Thomas Reeder vs. James Thomas Reeder

Known Information

Two Thomas Reeders lived in DC after the Civil War.

Sources

Freedmen’s Records

District of Columbia, Freedmen’s Bureau Field Office Records, 1863-1872,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8937-FP18?cc=2333782&wc=9J3J-SPX%3A1069293302%2C1069293906 : 3 August 2016), Assistant inspector general > Roll 1, Letters sent, Mar 21, 1866-Sep 7, 1868 > image 41 of 146; citing NARA microfilm publication M1902 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

City Directory

Washington, District of Columbia, City Directory, Various

There were two Thomas Reeders who lived in DC after the Civil War. James Thomas Reeder, who alternatively went by James and Thomas, married Clara Woodland and they had one son, John V. Thomas Reeder, married to Martha, lived in Jackson Alley for the bulk of his life in DC.

  • Freedmen’s Records

    Clara Reeder claimed that she and Thomas Reeder had selected two lots in Barry Farm and was inquiring in the case.

    James Reeder, from Anne Arundel County, and Clarissa with their son John V, are living in Freedmen’s Village.

    Thomas Reeder, with John and Benjamin Fountain, received goods from the Superintendent at the Kendall Green Barracks.

  • 1870 Census

    James T. Reeder is listed in the household of Mary Woodland and her daughters, including Clara Woodland. He is listed as Thomas Reeder. John V. Reeder is listed as his son. They are living in Ward 3. Other surnames in the household include Chesley.

    Thomas Reeder is living with his wife, Martha and his infant daughter Mary E. Reeder. They are living in Ward 3.

  • 1871 City Directory

    James T. Reeder is living at 1214 3d NW.

    Thomas Reeder is living at 1417 1st NW.

    This address is consistent with the tax records in the newspapers addressed in a different post.

  • 1873 City Directory

    Thomas Reeder is living at 813 L NE. He is a porter

    Thomas Reeder is living at 811 L NW. So is James Reeder.

  • 1877 City Directory

    James T Reeder is living at 1622 2d Street.

    Thomas Reeder is living at 1419 1st NW.

  • 1879 City Directory

    James T Reeder is living at 43 Pierce.

    Thomas Reeder is living at Pierce Street Alley NW

  • 1880 Census

    James T. Reeder is listed as head of a household that includes Mary Woodland. His wife is named a Clarissa Reeder and his son, John V is listed. He is also living with his niece, Mary Reeder, age 24. They are living on N Street NW. Other surnames include Chisley

    Thomas Reeder is living with his wife, Martha and his three children, Mary, Joseph and Georgiana. They are living on Jackson Alley.

  • 1883-4 City Directory

    James T & Thomas Reeder is living at 418 N NW. He is working as a laborer. His son is also listed as living here.

    Thomas Reeder is living at 71 Jackson Alley. He is working as a laborer

  • 1885 City Directory

    James T Reeder is living at 418 N NW. He is working as a laborer.

    Thomas Reeder is living at Jackson Alley. The address is unnumbered. He is working as a laborer

  • 1893 City Directory

    J Thomas Reeder is living at 444 Ridge NW. He is working as a laborer. His son is also listed as living here.

    Thomas Reeder is living at Jackson Alley. The address is unnumbered. He is working as a laborer

  • 1894 City Directory

    J Thomas Reeder is living at 444 Ridge NW. He is working as a laborer. His son is also listed as living here.

    Thomas Reeder is living at 34 Jackson Alley. He is working as a laborer

  • 1895 City Directory

    J Thomas Reeder is living at 462 Ridge NW. He is working as a laborer. His son is also listed as living here.

    Thomas Reeder is living at 36 Jackson Alley. He is working as a laborer

  • 1898 City Directory

    James T. Reeder is living at 462 Ridge NW. He is working as a laborer. His son is also listed as living here.

