Generation 1 (starting person)

1 Ray (Raymond Carne Frank) Reeves

Ray (Raymond Carne Frank) Reeves was born in Shawnee, Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma on May 26, 1917. As a youngster he moved with his father and siblings to Southern California. He eventually came to reside in Pomona California.

In adulthood he became employed in California in housing construction. He was a carpenter, and later a buliding superintendant, building tracts of homes.

On November 22, 1935 he married Laverta Mercedes Nelson. With Laverta he had 5 boys (one being Laverta's by a previous marriage).

About 1966, sometime after his divorce from Laverta, he married Ruth (Wilma Ruth) Vise, the widow of his brother, William.

He died May 17, 1987 of a heart attack in his home in Montclair, San Bernardino County, California.

Generation 2 (his parents)

2 Charles (Tobias Charles Blain) Reeves

Charles (Tobias Charles Blain) Reeves was born in Texas on December 28, 1882.

He moved onto a homestead in Indian Territory with his parents in 1889.

He apparently met and wed his bride, Johnny Vida Jenkins, a young lady of Welch ancestry, about 1906 in Texas or Oklahoma.

"Tobey", with wife, and children travelled considerably throughout Oklahoma, Northern Texas, and Arkansas following the crops. They were farm workers. They eventually did settle down near Stella and Oklahoma City where he worked for a time in a Bakery shop.

In 1931, not long after the premature death of his wife, Charles, as he was now being called, elected to take his five unmarried children and move to Southern California. Work was rumored to be plentiful there.

He lived the remainder of his life in California.

He died on February 1, 1970 in San Bernardino County, California and was buried at Bellevue Memorial Park in Ontario, San Bernardino County, California.

3 Johnnie Vida Jenkins

Johnnie Vida Jenkins was born in Indian Territory (pre-Oklahoma) on January 30, 1890.

About 1906 she married Charles (Tobias Charles Blain) Reeves.

She died on July 6, 1930 at age 41 of Pulmonary Hemorrhage in a hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. She was enroute from Oklahoma with husband & children to visit her Aunt Emma in Phoenix Arizona. They had been motoring south in their model T Ford through Fort Worth intending to connect to the main good highway toward Phoenix when Johnnie became ill.

She was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas.

Generation 3 (his grandparents)

4 James (James Franklin) Reeves Sr.

James (James Franklin) Reeves Sr. was born in Russellville, Jefferson County, Tennessee on March 5, 1841.

He was living with his parents and siblings in Hawkins County Tennessee by 1850 and by 1860 was living with his mother in Rogersville Tennessee.

During the civil war he enlisted in the Union Army on 26 July 1863. He served as a Saddler Sergeant in Company A of the 9th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army. Civil War Pension papers give a description of James at the time of his Army enlistment as follows: "five feet, 5 1/2 inches tall, fair complexion, auburn eyes, auburn hair".

His grandson described him some years later as having "flaming" red hair and beard.

After the war (about 1867) James apparently went to Illinois for a short time. We have no idea what he was doing there. Perhaps working in farming.. following the harvests.

By 1872 he was in Cherokee City ("Hogs Eye") Arkansas where he married Miss Caroline Elizabeth Abshire on May 26, 1872. They were united in marriage by a local Justice of the Peace. Caroline was the widow of Jack Helms, another Union soldier who had died during the war.

Their first child, James Franklin Jr., was born in Arkansas.

By 1876, James and Caroline were living in Benton County Texas.

In 1889 when land was opened for settlement in Indian Territory (later called Oklahoma) James filed a homestead within the Chickasaw Indian Nation near the present site of the town of Orr in Love County, Oklahoma.

By 1910, James and Caroline were living near the families of their two sons, James Jr. and William, at Stella, Cleveland ounty, Oklahoma which is located east of Oklahoma City. The 1910 census indicates that of 8 children born to Caroline at that time only 4 were still living. Those were hard times.

By 1924, in their senior years, James & Caroline were living in Norman, Oklahoma (to the south of Oklahoma City).

James died on February 13, 1925 at C & Penn Streets in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

He was buried at Stella Cemetery in Stella, Little River Township, Cleveland County, Oklahoma. He is buried under a "Union Stone" showing his Civil War Military Unit. The stone was still there and legible when it was last revisited in 1961.

5 Elizabeth Caroline Abshire

Elizabeth Caroline Abshire was born in Mountain Grove, Wright County, Missouri on September 21, 1843.

On July 26, 1862 in Missouri she married Jack (Jackson) Hellums. On May 26, 1872 in Hogeye (or) Cherokee City, Benton County, Arkansas she married James (James Franklin) Reeves Sr.. They were married by a local Justice of the Peace.

Elizabeth died on April 11, 1928 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.

