James Reed

!Source: Jacob Whittemore Reed, "History of the Reed Family in Europe and America" by Jacob Whittemore Reed; Boston, John Wilson & Sons Printer; 1861, page 492-3. Jacob Whittemore Reed says he was born in Snow Hill, Worcester Co., Maryland to English parents, but gave to further clue to his wife or parent's identities. Perhaps a clue: The will of Thomas Couch of Cape May Co., New Jersey, bequests 1/2 of his estate to Elizabeth Read (daughter of Littleton Read). Proved 10 Dec 1794. Since his grandson had this name, perhaps the name was common in the family. Cape May is the southernmost tip of N.J. [Calendar of Wills 1791-5, in New Jersey Archives, Vol. 37, pg. 91, 1942]. A similar clue: A Little Reed b.c1751, lived in Sussex Co., Delaware, m. Elizabeth Onley, then moved to Accomack Co., Virginia, son of John Reed (b.bef 1730, d. bef 1773 Sussex Co., DE), and grson of John Reed (b.bef 1710, d. aft 1769). This littleton's was also the grson of William Abbott. Records include [Sussex Co. DE Deeds, Vol. L-11, p.330] "Little Reed and Elizabeth, his wife, of Accomack Co., VA, to Lawrence Reiley... former property of Smith Onley, deceased, who [left] 3 children, John Onley, Tabitha, and Elizabeth, later the wife of Littleton Reed....". Several other records detailing this family are in my files, sent to me by Johnita P. Malone in Jan 1998. Again, the name similarity may be a clue. There is also another Reed family in Sussex Co., DE, whose ties to the above have yet to be established. The other family descends from James Reed, b. c1720, d. c1774 in Sussex Co., DE. His son b.c1744 Sussex Co., d.c1808 in Sussex Co.DE. Johnita is a descenant, and believes this James may have came from near Snowhill Maryland or Somerset Co., Md. Again, many records in my files. In Frederick Co., Maryland: 2 Jan 1794, Sold 28 Nov 1793: Benjamin Harrison Herrick of Washington Co, MD to James Reed of Frederick County for 5 Pounds, Lots 1157 and 1269, which came to him as "heir at law to my deceased Joseph Herrick." Witnesses: Alexander Clagett, Adam Ott In [Scharf, Thomas J., History of Delaware, 1609-1888. Volume Two- pp. 1147-1171. CHAPTER LXII. SOUTH MURDERKILL HUNDRED, http://www.accessible.com/amcnty/DE/Delaware/delaware62.htm], there is a mention of a James Reed who would appear to be a very like brother to William Birch Reed. The text reads: "James Reed, the grandfather of Jehu M. Reed, was born near Snow Hill, Md. He married Miss Davis, the sister of the Rev. Benjamin Davis, who is buried at Barrett�s Chapel, as tradition says, in a reverential attitude, and was the playmate of James Reed in boyhood, living on opposite sides of the road, Reed and Davis both being farmers near Snow Hill, Md. ... The children of James Reed were Thomas, Jehu, James, Mary and Elizabeth. Jehu, the second son father of Jehu M. Reed, was born May 5, 1805; died November 30, 1880. " (more biographical data on Jehu & descendants)