Allegany County MD Archives History .....The Reids Of Cumberland City, Allegany County, Maryland 1803-1930 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/md/mdfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jack Reid jamarei@bellsouth.net December 13, 2010, 4:03 pm The Reids of Cumberland City, Allegany County, Maryland Written By Jack Martin Reid Begun November 2010 This “History”, though referencing many documents will also include some of my personal conjectures. Hopefully, these suggestions will not be too far “off base”. Prologue: After more than twenty years of research involving both time and treasure, I now feel the need to record the results. Hours spent in various Courthouses, Libraries and Archives, as well as working on the Internet, has provided documentation for the following “history”. To obtain and retain copies of these documents has required financial expense. Professional assistance has also been costly. Though many potential ancestors are found in Allegany, Washington, and Frederick Counties in Maryland and even in the Bedford County area of Pennsylvania we still, unfortunately, have found no documentation to extend the paternal trunk of the Family Tree beyond where we started: Thomas Reid married Mary “Polly” Kershner in 1803. So there we will begin. I Thomas Reid was probably born around 1784 at the latest. In the 1810 Census, he appears to be listed as between 26 and 45 years of age. Thomas married Mary “Polly” Kershner on June 17, 1803.1 One confusing issue is found in The History of Western Maryland 2 listing Cumberland City property owners and the value of the property in the year 1813. It lists the property owner as “Thomas Reid's heirs” and the value as $75.00. Unless our Thomas Reid inherited this property from a father named Thomas Reid, we are faced with a dilemma, since we know that our Thomas Reid was a father in 1816, wrote his will in 18183, and his will was probate in 1819.4 The 1810 Census further adds to the confusion by listing two boys in the 15 to 25 years bracket. These boys could be brothers of our Thomas. There are also two boys and one girl listed below the age of 10. Surviving in the 1820's, only George M. and Ann are listed as being born prior to this Census. I believe the first born son probably did not survive. In 1810, Thomas purchased four lots (each 50 acres) to the west of Fort Cumberland. The lots were numbered 2225, 2226, 2227 and 2228. These were sold at auction for taxes owed to the County. Thomas paid $2.50 plus $1.00 to have the Deed recorded.5 In 1814, Thomas purchased lot #274 on Mechanic Street in Cumberland City. For this lot, he paid $400.00.3 Also in 1814, Mary's father purchased lot#269 on Mechanic Street.3 This lot, or parts thereof, will become a common point of reference within the Reid family. Because of two known entries in the local newspaper quoted here, I believe that Thomas's primary occupation was distilling spirits. (Somewhere in my memory, I believe I read that Thomas Reid and two other men were the proprietors of a distillery.).6 December 4, 1813 (Newspaper extract): “Thomas Reid, Cumberland, offers reward for apprentice to the distilling business named William Shomake, deaf and dumb.” June 3, 1815 (Newspaper extract): “Young man wanted to assist in distillery. Thomas Reid” In March of 1818, Thomas sells those four lots to the west of Fort Cumberland for $200.00.3 Then in September 1818 Thomas describes himself as being “sick and weak of body” as he makes his last will and testament.3 His will is probate in March of 1819 and his possessions are valued at $108.50.4 In November of 1820, the widow Mary sells lot #274 to the mortgage holders. (Her father being one of the two.) The amount of $101.00 plus $1.00 paid to record the Deed.3 Mary and the children are found living with her father in the 1820 Census. When her father dies in April of 1826, he divides his estate between his daughter Mary Reid and his grandchildren through his daughter Catherine. (George L., John, Upton and Alexander H. Lowdermilk). He also names his grandchildren through Mary: George, Ann, Peter, Thomas, James and Cecelia.3 In November 1824, the widow