Reynolds Family
These excerpts from the History of Fentress County, Tennessee, published by the Fentress County Historical Society in 1987, were transcribed by Michael Allen in 2000. See notes at the end.
James Thomas and Susan Reynolds
by Jewelene Hinds
James Thomas “Tom” Reynolds was born April 20, 1841 in Overton County, Tennessee. He was the son of Matthew Reynolds (6/29/1802-4/8/1880) and his first wife Dicie Smith, born about 1802 and died before 1850. Matthew’s second wife was Orilla Reynolds. The brothers and sisters of Tom are; Marv C., John S., Nancy, Elizabeth, Dicy Ann, Sally, Susan, Louisa, William G., George, Jefferson, Emaline, Eliza, Sherrod K. and an infant son buried in the Huff-Hill Cemetery. Matthew Reynolds was a carpenter and traveled throughout Fentress, Overton and Morgen Counties as his work required, therefore his children were born in different places in these counties.
While serving in Virginia during the Civil War, Thomas met Susan Johnson, a local girl, born August 8, 1851. When the war ended, he returned to Virginia and they were married. According to the 1880 census records for Fentress Co., and family members, Tom and Susan remained in Virginia until after their 5th child was born in 1876. They then returned to Fentress County and the Little Crab Community close to their family. Their children were; Andrew Jackson, Mary, Emily, Matthew A., Charlie, Emmett, Martha E., Belle, Lillie, James, Roena, and Alvis.
Andrew Jackson was born April 6, 1867 in Virginia, and died October 17, 1897. He is buried in the Matt Reynolds Cemetery on the old homeplace in Little Crab, TN.
Mary was born February 26, 1869 in Virginia. She married Eli Hinds and raised eight of their 15 children to be adults. They are; Dock, Susie E., Ida P., William C., James E., Porter T., Pansy M., and Alta D. Eli died March 7, 1952 and Mary followed on November 26, 1954. They are buried in the Eli Hinds Family Cemetery, across from the home where they lived most of their lives.
Emily was born in 1872 and married Jay Conatser. Their known children are: Mary Jane, Thurman, Dillard, Martha, Hattie and Porter. Emily and Jay, along with some of their children, are buried in the Conatser Cemetery in Little Crab, Tn.
Matthew A. was born May 6, 1874 in Virginia. He married Lodice Elizabeth “Bets” Beaty, born February 4, 1874. Their children are; Ina, Marson, Cordell, Zina, Walter, Lando, Merthie, and Golda. Matthew died March 14, 1946, and Bets died February 25, 1964. They are buried in the Matt Reynolds Cemetery, Little Crab, Tn.
Charlie was born in May 1876. He married Daisy Smith on February 5, 1894. They were the parents of four daughters; Gladys, Maude, Pearl and Lillie. After Daisy’s death, Charlie married again and moved to St.Louis, Missouri where he lived until his death. The four daughters went to live with their grandmother Sarah Smith.
Emmett was born about 1878 according to the 1880 Fentress Co. census. He apparently died as an infant, as none of the family can remember a son by that name.
Martha Ellen was born October 6, 1884 and married Elias Wright. Their known children were; June, Woodrow, Clara, Alvis and Herkle. Elias (6/25/1883-9/1/1950) and Martha Ellen, who died May 29, 1964 are buried in the Eli Hinds Cemetery, Little Crab, Tennessee.
Isobelle “Belle” was born January 1, 1886. She was married to David Carter Beaty (1876-1955). Their known children include; Martha, Zora, Pansy, Lilly, and Ora Delphia. Belle died in 1974 and, along with her husband Dave, is buried in the Eli Hinds Cemetery, Little Crab, Tn.
Lillie, birth and death unknown, married James Paris on July 4, 1905.
James E. “Jim” was born in 1880. He married Florence Johnson and their children are; Lanzon, Ransom, Charlie, Wheeler, Nina, Oshia, William, and Glynnis. James. Florence and many of their children are buried in the Conatser Cemetery.
