say that Bethuel refused to give his daughter in marriage to Isaac, and for that reason God caused him to die suddenly. Kind of interesting in that Bethuel Reeve's two daughters are still unmarried at the time of the writing of his will.

In a community like Long Island, where there are flocks of James, Davids, Jeremiahs, Thomas, and Daniels, these names kind of stick out as different. It's interesting that they are all from the old testament and that they are all possibilities as Solomon's sons.

Sons of Solomon

So in Baker's Book (see my post on Reference Books), it states that Solomon left no will. Both Solomon and Sarah Ramsey Reeve lived until about 1783-84 and were quite elderly. Remember again this is about the same time the British are evacuating Long Island, there is a lot going on. I do not know if Solomon died without a will (intestate), or if he just never made one. So there is no clear document spelling out who his children were. Here is what Baker has to say about Solomon.

"7. Solomon Reeve 3 (Joseph 2, Thomas 1), last son of Joseph born before 1688 Census and next to last son referred to in Joseph's will under which he received land in Hog Neck and Indian Land; also Creek thatch. In 1715 he was in the Mattituck troop of Militia (Southold Company No. 2) with his brother Joseph. He is named only once in Southold land records - in 1744 as owner of adjoining property in a deed of Hog Neck property which we assume was the property in that locality received under his father's will.

He married Sarah Ramsay (Runsey) Nov. 10, 1724 who died May 17 or 18, 1783. Solomon died Sept-Oct 1784. Solomon Reeve and Son (who we believe was Solomon Jr.) were among those who refused to sign the Revolutionary Association in June & July 1775.

In the Southold 1776 Census, his family is given as 1 male over 50 and 1 female over 16 - no doubt Solomon and his wife. Immediately following in the census was Zadok Reeve who we judge was his son. A general analysis of Solomon's family, as it was in 1776, is on page 128.

Although we have no record of a will of Solomon to guide us, it appears those named below may have been his Children."

Baker goes on to name Solomon (Jr), an infant son who died March 19, 1728/9, Israel, Isaiah and Zadok, all of whom I'll discuss in time.

On P. 128 of Bakers book he discusses a fair portion, but not all of the 1776 Census. In order to keep this post from getting inordinately long I'm just going to address what he says about Solomon here.

"23. Solomon Reeve - His name is about 60th following Perrier Reeve, indicating he was in a different part of Southold. We suspect it was in Wading River, as Zadock Reeve, who follows directly after Solomon, as of Wading River. Solomon was son of Joseph 2 (Thomas 1), the youngest son listed in Joseph's family in the 1698 census. He married Sarah Ramsay in 1724 (Salmon Records). As he left no will, determination of the names of his children is difficult. Of the Reeves listed in the 1776 Census, we have indicated four who may be sons of Solomon - Isaiah, Solomon, Israel and Zadok and tow who may be his grandchildren - Ishmael and Silas."

I'll note here that the Silas mentioned cannot be Bethuel's son Silas because in the 1776 Census of Southampton, it appears that Silas is numbered in Bethual's family. The number of family members is the same as Bethuel's will minus Daniel who is in the army. Although Bethuel's son Silas and Isaiah's son Silas would have been born about the same time, and of the same generation which adds to confusion.

Stay tuned, because I have more to say on the sons of Solomon and who they are.

Names and neighbors

I'm going to take a minute and digress here about name choices in families. Names are important and can provide clues in genealogy research. Majority of parents, when naming a child, go to a fair amount of trouble to be thoughtful about it. Meanings of the names are important, as is sound, it should go well with the surname. Children's names are often chosen to honor a relative, sometimes immediate, sometimes more distant. I bear my grandmother's middle name.

When I began researching my family I only had my great grandfather's name to go on. His name was Oscar Reeve and I knew he came to California from Ohio. My first discovery was an obituary for Oscar that someone had posted on one of the community boards. The Obituary mentioned his middle name "Joel" and the town of Willoughby among some other tidbits. The name Joel was the real clue though, that name led me all the way back to Bethuel's eldest son. It took some more research to make the family lines clear and proven, but "Joel" was the clue that got me there. Names again come into play in my theories about who Bethuel's father and brothers are, but that's a topic for another post.