Mrs. Mary Reid married the widower John Johnson.1 (It should be noted that the Kershner branch of our family tree extends back to Germany in the year 1570 with the birth of Enders Kirschner. It should also be noted that Mary's father was a Revolutionary War veteran.).7 II Descendants of Thomas Reid and Mary “Polly” Kershner George M. Reid 1806-1873 m. Maria McNamee 22 May 1828 Ann Reid 1808 m. William Craver 26 April 1836 Peter Reid 1810-1886 Thomas H. Reid 1811-1879 m. Sarah A. McVicker 25 October 1836 James Reid 1813 Cecelia Reid 1816 m. Edward Hays 1 February 1836 Referring back to the 1810 Census and recognizing that Peter was born after that Census was taken and the census lists two boys and one girl under the age of 10, we can see that one son did not survive to be named in the will of his grandfather. Naming conventions of the time suggest that the first born son is named after his paternal ancestry and the second born son is named after his maternal ancestry. It is most likely that George M., with a birth date of 1806, was the second born son. Marriage was 1803. First born was probably 1804 and Ann was probably born in 1808. In 1827, Peter was apprenticed to a Cabinet Maker. His birth-date is given a November 16, 1810. In February of 1828, he is unbound from this apprenticeship and bound as apprentice to a Blacksmith.4 Peter then disappears from the record. In 1828, Thomas was apprenticed to a Saddler and Harness Maker. Later Census records show him to be a Saddler.4 His birth-date was given as December 30, 1811. From this point on, there is a lot of interaction between these siblings. George M. is listed as assistant engineer for the Mountaineer Hose Company. On January 8, 1839 a meeting was held at “Thomas Reid's shop”. In 1840, George M. is listed as “Chief Engineer” and more of the family are involved: Thomas Reid is part of the “standing committee” and Robert Reid is one of the “Property Guards”.2 My opinion again: George M. chooses to use his middle initial to distinguish himself from his another George living in Cumberland. (One of those boys in the 1810 Census?). Later, I will reference newspaper entries which may or may not refer to George M. Reid. In 1839, Maria's father, Moses McNamee has died and she has inherited some property. For the sum of $100.00, George and Maria quit-claim this property giving Maria's brother Henry exclusive ownership.3 Then, in 1840, George and Maria, Cecelia and Edward Hays and Thomas and Sarah Reid sell lot #269 (their inherited portion ) to William Craver and his wife Ann, for $280.00.3 I believe this to be their sister Ann and her husband. In 1841 through 1845, George M. Reid is listed as one of the Levy Court and County Commissioners.2 The 1850 Census has George's occupation as Wagon Maker and Thomas's as Sadler. George and Maria buy a portion of this lot back from William Craver and his wife Ann for $500.00 in the year 1845, then sell a portion of the lot to brother Thomas H. Reid for $262.50 in 1852.3 Thomas H. seems to have been concerned about his health in 1852 as he then turns around and sells his portion of lot #269 to George M. Reid and Abraham Russell for $1000.00, “in trust, for the use of Sarah Reid, wife of said Thomas Reid...; and also in trust for the use of Ann Scott Reid, daughter of said Thomas and Sarah Reid”.3 In 1853, George M. Reid and his wife Maria sell lot #269 to Thomas Shriver for $150.00: “...part of said lot was cut off by an alley, now called Reid's alley, opened by said Reid and Shriver at right angles with Harrison Street running northward across said Shriver lot and across said Reid's lot and … runs back and joins said Thomas Reid's lot...”.3 There's a Sheriff's sale in 1858 which indicates the sale of lot #269 to Frederick Minke as judgment of commissioners of Allegany County vs. George M. Reid: “which was sold and conveyed by George M. Reid and wife to one Thomas Shriver by deed bearing date the 17th day of July 1831...” “...running from Mechanic Street to Liberty Street, which was sold and conveyed by William Shriver and Ann, his wife, to the said George M. Reid by deed dated the 22nd day of March 1845...” “...except such parts thereof as were conveyed by the said George M. Reid and wife, to the said Thomas Shriver...and to Thomas Reid by deed dated 27th day of January 1852...”