Revision 3.8, 9/25/2002.

The first half of this page covers roughly 215 A.D. to 1477 A.D., and is hardly set in stone. The second half covers 1477-Present, and covers my direct line. May you find it useful.

PREFACE

In researching the Reynolds' heritage, I was disappointed to find that most of the easily found texts regarding Irish and English history are very heavy on the southern-England Wessex lines and woefully weak in preserving the histories of the Irish, Scots and Vikings that occupied Ireland and northern Great Britain. I suppose there is something to be said for those that win the wars writing the history. That makes finding information about these non-Wessex clans difficult, but not impossible. Libraries and journals and the internet all have slivers of these histories. They tend to vary in details, but seem to maintain a relatively common historical thread between them.

Piecing together these histories produces the story of a powerful Norse-Irish collective, a clan that wished to rule northern England and was just as sophisticated and powerful as that which eventually became the dominate ruling family of Wessex. It is from this Norse-Irish clan base that our roots stem from. Luck didn't seem to go their way, however, and instead of a dynastic kingdom, they ended up spread all over northwest Europe. Regional dialects and naming customs have created a plethora of Reynolds identities, accounting for the various spellings (Reynold, FitzReynold, Reginald, Randal, Raghnall, Ragnar, McRaghnall, Ragnald, Grannell, etc.), but they all spring from a common source.

The histories of Ireland and northern Britain is plagued with problems where dates and names are concerned. The various annals and chronicles which remain from that period are often open to several interpretations, name spellings, etc. As I have alluded to, it is a difficult proposition to attempt to piece the various stories together into a cohesive and linear text. That being said, I believe what is here is pretty close to the way things happened. The first record of the name Reynolds that I have found in my research comes from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/OMACL/Anglo/#contents), basically a running history of pre-modern England, but we will start well before then - in Norse legend.

Please note that all of the following, until the year 1477, is based heavily on my own conjecture. The histories are accurate, I believe, but the precise piecing together of how the Reynolds line fits in is not proven or carved in stone anywhere so far. I welcome any and all additional information or corrections.

Special thanks to Mike Farmer for his contributions, many of which I shamelessly plagiarized from his web site.

THE BEGINNING

According to some, our line starts at the very top - with Odin. He was the chief god of Norse mythology. A sky god, he lived in the mystical city of Asgard, and from the Valkyries receives the souls of heroic slain warriors, feasting with them in his great hall, Valhalla. I will list the genealogy for amusement purposes only, and will remark where I feel the line actually comes into shape. That being said, here we go with the history of the Reynolds line, from father to son. I found this specific information here, compiled by Frank Shaw.

(1) Odin, b. 215, Asgard, East Europe
(2) Skjold, b. 237, Hleithra, Denmark
(3) Fridleif Skjoldsson, b. Hleithra, Denmark
(4) Fridleifsson, Frodi, b. 281, Hleithra, Denmark
(5) Fridleif II
(6) Havar
(7) Frodi II
(8) Vermund
(9) Olaf Vermundsson, b. 391, Denmark
(10) Dan
(11) Frodi III, b. 412, Denmark
(12) Fridleif III, b. 433, Denmark
(13) Frodi IV, b. Denmark
(14) Halfdan Frodasson, b. 503, Denmark
(15) Hroar Halfdansson, b. 526, Denmark
(16) Valdar Hroarsson, b. 547, Denmark
(17) Harald Valdarsson, b. 568, Jutland, Denmark
(18) Halfdan Haraldsson, b. 590, Jutland, Denmark
(19) Ivar Halfdansson, King of Sweden, b. 612, Denmark

THE BATTLE FOR ENGLAND

Here is where I think the line gains some solidity, and can be backed up with modest documentation if one looks hard enough.

(20) Randver Radbartsson, b. 670, Denmark
(21) Sigurd Randversson, b 724 Denmark, d. 812
(22) Ragnar Lodbrok, King of the Danes, d. 865
(23) Ivarr the Boneless, d.873

Ivarr the Boneless, son of Ragnar Lothbrok, brother of Halfdan 'of the Wide Embrace' and Ubbe, was long raiding Ireland (like most of the other Vikings) before he arrived in England in 865. After spending the winter in East Anglia, Ivarr and his brothers marched north towards York. The city was, at the time, the capital of the Anglian kingdom of Northumbria, the people of which were engaged in a bitter civil war between King Osbert and his rival Aelle. The Scandinavians actually found the city undefended, and entered it on November 1, 866. They fortified it as their own before the warring factions of Northumbria realized what had happened. Osbert and Aelle set aside their differences to come to the rescue of York, but lost their lives in the failed attack on March 21, 867. The Vikings now had Northumbria all to themselves.

