Smith Reynolds

Grave of Smith and Matilda Reynolds

The following biographical sketch was taken from a report on the cemetery held at the historical society.

Smith Reynolds was born in 1809 and was a blacksmith by trade. He had a shop on the Bedford Road, just east of New Castle Corners, for many years. He was a jolly and good natured man, always fond of a joke; and cheery in his relations with his fellow men. He was a strong Methodist, and always took a deep interest in the church, and was active in its work. He was the class leader for a long time.

He and his wife, the former Matilda Knapp (his first wife Marietta died in 1846) removed to Brooklyn ca. 1889. Their children were: Theodore of Fordham, Mrs. LeGrand Washburn of Chappaqua, Mrs. George Nye (Etta) of Brooklyn, with whom he lived.

Grave of Marietta Reynolds

In the North Westchester Times of August 11, 1911, the following was written of Smith Reynolds in the article "New Castle Corners History of Interest: Reminiscent Paragraphs by A. J. Q. tell about hte Early History, Settlers, and Business Places."

And there was Smith Reynolds. He was the blacksmith and he was an artist in his line. He often said there never was but one blacksmith that went to h--- and he went for hammering cold iron.

Finally, here is Matilda H. Knapp Reynolds's obituary from 1899:

Mrs. Matilda H., widow of the late Smith Reynolds, an old resident of the village, died at the home of her son-in-law, Mr. C. LeGrand Washburne, at Chappaqua, last week Thursday, Sept. 28th, 1899. She was in her 81st year.

She leaves two daughters - Mrs. (Hessie) C. LeGrand Washburne, of Chappaqua; and Mrs. Ettie Nye, of Brooklyn. Two stepsons also survive her - Theodore Reynolds, in the Home for Incurables at Fordham; and Cyrus, in New York city.

She has for several years made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Nye, in Brooklyn, but came up to Chappaqua during the summer to visit her daughter Mrs. Washburne, and became so weakened by illness as to be unable to return to the city.

The funeral services were held in the Methodist Church, on Monday afternoon, Oct. 2nd, at 3:45. A large number of out of town people attended the funeral services. Rev. William E. Ketcham, of Yonkers, who was a former pastor of the church here, and highly thought of by the deceased, officiated; assisted by Rev. A. T. Civill. Interment in the family plot in the old Methodist burial ground.

1. Smith Reynolds (1809-1897) m. (1) Marietta (1833-1846); (2) Matilda H. Knapp (1819-1899)
1. Cyrus Reynolds (1837-)
2. Henry F. Reynolds (1839-1884) m. Anna T. (1839-1883)
3. Theodore Reynolds (1842-)
4. Hester Reynolds (1851-1920) m. C. LeGrand Washburn (1847-1929)
1. Frank H. Washburn (1881-)
2. Amy V. Washburn (1883-)
3. C. LeGrand Washburn (1891-)
5. Marietta Reynolds (1856-) m. George Nye