William Pitt Reynolds

Notes:

"Biography of William Pitt Reynolds"

"William Pitt Reynolds was born in Greenwich, Washington Co, NY on December 7, 1843 the son of Porter Reynolds and Mary Sheldon Remington. Mr Reynolds was educated in the Greenwich schools; the Fort Edward Institute and Eastman Commercial College in Poughkeepsie, NY from which he graduated in 1863. Mr Reynolds began his business career as a clerk. In 1864
he purchased the general merchandise business of his brother, James H Reynolds, at Middle Falls, NY which he successfully conducted for 36 years. On January 2, 1866 William Pitt Reynolds married Harriet Preston, daughter of Dr John Preston and Cornelia Dibble, of Schuylerville, Saratoga Co, NY. William and Harriet have one daughter, Bertha. William is one of a family of SIX CHILDREN: VIZ: Amanda (1831-1864); Andrew David (1835-1911); James H (1837-1897); Merritt ; Mary, who married William McMaster of Lockport, NY. William Pitt Reynolds Father, Porter was an extensive farmer; he also kept a Hotel in his early days
William Pitt Reynolds Maternal Grandfather is David Remington, Jr who served his country in the War of the American Revolution. His Maternal Grandmother is Hannah ROGERS, daughter of James Rogers and Amy Bronson of Greenwich, NY. William

William married Harriet Preston 2 Jan 1866. [Group Sheet]

1. Bertha Reynolds

Notes:

The wills of Mary's father and grandfather appear to state that Mary is the wife of Porter Reynolds. Has Peter been misread for Porter, or vice versa? The 1850 Federal Census clearly reads Peter. (needs more research)

In 1850 "Peter" & Mary Reynolds are living at Greenwich, Washington Co., NY, with their six children, along with several other individuals who may be boarders and/or farm workers.

Porter married Mary Sheldon Remington NY. Mary (daughter of David Remington, Jr. and Hannah Rogers) was born 25 Jul 1807, NY; died 4 Oct 1891; was buried , Greenwich Cemetery, Greenwich, Washington Co., NY. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1860 Federal Census, David Remington is age 88 (born in RI), and living at Greenwich, Washington Co., NY, with James, Anna, & Jane E. Newbury. James is his son-in-law.

In the 1855 NY State Census David Remington is age 82.

David married Hannah Rogers 2 Oct 1802, Greenwich, Washington County, NY. Hannah (daughter of James Rogers and Amy Bronson) was born Abt 1780; died 18 Sep 1848. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I believe that David was probably born in Portsmouth, RI, because that is where the family lived during his early childhood. They may have moved to Tiverton in 1750, but later moved back to Portsmouth -- at least, they had to obtain permission from Portsmouth Town Council to move to Richmond in 1757.

The 1774 Census of Rhode Island lists David Remington living in Richmond. This census was taken in May. David's household consists of five indiduals: 1 white male above 16, 3 white males under 16, and 1 white female above 16. These sons would have been Benjamin, Gardner, & David; Sarah had not yet been born.

The RI 1777 Military Census lists a David Remington age 16-50 A (able) in Richmond, but notes "res. Tivertown." This would make sense that it is this David, because he was brought up in Tiverton.

David enlisted five times from April 1776 to Sept 1780, for a total of about two and a half years, with RI companies. Battles he engaged in were: White Plains, Trenton, and Sullivan's Expedition at RI.

A David Remington is listed as a Sergeant in the list "Pay abstract of Capt. Dyer's Company for the month of September 1776."

At some point -- possibly after the war -- David & Mary and family settled at Greenwich, NY. He is listed as a resident of Easton in 1789.

In 1804 David Remington was overseer of the roads in District 12 of Greenwich, NY (see p 339 History of Washington Co., NY at Google Books). This could be David Sr. or David Jr.

On 1 Aug 1832, David Remington, aged 85, a resident of Greenwich, NY, appeared in the county court to testify concerning a military pension. His Revolutionary War Pension file is #S11288. At the time he said he was residing in Greenwich. He testified that he had been a private in Col. Varnum's Company in RI. He enlisted in April 1776 into Capt. Ethan Clark's Company, Col. Varnum's Regiment, and with them marched from Washington County, RI, where he lived, to Harlem Plains, NY, on NY Island. He said he was engaged in the Battle of White Plains, marched to Delaware, and to Bristol, PA, then to Fenton, NJ, to take the Hessians . . . was in the Battle of Fenton, then to Princeton and thence to Morristown, then accross the Delaware River to Bristol, PA, where he was discharged 18 Jan 1777. During the summer of 1777 he was on duty as a volunteer guarding the mainland of RI. In Aug 1778 he was a volunteer in the RI Expedition under Col. Charles Dyer for about four weeks. In July 1779 he enlisted in a regiment called Barton's Corpse, for one year, under Capt. Stephen Babcock, and was discharged in July 1780. He enlisted again about 1 Sep 1780 for six months under Lieut. Johnson and served until about 1 March 1781 and was discharged. Soon after the war he removed from RI to this town.

His annual pension allowance was $69.75. David was listed on the US Pension Roll of 1835 for Washington County, NY.

David married Mary Sheldon 15 Nov 1767, Cumberland, RI. Mary (daughter of Samuel Sheldon and Susannah Sherman) was born 9 Jul 1744, South Kingstown, Washington Co., RI; died 2 Sep 1807, Greenwich, Washington Co., NY; was buried , Greenwich, Washington Co., NY. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Her gravestone inscription reads: "Mrs. Mary Remmington died Sept. 2, 1807 in the 64th, year of her age, consort of Mr. David Remmington. Parent of goodness and unblemished life, here lies the tenderest mother, fondest wife, whose easy manners, free from pride of art, with sweet simplicity engaged the heart, whose lovely person and whose lively mind, each female grace with every virtue joined."

Mary is a descendant of Pilgrims Francis Cooke & Richard Warren.

Notes:

David and Mary were married by Dr. Torrey.

James married Amy Bronson Abt Feb 1770, Essex, MA. Amy was born Dec 1753; died 10 Apr 1840, Greenwich, Washington Co., NY. [Group Sheet]