She was buried at The Stella Cemetery in Stella, Little River Township, Cleveland County, Oklahoma.

6 John G. Jenkins

John G. Jenkins was born possibly in Meigs County, Tennessee about 1865. There are indications that he was a farmer.

On July 22, 1883 in Dunklin County, Missouri he married Anna Campbell at Gravel Hill Church. He died circa 1890 in Oklahoma.

7 Anna Campbell

Anna Campbell was born in Randolph County, Arkansas in August of 1865.

On July 22, 1883 in Dunklin County, Missouri she married John G. Jenkins at Gravel Hill Church. In 1891 in Wise County, Texas she married George F. Pittman.

Generation 4 (his great-grandparents)

8 John M. Reaves: John M. Reaves was born probably in Greene County in Tennessee about 1807. He appears to have lived in Greene, Jefferson, and Hawkins Counties in East Tennessee and was a saddler by trade. 1835 tax records show John Reaves and Alexander Reaves in Captain Kelly's District at Holly's Creek just outside of Greeneville, Tennessee. 1835 tax records also show John Reaves paid taxes on a saddler shop in Greeneville. He paid taxes on Smith shop there in 1837. He appears in the 1840 census in Jefferson County and then in 1850 in Hawkins County where he was listed as a "Saddler". On May 19, 1831 in Greene County, Tennessee he married Artilitha Broyles. They were married by Thomas Murphy, J.P. He died before 1860 in Hawkins County, Tennessee.

9 Artilitha Broyles: Artilitha Broyles was born in Tennessee about 1815. On May 19, 1831 in Greene County, Tennessee she married John M. Reaves. They were married by Thomas Murphy, J.P.

10 Seaton Abshire: Seaton Abshire was born in Pittsylvania Co., VA. in January, 1811. The 1850 & 1860 census shows him as a farmer living with wife and family in Wright County, Missouri in or near Hartville. The 1880 US census shows him at age 70 with wife Elizabeth and son Andrew in Wise County, Texas.
About 1832 in Tennessee he married Elizabeth Corbin. He died in 1890 in Wise County, Texas. He was buried at Thomas Cemetery in Bridgeport, Wise County, Texas.

11 Elizabeth Corbin: Elizabeth Corbin was born in South Carolina in 1815. About 1832 in Tennessee she married Seaton Abshire. She was buried at the Thomas Cemetery in Bridgeport, Wise County, Texas.

12 Joseph G. Jenkins: Joseph G. Jenkins was born in North Carolina about 1830. The 1860 US census shows him as a blacksmith at age 27 with wife and family living in the area of Goodfield Post Office within Meigs County, Tennessee. The 1870 US census shows him still working at the blacksmith trade at age 40 and now living with his family in the area of Murray Post Office, Calloway County, Kentucky. On January 24, 1851 in Meigs Co., TN. he married Minerva McCorkle. He died in 1879 in Dunklin County, Missouri. He was buried at a cemetery in Dunklin County, Missouri.

13 Minerva McCorkle: Minerva McCorkle was born in Tennessee on May 25, 1825. On January 24, 1851 in Meigs Co., TN. she married Joseph G. Jenkins. She died in June, 1884 or 1885 in Campbell, Dunklin County, Missouri. She was buried at the 4 Mile Run Cemetery in Campbell, Dunklin County, Missouri.

14 Merrill P. Campbell: Merrill P. Campbell was born in Kentucky about 1820. The 1850 US census shows him as a farmer at age 30 in the household of his mother Anne in Randolph County, Arkansas. The 1860 census shows him at age 40 with wife and children farming in the area of Pocahontas Post Office within Wiley Township, Randolph County, Arkansas. The 1870 census shows him still in the area served by Pocahontas Post Office in Randolph County, but shows him now in Demun Township. On September 24, 1856 in Randolph County, Arkansas he married Mary Jane Thor.

15 Mary Jane Thor: Mary Jane Thor was born in Obion County, Tennessee about 1838. On September 24, 1856 in Randolph County, Arkansas she married Merrill P. Campbell.

Generation 5 (great-great-grandparents)