Ever the opportunists, they decided to expand their empire. In 865, the East Anglians had meekly given in to them, handing over food, horses, and winter quarters. In 870, the Scandinavians returned, to killed King Edmund and claimed East Anglia for themselves.

Ivarr then set his sights on Ireland. In 871, he and an associate, using Dublin as a base, launched an attack against Dumbarton Rock, the traditional and ancient capital of Strathclyde. After a four-month siege, Dumbarton fell. They now had access to the heartland of Scotland. They captured hoardes of English, Celts, and Picts -so many, in fact, that they were supposed to have needed 200 ships to get them all back to Dublin! As was customary, all of the prisoners were sold to the slave markets in the Islamic countries of the Mediterranean.

A lined-out family tree to help illustrate the generations.

(24) Greferth the Dane

When Ivarr died in 873, he was called "king of the Northmen of all Ireland and Britain." We do not know who took over the kingship of Dublin, though we can presume it was perhaps Ivarr's son Greferth the Dane. Whoever it was apparently was weak in building consensus ­ dissent between the different Viking clans gave the Irish a chance to regain Dublin, in 902.

The Vikings made a habit of raiding the entire area, ravaging Ireland, Scotland, and the whole of the British Isle wherever they could. Eventually, like they had done with Ireland, they eventually got a good foothold on northwest England.

One of the leaders of these Vikings was called Reynold, a 'grandson of Ivarr'. He was known as the King of the Danes by the Irish. In 913, it is recorded in Irish sources that King Reynold arrived with a great many ships and seized the lands of Eldred of Bamburgh. Eldred was an English nobleman who fled north to ask Constantine the King of the Scots for help. King Reynold defeated their combined forces at Corbridge, on the river Tyne. All the English nobles except Eldred and his brother Uhtred were killed, and the Scots were scattered. Reynold divided the territory between two of his men.

A map to help illustrate the different regions at the time.

(25) Guthfrith

King Reynold went off to follow in the family tradition: he fought a naval battle off the Isle of Man in 914, and was involved in fighting between the Irish and Scandinavians near Waterford in 917.

In 918, Reynold was back in the north with an army. The Scots were ready for them on this occasion, and once again they met for battle on the banks of the Tyne. The Scandinavians drew up in four divisions and a reserve. The reserve was led by Reynold, while one of the divisions was led by his brother Guthfrith. After a long and bloody battle of attrition, Reynold's reserve eventually forced a stalemate. Reynold returned the lands to the sons of the Scots' slain leader. In 918, the citizens of York made pleas to the surrounding English for help, but found none. Reynold marched south and took the city with relative ease.

Reynold's seizure of York was a determined attempt to create a kingdom. Within months, he was minting coins and engaging in diplomatic talks with the kings of North Wales, Scotland, Cumbria, and Strathclyde.

For some reason, by the 920s, Northumbria was being ruled by Reynold's brother Sihtric. Was there a deposition? Did Reynold tire of sitting on the throne and want to go a-Viking again? Nobody knows, but I suspect he went back to Dublin and grew fat and happy.

England was being ruled at that time by King Athelstan, grandson of Alfred the Great, who took the throne in 925 at the age of thirty. Athelstan was determined to reclaim what was taken of the English kingdom. His ambitions worried the northern kings, but, when he met Sihtric at York, Athelstan gave away his sister in marriage to the king of York, in return for the Scandinavian becoming Christian. It seemed as though the Viking influence was secure in its throne.

That security lasted until 927, when Sihtric died and Guthfrith took his place. Athelstan invaded Northumbria and expelled Guthfrith and Anlaf, Sihtric's son. He entered York, demolished the Scandinavian fortifications, and distributed the loot he found there to his army. For the first time ever, a southern king ruled directly in York. Maintaining that rule was to keep north and south at war for the next quarter of a century. Athelstan drove north, to Bamburgh, where Eldred ( probably the son of the one killed in 918 ) was "convinced" that he should give allegiance to Athelstan. Athelstan then continued north to Scotland, where he burned and pillaged while King Constantine could only look on.

