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Thomas and Nancy (Harrison) Reynolds of Edgefield, South Carolina

Submitted April 2018 by Nancy Wallander (granddaughter of Mattie Irene Reynolds b 1893 Texas, d. 1980 Texas)

Thomas Reynolds appears in Edgefield, South Carolina in the 1800 United States Census. Thomas was born around 1770 (1840 US census). Three of his children stated on the 1880 US Census that Virginia was the birthplace of their father. Thomas died in August 1841 in Edgefield, South Carolina. Thomas’ parents have yet to be confirmed by this researcher. Thomas married Nancy Harrison who was born around 1774. in Edgefield, South Carolina. (US Census 1860, 1870). Thomas Reynolds’ Last Will and Testament make his wife, Nancy, and his youngest son, Thomas, the executors of his will. He left designated bequeaths to his wife, Nancy, and his two youngest children, daughter, Nancy, and son, Thomas. The document is dated 30th August 1841. (Edgefield, SC Wills. Vol D-E, 1836-1866. Source Ancestry.com Filmstrip image 76). Three weeks later, on 22 Sep 1841, the other children of Thomas Reynolds contested the validity of their father’s will. (“South Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980 for Thomas Reynolds” Probate Records, Boxes 51-52, Packages 2147-2208, Source Ancestry.com). Thomas’ wife and eight children are listed by name, “That Thomas Reynolds, late of the District State of the aforesaid departed this life on or about 20 August 1841, leaving or ___, who have been entitled to distribution of his estate, if he had died intestate, a widow, Nancy Reynolds, and children, William, John, Lawson, Chesley, Sophia wife of Joseph Whittle, Wiley, Thomas, and Nancy, all of whom reside in this state except John who resides in the state of Georgia.” (South Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980 for Thomas Reynolds, Source: Ancestry.com)

Nancy Harrison was the daughter of James Harrison and Ann (last name unknown) of Edgefield, South Carolina. In 1799, James Harrison’s will list his children William and Ann, and “Grandsons William and Wiley Rennels [Reynolds] all the land I now hold and which I have left to my wife Ann at her decease…” (Miscellaneous Probate Records, 1785-1868; Indexes to Records, 1785-1957; Author: South Carolina. Probate Court (Edgefield County); Probate Place: Edgefield, South Carolina. Source: Ancestry.com). Twenty-seven years later, in 1826 when William Reynolds sells his land, “which I inherited from my grandfather James Harrison, being the part allotted to me Moore’s Branch is the dividing line between me and my brother Wylie Reynolds”, on Feb 18, 1826 to Josiah Padget (Deed Book A, Edgefield County, South Carolina)

Children of Thomas and Nancy (Harrison) Reynolds:

  1. William was born in 1796 in Edgefield, South Carolina, died in1860 Meriwether, Georgia. He married Nancy Burton who was born in 1805 in Edgefield, South Carolina, died in 1870 in Meriwether, Georgia. Nancy is the daughter of Nathaniel Burton (b. 1778 SC, d.1865 SC) and Susannah Asbell (b. 1774 NC, d. 1841 SC). Nancy’s sister, Dolly, married William’s brother, Wiley. William and Nancy’s children were: Ellender b. 1823; William b. 1837; Mary b.1839; Malachi b. 1841; and Imalden b. 1843. (US Census 1850)

  2. Wiley was born in 1799 in Edgefield, South Carolina, d. in 1884, Meriwether, Georgia. Wiley married Dorothy “Dolly” Burton b. 1804 in South Carolina and d. 1892 in Georgia, the daughter of Nathaniel Burton b.1778, South Carolina d. 1865, South Carolina and Susannah Asbell b. 1774, North Carolina and d. 1841 in South Carolina. William Reynolds’ wife, Nancy, and Dolly were sisters. Wiley is on the 1830 and 1840 United States Federal Census for Edgefield, South Carolina but eventually settled in Meriwether County, GA. It is presumed that Wiley and Dolly moved to Georgia between 1845 and 1850. The 1850 United States Federal Census shows Wiley and Doritha [Dorothy] Runnels [Reynolds] in Division 59, Meriwether, Georgia. Their children were: Elvira b. 1823; Emaline b. 1824; James b.1826; Susan b.1827; Nancy b.1829; Sardelia b.1831; Clifton b.1833; Harrison b 1835; Thomas Jackson b. 1837; Doritha b. 1840; and John Burton b. 1843.

