James REYNOLDS

Male 1625 - 1700  (75 years)


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  • Name James REYNOLDS  [2, 3
    • James Reynolds is the 1st authenticated ancestor of the Rhode Island branch of the Reynolds family. First records have him landing in Plymouth, Massachusetts as a young man, where a James Renell was recorded in August, 1643.
      Tradition would have it that James is the son of William, but William married in 1638, to late to have been James' father.
      James married Deborah, maiden name unknown, 1647 Providence. They were the parents of 7 children: John, James, Joseph, Henry, Deborah, Francis and Mercy, all born prior to the family settling on the Potowomut River.
      James arrived in Plymouth as early as 1643. One of the 1st settlers of the community Quidnessett, where he owned 150 acres on the south side of a small steam called at various times the names: Potowomut River, Reynolds River, Greene River and Mill River. The area is now called Sand Hill Stream.
      Three homes James built. The 1st one destroyed during King Phillip's War. The 2nd by fire. The 3rd is on land the family has owned since then, by Sand Hill Stream, where James built on 50 acres west of the brook.
      James gave his Oath of Alliance on 20 May, 1671, served as Constable in 1671, and was also take prisoner on 24 May, 1677 for refusing to acknowledge alliance to the Connecticut Colony. In 1687, he was Overseer of the Poor, 1688 Grand Juryman and 1690 Conservator of the Peace.
      On 29 April, 1684, James deeded to his son James, one hundred acres in East Greenwich. On 25 February 1684, he deeded fifty acres, boughten from Samuel Wayte and fifty acres boughten from Thomas Harris and the family homestead to his son Francis.
      He died August, 1700 and his Will was probated 14 October, 1700, in North Kingston, Washington, Rhode Island.

      "I give and devise unto my son Joseph Renolds ten pounds
      I give and devise unto my son Henry Renolds ten pounds in money and my negro girl Doll to him and his heirs
      I give and devise unto my son Francis forty shillings or its equivalent
      I give unto my daughter Deborah Sweet my negro girl Forever and one pillow mattress and bolster
      I give unto my daughter Mercy Nichols five pounds in money or its equivalent to her and her heirs
      I give unto my grandson John Renolds ten shillings
      I give unto my granddaughter Sarah R --- ---- in money
      All the rest and residue of my personal estate whosoever I gave and bequest unto my son Frances Renolds whom I appoint full and sole executor of this my last Will and Testament, and I hereby revoke any former Wills and Testaments by me therefore made ----
      And I the said James Renolds to this my last Will and Testament sett my hand and seale this fifteenth day of October, One thousand six hundred and ninety two -1691
      The Mark
      James (X) Renolds"

      From the North Kingston Probate Records, Vol. 1, page 7

      Posted on Find A Grave created by Nancy Robison [1]
    Birth 13 May 1625  Plymouth, Plymouth Unitary Authority, Devon, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 3
    Gender Male 
    Death Aug 1700  North Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    Burial Reynolds Lot, North Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Person ID I46234  Main Tree
    Last Modified 10 Apr 2022 

    Family Deborah ?,   b. 1628, North Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 15 Oct 1692 (Age 64 years) 
    Marriage 1648  Providence, Providence Co., Rhode Island Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Children 
    +1. Henry REYNOLDS,   b. 01 Jan 1655/6, North Kingstown, Rhode Island Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1716 (Age 59 years)  [Birth]
     2. James REYNOLDS,   b. 28 Oct 1650, North Kingstown, Rhode Island Find all individuals with events at this location  [Birth]
    Family ID F22062  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 10 Apr 2022 

  • Sources 
    1. [S02329] Find A Grave Website.

    2. [S9347] New England Marriages Prior to 1700.

    3. [S04348] Yates Publishing, Ancestry.com: U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2004;).