By 937, Athelstan's rule covered all of modern England, and he ruled with an iron fist. The northern kings, now relegated to vassals, decided to pay him back for the years they had spent as his subjects. A grand alliance was formed by all the disaffected leaders. Olaf Guthfrithsson, son of Guthfrith and king of Dublin, was one of the leaders of this group. This mighty alliance marched south, to meet Athelstan. The armies met at dawn, and the battle raged "until the stars came out." In the end, Athelstan was victorious. Among the dead Northmen were two sons of Sihtric.

Athelstan finally died in 939, and left the throne to his half-brother Edmund, a young man of eighteen. Olaf Guthfrithsson, who was back on his throne in Dublin, thought to take advantage of the young king and reclaim York and Northumbria.

Edmund wasn't the tactician or leader that Athelstan was, and in no time at all, Olaf's forces were on their way. The Scandinavian settlers of York ignored their promises of allegiance to Athelstan and took Olaf as their king again.

Olaf was not content with just Northumbria, however: he had a score to settle, and a willing population on his side. He swept down to the Danish towns of the southern Northumbria in 940, only stopping when the people of Northampton resisted his assault. Olaf turned west, to Tamworth, and took the town with much slaughter. Then he withdrew to Leicester with his plunder. Edmund and his fyrd, caught out by the speed of the campaign, surrounded Olaf at Leicester. Undeterred, Olaf and his army forced their way out at night, inflicting a serious blow upon the English. Edmund was too badly mauled to pursue the matter, and had to hand over Southern Northumbria to Olaf.

Olaf turned north, attacking his former ally, Eldred of Bamburgh and reaching the Firth of Forth. Edmund regrouped, and while Olaf was in the north, retook southern Northumbria in 942. The following year, to save what was left of his realm, Olaf he went so far as to submit himself to Edmund, made peace, and was baptized.

(26) Reynold (b. 920? - d. ca 970?)

The Northumbrians were not amused that Olaf so readily submitted to the will of Edmund. Olaf was obviously weak and infirm, and was not the sort of king they wanted. They approached Guthfrithsson's brother, Reynold. The Northumbrians deposed Olaf in 943 and made Reynold king. Olaf Guthfrithsson died before the year was through.

Meanwhile, Anlaf Sihtricsson staked his claim to the throne, and the two cousins (Reynold and Anlaf) went to war over it. King Edmund was not amused. Both men had visited him to seek his acceptance of their claim in 944. He figured now would be as good a time as any to retake the Northumbria, since the country was divided, and so that is exactly what he did. He marched into Northumbria and sent them both packing.

THE BIG GAP O' MISSING GENERATIONS

It's uncertain where Anlaf ended up, but Reynold took shelter in Normandy (what is today northern France) where the Northmen still had a firm foothold on the continent. Reynold may or may not have stopped in Dublin on his way to Normandy. Reynold stayed and continued the line in Normandy, where the traditional Scandanavian naming practices were phased out in favor of the Norman/French ones. Hence, the sons of Reynold were given surnames of FitzReynold, Fitz meaning "son of." I'll whip through 27 missing generations.

These generations are total guesses just to fill the time gap. I gave each FitzReynolds a son at age 20 or so, and assumed they lived 50 years.
(27) Unknown FitzReynold (b. 945, Normandy - d. 995, Normandy)
(28) Unknown FitzReynold (b. 965, Normandy - d. 1015, Normandy)
(29) Unknown FitzReynold (b. 985, Normandy - d. 1035, Normandy)
(30) Unknown FitzReynold (b. 1005, Normandy - d. 1055, Normandy)

122 years after Reynold set foot in Normandy, in 1066, one or more of his FitzReynold descendants re-crossed the English Channel with William the Conqueror in the Norman Invasion.

