Juliet Ann Riveer

Juliet's father died sometime around the time of her marriage and does not appear to have left a will. On October 17th, 1842 a court document shows that his slaves were divided among her, her brother Abner and mother Mary. Each of the three of them also received $25.25 as their cash inheritance after the debts of Cyrus Riveer were settled. In the Lancaster County Court on November 21st, 1842 William Walton Headley filed suit against Abner Riveer for the division of 134 acres of land left to Abner by his father.

William and Juliet's family appears on the 1850 census in Lancaster county. He is listed as a teacher with real estate valued at $500. Juliet and three daughters are listed with him; Ella - 6, Isabella - 5 and J. Angella - 2. Also living with them is 67 year old Mary Riveer, Juliet's mother. Juliet's brother, Abner, lives in the house on the previous census entry, belonging to Felica Dunaway. He works as a farmer.

William's land appears on the 1850 Agricultural schedule. He owns 150 acres, with 50 improved. The farm is valued at $500, the equipment and machinery at $30. William owns one horse, two milks cows, two working oxen, one other cow and eight swine. The livestock is valued at $180. In the past year he had produced 15 bushels of wheat and 165 bushels of corn. He also grew 15 bushels of Irish potatoes and 40 bushels of sweet potatoes. The farm produced 75 pounds of butter valued at $5. The estimated value of livestock slaughtered in the last year was $68. W.W. Headley of Lancaster county was listed as an owner on the 1850 slave schedule.

William died in the fall of 1859. He is listed on the mortality schedule for the 1860 census as dying in September after suffering chronic diarrhea for three months. William's will was recorded on September 26th and probated October 17th. He left his estate to his wife as long as she remained his widow and to take one third in the event of her marriage. He named William T. Jesse his executor. William T. Jesse, Abner Riveer and Peter H. Lampkin witnessed his signature.

The 1860 census shows Juliet raising seven children between age 17 and 1 by herself. Her occupation was listed as farmer, her real estate was valued at $1,000 and her personal estate at $1,829. Also listed in her house was a 5 month old boy named Samuel V. Cockrell. Her name appears on the 1860 slave schedule as an owner.

Juliet's brother Abner served in Co. D, 40th VA. Infantry during the Civil War. On June 27, 1862, he was wounded in the battle at Gaines Mill near Richmond, VA and later died from the wounds. He is believed to be buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond under the incorrect name A. R. Reeves. A memorial stone for him was later placed at Lebanon Baptist Church cemetery in Lancaster county.

Juliet appears on the 1870 census at age 42. Her occupation is given as housekeeper. Her real estate is valued at $700, no personal property is listed. Her son Adoniram, 17, is listed as farm labor. Sally, 14, and William, 12, also live with her. The 1870 Agricultural Schedule lists J.A. Headley as owning a farm. She has 80 acres improved and 80 acres unimproved. The farm is valued at $650 and the tools at $10. She has one horse, one milk cow, 2 working oxen and five pigs all together valued at $100. The farm produced 100 bushels of corn the previous season.

The 1880 Agricultural Schedule also lists J.A. Headley as owning a farm in Lancaster county, though I have been able to find no regular census records for Juliet. The form shows 8 acres of land farmed and 75 wooded. The farm was valued at $200 and the livestock at $100. The only livestock listed was one horse. No crop production was recorded.

Juliet died in April of 1888. The Lancaster County Death Register recorded her age as 62 and cause of death as pneumonia. Unsourced claims on-line suggest that she may be buried at Lebanon Baptist Church.