16 Moses Reaves: Moses Reaves was born probably in Brunswick County, in Virginia in 1768. It has not been absolutely proven beyond doubt that he is the father of John M. Reeves (no 8), but there are strong indications that he was. He is known to have been a barrel maker by trade. In 1805 and in every year from 1808 through 1817 he appears on Greene County, Tennessee tax lists. In 1808 John Reaves' estate was involved in a law suit with Moses Reaves over a land dispute. Moses served in the Creek Indian War (part of the "war of 1812") as a private in Captain Dyke's Company in Colonel William Lillard's 2nd East Tennessee Volunteers. His service was between October 14, 1813 and February 8, 1814. On April 29, 1829 the Moses Reaves family were persecuted by a "peace" warrant for "riot" with George and Elender Wright. There were many suits and counter suits and most were dismissed. In one law suit document it shows that Moses paid fines and court costs for his wife Sarah, daughters Sarah, Polly, and Nancy as well as son Alexander. In April 29, 1830 there were again many lawsuits involving the same two families for "riot". It sounds like a case of an old fashioned family feud. In the year 1850 Moses and wife received a poor pension in the amount of $30.00. After the death of Moses his wife, Sarah, lived with daughter and son-in-law Sarah and John Morris. On November 5, 1796 he married Sarah Gibson. George Jameson, husband of Elizabeth Reaves, was a witness to this marriage. He died on June 1, 1850.

17 Sarah Gibson: Sarah Gibson was born within what is now Tennessee in 1776. On November 5, 1796 she married Moses Reaves. George Jameson, husband of Elizabeth Reaves, was a witness to this marriage.

20 Isaac Abshire: Isaac Abshire was born in Virginia on March 4, 1789. On April 17, 1810 in Pittsylvania Co., VA. he married Mary Jane Taylor. Sometime after 1820 in White County, Tennessee he married Ellen White. The US census of 1850 indicates he was a farmer and by then living with his wife in Fremont County, Iowa. He died on October 27, 1865 on the Abshire farm in Sidney, Fremont County, Iowa.

21 Mary Jane Taylor: Mary Jane Taylor was born about 1790. On April 17, 1810 in Pittsylvania Co., VA. she married Isaac Abshire. She died after 1821 in Tennessee.

22 John (Johnson) Corbin: He married Nancy Redman.

23 Nancy Redman: She married John (Johnson) Corbin.

26 Samuel McCorkle: Samuel McCorkle was born probably in Tennessee (possibly Sullivan County) about 1800. About 1824 he married Christenia.

27 Christenia: Christenia was born in Tennessee about 1798. About 1824 she married Samuel McCorkle.

28 __ Campbell: __ Campbell was born about 1790. About 1815 he married Anna.

29 Anna: Anna was born in Kentucky about 1796. About 1815 she married __ Campbell.

30 Casswell Thor (Thore): Casswell Thor (Thore) was born in Georgia about 1817. He was a farmer residing in Obion County, Tennessee. He appears in the 1840, 1850, and 1860 Federal Census taken there. On April 17, 1837 in Obion County, Tennessee he married Elizabeth J. Snow. On August 28, 1845 in Obion County, Tennessee he married Mahalia Good.

31 Elizabeth J. Snow: Elizabeth J. Snow was born about 1820. On April 17, 1837 in Obion County, Tennessee she married Casswell Thor (Thore).

Generation 6 (3rd-great-grandparents)

32 John Reaves (the Sr.): John Reaves (the Sr.) was born in Brunswick Co., VA. about 1744. He is known to have later moved to the pioneer "Watauga Settlement" located at the present day Elizabethton, Tennessee along with his Aunt Charlotte (Reeves) Robertson and husband James. In 1781 and 1782 John appears in the records as a court witness in Washington County, North Carolina (now part of Tennessee). In 1785 John Reaves appears on a census taken in Greene County, Tennessee. In 1786 he was mentioned in the will of Samuel Vance as owning land near him on the Little Chucky River in Greene County, State of Franklin (now part of Tennessee). This land was located about 2 1/2 miles due east of what is now Greeneville, Greene County, Tennessee near the intersection of Hartman Road and Vintage Lane near the present day Little Chucky Creek. In 1788 John "Reves" was the overseer of two roads in Washington County, Tennessee. In 1790 land next to Samuel Vance located at the head of a branch that runs into the Little Chucky River on the south side of Lick Creek was granted (North Carolina Land Grant 2437) to John Reaves. This land transaction was recorded December 16, 1791. Records show John Reaves served as a juror in Greene County in August 1790. In 1790 John Reaves, in company with other jurors in Greene County, reported on a road from the south bank of the Buckingham Ford on the Nolichucky River to the court house. On January 4, 1795 John Reaves received a North Carolina land grant (Tennessee 101319) for 100 acres in the same location as the 1790 land grant. In 1809 Elizabeth (widow of John Sr. deceased ) brought a lawsuit on behalf of John's estate against Moses Reaves (their son?). She also (in 1809) brought suit on behalf of John's estate against George Jameson for land on the south side of Lick Creek on the waters of a branch that runs into Little Creek below the land on the Little Chucky Creek. George Jamison's land was confiscated by the sheriff and put up for auction to satisfy the court suit. In 1812 Elizabeth Reaves (widow of John Sr.) now of Blount County, Tennessee gave her son William Reaves power of attorney over her estate. Elizabeth apparently (along with daughter and son-in-law Jane and Joseph Posey) had moved to Blount County sometime about 1812. On January 31, 1817 180 acres (John Reaves' estate) was sold to Henry Dyck Jr. by Martha Reaves. John Reaves' land, spring and cabin subsequently passed through many hands. The cabin was eventually torn down, moved, and reassembled across from the Greeneville Town Hall and in back of the library as a replica of the old State of Franklin Capitol Building. John Reaves married Elizabeth Fox. He died in 1803 in Greene County, Tennessee. Henry Dyke and Elizabeth Reves were the co-executors of his last will and testament. The only children actually mentioned in the will were Milly and Martha.