Generations 31 and 32 would fit nicely to go with William the Conqueror during the Norman Invasion of 1066. Generation 31 would be around 41 years old, and generation 32 around 21. Just the right ages for a nobleman and a son in William's army.
(31) Unknown FitzReynold (b. 1025, Normandy - d. 1075)
(32) Unknown FitzReynold (b. 1045, Normandy - d. 1095)

After King William's taking of England, he divided land up among his nobles, and to help with the integration of the Saxon population, the "Fitz" was dropped from surnames, and replaced with an "s" at the end. Here is born the first Reinolds/Reynolds. Where the line went after the invasion specifically is as of yet unknown. It can be assumed, though, that they stayed in the British Isles, for the following generations:

(33) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1070 - d. 1120)
(34) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1090 - d. 1140)
(35) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1110 - d. 1160)
(36) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1130 - d. 1180)
(37) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1150 - d. 1200)
(38) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1170 - d. 1220)
(39) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1190 - d. 1240)
(40) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1210 - d. 1260)
(41) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1230 - d. 1280)
(42) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1250 - d. 1300)
(43) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1270 - d. 1320)
(44) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1290 - d. 1340)
(45) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1310 - d. 1360)
(46) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1330 - d. 1380)
(47) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1350 - d. 1400)
(48) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1370 - d. 1420)
(49) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1390 - d. 1440)
(50) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1410 - d. 1460)
(41) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1430 - d. 1480)
(42) Unknown Reynolds (b. 1450 - d. 1500)

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GAP

Which brings us to the very first officially documented direct-ancestor Reynolds that I can find:
(43) Robert Reynolds, Sr. (b. 1477 - d. ?). His last name is spelled "Reinolds" in the records I could find. He is believed to be the father of Robert Reynolds, Jr., born in 1505 in East Bergholt, Kent, England, of which all of us in this particular line are familiar with.

Thus ends the "era of uncertainty." I will now move on to that which I know for fact and down my own particular line, beginning with Robert Jr. I'm going to restart the generation numbering at 1 for you purists out there.

GENERATION 1: Robert Reynolds, Jr.

Robert Reynolds was born in East Bergholt, England in 1505. He married Agnes Hall in the town of his birth in 1526. They had seven children. Robert died in 1580, in Kent, England, at the ripe old age of 75. The fact that he lived to such an age is revealing. More than likely, he was a merchant of some sort, not a laborer, and could afford the kinds of luxuries and medical care that affords a longer life.

These are Robert's children:

-Henry
-Christopher Reynolds b: 1530 in Kent, Eng.
-Francis
-Robert
-Anne
-Nathanial
-Dorothy

GENERATION 2: Christopher Reynolds

Christopher Reynolds was born 1530 in County Kent, England and settled in London, England, where he engaged in commerce and trade. He listed his occupation as cloth merchant. On January 20, 1554, he married Charissa Huntington (who was born in 1534 in England). They had nine children. According to collaborating sources, Christopher died in London in 1634. If this is true, it is truly remarkable. During that period of history, it was almost unheard of to live to be 104 years old. Though members of the Reynolds line do tend to live longer than average (as will be shown through the generations), Christopher's death year of 1634 must surely be an error.

These are Christopher's children:

-George REYNOLDS b: 1555 in Kent, Eng.
-William b1560
-Thomas, b1564 London, Middlesex, England
-Christopher, b1565
-Cornelius, b1567 London, Middlesex, England
-John, b~1569 London, Middlesex, England
-Richard, b1575, County Kent, England; d~1645 York Co., VA or Engl.
-Robert, b1578 London, Middlesex, England; d York VA
-Mary, London, Middlesex, England (died young)

GENERATION 3: George Reynolds

George Reynolds was born 1555 in Aylesford, County Kent, England. He married Thomasyn Church, daughter of James CHURCH and Alyce STREETINGE, on January 20, 1584/85 at the Thomasville Church. They settled in Bristol, England, and then in London, raising seven children. George visited Virginia several times during his life, but did not settle there. He probably had business interests in the New World, and probably was reasonably wealthy through such ventures. He died in 1634 in London, after living 79 years.

These are George's children:

-Robert, b1586 County Kent, England; d4/27/1658
-Thomas b1590, County Kent, England; d1623.
-John, b. 1590.
-James b: ABT 1602
-William b: ABT 1604
-Anne
-Christopher Reynolds, b. 1611, Gravesend, England; d. 1654, Isle of Wight County, Virginia.

Map of County Kent, which is just east of London on the south side of the Thames river.