.3 The 1860 Census gives George the occupation of “Master Wagon Maker”. Thomas is still a Sadler. Apparently, George has been a bad boy (financially) and in 1864 Maria buys part of a tract of land called “Walnut Bottom” for $510.00.3 This was part of the Martin Rizer estate and there is reference to a stone bearing those initials (“MR”) identifying the lot. The deed was in Maria's name and, upon her death, is divided into 11ths for the Reid children.(See below.) The newspaper, The Democratic Alleganian printed an article in 1868 titled “Rumored Appointments” in which it names “Mr. George Reid, Coroner.” (This is one I question.).8 By 1869 Maria has died and the widower George M. Reid Sr. marries the widow of Morgan Rizer – Sarah C. W.1 (She is 20 years his junior.) George M. and his new bride then sell lot #203 and “also the dower interest of said Sarah C. W. Reid in and to all part of lot” #260 for $500.00.3 In the Census of 1870, George is listed as an employee of a coal company. Thomas has remained a Sadler. George M. died January 9, 1873.(iv) Thomas died November 16, 1879. “REID 09 Jan 1873 Captain George M. Reid, a former police chief of Cumberland, aged 67 years, died at his home on Mechanic Street yesterday.”.6 “REID 17 Nov 1879 On Sunday (16 Nov) Thomas Reid Sr died, age 68 years. The funeral is from his home 36 S. Mechanic Street.”.6 III The Next Generation: Descendants of Ann Reid and William Craver. There is no evidence of any children in this marriage. Descendants of Peter Reid As mentioned above, after his apprenticeship he seems to have disappeared. No record of marriage or parenthood. Descendants of James Reid There is no evidence of marriage for this man or of his continued presence in Md. Descendants of Cecelia Reid and Edward Hays John B. Hays 1836 – 1889 Thomas V. Hays 1840 – 1909 Mary E. Hays 1850 - Sarah Anna Hays 1850 - Descendants of Thomas H. Reid and Sarah A. McVicker Anna A. Reid 1839 - Mary L. Reid 1841 - Sarah V. Reid 1843 - Thomas H. Reid Jr. 1845 – 1901 Lucy B. Reid 1847 - m. abt 1873 John C. Hoopes Isabella Reid 1849 - Eliza I. Reid 1852 - Frank B. Reid 1857 - m. abt 1881 Lavinia E. Owen Reid 1859 - Descendants of George M. Reid and Maria McNamee John Thomas Reid 1829 – 1902 m. Maria E. Beltz March 11, 1851 Mary Anne Reid 1831 - m. John Perry Willard abt 1854 Martha Reid 1833 – 1899 m. Alfred Beall April 22, 1855 George M. Reid Jr. 1835 – 1901 Louisa Reid 1837 – 1910 m. George Berkley July 28, 1866 Catherine “Katie” Reid 1838 – 1939 m. James F. Anderson Dec 1, 1858 Margaret J. Reid 1841 – 1918 m. George S. Couter Dec 11, 1861 Robert H. Reid 1842 – 1909 m. Bridget Enos/Ennis abt 1868 James Reid 1843 – 1913 m. Mary Catherine Helfrey Dec 23, 1869 William H. Reid 1847 – 1916 m. Mary Anne Rebecca McNabb abt 1882 Marian Reid 1850 – 1911 m. John Fisher abt 1875 After the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska act in 1854, abolitionists in the north began an intense campaign to persuade non-slave families to migrate to the new Kansas territory and claim a homestead. Apparently one of these orators struck a positive note for the first born son of George M. Reid. John Thomas and his wife Maria, packed up their son Charles Thomas and their daughter Bertha to travel to Kansas. With them went sister Martha and her husband Alfred Beall. Their story may be found in the Biography section of the Maryland and Kansas Genealogical Web. It was written by Charles Edmond “Ed” Reid. (See End Note.) With the advent of the War Between the States, I was surprised to find so little documentation that would confirm the participation of the Reids of Cumberland. There was a special Census of 1890 listing the “surviving soldiers, sailors and marines, and widows, etc”. This “schedule” lists John P. Willard as a captain serving from 1862 to 1865; George S. Couter as a 2nd lieutenant serving from 1861 to 1864; James and William Reid, both privates serving from 1864 to 1865; John W. Fisher as a private with no further information; and Louisa