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Benjamin Franklin Cox Reynolds


Benjamin Franklin Cox Reynolds, the first son and child of David Reynolds and Plata Davis was born in Clark County, Illinois on February 22, 1825.

Benjamin married Maria Kidwell, the daughter of James and Rachael Kidwell, in Clark County on September 10, 1847. Maria was born in December of 1885 in Edgar County, Illinois.

Benjamin and Maria had a total of nine children: Rebecca, Sarah, James D., Richard Mayberry, Andrew J., Margaret Angeline, Rhoda, George and Hulda.

In the book "History of Parker County, Texas" we find the following information that was written about Benjamin Franklin Reynolds by Eleanor R. Edmondson:

Benjamin Franklin Reynolds was born in 1826 in Illinois. His father, David Reynolds, was born March 6, 1802 near Crab Orchard, Kentucky; his mother was Plata Davis.

Benjamin married Mariah Kidwell, who was born December 1832, in Edgar County, Illinois to James and Rachael Kidwell, about 1848 in Clark County, Illinois. In 1853 Mariah's parents along with other relations joined a wagon train and left for Texas. At the time Mariah was expecting a baby and could not travel. In the spring, after the birth of Richard Mayberry Reynolds, January 19, 1854, the Reynolds family left for Texas and arrived in September, settling in Tarrant Territory December 15, 1854.

As a resident of Tarrant Territory, Benjamin signed the petition to create Parker County. He was engaged in agriculture and purchased 160 acres in Parker County on which he paid taxes in 1856.

The children of Benjamin and Mariah Reynolds were Rebecca, Sarah, James D., Richard Mayberry, Andrew J., Margaret Angeline, Rhoda, George, and Hulda. Benjamin Reynolds died October, 1885. Mariah died in 1905, having lived some years with her son Richard. It is believed both are buried in Shady Grove Cemetery.

In the book "James Kidwell, Pioneer, Kentucky 1798 - Texas 1868", written by Billy Dan Kidwell, July 1991, I found the following article about Benjamin Franklin and Mariah:

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN REYNOLDS
1825 ILL - 1885 TEXAS
  &   MIRIAH KIDWELL
1832 ILL - 1905 TEXAS

Benjamin Reynolds married Mariah Kidwell in Clark Co., Ill. on 8th April 1847, Jerome Rowley, J.P. Mariah was the child of James & Rachel Kidwell. She was born about ---- Her father was building a saw mill on "Big Creek" in Clark Co., Ill. Benjamin's parents were David Reynolds (Born near Crab Orchard, Ky, 6 Mar. 1802) & Miss Cox. (Marriage & Death dates not known). NOTE: I am not sure that David married Miss Cox. Benjamin was known locally as Benjamin Cox and he spent a lot of his younger days staying with the Cox's who lived next to them in Clark County. It is possible that Benjamin was born out of wed-lock and for some reason was raised by his father and step-mother. David then married Plata Davis (B - 1 Mar 1808 in Ky & D - 9 Dec 1855, Clark Co, Ill) 1 June 1826. David had some (16) children. After Plata's death David married Dolly C. Davis, widow of Haywood Davis, Plata's older Brother. David's parents were Wm & Jane Milligan Reynolds, Natives of East Tn. Wm was a blacksmith who died in Bedford Co, Tn when Dave was about 6 years old.

Dave came to Ill in 1822 and worked for Jesse Essary, a Frenchman who was one of the first to settle in Ill. Dave came to Douglass Twp, Clark Co, about 1828. "During his long residence in Douglas Twp, He (Dave) has been prominently identified with all movements calculated to advance its material prosperity" "One of the earliest schools in the Twp was taught in a small log dwelling owned by Dave Reynolds" Hist. Clark Co. P-466 & 470.

B.F. & Mariah raised a large family of nine children. They being born in both Ill & Tex. The relocated to Texas 1853/1854 when the Kidwell & Lees left Ill. Although they came a few months later as Mariah could not travel at that time - being pregnant with Richard Mayberry, their fourth child.

B.F.'s name appears on numerous Parker Co. records. He is listed #14 on the petition to create Parker County.

He makes pre-emption application, affidavit #54 for 160 Acres on Clear Fork of Trinity River. Wit. by Robert Brown a nephew by marriage to Izella Kidwell.

He served as a chainman (Survey Crew) for James Kidwell Pre-emption 21 Aug 1857 & for Levi Kidwell Survey dated 1 Sept. 1855.

He witnessed Leanna Lee Pre-emption App. 24 Feb. 1857. Also served as witnesses with Levi Kidwell the Application for James Kidwell 24 Feb 1857. He was also the chain carrier with Stephen Kidwell. (From Abstracts of Parker Co, Tx. Pre-emption Land Records 1850-1858).

Benjamin's name appears on a Muster Roll of Capt. John B. Tompkins, dated 31 Sept. 1861.

Mariah Reynolds name appears on the Parker Co, Tx soldier indigent list dated 16 Feb 1864 with "9" dependents, her name is #30.

Three excellent articles appear in the Parker Co. History Book (1980) written by Eleanor R. Edmonson, Charista Reynolds Smith & Kathy Smith. Pages 513, 514 & 516.

The biographical sketch of Richard M. Reynolds, Pages 116 & 117 contains the names of nine (9) children: Rebecca Jane, Sarah, James D., Richard M., Andrew J., Angelina, Rhoda, George & Hulda. The 1870 Parker Co, Tx census lists a William Reynolds B- ca 1852. William is probably a second name for George.

A rather unusual marriage of two great grandchildren of Drury & Hannah Pinkston Kidwell takes place in this family. It happened as follows: Richard Mayberry Reynolds M. 3 Dec 1884 Parker Co. Marcia Grigsby.

RICHARD:
Son of B.F. & Mariah (Kidwell) Reynolds, born in Clark Co, Ill.
Grand Son of James & Rachel Kidwell
Great Grand Son of Drury & Hannah Kidwell

MARCIA:
Daughter of Henry Clay & Harriett (Sallee) Grigsby B-Indiana
Grand Daughter of Oliver & Lucy (Kidwell) Sallee
Great Grand Daughter of Drury & Hannah Kidwell

(James Kidwell & Lucy Kidwell are Bro. & Sister)

Another odditity occurs in this family & in that of Mayberry Davis & Izella (Kidwell) Davis.

Mayberry is the younger brother of Plata Davis who is the step-mother of Benjamin Franklin Reynolds-his Brother in Law.

Izella Kidwell & Mariah Reynolds are sisters.

Lucy (Kidwell) Sallee, Marcia Grigsby's Grandmother purchased a Weatherford city lot for $60.00 20 Feb 1883 from R.C. & D.L. Betty 1/2 mile from the Weatherford courthouse. The Betty's are the parents of Adaline Betty who married Lyman B. Kidwell, a son of Levi & Sabia Ann Basset Kidwell, further information on Lucy (Kidwell) Sallee has not been uncovered to date.

Note: Maria Reynolds obit, 14 Sep. 1905 in the Weatherford Weekly Herald, states that her burial was in "Kidwell Cemetery", 5 miles from city. Is this the same place as Mt. Carmel or Shady Grove? and if so, when was the name changes.

 



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