Edward Reavis was born 1680 in England, and died 1751 in Northhampton County, North Carolina. He married (1) Hannah Alley. He married (2) Sarah Gilliam.
Notes for Edward Reavis: source: HENRICO COUNTY, VIRIGINIA DEEDS 1706 - 1737
page 240 1729 - Aug 1. . .Charles Cannon of Henrico., to Edward Reviss of same, for 5 pounds, land next to said Edward, 75 acres. Wit: Thomas (A) Alley, Wm. Benson Signed: Charles Cannon Recorded 1st Mon. Aug. 1729
page 241 1729 - Aug 1. . .Edward Reviss of Henrico Co., to Thomas Jennit of same, for 3 pounds, 50 acres, land bounded by said Reviss. Wit: Charles Cannon, Wm Benson Signed: Edward Reviss Recorded 1st Mon. Aug. 1729 Hannah, wife of Edward, relinquished her dower right.
page 242 1729 - Aug 4. . .Edward Reviss of County and Parish of Henrico, to Thomas Alley of same. Whereas said Edward and Thomas are both seized of 400 acres as by patent 5 Sept. 1723, they agree to division. Wit: Geo. Payne, Pierre Louis Soblet Signed: Edward Revis, Thomas (A) Alley Recorded 1st Mon. Aug. Hannah, wife of Edward and Frances wife of Thomas, relinquish their dower rights.
1731 Sep 17. . .Henrico VA. ..Edward lived on Tuckahoe Creek
1735 July...Henrico VA...Edward lived on Tuckahoe Creek
1735 Aug 4. . .Edward helped inventory the estate of John Walters
page 509 1735 Oct 7. . .Charles Christian of Charles City Co., to Edward Revis of Henrico Co, for 20 pounds, 200 acres on branch of Tuckahoe Creek called Stony Run, next to where said Revis lives and granted by patent to said Christian. Wit: Matthew Dennis, John Shewmaker Signed: Charles Christian Recorded 3 Nov. 1735
1738 May. . .He deeded some land to William Ellis (HENRICO CO. VA DEEDS 1737 - 1750)
1740 Dec. . .Deeded land to Thomas Smith, Sarah (his wife) relinquished her dower (HENRICO CO. VA DEEDS 1737 - 1750) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1747. . .He moved to North Carolina where he bought and sold several pieces of property and later in Virginia.
He didn't sign with an "x" as did many of his peers, so he could at least write his name. He received a Royal Patent on land on the James River in recognition of his "Importation of two persons to dwell within our colony of Virginia"
1750 Feb. 21. . .He made his will in Northampton Co., North Carolina where it was probated in 1752.
Records indicate that he was a man of stubborn determination who could stick to a decision when once he made up his mind, come what may. He loved the soil, settled on it and stayed there. Over a period of 30 years he lived in only two places: a plantation on the James River, and a plantation on the Roanoke. Love of the land is a Reavis characteristic. (Source: Joan Vann. 14 Welton Ave., Temple, TX 7650l)
There are several theories found explaining Edward Reavis's origins. James Bradley Reavis, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the state of Washington, stated in a short bibliography, that Edward was "a descendant of a refugee, who landed with Ashley Cooper's expedition at Albermarle Sound, North Carolina, and adopted the name Reavis (Source: Rossiter Johnson PhD, LL.D., Ed., "The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans", Vol IX)
It was stated in an issue of THE STATE Magazine, "The first of the family to come to America was Edward Reavis, who Sam Allen says was really named EDWARD ASHLEY. He fled England after killing a man in a duel, and perhaps that is why he changed his name...(STATE MAGAZINE, Vol 21, No. 47 (24 April 1954)
Marie Reavis Hall, in her book about the Reavis family, writes that "A certain Edward appears to have discarded his English family name and to have become Reavis in Virginia...Edward appears not only to have adopted his name, but also to have created it." (THE REAVIS FAMILY: IN AMERICA SINCE 1700. (Winston-Salem NC: printing, 1971)
Transcribed will of Edward Reavis --- 1750 From North Carolina Wills Vol. XXVI, p. )
(We are descended from Edward Reavis and wife Hannah Alley. This will mentions wife, Sarah. Edward's second wife was Sarah Gilliam)
In the Name of God Amen. I Edward Ravis Senior of Northampton County in the Province of North Carolina, Being Sick and Weak in Body But of Perfect Sound and Disposing mind and Memory and first of all I Recommend my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God that gave it me and my Body I Recommend to the Earth to be Buried in a Decent Christian form at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned and for my Temporal Estate that it has pleased God to Bless me with I Give and Dispose of in the following manner, and first of all it is my will and Desire that my Plantation I now Live on Be Sold By my Executors to the Best Advantage.
IMIPRIMUS. I Give to my Loveing wife Sarah the use of thirty pounds of the money that shall arise By the Sale of my Land Dureing her life and after her Death I give the said Thirty pounds to my son (?Jesse) Ravis. I Likewise give to my Loveing wife Sarah one feather bed and furniture and Twelve head of Cattle, all the hoggs I own and one Gray horse and saddle and Two Iron potts, Six pewter Plates, four pewter Dishes and one Bason and one pewter Tankerd, one Box Iron and a pair of fire Tongues and shovel, one Chest and Eight Sheep and all the plows and Harrows I own and Two Spinning wheels and one gray mare. I give to my loveing wife Sarah the use of my Negro Peter for seven years and then to be Sold and ye money Equally Divided Between my children.
Item I Give to my Daughter Jude Ravis one feather Bed and furniture.
Item I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter Mary Ravis one feather bed and furniture.
Item I Give and Bequeath to my Son Jesse Ravis one Bay four year old colt.
It is my will and Desire that the money arising by the Sale of my land over and above the Thirty pounds already mentioned and all my Estate that I have not before Disposed of Be equally Between my Loveing wife Sarah and all my children after my Debts is Discharged and paid I do hereby Nominate and Appoint my Loveing wife Sarah Ravis and Capt. John Person of Virginia Executors of this my Last will and Testament and Do by these presents Revoke and Disanul all former wills by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand and Seal this 21st Day of Febr'y 1750.
Signed, Sealed and Pronounced By the ....Edward Ravis as his Last Will and Testament s/ Arthur Harris s/John Gilliam s/Arthur Jordan
Northampton County February Court 1752 The within written Will of Edward Reavis Deceased was Exhibited in said Court by Sarah Reavis Executrix therein named, and was proved by the oath of Arthur Harris and John Gilliam, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto; at ye same time ye Executrix was Qualify'd according to Laws which on motion was ordered to be Certify'd.
Edward Reavis (b. 1680, d. 1751)
Notes for Edward Reavis: