This book tells the story of the pioneer family of Robert Ryves, that left 16th century France because of religious persecution and established a family seat in Dorset, England. Years later, descendants of Robert Ryves traveled to the American colony of Virginia to escape the political and religious climate in 17th century England. In the 18th century, some members traveled south from Virginia, looking for opportunities opening in North Carolina and some members of the Rives/Reaves family fought in the American Revolution. Robert Ryves’ seventh great grandson Edmond Reaves and much of his family continued their southern migration by moving into Georgia in the early 19th century and settling in Alabama by the middle of that century. Much of the family remained in Alabama as pioneers in the northeastern Alabama Territory and then the new state of Alabama. The Reaves/Reeves family was part of the founding of many towns, communities and churches throughout the new state. Toward the end of the 19th century, many Reaves/Reeves men continued the tradition of service to their community by fighting in the Civil War in Alabama Regiments. While some family members continued to the western frontier in the 19th century, many of Robert Ryves’ descendants settled in modern day Etowah and Calhoun Counties in Alabama, making the area the seat of the modern Reaves/Reeves family. The area of Hokes Bluff, Alabama was where Edmond’s son, Nathan Reaves, Nathan’s son, John S. Reeves, and grandson, William Clemens Reeves, lived in the 19th and 20th centuries and where, in the 21st century, many of William Clemens Reeves’ descendants still remain. Volume I - Register Report of Robert Ryves is a companion volume that provides the factual references for this book. This volume focuses on the direct line ancestors of William Clemens Reeves and his descendants. Modern surnames that can trace back to Robert Ryves of England include Rives, Reaves, Reeves, Farrar, Moncrief, Henley, Couch, Young, McCullars, McCollum, Lumpkin, McMahan, Barnes, Johnson, Gentry, Cardwell, Huff, Shields, Bryan, Collier, Marbut, McGinnis, Daves and Kangelos, just to name a few. This book is a must read for descendants of William Clemens Reeves and a valuable reference for anyone interested in Robert Ryves’ American ancestry.