  3. Chesley – is mentioned in Thomas, Sr’s probate documents, no additional information has been found.

  4. John was born in 1800 in Edgefield, South Carolina, d. in 1887 in Georgia. John married Mary Ann Pope b. 1828 Georgia, d. 1887 Georgia. John and Mary eventually settled in Oglethorpe, Macon, Georgia. Children: Lochemia b. 1827; Seaborn b. 1829; Nancy b. 1831; Thomas b. 1834; Mary b. 1836; James H b. 1841; and Matilda b. 1846. (US Census 1850; Edgefield, South Carolina Slave Records; and South Carolina, Wills and Probate Records)

  5. Lawson was born in 1803, Edgefield, South Carolina, d. 1881 Edgefield, South Carolina. Lawson was married twice. His first wife was Hulda Cates born in 1810 and died in 1850. Their children were: Nancy b. 1833; Amanda b. 1836; Marina b. 1837; Sarah b. 1838; Harriet b. 1841; Danford b. 1843; Singleton b. 1845; Sinkfield b. 1847; and Hulda b. 1850. Lawson’s second wife was Martha Frances Harris b. 1838 South Carolina, d. 1911 South Carolina. Lawson and Martha had two children, Whitfield b. 1866, and Whitman b. 1870. (US Censuses 1850 and 1870)

  6. Sophia was born in 1810 in Edgefield, South Carolina and died in 1874 in Edgefield, South Carolina. She married Joseph Whittle of Edgefield, South Carolina b. 1810, d. 1845. They had four children: Julia b. 1830; Eldred b. 1835; Permelia b. 1830; and Hezekiah b. 1842. Sophia Reynolds Whittle, was widowed at age 35. According to Edgefield, South Carolina Probate Records, her brother, Wiley, was appointed the administrator for Sophia’s deceased husband’s estate as of 14 Jun 1845.

  7. Thomas, Jr b. 1811 in South Carolina, d. 1845 in South Carolina there are no record of marriage or children. Thomas, Jr was in his early thirties when his father, Thomas, Sr, died. In a court document of Isiah Burton’s testament “thinks Tho. Reynolds [Junior] is about 30 years of age” [at the time of his father’s death]. Thomas, Jr. died within five years of his father’s death. He died intestate (without a will). His mother was appointed executrix of his estate on 15 Sep 1845. (Citation: Edgefield, South Carolina Letters of Administration, Guardianship, and Testamentary, 1839-1862. “To Nancy Reynolds whereas, Thomas Reynolds, Jun[ior] late of the district aforesaid lately died intestate…” dated the 15th day of September in the year Anno Domini 1845. (South Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980 for Thomas Reynolds; Edgefield > Letters of Administration, Guardianship, and Testimony; Ancestry.com filmstrip image 112).

  8. Nancy b. 1814 in South Carolina and d. 1902 in South Carolina, married William Stevens b.1816 Ireland and d. 1890 in South Carolina. Their children are Mary b.1847; Martha b. 1849; John b. 1851; William b. 1854; and Nancy Josephine b. 1857. (US Census 1860)

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

Thomas Reynolds, probate date 22 Sep 1841. Probate Records, Boxes 52-52, packages 2147-2208, 1785-1868; indexes to records, 1785-1957; Author: South Carolina Probate Court (Edgefield County); Probate Place Edgefield, South Carolina. Source: Ancestry.com

Following is a transcription of the digitalized original of Thomas Reynolds Probate Records:

Thomas Reynold, Sr Last Will and Testament: I Thomas Reynolds Sen[ior] of Edgefield Dist in the State of South Carolina do make and declare this to be my last will and testament. 1st. Desire and direct that all my just debts be paid out of the cash that may be on hand at my death and the proceeds of any notes and other demands or out of any other property that in the opinion of any executor may be most conveniently shared and sold. 2nd. I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy during her natural life one Negro woman by the name of Muggy and one bay horse saddle and bridle, one bed and furniture. 3rd. I give and bequeath to my son Thomas one Negro boy by the name Berry and the plantation whereon I now live after my wife Nancy’s death. 4th. I give devise and bequeath all the rest and residue of my estate real and personal in possession or in right of whatsoever nature or kind to my wife Nancy to be enjoyed by her and to do as she pleases with. 5th. I nominate and appoint my wife Nancy and my son Thomas the Executors of this last will and testament. In witnesses where of I have here unto set my hand and seal this the 30th day of August in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-one. Signed Thomas Reynolds {seal}

