Biography of Milly REEVES
[Ref. P.732]
Profile
Newspapers
Index for REEVES
Biography of Milly REEVES
[Ref. P.732]
Newspapers
Index for REEVES
Milly Reeves was born at 36 North Street in Clerkenwell, Middesex on 7 May 1864. She was the eldest of the six children children born to Samuel and Hannah Reeves.
The census of 1871 shows the family living at 36 North Street in Clerkenwell. By 1881, they had moved to 11 Upper Tollington Park in Hornsey, Middlesex. When it comes to the 1891 census, Milly's name has not been found.
Milly had been living at Chase Side in Southgate when, on 7 July 1894, she married Albert Barratt, son of George Osborne Barrat, owner of Barratt's sweet factory. Their daughter Winifred Stella was born in 1895. Son Leslie Clifford was born in 1896 but died two years later. Son Stanley George Reeves was born in 1900.
When the census was taken in 1901, Milly and Albert were living at 252 Green Lanes in Stoke Newington, Middlesex. Son Gilbert Osborne was born that year but he died before he was one year old. By 1906, their address was 252 Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, Middlesex. Daughter Winifred died in 1908.
By the time the 1911 census was taken, Albert had acquired Totteridge Park in Hertfordshire as the family home with Milly, and their son Stanley. Also in the household were cook Bessie Park and parlourmaid Susan Dickerson. The house dated from the mid 17th century, being originally a “small hunting seat” for William, 1st Viscount, Bateman. The house was remodelled in the Arts & Crafts style for Albert between 1890 and 1903. The alterations turned it into a picturesque, asymmetrical gabled house, with roughcast on the south front. It later fell into disrepair but was Grade II listed and was subsequently restored into apartments.
The entry for Albert and Milly in the 1921 census shows Milly and Albert still at Totteridge Park and with son Stanley with them. Also in the household was companion to Milly, Minnie Flora Brooker, cook Florence Wells, Parlourmaid Mary Elizabeth Woodvine and 15 year old housemaid Beatrice Maud Smith.
Albert received a knighthood in 1922 by which token Milly became a Dame. In the following years, Lady Milly was invited to attend a variety of public events and these were reported in the local newspapers
Records have been found of voyages that Albert and Milly took between 1924 and 1926.
Milly passed away in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Hastings on 28 April 1930. She died intestate and Letters of Administration were issued on 20 June that year, showing her Estate to be £14,839 16s 5d.