    Thomas Reeder is living at 50 Jackson Alley. He is working as a laborer

  • 1900 Census

    Thomas Reeder is listed as head of a household with his wife Clara, their son John and his wife. John is a musician. They are living on Ridge NW

    Thomas Reeder is living with his wife, Martha and his two children, Joseph and Charles. They are living on Jackson Alley.

  • 1901 City Directory

    James T. Reeder is living at 462 Ridge NW. He is working as a laborer. His son is also listed as living here.

    Thomas Reeder is living at 50 Jackson Alley. He is working as a laborer

  • 1910 Census

    James T and Clara W are living in the household of of John V on Ridge St NW. It indicates that John V is their only child.

    Thomas Reeder is the Home for the Aged and Infirm. He is living as a widower.

  • 1920 Census

    James T and Clara W are living in the household of of John V on Ridge St NW.

    Thomas Reeder is the Home for the Aged and Infirm. He is living as a widower.

  • Death

    The Evening Star ran the obituary of James Thomas Reeder. It names his son, John V, and his daughter in law as well as their home address on Ridge NW. His death record lists his parents: Barnes Reeder and Henrietta Reeder. He was born in St. Mary’s County, MD.

    A Thomas Reeder, without identifying information died in 1929. This is consistent with a death in an institution where there is little information about his background.

    Another Thomas Reeder is listed with a death in 1924, however, an obituary lists family members not consistent with either Reeder and his age places his birth year in the 1880s. His death records lists his address as 2nd Street SE which is not consistent with City Directories or Census Records.

related posts

Wedge and Lee families | marriages

Known Information

Emma Lee and James Wedge are listed as the parents on the death certificates of Sarah Irene Snowden, Emma M Wedge, and Joseph A. Wedge

Sources

Death Certificates

District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961

Image Number 01805, 1421, 1199

Marriage Records

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
CIRCUIT COURT
(Marriage License Applications)
1886-1984
T757

1900 Census

1900; Census Place: Election District 1, Anne Arundel, Maryland; Page: 25

Emma M. Lee and Jas. Edward Wedge applied for a marriage license in Prince George’s County, Maryland in 1900. They married in Upper Marlboro on 27 Jun 1900. Eddie Wedge applied for the license.

Catherine Lee and Robert Wedge also applied for a marriage license in Prince George’s County in 1904. They married in Upper Marlboro on 28 Dec 1904. George Wedge applied for the license.

1900 Census

Both Robert and James are listed in the 1900 Census with their father, George Wedge in the Queen Anne’s District of Prince George’s County. The census was enumerated at the beginning of June prior to the marriage of Emma and James at the end of June.

This suggests that Robert and James are brothers and it is likely that they married sisters from a Lee family living in the vicinity.

Emma Lee | possible census records

A search for Emma Lee in both Prince George’s County and Anne Arundel County does not return a census record that is overtly consistent with what is known about Emma Lee.

A possible record is of an Emma Lee, age 24, who is living as a boarder in a household in Annapolis. Other household members include Susan Wright.

Catherine Lee | possible census records

A search for Catherine Lee in both Prince George’s County and Anne Arundel County returns a possible record in District 1 of Anne Arundel County.

Catherine Lee is living in the household of Washington and Sallie Lee. Two sisters, Rose and Louisa are also listed in the household. Emma is not present.

Emma has several children recorded in the 1920 census, including a daughter named Catherine and Rose L(ouise). The names of her daughters suggests a connection to Washington and Sallie Lee.

In a previous post, a review of Washington Lee’s census records listed his children. Among these children were a Peter, Benjamin, Susan. Emma also has children named Peter Benjamin and Susanna in the 1920 census.

The similarity in names, as well as the proximity of Washington Lee in Anne Arundel County to the Wedge family across the river in Queen Anne’s District of Prince George’s County, suggests that Washington and Sallie Lee are Emma’s parents.