Berkley as the widow of George Berkley.7. “On July 31, 1864, the following 'Citizens Organization' went out to meet the Confederates near Folcks Mill in defense of the city:” The very long list includes William Reid, Thomas Reid, James Reid, and Thomas Hays.2 When Mary (their mother) died, as noted previously, the property was divided into elevenths. It was 1875 when “J.P. Willard and Mary Willard his wife, George Couter and Margaret Couter his wife, James F. Anderson and Louisa (should be Catherine) Anderson his wife, John Fisher and Francis Marian Fisher his wife and Louisa Berkley...do grant in fee simple unto George M. Reid Jr., Robert Reid, James Reid, and William Reid” the Martin Rizer tract for $5.00. And later the same year, Alfred and Martha Beall quit claim to the Martin Rizer tract to the same four men for $1.00.3 Three years later (1878) James Reid and his wife Mary C., Robert Reid, George M. Reid Jr. and William Reid convey all of their right, title and interest in the Martin Rizer tract “described by courses and distances in a deed from J.P. Willard et al to George M. Reid et al, dated the 7th day of April in the year” 1874 to Bridget Reid (Robert's wife!!!) for $1.00.3 Then in 1879 Robert Reid and Bridget his wife and James Reid and Mary C. his wife, give it all back to George M. Reid Jr. and William H. Reid for $1.00.3 It's 1881 when William H. and Mary R. Reid of Macon County Illinois and John T. Reid and his wife Maria quit-claim the Martin Rizer tract to George M. Reid Jr. for $40.00; but we're not done. 1882 brings a quit-claim for $79.82 from Emily O'Healy of the city of Washington, D.C. (Couldn't identify this one.) Then, finally, in 1888 Robert and Bridget are forced to give up part of the Martin Rizer tract to the Samuel P. Smith estate as foreclosure on their mortgage and in 1889 George M. Reid Jr. buys this property from the estate for $500.00. He now owns it all!.3 In the Census of 1860, we find Louisa age 20. There are two young girls: Anna, age 5, and Ida age 1. The both have the Reid surname. In the Census of 1870 we find Louisa, age 29, listed directly above the two girls (out of age sequence for the rest of the family): Annie Richard, age 15, and Ida Richard, age 8. I believe Louisa was the mother of these two girls out of wedlock and that the father was probably surnamed “Richard” or “Richards”. On July 28, 1866 Louisa married George Berkley, a Civil War veteran. Margaret “Maggie” Berkley was born in 1868. He must have died soon after since Louisa applied for a Civil War pension.9 In the 1870 Census, Louisa and the others are all living with the family. John Fisher (Marian's husband) is listed as head of household. In the 1880 Census, in what appears to be the household of Robert H. Reid (Louisa's brother), we find Anna R. Berkley, age 23 and Maggie Berkley, age 12. (Though Louisa Berkley is on the previous page, living with brother George M. Jr.) Both girls are listed as nieces to the head of household (either Robert of George). Also here, we find Raymond Berkley, age 2. He is listed as a grand-nephew. I believe Raymond is Anna's boy – again born out of wedlock. He appears in the 1900 census as the adopted son of George M. Reid Jr. In this Census, Anna is listed as Anna Richards – with an “s”. In the 1910 Census, Louisa is listed as 73 and is head of a household that includes her brother James and his wife Catherine. Ida Oliver and Anna R. Richards are identified as being her daughters, while Grace, Blanche and Eloise Oliver are each named as granddaughters. Going back to 1880, we find James Reid named as Steward to the Almshouse. In 1881, he is listed as one of the trustees.2 In 1897, the city directory lists:10 REID Alice B. music teacher, 89 Decatur bds same. REID FRANK B. MNFR CARRIAGES AN WAGONS, 55 and 57 S. Centre, h 20 Midtown Road. (see p 11.) Reid George M. lab, h 59 S. Mechanic Reid George W. mach The Cumberland Iron and Steel Shafting Co. bds 18 Paca. Reid James, letter carrier, h 59 S. Mechanic. Reid J. Alfred, lab hds 18 Paca. Reid Robert, fireman Cumberland City Water Works, h 18 Paca Reid Robert L., driver, bds 18 Paca Reid S. Margaret, teacher Maryland Avenue