Extracts from
Descendants of Richard Reynolds and Benjamin Reynolds
of South Carolina
by Mary Kennedy Reynolds and Annie Reynolds Day
© 1992 Reynolds Family Association

The authors are indebted to Bernard Adams Reynolds (1811-1878) for his "Memorials of the Reynolds Family." "Uncle Bernard" began work on the family genealogy in 1847, under the direction of his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Chaplin Adams (1765-1848).

In the last half of the 1600's the coastal islands of South Carolina from Charleston south to what is now Beaufort, South Carolina, was the landfall of many British ships, coming not only from the Mother Country but from British possessions of Barbados, Jamaica, Bermuda and other islands in the West Indies. Barbados, having been settled as early as 1627, was beginning to be over populated and ambitious men began looking to the Carolinas for better prospects.

Into this setting came the Reynolds family - we have no record of their arrival and no record of their previous homeland. One descendant of Richard and William Reynolds felt their origin could have been Montgomeryshire, Wales, and perhaps an Evans came with them, but gave no proof.

A William Reynolds (Renolls) is mentioned in early Colonial records as having come to South Carolina before 1700. A "Richard Reynolt of Fripp Island" recorded his stocks marks in January 1695 with the Proprietary Governor Thomas Smith. [Secretary of the Province 1709-1725 (Cattlmarks 1694-1718), p2, SC Archives, Columbia SC. and First Settlers of South Carolina 1670-1700 by Agnes Leland Baldwin, 1985.]

Beginning in the year 1702, early colonial records of the family of Richard Reynolds and Mary Capers and their descendants are clearly recorded in St. Helena's Parish, South Carolina.

On 17 Feb 1700, Edward Berry, Blacksmith, deeded to Richard Reynolds, Cordwainer, 1/4 Town Lot and House. A Warrant for 500 acres of land was issued to James Reynolds on 24 Oct 1706. [Webber Collection, Reynolds Manuscript File, SC Historical Society, Charleston SC.] On 29 Apr 1704 Richard Reynolds sold this property to John Smith. On 18 Feb 1707/08, a land grant was issued to Richard Reynolds for 500 acres in Colleton County. On 9 Jul that same year, William Reynolds was issued a land grant for 500 acres in Clarendon County. [Warrants for Lands in South Carolina 1672-1711, by Alexander Salley and Nicholas Olsberg.]

Were Richard, James and William brothers? In the Fireproof Building, Charleston, there is a Reynolds File which gives the following information on Benjamin Reynolds and his wife, Mary. Benjamin may have been the son of the above William Reynolds. This book is primarily about Richard Reynolds and his descendants, but the information on this Benjamin is pertinent, since Richard's son married Benjamin's daughter.

RICHARD REYNOLDS was born c1672. ["SC Historical & Genealogical Magazine," Vol 23, p28.] His wife was Mary Capers, dau of Richard Capers and Mary Barnet. The date of their marriage is unknown. The resided in St. Helena's Parish and all of the 11 children, except William, are recorded in St. Helena's Episcopal Church Register. Their children were:

      John Reynolds born 18 Jan 1702, died young;
      James Reynolds born 18 Apr 1704, buried Jan 1739;
      Constantia Reynolds born 28 May 1705, married Francis Thomson (Thompson), school master;
      Alice Reynolds born 10 Sep 1706, baptized 3 Oct 1714;
      Sarah Reynolds born 6 Aug 1708, married Samuel Stevens;
      Charles Capers Reynolds born 14 Mar 1710, died young;
      Jane born 23 Aug 1711, baptized 5 Dec 1714;
      Benjamin born 8 Mar 1713, baptized 5 Dec 1714;
      William believed to have been born 1720, died between 14 Jan 1784-13 Dec 1788 (will dated and proved), married Jane Reynolds, dau of Benjamin, below.
      Zacharias born 1723, baptized 17 Aug 1729, died 1751; and
      Phillip born 1729, died 1731.

BENJAMIN REYNOLDS was born by 1710 or earlier. His wife's maiden name is unknown and they had four children. [Original Will Book B, 1786-93, pp237, Will of William Reynolds; and Record of St. Helena's Parish, South Carolina.] The four children were:
      JANE REYNOLDS, date of birth unknown, still living on 14 Jan 1784, at the time her husband wrote his will. Jane married William Reynolds (1720-1784) on 11 Aug 1748. William was the son of Richard Reynolds and Mary Capers and the ceremony was performed by Boskey of Pon Pon.
      JOHN REYNOLDS, born 1734 or earlier. Married by Peasley on 13 Aug 1755, to Elizabeth Conyers, spinster. According to records of St. Helena's Parish there were three daughters and one son born to this couple (Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, and John). Elizabeth Conyers was born 28 May 1738, and was buried by Rev. Green 4 Jun 1764, a few months after the birth of their son.
      AMEY REYNOLDS, born 1741 or earlier. Married by Lewis 28 Mar 1757 to Anthony Albergotti, son of Anthony and Prudence Albergotti. They had four children (Anthony, Sarah, William and Mary). [Albergotti Creek by William Greer Albergotti, published 1979 by R.L. Bryan Co., Columbia SC.]
      WILLIAM REYNOLDS, born before 1728 and died Nov 1754, buried on the 25th of that month. His will dated 2 Nov 1754 and proved 28 May 1756. William married Eleanor (Ireland) Scott, widow of Joseph Scott. Her will dated 1771 mentions her son William Reynolds and her Scott children. [Reynolds File, SC Historical Society, Fireproof Building, Charleston SC.]
            WILLIAM REYNOLDS [JR], only known child of William and Eleanor Reynolds, was born 1751 and died 27 Aug 1798. [Tombstone on Sanders Property, St. Helena Island, SC.] He married first Sarah Bailey by whom he had no children; married second Ann Capers, daughter of Charles and Ann (Thomson) Capers and the granddaughter of Francis Thomson and Constantia Reynolds. Constantia was the daughter of Richard Reynolds and Mary Capers. William and his second wife, Ann Capers, had two children: Edward Thompson Reynolds, who died at age five and Sarah Harriet Reynolds born in 1797.

This notable Alabama family is continued in the well documented book Descendants of Benjamin Reynolds and Richard Reynolds of South Carolina, which is now out of print. If enough interest is expressed the authors may reprint. If interested, write to Mary Kennedy Reynolds, 2200 Elkdale St, Selma AL 36701.