Neighbors are important too. The world of 1776 was different than it is today. People were more focused on the local area in which they lived. When I first started doing census work, I only paid attention to the names in my family. As I worked though, I started to see patterns. There was a Reeve family living right next to a Haines family for almost a century. My great grandfather Oscar followed his Uncle Henry out to California. People tended to live near other family members, sometimes with them. Older adults often live next to, or with a married child's family. There's a quote from the movie "The Silence of the Lambs" that I often think of..."People covet what they see every day". The Children of one family grew up next to the children of another family and naturally one or two would intermarry. When Bethuel moved to North Sea from Southold, he ended up living nearby the Haines family to whom his wife Mary Haines Reeve just happened to be related. Did Bethuel choose North Sea to be closer to his in-laws,or did the in-laws follow Bethuel. When I'm looking for clues as to who a wife is, I often look to the families surrounding them in the census for clues. Rather than just looking for my ancestor, I look for other familiar names as well.

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.

Source Texts for Long Island, New York.



Here are my essential source texts for Reeve(s) genealogy research on Long Island, New York.



1. Study of the Reeve family of Southold, Long Island, N.Y. : and Southold descendants of the Southampton, L.I. Reeves family and genealogy of said families up to 1800 Douglaston, N.Y.: Baker, Wesley Logan, 459 pgs.



2. Early History of Southampton, New York - With Genealogies, By George Rogers Howell, M.A.; Member of the Albany institute, corresponding member of the Troy Ass., NY Historical Society etc., Second Edition, Albany: Weed, Parsons and Company, 1887, 473 pp.



3.The book of records of the town of Southampton : BOOKS 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 - 1st book, 1639-1660 -- 2nd book, 1660-1717 -- 3rd book, 1717-1807 -- 4th book, 1809-1870 -- 5th book comprising Ancient Loose Documents as well as Abstracts of the Red Book of Deeds, AUTHORS: Southampton, Henry PHedges, William S. Pelletreau, Edward H. Foster, including all the writings in the town clerk's office from 1639 to 1660: with other ancient documents of historic value, Sag Harbor, N.Y.: J.H. Hunt, book and job printer, 1740 pages.



4. The Salmon records : a private register of marriages and deaths of the residents of the town of Southold, Suffolk County, N.Y., and of persons more or less closely associated with that place : 1696-1811 Authors: William Salmon, William A. Robbins, City of Publication: New York Publisher: New York Genealogical and Biographical Society Date: 1918, 115 pgs.



5. Records of the Town of Southold, Suffolk County, New York - Two Volumes in pdf format - town records of Southold from about 1650 to the beginning of 1780. Most of the information is reproduced verbatim from Libers A, B, and C of the town records. The documents consist primarily of land grants by the town and deeds showing subsequent land transactions, but there is also a wide variety of other documents including a few wills, inventories and appraisals of estates, land divisions associated with estate settlements, depositions, petitions, and a few vital records. J. Wickham Case, 1884, 1055 pgs.



6. A History of Mattituck, Long Island, N.Y. Author: unknown Originally published in 1906 400 pages



7. Refugees of 1776 From Long Island to Connecticut Author: Frederic G. Mather Originally published in Albany, New York, 1913.



All of these titles and more are available from the Long Island Genealogy website http://longislandgenealogy.com/



Some of these reference books are on Google Books in their entirety and completely searchable. In order to search Google Books, go to the Google website. There is a line of options on the top left hand side begining with "web" and ending with "more", next to which is an arrow pointing down. Click the arrow and you will see more options, select the one that says "books". The pages will now change, at the top you will have a text box, with a button on the end of it that says "Search Books". Type into the text box the name you wish to search for, if you get too many matches and partial matches you can put quotations around the name so that the search engine will look for that exact name. I will often run Reeve with and without an "s", for expample "Bethuel Reeve" and "Bethuel Reeves". I usually do use quotations so that the returns I get are managable in number especially with more common names. Try searching different ways and see what works best.