Jonathan Reeves

Jonathan Reeves and his brother Malachi received 110 acres by deed from their mother Fortune on 13 May 1788 which is recorded in Guilford County NC Deed Book 5 at Page 66. On 11 Oct 1791, Jonathan sold his portion of that tract of land to John Campbell. The sale of this tract of land was apparently prior to his migration to Georgia.

The only census record for Jonathan Reeves is the 1790 census of Guilford County, North Carolina. That census shows the household with only one person - a free white male over 16 years of age. He probably left North Carolina and relocated to Wilkes County, Georgia at the time others from this family did; however, there are no extant census for Georgia in 1800 or 1810 so he cannot be found there in any census.

In 1808, if he was not living in Guilford County, he appears to have returned to execute a deed on behalf of his brother Malachi who was then living in Wilkes County, Georgia. In that deed Malachi Reeves was among the heirs of Joel Bevill who were selling a tract of land to William Bevill.
Guilford Co., NC, Deed Books 10-13, Item 4807, from Book 10, p. 94. 23 May 1808. Jonathan Reeves, "who acts" for his brother Maleke Reeves who married Leodicea daughter of Joel Bevill deceased (Wilkes Co., GA), and Archabald Wilson & Mary Bevill (both of Guilford Co) to Wm Bevill (Guilford Co); for $290 sold 114.25 acres on waters of Reedy Fork of Haw River; border; begins at Noel Perkinson's corner post oak saplin on lot #4 on Robert Cole's line, joins John Thompson, Archabald White, & crosses a branch; being lots # 1, 2, & 3 that fell to "Malleke" Reeves, Archabald Wilson, & Mary Bevill at death of Joel Bevill deceased. (signed) Jonathan Reeves, aRchabald Wilson's mark "X" & Mary Bevill's mark "X" (witness) Jesse Brashear, Harmon Howlet, acob Brassel, & Brnach Gordon; wit. oath May 1810 by Harmon "Howled". Note at end: Jonathan Reeves is never to be accountable for none of the land only lot #2 which belonged to Maleke Reeves & contains 37.75 acres.

By the time his brother Jesse died in 1815, Jonathan was undoubtably living in Wilkes County, Georgia for he was appointed executor of Jesse's will which was recorded on 8 Jan 1816.

On 23 Sep 1816 in Wilkes County, Georgia, Jonathan is recorded as marrying Sarah Reeves who was presumably the widow of someone from this same Reeves family Sarah was probably the widow of his brother Jesse who had died in Jasper County in 1815. The 1849 Meriether County, Georgia will of Jonathan Reeves establishes the identity of Jonathan's wife Sarah. She was Sarah Wright Reeves, widow of Abner Reeves. Jonathan appointed his step-son William Reeves of Meriwether as his executor which identified his wife as the widow of Abner Reeves. [Meriwether GA WB A p148-149]

Jonathan Reeves was not recorded in the 1820 census of Wilkes County; however, a Jonathan Reeves of the correct age is listed in the census of Jasper County that year. The household consists of 2 Males 10-15, 1 Male over 45, 1 Female 10-15 and 1 Female 26-44.
He is recorded in Jasper County again in the 1830 census but not after that date.

A history of Macedonia Baptist Church of Butts County, Georgia contained in History of Butts County Georgia 1825-1976 mentions that James Reeves, John Reeves, and Moses D. White were the officiating Presbytery when it was founded in 1826. In addition there is an entry from 1830 where Jonathan Reeves granted to the Macedonia Baptist Church two acres of land for $3.22 1/2 in Lot No. 159 for the purpose of building a church. April 3, 1830.

He appears to be the Jonathan Reeves who, on the 4th of Nov. in 1833 in Butts County, Georgia, gave a declaration in support of the Revolutionary War service of a John Stewart who he said he had known for many years in Guilford County NC and in Georgia as well.