School, bds 89 Decatur Reid Thomas H., boat builder bds e s Will's Creek 2 s of Central Station Reid Wm H., lab h to Maryland av. Frank B. Reid was the son of Thomas H. Reid Sr. George M. Reid Jr. was the son of George M. Reid Sr. and the brother of Wm H. Reid, Robert Reid (the fireman), James Reid (the letter carrier). George W. Reid is the son of Robert H. Reid (the fireman) and the brother of J. Alfred and Robert L. Reid. The women, Alice and S. Margaret living on Decatur are not identified as part of my family. The Reid clan of Cumberland was expanding. In 1901, the city directory lists:10 Reid Alice B. bds 24 Columbia Reid Frank B. carriage mnfr 55 S Centre, h Venners, W. Va. Reid Florence M. stenogr The R. D. Johnson Milling Co., bds 24 Columbia Reid George M. car cleaner, B & O R. R., h 59 S. Mechanic Reid George W. engr The Cumberland Iron & Steel Shafting Co. h 61 Paca Reid James, letter carrier P O h 59 S. Mechanic Reid John, lineman, h 42 Davidson Reid J. Alfred, City Hall, bds 18 Paca Reid Margaret bds 24 Columbia Reid Ray bds 59 S. Mechanic Reid Robert, Fireman, Cumberland City Water Wks h 18 Paca Reid R. Linwood, mach B & O R. R. bds 18 Paca Reid Thomas H. boatbldr, bds e s Will's Creek 2 s of Central Station Reid Wm. E. trav agt Cumberland Dry Goods and Notion Co. bds 60 Park av. Reid Wm. H. car cleaner B & B R. R. h 10 Maryland av. Obviously the list has grown as another generation begins to make their mark. George W., J. Alfred and R. Linwood are all sons of Robert H. and Bridget Reid. Ray is the grand-nephew referred to above – son of Ann Richards and grandson of Louisa Berkley. The family looses two at the end of 1901: “Crushed to Death Between Cars. Special to the Washington Post Cumberland, Md., Oct 3 – George Reid aged sixty six years, for a number of years in the employ of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad here, was killed this morning at the Queen City station. He was crushed between two cars and lived only ten minutes. He was a brother of James Reid, veteran letter-carrier and was unmarried.”6 “Investigating Reed's Death Special to the Washington Post Cumberland, Md., Dec 29 – The death on Tuesday last of Thomas Reid, for may years a boat builder on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, is being investigated. It is charged that he died from being thrown downstairs and then kicked in the side. The man alleged to have committed the assault lives in Jeannette, Pa.”6 (Spelled wrong in the title but correctly in the article.) IV Descendants of George M. Reid Jr. This is a strange one since George Jr. was never married. He did, however, adopt his sister's grandson Clyde Raymond Reid was born to Anna Richards in December of 1877. After George's death, Ray moved to Pittsburgh, PA where he worked as a contract plasterer and lived out his life with his wife Idella (Mays). They had two children: Louise Reid and George A. Berkley Reid. Descendants of Robert H. Reid and Bridget Enos: George W. Reid 1868 – 1945 m. Ella R. Farrell abt 1889 Mary E. Reid 1889 - Ruth A. Reid 1893 – 1960 m. Clarence Atwell abt 1913 Robert L. Reid 1894 - John A. Reid 1898 - Madeline M. Reid 1900 - Emmett Robert Reid 1902 - m. Devota Phillips Eugene F. Reid 1908 - John E. Reid 1912 - James Alfred Reid 1874 – 1932 m Gertrude B. Mullen April 27, 1902 Mary Elizabeth Reid 1908 – 1993 Margaret Alfreta Reid 1916 – 1982 m. Eugene “Jack” Offutt Robert Lynnwood Reid 1877 – 1908 m. Mary “Molly” V. Baker abt 1899 Ernest P. Reid 1899 - James Alfred Reid 1900 – 1975 Descendants of James Reid and Mary Catherine Helfrey: There were no offspring born of this marriage. James and Catherine appear in all the Census records living with James' siblings. Descendants of William H. Reid and Mary Ann Rebecca McNabb: Maud Reid 1883 - George P. Reid 1885 – 1937 Walter C. Reid 1891 - m. Mattie C. Vallance abt 1913 Edwin Reid 1913 - Eugenia Reid 1924 - Earl D. Reid 1897 - m. Evelyn M. abt 1917 Robert E. Reid 1917 - “The Potomac Club had a club picnic on the club yards. The prize for the best decorated boat was son by Mr, J. Alfred Reid. His boat was decorated in a way that attracted great attention and admiration, despite the many other handsomely decorated boats, Mr. Reid was awarded the prize.” 