William George Reynolds

  General Notes:

See general notes on Anderson Adkins for 1850 & 1860 census facts on John P. Reynolds and family in Pittyslvania Co., VA.

The 1860 Federal Census for North District, Pittsylvania Co., VA, Museville P. O., page 191 records William G. (26) and Elizabeth (21) Reynolds with son, William G. Reynolds (1).

William G. Reynolds enlisted as a Private in Company E, 57th Infantry Regiment Virginia on July 1, 1861. He is listed on the rolls as of October 15, 1861 and February 15, 1862. It is recorded that he died while serving in Company E, 57th Infantry Regiment Virginia on May 16, 1862 at Petersburg, VA in the service of his country.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Jubal Early Chapter of the UDC "Ancestor of the Month" for March 2007 is William G. Reynolds.
William George Reynolds
Born in Pittsylvania County on 27 March 1834, William was one of three known children of John Philpott and Rhoda (Smith) Reynolds. William's siblings were: Susan and Heary Ann who was born in 1839 and married Ralph G. Adkins in 1861.
William and his family farmed in Pittsylvania County as did many of their neighbors. On June 8, 1858, William would marry Elizabeth Adkins [sister of Ralph Adkins]. Elizabeth was born on January 2, 1839 in Pittsylvania Co the daughter of Anderson and Nancy Booker (Adkins) Reynolds. Together they would have two children: William Goggins, born on May 21, 1859 and Elizabeth Cornelius, born October 6, 1861.
William and his brother-in-law, Ralph Adkins, enlisted on July 1, 1861 in Company E, 57th Virginia Infantry. Company E was known as the "Pigg River Greys" and was organized by William H. Ramsey.
The regiment would move to it's camp north of Richmond near the Fairfield Race Course in the fall of 1861. In November they moved to Howard's Grove and entered winter camp. The unsanitary conditions of camp life brought about sickness and soldiers became unfit for duty and required hospitalization. Many died of typhoid fever, measles, diarrhea or other diseases. Even though many recovered, they were unable to re-turn to duty. William was one of these men who was unable to return to duty.
William died of rubella in the Confederate States Hospital in Petersburg, on May 16, 1862. His father drove a buckboard to Richmond and brought his body back to Pittsylvania County for burial. It is not known if William was able to see his infant daughter before his death.
His brother-in-law, Ralph, was wounded at the Battle of Malvern Hill, but returned to duty. At Gettysburg he was captured and taken prisoner. He would be held in Point Lookout until his exchange on February 18, 1865.
Elizabeth was only 23 years old when William died and she never remarried. She died on February 19, 1919 and is buried beside her husband.

William married Elizabeth (Betsy) Adkins, daughter of Anderson Adkins and Nancy Booker (Nannie) Reynolds, on 9 Jun 1858 in Pittsylvania Co, VA. (Elizabeth (Betsy) Adkins was born on 2 Jan 1839 in Museville, Pittsylvania Co., VA, died on 19 Feb 1919 in Pittsylvania Co, VA and was buried in Adkins-Oakes Cemetery, Ivory Branch Rd., Pittsylvania Co., VA.)