GENERATION 4: Christopher Reynolds

Christopher Reynolds was born 1611 in Gravesend, England. When he was still a boy, at age 11, he signed a four year indenturement to a very wealthy businessman, a Mr. Edward Bennett, for passage to Virginia. It is said that he went to the new world with his older brother Thomas, though I have been unable to confirm this from manifests. Christopher arrived aboard the ship "Francis and John" in 1622 at Warrick County, Virginia, which was pretty unlucky. Though it is unclear exactly what time of the year Christopher arrived, it may have been shortly before the great indian massacre that happened on March 22, 1622. The evil Opencanaugh ambushed the Virginia settlements that morning, killing 347 of the 1240 people there. There were 53 persons killed at Edward Bennett's plantation, at at the time of the census taken February 16, 1623, there were only 33 people left, and if the Francis and John arrived in the spring, Christopher was no doubt among them. Many of the massacre survivors fled back to England, leaving only scant numbers to maintain the fledgling plantations and drive off the indians until fresher bodies arrived. I've been informed, and it makes sense, that it is unlikely that the Francis and John arrived in the spring, and arrived instead later in the summer or towards the autumn. If that is the case, then Christopher was among the very first to arrive after the massacre, and helped with the mop-up.

Christopher must have been a hard worker, smart and capable, because he apparently was well-respected in the community. Originally, I had inferred that he was a Burgess, representing Isle of Wight County, Virginia (the House of Burgesses was the first organized democratic lawmaking body in the new world. To be named a Burgess was quite an honor). However, I was mistaken. It was his daughter Elizabeth who married Mr. Jordan, a Burgess (I'm rechecking this, as well).

On December 21, 1634, Christopher patented 100 acres at Hutchinson's Creek and two years later, on September 15, 1636, he patented 450 acres at Pagan Shore. This land was "bounded with a back creek running eastward behind Pagan Shore some three miles upward, the land lying on the south side of the creek." In 1637 he married Elizabeth Anne Matthews in Isle of Wight County.

Map showing early Virginia. Isle of Wight County is at the bottom part of the extracted area. Sorry it's so hard to see.

All told, Christopher had seven children. When Christopher died May 1, 1654, Elizabeth remarried a Mr. Rivers and had at least one and probably two additional children. There are those that state that Elizabeth was a Rivers before she was a Reynolds, but I can't find any compelling evidence to support that theory.

Christopher died at the age of 43 instead of living to a ripe old age like his forefathers. This is to be expected because of the extraordinarily harsh circumstances. Fighting indians and struggling to exist and provide for seven kids undoubtedly took a heavy toll. He died in Isle of Wight County. Here are two transcriptions of his Will:

Will of Christopher Reynolds, dated May 1, 1654: Children, Christopher, John, Abbasha, Elizabeth, Jane, child my wife now goeth with, Richard; wife Elizabeth; a yearling heifer to George Rivers; to son Christopher all my lands on southerly side of the swamp that Richard Jordan now lives upon. (Source: Isle of Wight County VA - Records; William and Mary College Qrtly, Vol. 7, No. 4, P. 221)

CHRISTOPHER REYNOLDS, Will, 1 May 1654; to son Christopher land that Richard Jordan liveth on. To son John land near swamp when he is 21. To son Richard, land I live on when 21. My dau., Abbasha, I have given her a portion already. To dau. Elizabeth, cattle. To George Rivers 1 heifer. To child wife goeth with. Wife Elizabeth to be Exrx. And to bring up John and Richard, my sons untill they are 16. Teste, Sylvester Bullen, Anthony Matthews. (Source: "17th Century Isle of Wight County, Virginia" by John Bennett Boddie, page 521

These are Christopher's children:

-Richard Reynolds, b. 1641, Isle of Wight County, Virginia; d. July.27.1711, Newport Parish, Virginia.
-Christopher Jr. (1642, Isle of Wight Co, VA-1695, Somerset Co, MD) m. c1680, Elizabeth Ann SHARPE (b. c1646, Isle of Wight Co, VA)
-John, b1644 Isle of Wight, VA; d3/11/1668
-Abasha, b. 1646.
-Elizabeth, b. 1648. m. 1654, Isle of Wight Co, VA, Richard JORDAN
-Jane, b. 1650.
-Thomas, b1655 Isle of Wight, VA; d1703 New Kent Co, VA m. c1679, Mary Elizabeth ASHALL

GENERATION 5: Richard Reynolds

Richard Reynolds was born in 1641 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. In 1669, he married Elizabeth SHARPE. They had five children. Richard died on July 27, 1711 in Newport Parish, Virginia at the age of 70. From his will:

Will of Richard Reynolds, of Newport: Wife Elizabeth; Sons Richard, Christopher, Sharpe (?). Dated 27 July, 1711; proved 26 May, 1712. (Source: Isle of Wight County VA - Records; William and Mary College Qrtly, Vol. 7, No. 4, P. 255)

These are Richard's children:

-Richard Reynolds Jr., b. 1669, Isle of Wight County, Virginia; d.Unknown.
-Christopher, b. 1670.
-Sharpe, (b1672, Isle of Wight Co, VA, d July 8, 1754?)
-Elizabeth, b1674
-John, b. October 5, 1710.