33 Elizabeth Fox: Elizabeth Fox was born about 1747. She married John Reaves (the Sr.).

40 Peter Abshire: Peter Abshire was born possibly in Franklin County, VA. about 1760. He is known to have lived with wife Nelly in Franklin County, Virginia.
About 1780 he married Nelly Doran.

41 Nelly Doran: Nelly Doran was born about 1762. About 1780 she married Peter Abshire.

42 James Taylor:

60 __ Thor: __ Thor was born about 1780-1790.

Generation 7 (4th-great-grandparents)

64 Benjamin Reeves: Benjamin Reeves was born in Brunswick Co., VA. about 1725. He lived in the same part of Brunswick County, Virginia as his father before him. He owned a considerable amount of land on the south side of the Meherrin River. He sold his land in 1746 apparently in preparation for a move to Pendleton District (now Anderson County, South Carolina). Following the Revolution Benjamin put in for and received payment of #4:7:6 for 35 days service "driving and collecting beaves" for the continental line. His will was probated in 1791 in Greenesville County, Virginia. He married Sarah. He died in 1791.

65 Sarah: She married Benjamin Reeves.

66 William Fox: He married Sarah Avent.

67 Sarah Avent: She married William Fox.

Generation 8 (5th-great-grandparents)

128 Thomas Rives: Thomas Rives was born in Surry Co., VA. about 1690. As an adult he lived in Brunswick County, Virginia from it's time of formation and was known to be living in St. Andrews Parish there in 1757. He lived near what is now the state line between Virginia and Northampton County, North Carolina. Prior to the formation of Brunswick County this had been a part of the Isle of Wight. Thomas is mentioned in Brunswick County records in 1733 where he, along with Thomas Reeves Jr., Timothy Reaves, and Foster Reaves, were ordered to clear a road. His land was described in 1735, 1737, and 1743 as "adjoining that of Timothy Rives". On November 29, 1746 Thomas Rives deeded 1/2 of his land to his son, George Rives. He died about 1758 in Brunswick Co., VA..

Generation 9 (6th-great-grandparents)

256 George Rives: George Rives was born in Prince George County, Virginia about 1660. He was a sea merchant. He appears to have been a resident of both Prince George and Brunswick Counties in Virginia. There is some indication that his wife may have been named "Hannah Bishop". He died about 1719 in Virginia.

Generation 10 (7th-great-grandparents)

512 Timothy Rives (the Jr.): Timothy Rives (the Jr.) was born in Oxfordshire, England in 1625. A baptismal record was recorded in the St. Mary Magdalen parish register that reads "Timothie, the son of Mr. Timothie Rives was baptized the 9th day of August 1625". Timothy (the Jr.) was the first of this Ryves/Rives/Reeves line to live in Colonial America (in Virginia). He died about 1690 in Virginia.

Generation 11 (8th-great-grandparents)

1,024 Timothy Ryves (the Sr.): Timothy Ryves (the Sr.) was born in England in 1588. He is known to have lived in St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Oxford City. He was a Gentleman and steward of the University of Oxford. He was admitted as a brewer on March 11, 1611 by Oxford University which at the time controlled the production and sale of ale and beer. He appears on tax lists between 1624 and 1640 as a resident of Oxford. He (1st) married Mary. He (2nd) married Elizabeth. He died in September 1643 at or near Oxford in England.

1,025 Mary: She married Timothy Ryves (the Sr.).

Generation 12 (9th-great-grandparents)

2,048 Richard Ryves: Richard Ryves was born in England about 1547.

Generation 13 (10th-great-grandparents)

4,096 John Ryves: John Ryves was born (possibly in Blanford) in England about 1514. He married Amy Harvey. He died about 1549 in England.

4,097 Amy Harvey: Amy Harvey was of Tarant Launceston, England. She married John Ryves.

Generation 14 (11th-great-grandparents)

8,192 Robert Ryves: Robert Ryves was born in England about 1490. He lived in Damory Court, Blandford Forum, Dorsetshire, England. He died on February 11, 1550/51 in Blandford, England.

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Generation 15 (12th-great-grandparents)

We don't know them yet.