1908 Cumberland, Md.6 The first World War had most of the Reids register for the draft. However, I found only two who actually served. Willard Reginald Reid, a supply sergeant, died of bronchial Pneumonia at Camp Beauregard in Louisiana in October of 1918. Earl D. Reid, serving as a private with the Maryland Infantry, was posted in France from June 1918 to May of 1919. He was honorably discharged in June of 1919.11 “James Alfred Reid, present commissioner of Police and Fire of Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland, was born August 13, 1874. He was the third oldest of eleven children born to Robert Reid and Bridget Ennis Reid. His ancestors came to Cumberland with the very earliest settlers before the city was laid out by Captain Thomas Beall of Samuel. … for a number of years was contractor for street cleaning in the city, during which time he brought into operation a number of innovations that resulted in the city's being cleaner than it had ever been known to be before. ...In March, 1922, he was elected to the office of Commissioner... Mr. Reid is familiar with all the affairs of the municipality; and the results of the election prove that he is esteemed by all classes as a public official.”.8 In 1920, George P. Reid, grandson of Maria Reid, sells the Martin Rizer land that he inherited from his father, William H. Reid, to his cousin, James Alfred Reid for $10.00.3 In 1932, Robert Reid purchases lot #48 (213 Paca Street) from Gertrude B. Reid (widow of James Alfred Reid) and her daughter Mary Elizabeth Reid and infant daughter Margaret A. Reid for $10.00. (Henry Shriver was trustee of an estate which sold the property to James Alfred Reid in 1919.)3 Finally, I wish to inform you that many grave sites of individuals mentioned here, may be found in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Cumberland, Maryland. (See End Notes) END NOTES All Census records referenced herein, are to be found in the archives of Ancestry.com Most of the documents referenced in this brief historical narrative, may be found on-line. I have spent a good amount of time transcribing from the copies of the original documents that I have collected and stored. After transcription, I have uploaded these documents to the U.S. Genealogy website. The narrative by Charles Edmond Reid, mentioned above may also be found here. These Maryland entries may be found at: http://usgwarchives.net/md/allegany/ or go to the homepage at www.mdgenweb.org/ Of course, you are welcome to check out the documentation provided by the professional genealogical research organization: www.legacy-tree.com/gen/reid08104 And finally, our Family Tree may be found on www.ancestry.com The name of the tree is BUFTM2 Jack M. Reid FOOTNOTES 1. Ancestry.com Archives: Maryland Marriages 1655 - 1850 2. HISTORY OF WESTERN MARYLAND, Vol. II, by J. Thomas Sharpe Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Md. 2003 3. Reid Archives: From the originals found in the Allegany County Courthouse, Cumberland, Md. and the Allegany County Community College Library. 4. Legacy-tree.com research documentation: From Orphan's Court Records Allegany County, Md. 5. Legacy-tree.com research documentation: From Allegany County Courthouse Records, Md. 6. Ancestry.com Archives: Historical Newspapers, Births, Marriages, & Death Announcements 1851 - 2003 7. Ancestry.com Archives: Revolutionary War Records and U.S. Pensioners, 1818 - 1872 8. HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY, MD by Thomas and Williams, Copyright 1923 9. Ancestry.com Archives: Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files 1861 - 1934 10. Ancestry.com Archives: U.S. City Directories, 1884 - 1902 11. Ancestry.com Archives: Maryland in the World War 1917 - 1919 Military and Naval Service Records in Two Volumes and Case Maps, Volume II Additional Comments: I would consider this as a family History This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mdfiles/ File size: 26.0 Kb This file is located at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/md/allegany/history/family/reids.txt