Elizabeth and John are not listed in his will, which raises a red flag. I can see Elizabeth slipping through the cracks since she wasn't a son, but John, all those years later, shortly before Richard's death, is likely a mistake.

Patent Book No. 6: Richard Reynolds, the younger, of Is. Of W. Co., 566 acs., in the Low. Par. of sd. Co., on NW side of the head of the low. Bay Cr; 10 May 1679. P. 684. Beg. at an island near head of sd. Cr: to Chr. Bly's line; along Hen. King; to Col. Smith. & Mr. Driver; to head of West Freshett or swamp. &c 241 acs. Part of 450 acs. Granted Mr. Chr. Reynolds, late of sd. Co., 15 Sept, 1636. & by will given to his eldest sonn Chr. & his heires forever who bequeathed to sd. Richard, his only sonn & heire; 100 acs. Part of 350 acs. Granted to Mr. Richd. Jordan. Senr. 18 Mar. 1662. Who conveighed to sd. Chr. Reynoldes 17 May 1658. Who bequeathed to sd. Richards: 225 acs. being waste. together with sd. 341 acs., due for trans. of 12 pers: Danll Hennon (Herron - altered), Jno. Champion, Lewis Davis, Edwd. Goodson. (Note: Conveyance from Jordan to Reynolds antedates this patent) (Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, Volume Two: 1666-1695, Page 198)

Now in English:

Richard Reynolds, Jr., of Isle of Wight County, 566 acres in the lower part of said county, on the northwest side of the head of the lower Bay Creek; 10 May 1679.

This part is fairly straightforward, saying that Richard Jr. was patented 566 acres in 1679. What I want to know is how come a boy of 10 years of age is having land patented in his name already. Is this normal? I wouldn't think so.

Beginning at an island near head of said creek, to Christopher Bly's line; along Henry King; to Col. Smith & Mr. Driver; to head of West Freshett or swamp.

Just further description of the boundaries...

&c 241 acres, part of 450 acres granted Mr. Christopher Reynolds, late of said county on 15 Sept. 1636 and by will given to his eldest son Christopher.....

This part we know from Christopher's will, though I don't know what "&c" means. Perhaps "and containing"?

and his heirs forever, who bequeathed to said Richard, his only son and heir 100 acres, part of 350 acres granted to Mr. Richard Jordan Sr. on 18 March, 1662, who transferred ownership to said Christopher Reynolds 17 May, 1658, who bequeathed to sd. Richard 225 acres being waste together with 341 acres, due for transport of 12 persons.

Alright, that's the real confusing part. We know that Christopher had more than one son. We know that Richard Sr. had more than one son. Every Reynolds in all the generations I can find has had more than one son. So why does it say "his only son and heir"?

Here's how Richard Reynolds, Jr., ends up with 566 acres of land, as best as I can tell:

(1) Christopher Reynolds Sr. was originally patented 450 acres of land, and bequeathed 241 acres of it to his son, Christopher Junior. Christopher Jr. bequeathed this acreage to Richard Jr.

(2) Christopher Reynolds Jr. also bequeathed to Richard Jr. an additional 100 acres, which was given to him by Richard Jordan.

(3) Richard Reynolds Jr. transported 12 people for Christopher Jr., and was paid for it with 225 acres of land. 241 + 100 + 225 = 566.

This patent listing is causing me many sleepless nights trying to figure it all out. If anyone can shed clarity on it, I would appreciate it.

GENERATION 6: Richard Reynolds Jr.

Richard Reynolds, Jr., was born in 1669 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. He married Mary ANDERSON in 1694. They roamed about Virginia, first settling in Surrey County, then King William County, and then Halifax County. They had six children before Richard died in approximately 1785 in King William County at the Methusalanian age of 116. Yes, this is laughable. It is highly unlikely that he really died in 1785. This most assuredly is an error.

