Known Information
James, John, and Thomas Reeder and Mary Ellen (Reeder) Fountain lived in DC after the Civil War.
Sources
Census
1870; Census Place: Washington Ward 3, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: M593_124; Page: 475A
1870; Census Place: Washington Ward 3, Washington, District of Columbia; Roll: M593_124; Page: 475B
1870; Census Place: Washington Ward 3, Washington, District of Columbia;Roll: M593_124; Page: 449B
Marriage Records
District of Columbia, Marriage Records, 1810-1953 | ancestry.com
United States, Freedmen’s Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872 | familysearch.org
City Directory
District of Columbia Birth Returns, 1874-1897 | familysearch.org
Birth Certificates
Reeder, Baby, 9236, 20 Nov 1876 | DC Archives
Reeder, Baby, 28331, 16 Jan 1882 | DC Archives
Reeder, Baby, 36254, 15 May 1882 | DC Archives
Three Reeder brothers, James, John, and Thomas were recorded in the 1868 Washington City Directory as living at M and 6 NE, which is near the Kendall Green Barracks. Bank records also list them as the brothers of Mary Ellen Fountain.
James Reeder
James was living with Emeline, his wife, and their sone Henry J. in 1870. Walter Reeder, age 11, is also living with them. Based on the bank records of Mary Ellen Fountain, Walter is James’ younger brother.
DC Marriage records lists a marriage for James Reeder and Emeline Dorsey on 13 Aug 1868. A birth record for a daughter born in 1876 lists both James Henry Reeder and Emeline Dorsey Reeder as the parents, and that they both were born in St. Mary’s County, MD. A birth record for a daughter born in 1883 lists Emeline’s last name was West, but provides the mother’s birthplace as St. Mary’s County
John Reeder
John Reeder is living with his wife, Cora, and their son, Willie, who was born in DC in 1868; Cora collected rations in January 1868 due to “sickness”, it is possible that in addition to any number of illnesses suffered by freedpeople as a result of malnourishment, exposure from poor shelter and clothing, that she was pregnant and sick with morning sickness.
They are living with is likely the younger siblings of Cora, suggesting that her last name is Key.
The Freedmen’s Bureau recorded marriages for freedmen that had not been formally recognized before. In 1867, John Reader and Cora Keys had their 1861 marriage in St. Mary’s County, MD, recorded in the DC Bureau They listed that they had one child, which suggests that they had an older child prior to Willie. A priest named Moore married them.
Thomas Reeder
Thomas is living with his wife, Martha, and their daughter Mary E. They do not have any other family living with them.
DC Marriage Records lists Thomas Reeder’s marriage to Martha Colbert in June 1867. An 1882 birth certificate for their son lists her maiden name as Calbert and that she was born in Prince George’s County.
Mary Ellen Reeder
Mary E Fountain is living near her brother, Thomas Reeder, just a few households away in the census. She is living with her husband Benj. F. Fountain.
DC Marriage Records lists Mary Ellen Reeder’s marriage to Benj Franklin Fountain in June 1866. No children have been located for them.
Further Research Needed:
- Research the Key, Dorsey and Reeder family in St. Mary’s County
- Research the Colbert family in Prince George’s County
- Research the Fountain family in Virginia
stories of Then 