Subject: Re: Reynolds/Brown Hi! I'm sorry to say, I don't know much about Barney (as he was known)
Death of Monica Reynolds Mrs. Monica Reynolds, who is known to the greater part of our
"There is living in this city, the widow of the late Barney B. Reynolds,
"Tripping lightly to church, with a prayer book in hand, under the burden
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2000
From: Denise Hawkland
Reynolds before he married Monica Brown. I do know his brother, David
Ignatius Reynolds was a catholic bishop of North Carolina and compiled the
works of Bishop England...he is listed in most decent encylopedias.
Monica's father's name was Ignatius Reynolds and can be found in the 1790
census in Prince George county, Maryland. (A later message from Denise said, "Monica's father's name was Ignatius Brown and her grandfather's name was Ignatius Brown as well. Both are listed as Senior and Junior in the 1790 census in Prince Georges County Maryland.) I do have a newspaper article, written about Monica (Brown) Reynolds in Watertown, Wisconsin which I hope
you'll find as interesting as I did. Also, I've resolved the issue of
another direct descendant. Martha Reynolds is my great-great grandmother.
She married Timothy Daly in Watertown, Wisconsin and had a daughter, Mabel
(Maybelle) Daly, my great grandmother. Maybelle and Timothy later settled in
Minnesota. Happy reading. If you do happen to find out more about Barney
Reynolds, I'd appreciate hearing from you. If I find more, I'll pass it
along. (James Whelan, mentioned in the article was raised by Monica and
Barney).
1788-1882
citizens, died at the residence of James Whelan in the town of Watertown, Wisconsin, Saturday last, at the age of ninety-four years and nine months. Mrs.
Reynolds had been sick but a short time, but her death was expected by all,
as she had grown feeble in the last two months. She was a very pious and
charitable lady and was admired by everyone who shared her aquaintance. Her
remains were laid to rest Tuesday morning in St. Bernard's Cemetery, to
which place a numerous throng of friends followed them. Without going
further into details as regards Mrs. Reynolds' history, we quote the
following, which was some time since, published by a well known journalist,
Ashley D. Harger.
and whose history comprises matter of much interest. Her maiden name was
Monica Brown. She was born in the southern portion of St. Mary's County,
Maryland, in February 1788. Her father moved up the country in 1798 and
settled near Bladensburg, about thirty miles from Baltimore and within ten
miles of the National Capital. While living there in 1799, she saw General
Washington and remembers him distinctly, also the circumstances attending
the meeting. He was on his return to Mount Vernon. She was on horseback,
on her way to church with her father (she was eleven years old). Ahead of
her were an old man and his wife. He had served under Washington. The old
soldier saluted his General when the carriage stopped; the doors were flung
open when the soldier advanced and Washington shook hands with him and his
wife. Pleasant conversation followed and it appeared the soldier was a
survivor of Valley Forge, had served through the war and Washington
remembered him. During the time, all stopped and were intensely occupied in
gazing upon the Father of his Country. She is vividly impressed to this day
with the sight, and says he looked 'just as he does in the pictures'. She
remembers Mr. Burns who owned the land on which the city of Washington is
built, and a daughter of his who was quite a belle at the time and afterward
married a Mr. Van Ness. She remembers meeting Thomas Jefferson on the
outskirts of Washington inspecting cannon. She knew Billy Barlow, popular
Ambassador to England, well. In 1811 her father moved to Kentucky and
settled between Louisville and Bardstown. Here she became acquainted with
her future husband, Barney B. Reynolds, and was married to him by Bishop
Davis of St. Thomas, at that time a place of education, July 6, 1813. David
Ingatius Reynolds, her husband's brother, subsequently Bishop Reynolds of
South Carolina, served as clerk at mass, in the ceremonies of the marriage.
Her husband fought under General Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans and
she received a pension from such service. In 1818 Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds
moved to Illinois and settled in what is now known as Paris, in Edgar
County. Here they remained until the year 1826 when they moved to this
place arriving May 17. Mr. Reynolds died in April 1871 and since that time
Monica Brown has remained alone. She has wonderful versatility and is
sprightly beyond credence. She is the mother of eleven children, with but
two living, none of whom are in Wisconsin. She keeps house all alone, does
her own work, and is a constant attendant at church. She is a devout
Catholic; untiring in her charitable acts and deeds of kindness and always
has a good word in cheer and greeting for any and all. Her mind seems
perfectly clear and she retains her faculties wonderfully. There is a vein
of cheerfulness in her every manner that speaks volumes in its lesson and
which would be well to imitate. Of her approaching dissolution she is
utterly unconcerned, holding implicit faith in the promise of the Redeemer
and insisting she 'shall have a warning'."
of the years she carries, yet outspeeding a girl of the period, in her
flight, we are lost as to whether it be Mother Reynolds on her way 'over the
hills to where Barney lies' or Monica Brown in 'My Maryland'. She is of a
race that few remain and she cannot remain with us long. There's more
sunshine 'in the land she's going to' than here, and doubtless 'all doors
stand open for her'. Few can say they have made more hearts happy, lived
more generally beloved and respected, or filled their station half so well.
Those who complain and are sad, should profit from the teachings of Mother
Reynolds; when they despond, revel and rest in the bright eyes of Monica
Brown."