The Reynolds Family: From County Leitrim, Ireland to Renfrew County, Ontario.
First Generation
1. Bernard REYNOLDS 1, 2 was born 3 about 1793 in Ireland. He died about 1864 in Upper Canada.
The 1851 census for Bromley Twp, Renfrew County lists the following household: Bernard, teacher, age next birthday 59; Mary, 54; Margaret, servant, 24; Winifred, servant, 20; Edward, labourer, 18 (all born in Ireland); Bernard, labourer, 15 (born Canada); James, 12 (also born Canada). Other sources indicate that Bernard Jr. was also born in Ireland. In any event, it is generally agreed that James was born in Canada, indicating that this family must have come to Canada before 1840. However, I have not been able to find where they lived before purchasing their farm in Bromley Township in 1851. Although John had already married prior to the 1851 census, we know from the 1891 census that John was a brother of Edward. Both were living on their father's farm at that time.
The 1861 census appears to list Bernard twice. In one listing he was visiting Brudenell Twp, Renfrew County, where his age was given as 55. However, his occupation was school teacher, suggesting this is the same Bernard in spite of the age discrepancy. He was listed at the residence of James, clerk, age 21 and his residence was "Upper Canada out of district." In the Bromley 1861 census Bernard (there aged 67) and Mary (62) and their son Edward and his family all lived on the family farm.
The land records for the farm (Lot 15, Third concession) reveal that Bernard purchased the land 18 March 1851. According to the land registry, Bernard's will was dated 14 December 1863 but the transfer of the property to Edward was not registered until 13 January 1885. Bernard must have died prior to 1871 however, as he is not listed in the 1871 census.
In "Founding Families of Bromley Township," Carol Bennett McCuaig says that "Barney Reynolds" was one of the first teachers at Connaught School, along with Mick Mulligan (perhaps an uncle of Bernard and Mary's daughter-in-law, Bridget Mulligan). Connaught School was united with another school in 1848 (McCuaig, 1996, p. 17). This suggests that Bernard must have lived in Bromley prior to purchasing his farm.
So far I have no record of this Reynolds family prior to the 1851 census. However, McCuaig also notes that Ann Dooner (1811-1889), wife of Francis Carty of Brudenell, was a native of County Leitrim, Ireland (p. 67). Bernard Dooner, whose wife was a Winnifred Reynolds, may have been a brother or cousin of Ann; as well, Winnifred may have been a sister or cousin of Bernard Reynolds. The same first names were common in both the Dooner and Reynolds families. I suspect the Dooners and the Reynolds knew one another in Leitrim and deliberately settled in the same part of Canada when they immigrated. McCuaig notes that the Dooners lived in Pakenham before coming to Bromley. This may be where Bernard and his family first settled as well.
Bernard married Mary before 1823 in Ireland. Mary was born 1 about 1798 in Ireland. She died after 1861 in Ontario.
Bernard and Mary appear to have had the following children:
+ 2 M i John REYNOLDS was born on 15 Jan 1823 and died on 21 Jan 1902. 3 F ii Ann REYNOLDS was born 1 in Ireland.
An Ann Reynolds witnessed the marriage of John Reynolds and Bridget Mulligan in 1848/49 and is assumed to be a sister of John. She may have married, entered a religious community or died prior to the 1851 census.+ 4 F iii Mary REYNOLDS was born about 1826. + 5 F iv Margaret REYNOLDS was born about 1827 and died on 7 Aug 1886. + 6 M v Michael REYNOLDS was born on 10 Jan 1829 and died in Jan 1911. + 7 F vi Winifred REYNOLDS was born on 10 Oct 1830 and died after Apr 1901. + 8 M vii Edward REYNOLDS was born about 1833 and died on 7 Jun 1898. + 9 M viii Bernard REYNOLDS was born on 6 May 1838 and died on 9 Jun 1913. 10 M ix James REYNOLDS was born 1 about 1840 in Ireland.
James was a clerk in Brudenell Twp. on the 1861 census. I have no further record of him after that. There are two James Reynolds in the Ontario 1871 Census index whose ages are an approximate fit, but neither was Catholic.