Further Research Needed:

  • What other connections can be made between the Emma Lee/James Wedge household and the Washington Lee household and or Catherine Lee/Robert Wedge household?

related posts

Washington Lee and Sallie Stewart

Over the decades through census records

Known Information

Washington Lee & Sallie Stewart were married in 1870 and raised their family in and around Queen Anne’s District of Prince George’s County, Maryland

Sources

1880 Census

1880; Census Place: Marlboro, Prince George’s, Maryland; Roll: 513;Page: 75B | ancestry.com

1900 Census

1900; Census Place: Election District 1, Anne Arundel, Maryland; Page: 25 | ancestry.com

1910 Census

1910; Census Place: Election District 1, Anne Arundel, Maryland; Roll: T624_550; Page: 12A | ancestry.com

The slideshow has the records for Washington and Sallies family from 1880, 1900 and 1910. The 1890 Census was burned in a fire and generally unavailable. The individuals and their ages are recorded in the table.

Note on census locations

Marlboro District is located directly south of Queen Anne’s District within Prince George’s County.

District 1 is located in the western part of Anne Arundel County, opposite Queen Anne’s District in Prince George’s County

Excerpt from Hopkins Map of 1878

Name1880
Marlboro District, PG
1900
District 1, AA
1910
District 1, AA
Washington Lee406073
Sallie356070
12 Children Born
8 Children still living
Jane7
Susan6
Benjamin5
Sallie3
Peterinfant
Lizzie2
Catherine14
Rosa10
Louisa7
Edwardgrandson, 3

1880 Census | Community Context

Washington and his family were recorded in Marlboro District; the location of their home can be approximated by comparing the names of their neighbors with the Hopkins’ Map of 1878. They did not live very far from their 1870 home which was northwest of Oak Grove in Queen Anne’s district.

A review of the page immediately preceding and following Washington Lee’s record shows that they lived near town. There are at least three carpenters, a bricklayer, storekeeper and hotel keeper listed among the occupation.

Geo. W Brooke and Upton Brooke are listed on the next page. They can be identified on the Marlboro District detail map from Hopkin’s Atlas as being near the Oak Grove Post Office and Brick Church Station. St. Barnabas Episcopal Church was well known for its brick construction and the station on the railroad was later renamed Leeland. It is at the intersection of the modern roads Oak Grove Rd and Leeland Road.

Hopkins created an Atlas of the fifteen miles around Washington DC including the County of Prince George, Maryland in 1878, which also lists landowners.

Hopkins, Griffith Morgan, Jr. Atlas of fifteen miles around Washington, including the County of Prince George, Maryland. Philadelphia: G.M. Hopkins, 1878.

1900-1910 Community Context

In the margin of the 1910 Census is written Governor’s Bridge to Queen Anne, which suggests that the Lee family lived near the Patuxent river between Governor’s Bridge to the north and Queen Anne’s Bridge to the south.

The Paul Sharps family is a relative neighbor of the Lee family in both the 1900 and 1910 census. In 1900, Paul Sharps is listed on page 22 of the census, while the Lee family is listed on page 25. In 1910, Paul Sharps is on the same page as the Lee family.

Washington Lee is listed as the owner of the land in the 1910 Census, while Paul Sharps rents the land he is working.

The Selman family is listed on page 26. There are two Sellman families located near Governor’s Bridge on the 1878 map of District 1 of Anne Arundel. This suggests that the Lee family lived closer to Governor’s Bridge than to Queen Anne.

This area is roughly southeast of the modern day exchange of US Highways 301 and 50.

In both census records, the Parker family has numerous households in close proximity to the Lee family, prompting the research question if they are connected.

Hopkins, Griffith Morgan, Jr. Atlas of fifteen miles around Baltimore, including Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Philadelphia, 1878. Map. 

Further Research Needed:

  • What connections exist between the Parker family and the Lee family?
  • What records exist corroborate the census record that Washington Lee owned his property in 1910?
  • Where did the children live in the 1900 census?