Reynolds, Great Leighs/Chelmsford/Bath/Bristol, Digby and a mystery!

[PeterinScotland]

I am rooting around in my Reynolds ancestry and recording it at Wikitree.com .  So far I've discovered that I and my children are descended from Thomas Reynolds born about 1807-1811 in Woodham Ferrers, Essex, and married to Susannah from Great Leighs.  Some of the family moved to Bristol and Bath.  I have seven children of Thomas and Susannah, namely James, Susannah, Thomas, Charlotte, Eliza, Walter Harry Reynolds and Frederick William Digby Reynolds.

Now here's a mystery: A Walter Harry Reynolds is recorded twice in USA (at marriage and death) as from England and son of Thomas Reynolds and Hannah Digby. At marriage his age appears to be 25 years out, but a gravestone with a birth date of 1850 confirms the age stated on the death record, which is the same as "our" Walter's. Also his wife Mary Ann Coleman's age at marriage appears to be 14 years different from what is stated in her death record and gravestone where buried along with Walter Harry.

Given the "Digby" in "our" Walter's younger brother's name one wonders whether this Walter Harry is the same person or not.

[amondg]

Thomas Rennolds married Susannah Digby at St Mary the Virgin, Great Leighs on 4 June 1833.

Son Frederick William Digby Reynolds get his name from his mothers maiden name.

Added 1841 census of Great Leighs
Thomas Reynolds 25
Susan 25
William 6
James 3
Susan 1
All born in the county

[amondg]

There is also a passport application for Walter Harry Reynolds, he signs Harry Reynolds and uses that name on his travels, and the clerk has crossed out the Walter name. However the person who verifies he has known him for 50 years states his name is Walter Harry Reynolds.
The date is 26 July 1922 age 71 and there is a photo of him. He states he emigrated to America about 1870 and has lived in the Bronx, New York for 50 years, became a citizen 16 October 1880. Born 4 August 1850 Chelmsford, father Thomas Reynolds deceased.
He wishes to go to England for 6 weeks.
*He lives at 3181 Baisley, Bronx.
He must have left for England right after receiving his passport.

Out going passenger lists for Harry Reynolds from Southampton, leaving 16 August 1922 to New York. Ship "President Arthur". states his address in America is *3181 Baisley, Bronx.

In coming passenger lists New York arrivals 5 September 1922, Harry Reynolds had stayed at  Athol House, Bath.

1880 census New York
Harry Reynolds, clock maker born England age30
Lillie Reynolds age 30, wife, keeps house, born England
Percy age 8 born New York
Alice age 6 born New York

1920 census New York
Harry age 69 born England, emigrated 1870, citizen 1880 
Mary age 60 born Newfoundland emigrated 1882, citizen 1900 age 54. 

Haven't found 1900 or 1910 yet, but looks like Harry was married twice.

1925 Bronx census * address 3181 Baisley
Harry Reynolds age75
Mary Reynolds age 60

If this is your Walter Harry he died 5 October 1927

Didn't his brother Thomas go to Gloucester and become a clock maker (1861 census)

 
 

[PeterinScotland]

You're wonderful, amondg!  I hope to check these leads out soon.

[amondg]

Walter "Harry" Reynolds and his wife Mary Ann are buried at the Old Saint Raymonds Cemetery Bronx.
1850-1927 for Walter H
1864-1944 for Mary Ann
According to her death record index she was 80 years old, date of death 14 January 1944

[PeterinScotland]

Thanks, I knew that - there's a picture of the grave on "Find a Grave".  What puzzled me was why the ages at marriage didn't tally despite it being clearly the same marriage as the parents of Mary were the same.

[amondg]

I can only see the index of marriages
Wallie Reynolds married Mary Coleman 3 November 1900 in Manhattan.

When he made his passport application he must have meant lived in New York for 50 years, as the 1880 census was in Brooklyn.
I found him in 1900 and he is a widow living on Madison West in Manhattan.
Walter Reanolds age 48, DOB Aug 1851, widow, born England, Clock Maker arrived 1872 lived in USA 28 years.
Alice age 26,daughter, single, DOB April 1874, saleswoman drygoods
Grace age19,daughter, single DOB July 1880, saleswoman drygoods. (age is hard to read)
Mary Allen 44 housekeeper
Maude Allen daughter age17.

His son Percy married Kate Schramm 15 June 1893 Manhattan
1900 census
Percy R born September 1870 age 29 married 8 years, clerk
Katie born July 1869 age 30, 2 children born 2 still living
Edith B born March 1894 age 6
Mildred born May 1898 age 2

Notes Percy was born 1872 per 1880 census must not want to look too much younger than his wife.

1910 census they have 2 more children 
Harry G born 1901
William R born 1903
1920 all together at home
1930 census Katie is a widow

[amondg]

Okay just found the death for Percy 16 May 1922 age 50 recorded in Manhattan.

[amondg]

1915 Census Bronx New York: **Address Baisley Avenue, Line 11 Page 51
Walter Reynolds born England, age 60, Clock Maker, in USA 45 years
Mary Reynolds born Canada, age 45 in USA 33 years, Housewife
Mary Sullivan born Canada, age 73 in USA 33 years. listed as a boarder.

Was Mary Coleman a widow when she married Walter as Mary Sullivan has been in the country the same number of years and could be her mother or related in some way?

All findings are on ancestry