What Happened to Bass Reeves' 11 Children?

While Bass Reeves, the legendary Deputy U.S. Marshal, is well-documented for his extraordinary career, the fates of most of his 11 children remain largely unknown to history. Historical records provide limited information, revealing details for only a few of them.

Limited Historical Records

Bass Reeves had 11 children with his wife, Nellie Jennie. Unfortunately, comprehensive historical documentation about the lives of all their children is scarce. For many, including Bass Reeves Jr., not much else is known beyond their existence. The lack of detailed records makes it challenging to trace their individual paths and what ultimately happened to them.

Known Fates and Details

Despite the general lack of information, some specific details have emerged regarding a few of Bass Reeves' children:

• Alice Mae Reeves: She was the oldest of Bass Reeves' children. Notably, Alice Mae lived a very long life, passing away in 1966.
• Lula Reeves: Tragically, Lula died at a young age. She passed away in 1889 at the age of 17 due to epilepsy.
• Georgie Reeves and Newland Reeves: These two children were notably not included in Bass Reeves' will, though the reasons for their exclusion remain unknown.
• Bass Reeves Jr.: While he shares his father's name, historical records provide little information about his life or what became of him.

Summary of Known Children

To summarize the limited information available on Bass Reeves' children:

The challenges of tracking the lives of individuals, especially children, from historical periods without extensive record-keeping contribute to the mystery surrounding most of Bass Reeves' offspring.

For more details on Bass Reeves' family life, you can refer to resources like ScreenRant's article on his children.