Roena was born in 1891. She married Dillard Wright on February 14, 1906. They were the parents of Emmett, Dock, Gertie, Mertie, Cartha, Marson, and Carol. Roena died in February, 1983 at the age of 92.
Alvis, the youngest child of Tom and Susan, was born about 1893. He moved to Missouri and remained there until his death.
Thomas Reynolds died October 12, 1900 and Susan died December 23, 1943. Both are buried in the Matt Reynolds Cemetery, Little Crab, Tn. His father Matthew Reynolds and several of his other relatives are also buried in this family cemetery.
Some af the information in this history was obtained through the special efforts of Mr. Jewel Reynolds, great-grandson of Thomas and Susan Reynolds.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/reynolds.htm
Matthew and Elizabeth (Beaty) Reynolds
by Jewelene Hinds
Matthew A. Reynolds was born May 6, 1874 in Virginia. He was the son of James Thomas Reynolds (4/20/1841-10/12/1900) and Susan Johnson Reynolds (8/8/1851 – 12/23/1943). The family moved from Virginia to the Little Crab section of Fentress County, Tennessee between 1876 and 1878. Matt’s brothers and sisters were; Andrew Jackson, Mary, Emily, Charlie, Emmett (who died young), Martha, Isabelle, Lillie, James, Roena, and Alvis.
Matt married Elizabeth “Bets” Beaty, born February 4, 1874. She was the daughter of Hiram Cyrus Beaty (4/5/1849-11/9/1915) and Catherine Beaty Beaty (3/8/1845-8/13/1916). Elizabeth’s brothers and sisters were; Mary Jane, Matilda Clementine, William Thomas, David Carter, Nancy Ann, Martha Ellen, John Andrew (Crippled John), Hiram Cyrus Jr., Benton McMillan, and Emaline, who died as an infant.
Matt and Elizabeth were the parents of eight children; Ina, Marson, Cordell, Zina, Walter, Lando, Merthie, and Golda.
Ina was born April 12, 1895. She married Jim Lee and they were the parents of three children; Harold, Pauline and Georgia. Ina died December 5, 1984 and is buried in Fentress Memory Gardens. Jim resides in the Fentress County Nursing Home.
Marson, born in October, 1896, married Ella Mae Buck. They are the parents of Wayne, Guy, Goy, Charlene, Nancy and Jonell. Marson and Ella both reside in the Fentress County Nursing Home.
Cordell was born March 8, 1898. He married Ruie Holden and they are the parents of Shelly, Truman Roosevelt, Jewel, Lois, Grace, and Mary. Cordell died May 3, 1975.
Zina, born October 28, 1902, married Haskell Ledbetter. Their children are Bessie and Charles. Zina died November 8, 1974.
Walter was born April 12, 1907 and died November 13, 1959. He did not marry.
Lando was born August 2, 1908 and married Ova Pearl Stephens. They are the parents of Harold, Ella Mae, Jim, and Ella’s twin sister, Betty Ray, who died as an infant.
Merthie was born June 8, 1912. She married Manson King and they have no children.
Golda was born June 4, 1915. She married Dr. Claude Bertram and they were the parents of two sons, Luke and George Edward. Golda later married Harlan Kettle and had one daughter Lindley. Golda died September 14, 1971.
Matthew died March 14, 1946. Elizabeth died February 25, 1964. They are buried in the Reynolds Cemetery, Little Crab, Tn.
Information for this history was obtained with the help of Ella Mae Reynolds Ledbetter.
Source: https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~bp2000/fentress/reynolds-matthew.htm
Transcriber’s note: Most, but not all, [transcribed] excerpts relate to Beaty families. Don’t forget the first rule of genealogy — everything should be backed by primary documentation — This book was written by the Fentress Co. Historical Society. It’s mainly a collection of personal histories told from memory and family tradition with little documentation, and should be taken as such.
TNGenWeb Coordinator’s note: Curtis Media Corp. gave permission to post this material originally, and it was uploaded in a free account at Rootsweb. We do not intend copyright infringement on anyone. However, Rootsweb has experienced viability issues in the past. We want to make sure the information is retained and available for Fentress County researchers.