Reynolds’ History

My grandparents’ (Ellsworth Pancoast Reynolds and Merle Brown) farmhouse, built in 1732 by Bartholomew Coppock, Jr., still stands (and is lived in) at 815 Springfield Road in Delaware County, Marple Township, Pennsylvania. . Near the Lamb Tavern. Built from ballast brick. From ships. The Morris House in Philadelphia has architecture and interior features that are in many ways similar to the farmhouse on Springfield Road.  The title company presently situated across the street was a house of ill repute. The property goes back to a William Penn land grant of 433 acres to Bartholomew Coppock, Sr., who willed 188 acres and "the Plantation" to Seth Pancoast (1741 - ?). My grandfather recited tales told to him of how they hid the silver during the Revolutionary War. In the 30s and 40s my father told me how they took their farm products by truck to the reading terminal market each Friday. Thursday was the day they killed the chickens, and they grew corn and asparagus. The buildings where they killed the chickens are still there, and used as garages.... I'll bet they have no idea how these structures used to be used!! They sold the farm in the mid 50s. Moved to 610 Centennial Avenue in Media.

I am Jennifer Jean Reynolds. Born to James Lewis Reynolds (1926-2005) and Jeanne Clara Cullis (1929-).  James Lewis Reynolds was born to Ellsworth  Pancoast Reynolds and Merle Brown Reynolds.

 

Ellsworth was born in the barn in 1897. His mother, Carrie Butcher Reynolds, gave birth to triplets. She was recently married to William Reynolds, and this was her first pregnancy. She and one baby died in the barn. A second triplet was never really right, and died at age 7. The third was my grandfather. His father, William Reynolds, gave the 2 babies to relatives to raise, and moved on, marrying and having more children. (He built the dark stone duplex houses on one whole side of the street, North Jackson Street in Media, between 5th and 6th or 6th and 7th I think they are. Also at least a few of the bungalows at the top of the hill on the west side of Centennial Avenue. Ellsworth was given to William's sister (Araminta 'Minnie' Reynolds Pancoast 1870 - 1939), who was married to Seth Ellsworth Pancoast (1861 - 1934)....owner of the farm. Ellsworth was raised along the side of his cousin, Miriam "Pank" Pancoast Dunlap (1897-1959); daughter of Seth and Minnie. When Seth passed, Ellsworth took over the farm. Ellsworth (everyone called him Jim) died in 1960 of cancer....likely exposure to first generation of chemicals used on farms. William’s son from his second marriage, and  Dick Reynolds, and his wife Minnie, were active members of the Media Quaker Meeting.

Merle Brown (7/9/1896-6/16/1988) was from Philadelphia. I am told she was related to Benjamin Rush, a signatory to the  Declaration of Independence. Her parents died when she was a teenager in the Spanish Flu epidemic, and she was given to spinster aunts, who made the marriage to Ellsworth when she was 27.  She had a few older brothers, but never kept in touch with them. Her death certificate reveals that she was the daughter of Daniel Webster Brown and Valeria Eme????.

 

Ellsworth Pancoast Reynolds

descended from Carrie Butcher and William Reynolds.

 

William Reynolds

descended from Elizabeth F. White Reynolds (1849-1887)

and David Lewis Reynolds (1843-1877)

 

Elizabeth F. White Reynolds

descended from Margareta V. White (1823-1882)

and John White (1837-1882)

 

David Lewis Reynolds

descended from Sarah Barlow Reynolds (1813-1893)

and William Reynolds (1811-1864)

 

Sarah Barlow Reynolds

descended from Lydia Burnet Barlow (1780-1848)

and Aaron Barlow (1774-1860)