Henry Reynolds

Notes:

Henry Reynolds married Ann Howell, Hannah Brown abt 1717 and Mary Coles 25 May 1743; both were born in Nottingham, Chester Co., Pennsylvania Mary Coles is the daughter of William Coles and Mary Royle and was born about 1708

Henry Jr. was known as "Preacher Henry" He was a preacher of some note in the Society of Friends, and his name appears many times in the records of Nottingham Meeting of Friends. He is listed on the West Nottingham tax list 1718-1778. He inherited the north lot, #5 in the Nottingham Lots, 490 acres, from his father. The tract of land was called Henry's Deer Park. By 1939 the property consisted of 122 acres and was called 'Greystone". The name came from the massive gate posts at the entrance to the lane leading to the house. The property today is 80 acres with the 'new house' which was built in 1791 and is still owned by Reynolds.

Henry married Hannah Brown. Hannah (daughter of William Brown and Catherine Williams) was born on 29 Jun 1706; died on 12 Feb 1732 in West Nottingham, Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

It is often stated Henry Reynolds came to America with William Penn. Henry came to America in 1676, and William Penn came to America in 1682. Henry Reynolds is also reputed to be the founder of the village of Rising Sun, MD by opening a Public House. Other sources say Henry never lived in Rising Sun. Henry was shown as a non-resident taxpayer for his property in the Nottingham Lots from March 1718 to 1722. Henry appeared before the Chester Co. Court 14 Mar 1681, for selling strong liquors by small measure in his house contrary to the Governor's and Council's order. His will, dated 1720 states he lives in Chichester and has no mention of a public house. The north lot near Rising Sun MD, bequeathed to Henry Jr. is described as a plantation. The south lot near Rising Sun Md., bequeathed to William is described as a tract of land.
Henry Reynolds' Will (excerpt)To son Francis the plantation where I live in Chichester containing 290 acres, he paying his bother William when 21, 20 pounds. To son Henry tract of land in Nottingham containing 490 acres. To son William, tract in Nottingham [being a south lott] containing 490 acres. To each of my daughters, viz Margaret, Prudence, Doborah and Hannah 1 shilling each. To wife Prudence all personal estate, also executrix. Witness: William Clayton, John Hanby.

Carol Love Gipson GippyHouse@aol.com


Henry Reynolds was granted lots 5 and 19, about 1000 acres, in the "Nottingham Lots" by William Penn in 1701. The Nottingham Lots were thought to be located in Chester Co., PA, but were found to be in Cecil Co., MD when the boundary between these states was settled in 1768. Henry Reynolds' will bequeathed 290 acres in Chichester Twp., PA, where he lived, to his son, Francis. His son, William was left 490 acres, the south lot, in Nottingham. His son, John, received 210 acres on the south west side of the middle branch of Naman's Creek in Chichester Twp., Chester Co., PA. His son, Henry, Jr., received 490 acres the north lot in Nottingham. Henry bequeathed to each of his 4 daughters, one schilling. He left his personal estate to his loving wife, Prudence. He stipulated Francis and John to each pay 20 pounds to thier brother, William, when he reached the age of 21.

There existed an ancient pitcher, known as the Reynolds Pitcher. It was in the possession of a Miss Weir in 1901. It was supposed to be bequeathed to J. T. Reynolds, of Media PA. One one side of the pitcher was a portrait and the words "Reynolds, the Philanthropist" . The reverse side bore the legend",
"Not in the fiery hurricane of strife,
Midst slaughtered legions, he resign'd his life;
Reynolds expires, a nobler chief than these;
But Widow's tears, in sad bereavement fall,
And foundling voices on their father call'
But sweet repose his slumbering ashes find,
As if in Salem's sepulchre enshrined;
And watching angels waited for the day,
When Christ should bid them roll the stone away."
Mr. J. T. Reynolds believed the portrait was that of William Reynolds, father of Henry Reynolds of Chichester, PA. The present location of the pitcher is unknown.

Henry married Prudence Clayton on 10 Nov 1678 in Burlington MM, Burlington Co., New Jersey. Prudence (daughter of William Clayton and Prudence Lankford) was born in in Rumbaldswick Parish, Sussex, England; was christened on 20 Oct 1657 in Lewes, Chichester Sussex, England; died on 04 Feb 1728 in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Pennsylvania Wills, 1682-1834 Reynolds, Prudence Chichester. November 17, 1726. April 15, 1728. A. 274.
To my daughters "as many as shall be in being" all household goods. To son Francis, eldest son Henry Reynolds one silver cup value 40 shillings. Remainder of estate to all children in being, none named. Executor: son Henry Reynolds. Witnesses: Robert Howard, Mathew Keasby, John Lea.

William married Catherine Williams on 02 Oct 1699 in Concord, Chester, Pennsylvania. Catherine was born in ca 1675. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

William is recorded as the paymaster to the Garrison of Chichester. The will of William Reynolds of St. Pancras without the East Gate, Chichester, Sussex, 'gent,' dated 1660-Feb-18 was probated 1664-Apr-9 in Prerogative court of Canterbury, London, which indicates he was either a man of property or held land in more than one ecclesiastical jurisdiction or both.

William married Margaret Exton on 06 Mar 1644 in Chichester, Sussex, England. Margaret (daughter of John Exton and Alice Fivins) was born on 05 Feb 1624 in Chichester, Sussex, England; died before 15 Oct 1688. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

History of William Reynolds by Carol Love Gipson; GippyHouse@aol.com
Margaret Exton Reynolds' second husband was John Carter. Margaret's will, dated 1684-Dec-8, was probated 1688-Oct-15. No primary sources have been located to indicate William came to America. Since his children's births from 1645-1655 are recorded at Chichester, England and his will, dated 1660, lists his residence as Chichester, England it is very unlikely he immigrated to America.

William married Prudence Lankford before 1657. Prudence was born in ca 1625. [Group Sheet]

Richard married Mary Mrs. Richard Brown before 1658. Mary was born in ca 1632. [Group Sheet]