Signed, sealed and published and declared by the said Thomas Reynolds Sen[ior] as and for this last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have --- to set our ---as ---the words exclusion of any real estate. [Witnessed by] Wilson Holston, Moses Holston, Artemas Watson

Affidavits of Witnesses: South Carolina Edgefield District: Personally appeared before us Wilson Holston and after being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty and says he was present and saw Thomas Reynolds sign, seal, and acknowledge the foregoing instrument of writing to be and contain his will and testament and that he the said Thomas Reynolds was there of sound and disproving mind, necessary and understanding to the best of their ---- knowledge and belief and that he the said Wilson Holston together with Moses Holston and Artemas Watson did sign their names as witnessed at the request of the testator and in the presence of each other. I have ---qualifies Thomas Reynolds Jr Executor this 22nd day of September 1841. Signed Oliver Towles O.E.D.

Appeal to the validity of Thomas Reynolds’ Last Will and Testament: South Carolina Edgefield District, In the Court of Ordinary. In the matter of Thomas Reynolds’ will. Wiley Reynolds and applicants v. Thomas Reynolds, Exec.

The said, Wiley Reynolds and others, applicants in this case appeal from the D__ of the Ordinary establishing the validity of the Will of said, Thomas Reynolds, on the grounds:

  1. That the said will was not executed in conformity to the provisions of the Statute, insomuch as the attesting witnesses did not subscribe in the presence of the testation.
  2. That the supposed testator was not of sound mind, at the execution of the said paper.
  3. That the said Thomas Reynolds was induced to execute the said paper through the improper influence of the said Thomas Reynolds within for his benefit.
Jan 24 1842 T H Wardlaw, Attorney for Applicant

Petition to the Will: South Carolina Edgefield District, In the Court of Ordinary. To Oliver Towles Esq, Ordinary of Edgefield County. The humble petition of Wiley Reynolds, Lawson Reynolds, Joseph Whittle Sophia is wife late Sophia Reynolds, respectfully showeth: That Thomas Reynolds, late of the District stated above departed this life on or about 20 (30?) August 1841, leaving or ___, who, ___ have been entitled to distribution of his estate if he had died intestate, a widow Nancy Reynolds, and children, William, John, Lawson, Chesley, Sophia wife of Joseph Whittle, Wiley, Thomas and Nancy, all of whom preside in the state except John who resides in the State of Georgia. What lately ____ on the 22 September last, a paper purporting to be the last Will and Testament of said Thomas Reynolds has been admitted to probate in common form, wherefore petitioner, who are entitled to distributive shares of said estate, humbly pray and hereby give notice that they require that the said support will of Thomas Reynolds may be proved in one form of law. October 12, 1848. Signed Wiley Reynolds, Joseph Whittle and wife, Lawson Reynolds.

Response to Petition to the will of Thomas Reynolds: State of South Carolina Edgefield District. In the matter of Thomas Reynolds Will –. Thomas Reynolds Executor of the last Will and Testament of Thomas Reynolds deceased having been cited upon the application of Wiley Reynolds and others, to appear before me in the Court of Ordinary for the District and State afore said to prove will of the said Thomas Reynolds deceased under the form of law – and the said Thomas Reynolds Executor having filed his petition in due forum to be allowed to do so. And the said parties as well the said Thomas Reynolds as the said Wiley Reynolds having appeared before me on the 14th day of January 1842 with their counsel and ___. After hearing the testimony of the subscribing _____ as to the due execution of the said will and ___ and other ___ as to the execution of the same and as to the capacity of the said Thomas Reynolds. I adjudge and decree that the papers in question is the last will and testament of the said Thomas Reynolds, and I have admitted the same to probate in due form of law this 24 January 1842. Oliver Towles O.E.D.

REFERENCES:

Probate Records, Boxes 51-52, packages 2147-2208, 1785-1868; indexes to records, 1785-1957; Author: South Carolina Probate Court (Edgefield County); Probate Place Edgefield, South Carolina. Source: Ancestry.com

South Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980 for Thomas Reynolds; Edgefield > Letters of Administration, Guardianship, and Testimony; Ancestry.com filmstrip image 112. Source: Ancestry.com

Deed Book A, Edgefield County, South Carolina Archives

Edgefield, SC Wills. Vol D-E, 1836-1866. Source Ancestry.com Filmstrip image 76

US Census, Edgefield, South Carolina 1790; 1800; 1810; 1820; 1830; 1840; 1850; and 1860


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