Richard vs Richard

David C. Chandler
Our Richard Reeves was b. Oct. 15, 1759 and died May 19,1846. This in itself must tell us that the Richard from Virginia, who served in the Revolutionary War and died in Burlington County, NJ in 1777 is not our Richard Reeves.

Although our Richard was also originally from Burlington Co. NJ the first census record we find of him is in Fayette Co. PA. in 1790. Historical documents noted in "The Horn Papers" of Western PA. show Richard Reeves as a land owner in Greene or Fayette Co. PA.

The Oldest son George was born Jan. 19, 1789 at Luzerne Twp. Fayette Co. Pennsylvania, and it was his thought that father Richard was born right there in Fayette county also.

The claim that our Richard served as a Revolutionary war soldier came about by certain persons trying to establish a line for DAR admission, and surprisingly enough, several applications were accepted based on the findings that Richard Reeves served as a private, under Capt. Andrew Waggener’s Company of the 12th Virginia Regiment, commanded by Col. James Wood.

So there was indeed a Revolutionary soldier named Richard Reeves who served honorably and died 04, Nov. 1777 in a Holy Evangelist Church hospital in New East Jersey, Burlington County, NJ

This Richard who died in 1777 did so in interstate, leaving no actual will. However his estate was administered by one William Rose, who apparently was Richard’s nurse or care taker at the Church hospital and declared sole heir of Richard Reeves possessions.

Mr. Rose declared inventory of Richard Reeves money, goods and chattels as:
1. Eleven pounds due for a riffle by Col. Wood of the 12th Virginia Regiment.
2. Twenty one dollars lodged in the hands of Capt. Andrew Waggoner the last
time he was paid, which was sometime in August last and four months pay due
by said Waggoner.
3. One blanket and one old course shirt.

So ends the saga of one Richard Reeves on Nov. 04, 1777.

Our Richard, son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Dix) Reeves, lived on and is noted as living in Fayette Co. PA in 1790 and 1800 living with his brother William. By 1801 Richard and family along with brother William were resettled in Alexander Twp. Athens Co. Ohio.

An interesting note: - The 1840 census has a place for indicating war service, of which there is no notation on our Richard Reeves entry.

© David Chandler
Used with Permission