These are Richard Jr.'s children:

-William
-James Reynolds, b. 1715, Surrey County, Virginia; d. Abt. 1796.
-Thomas, b1716 Surrey Co, VA; d Caroline Co, VA
-David, b. 1720.
-Barbara b~1722
-John, b February 10, 1724

GENERATION 7: James Reynolds

James Reynolds was born in 1715 in Surrey County, Virginia. He married Sukie LINDSAY in 1748, and they settled in Caroline County, Virginia. They had seven children, all boys. Early Virginia records speak of the relationship of this family to the Winston family of Virginia. James was probably a Revolutionary War veteran, and died about 1796 at the age of 81.

These are James' children:

-Richard Spencer Reynolds, b. 1749, Caroline County, Virginia; d. Abt. 1787, Wilkes County, Georgia.
-George, b. 1750. in Caroline Co. VA
-Jessee David, b. 1754. in Albemarle Co. VA
-David
-Robert
-William
-Bernard, b. November 12, 1763. in Caroline Co. VA

GENERATION 8: Richard Spencer Reynolds

Richard Spencer Reynolds was born in 1749 in Caroline County, Virginia. He served in the Revolutionary War with Henderson's Company, Virginia State Line. He married Sarah Ann [unknown last name], and settled in Henry County, VA, then in Pittsylvania County, VA (1790 Census), and then in Georgia. They had an astonishing 15 children. Richard has been listed as dying in 1787 in Wilkes County, Georgia. This date seems to be erroneous, since he would not have appeared in the 1790 Census if he were deceased, nor is it likely he would have fathered 3 additional children beyond Greenby's birth in 1786. I estimate his death at the earliest to be 1791, making him 42 years old at the time. Poor Sarah Ann.

These are Richard's children:

- Richard Reynolds Jr., b. Bet. 1770 - 1772, South Carolina.
- Rachel
- Thomas, b. 1766.
- Garland, b. 1768.
- Joseph, b. 1770.
- George
- Elijah, b. 1774.
- Benjamin
- Elizabeth
- Spencer
- John
- Greenby, b. 1786.
- Matthew
- Dorothy
- Mary

GENERATION 9: Richard Reynolds, Jr.

Richard Reynolds was born between 1770 and 1772 in South Carolina. He married Elizabeth MCLEMIRE in Madison County, Kentucky. She was born in North Carolina in 1807. They moved to Virginia after marriage, and sometime later migrated to Kentucky by the way of the Wilderness Road and settled near Lexington and Bryans Station. He was a surveyor for the White Land Company of Virginia. They moved into Clay County, Kentucky in 1815. At the time of arrival there were supposed to be fifteen families living in what is now Owsley County. On November 27, 1818 he bought from John White and John Crooke for $425 a tract of land of 4225 acres on Cow Creek, on a branch called Bear Run, in Clay County, Kentucky (which is near the town of Eversole today). The tract was part of Madison County until 1806, then part of Clay County from 1806 until 1843, and Owsley County thereafter. It was bounded on the south by the Daniel Boone Survey and on the North by the Douglas Survey. He built a permanent house on the north side of the creek valley 2 miles upstream from the south fork of the Kentucky river. This land passed from Richard to Pleasant to Wesley Reynolds then to Meridith Reynolds then to Dudley Reynolds (probably a son of Meridith) then to Stanley Reynolds (Living in 1974).

Richard had a mill of some sort on Cow Creek. County court records note a new road to be built by the mill.

Owsley County, circa 1891. Cow Creek is circled.

There doesn't seem to be any record of Richard's death, though he most certainly is dead by now. All that can be assumed is that he died sometime after 1818.

Modern map of Eversole area, showing Cow Creek and Bear Run

These are Richard Jr.'s children:

- Pleasant, b. 1791, North Carolina; d. June 2, 1855, Family Plot Hill overlooking Cow Creek, Owsley County, Ky.;m. Judith Thomas 24 Sep 1818 in Estill County, Kentucky
- Tobias, b. 1793; m. NANCY OWENS.
- Celia, b. 1796; m. ELIAS MOORE.
- Lydia, b. 1798; m. HENRY HADDIX.
- Temperance, b. 1800; m. JOHN TURNER
- Richard Reynolds III, b. 1802, Madison County, Kentucky, d. 1886
- Sally, b. 1806; m. EDWARD EVANS.

