John Reynolds was born in Goshen, Orange County, New York, in 1798. He died in Atlanta, Georgia, December 15, 1874. He used to play along the banks of the Schuylkill River in N.Y. as a boy. He was apprenticed to a chair maker to learn the trade. He was raised on Staten Island, N.Y. [1]
Goshen was the seat of culture and education in the early days, before and after the War for Independence. Here was located a famous school, Farmers' Hall Academy, erected by James Webster in 1773. The first teacher of note was Noah Webster of dictionary fame. Other schools that followed were Goshen Female Academy, Daniel Wells' Classical School for Boys, the Young Ladies' Institute and the Goshen Institute. It appears from his writing John had some formal education, perhaps at one of these schools. [2]
John went up into North Georgia and met and married Miss Elizabeth (Betsy) Stephens or (Stevens). They settled in Athens. georgia and raised 7 boys and 1 girl. [1] He married Betsy on October 23, 1821. [2]
John and Elizabeth settled in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia and had 10 known children.[2]
The 1850 census for Clarke County, Georgia lists John Reynolds as a Coachmaker of age 51. At sometime between 1850 and 1860, John decided he could no longer make a living in Athens and decided to go back to work for the railroad, possible Savannah or Augusta. Elizabeth did not want to leave so there was a parting for this couple which was to last the remainder of their lives. Elizabeth stayed in Athens and John went to seek employment elsewhere. [2]
Elizabeth passed away of pneumonia on February 4, 1874 in Athens, Georgia at the age of 70. [2]
John met and married the widow, Mary Goulding, who lived in Atlanta, Georgia. They married on December 2, 1874. The bride was 73 years of age and the groom was 74. Less than two weeks later, on December 15, 1874, John died of asthma. [2]
Sources:
- My Ancestors and Their Progeny (Reynolds Paternal) by Mary Lee Cooper
- Silas Reynolds and His Georgia Descendants (1991) by Charlotte Wilbanks Bryan