Here's a link to the Richard Reynolds Cemetery! <link currently not working...I hope it's not gone forever>

Here's a link to the Owsley County, Kentucky GenWeb page.

GENERATION 10: Richard Reynolds III

Richard Reynolds III was born 1802 in Madison County, Kentucky. He married Lucinda SHOOK. Their marriage was short, with no record of explanation. It may be safe to assume that Lucinda suffered an untimely death. Richard then married Jemima OWENS on September 27, 1827 in Estill County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Amstead OWENS and Elizabeth SCRIBNER. They had eight children.

Richard III died in 1886, at the age of 84.

These are Richard III's children:

- John Scribner, b. 9/18/1830, d. 3/12/1912
- Levi, b. 9/11/1834, d. 7/29/1871
- Eli, b. 1836
- Elihu, b. 1840, d. 1929. m. SALLY ANN WILSON, April 28, 1858. (Here's a pic of Elihu's gravestone!)
- Jeremiah, b. 1844
- Elizabeth
- Jessee, b. Died in Infancy.
- William, b. died in Infancy.

For those interested, here is the 1850 Owsley County census.

GENERATION 11: Eli R. Reynolds

Eli R. Reynolds was born 1836, with little doubt in the Owsley County area. He married Susan DAULTON in 1857 in Owsley County, Kentucky. There are no records regarding this couple with the exception of their children, of which they had 10. We know from the birthdates of the children that Eli lived at least until 1880.

These are Eli's children:

- Richard, b. 1857.
- Malinda, b. 1861.
- Green Adams, b. 1862.
- Zion, b. 1865.
- Mary, b. 1868.
- William Melton Reynolds, b. 1870, Booneville, Owsley County, Kentucky.
- Samuel, b. 1872.
- Jasper, b. 1875.
- Elizabeth, b. 1877.
- Carter, b. 1880.

GENERATION 12: William Melton Reynolds

William Melton Reynolds was born 1870 in Booneville, Owsley County, Kentucky. He married Flora Dale WARE (b. 1877) of Bolivar, Polk County, Missouri. He listed his occupation as a "laborer." It is not clear wether William lived in Missouri at all, or just met Flora passing through, or if she perhaps met him in Kentucky. William is not listed in the 1900 Census for any of the Kentucky counties, so he must have started his migration before then. The couple ended up in the Bitteroot Valley of Montana, where they had at least one child, named:

- Raymond Jack Reynolds, b. 1914; d. 1966; m. Myrtle BROWN.

It is likely that there were more children. On Raymond's birth certificate, there is a line that asks of the "number of children born to this mother including present birth." Instead of a number, the line is simply marked with an "x." William and Flora probably thought they were being asked if there were other children, not how many. No death date has been found yet for William, though we know it was after 1914.

GENERATION 13: Raymond Jack Reynolds

Raymond Jack Reynolds was born July 29, 1914 in Hamilton, Ravalli County, Montana. His birth certificate shows he was in the Army Air Corps. He married Myrtle Brown of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and the two had two children. Raymond died in 1966.

These are Raymond's children:

- Donald Reynolds, b.1941
- Douglas Leonard Reynolds, b. 1/24/1944; m. Judy HOISETH

Map showing location of Hamilton, Montana

GENERATION 14: Douglas Leonard Reynolds, b. 1/24/1944

These are Douglas' children:

- Robert Arnold Reynolds
- Rochelle Marie Reynolds, b. 1/28/1972
- Ryan Allan Reynolds, b. 3/4/1973

GENERATION 15: Robert Arnold Reynolds, b. 4/10/1969 [this is me, the author]

These are Robert's children:

- Megan Ashley Reynolds, b. 12/16/1994
- Aaron Peter Reynolds, b. 6/29/1997

Below is a map showing the progression of my line across the continent.

Sources:
"Owsley county History" by James Bowman in the KHS county files.
"Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County, Virginia" by John Bennett Boddie
"Trails and Tails, My Reynolds Family" by Ruth Wells (out of print)
A plethora of library and internet sources, including rootsweb, census records, LDS records, ancestry.com, forum postings, queries, etc.
"The Rennolds-Reynolds Family of England and Virginia 1530 - 1948," by Stephen Frederick Tillman (out of print)