Acknowledgements For twenty years I'd saved to place a marker at Oliver Reynolds' grave. I find out it will cost $726.00. I have $350 and mention to my friend Dot that I am going to put up the other $376.00 and get it done. I always imagine myself alone at Oliver's grave, checking out the marker, placing a rose, leaving. But Dot tells me that I need to share this experience, and convinces me to do so. Following my friend's "orders," I write some letters. I raise not onfy $525.00 towards the stone, but fellowship in the project and a chance to share this event with good people. May God bless you for your generous, spontaneous gifts. The Donors are: Anonymous Barbara Butler, In honor of her parents Frank M. Ford Dr. and Mrs. Robert Hanna Craig Milliken The Nathan Holmes Post 362 of the American Legion Mr. and Mrs. Allen Rhodes Jean Stretton, M.D. and Samuel C. Stretton, Esquire The West Goshen Lions and Wilma Ford, in honor and memory of the good people of West Chester

A new monument for Oliver Reynolds was dedicated in the Chestnut Grove Cemetery on October 13, 2007 I also thank Chester County Historical Society's Pam Powell who will take a portrait for the historical record at CCHS, Diane Matthews, who will dance for us as part of our ceremony, Dot Laume, who is providing flowers for the grave, and Carolyn Thomas-Kamara, who is preparing a reception for us to be held after the ceremony at Bethel A.M.E. Church.

Forward It is a glorious September day in 1987. I am driving west on 322. The day's sunset is just starting to glow. Thinking over the details of the Ward System Case, a panic runs through me: have I forgotten something? Finding a pay phone, I call our lawyer Sam Stretton's office, babbling "Did we remember to" ... some now forgotten detail about maps, or the language of divisions. I am assured all is well. Relaxing, I realize that being on top of each detail doesn't matter anymore, because we've won the case. West Chester, my hometown, which has lived under an illegal voting system for almost 100 years, is going to be voting under a legal system soon. Judge Stively is returning our town to the system taken from us illegally a hundred years ago. "It isn't about wards," I think; "It is about justice." Wilma Ford Mount Savage, Maryland Introduction In the mid 1980's, I began work on a case that became known locally as "The Ward System Fight." It dominated the papers for some time, and in 1987, it was chosen story of the year. It is an interesting story about how five people, Charles Alex Melton, Norman Bond, W. T. M. Johnson, Sam Stretton, Steve Handzel and Wilma Ford changed the voting system of our town. Norm Bond said in a meeting "My mother told me there used to be a ward system in West Chester." Norm didn't remember any more details, only that there had been a ward system and it was lost somehow. Trying to understand the history of how our town worked so that he might get a better handle on some aspects of the case, our lawyer, Sam Stretton, prompted by Norm's remark, asked me to go to the Chester County Historical Society, look around and see what I could find out. Being somewhat unsure as to how to do this research (Sam suggested as an answer to my question "where do I start looking?" that I start around 1930), I thought to myself that I'd better start somewhere before 1930, so that when I got up to that era I'd be sharper in finding what I was looking for. I'd practice my way up to 1930, gaining confidence in using materials, understanding what I was doing, and learning how to manage the information. It wasn't a bad idea: training myself for the game, so to speak. Ah, weakness is a blessing. My lack of confidence was the key to finding everything about the case, because the trouble was in the 1880's, and if I'd started at 1930, as Sam suggested, I'd have missed it all. What I found was enough to take to court and present, leading to Judge Stively's decision requiring the reinstitution of the ward system. I've often thought of writing about that experience, and Sam encouraged me to do so. Twenty years have passed. At first I couldn't write because I was too tired. Then I couldn't write because it was too painful. Then I couldn't write because I didn't have time. And now, retired, I can finally explain why my gut feeling was not to write about it: I did all that work for the benefit of my home town, and no other reason and so be it!. The "story" of how we changed the voting system and much of the history I found is in a box I have given to the CCHS. You can pick through it and appreciate it. YOU may even write that book, and I hope you do. During the time I did this work, I met Oliver Reynolds, and now I introduce him to you. Return to the top of this page Oliver Reynolds, A Good Man Written By Wilma Yocom Ford As A Gift For The Citizens of West Chester, 2007 Please feel free to copy this booklet and share it. If you need to contact me for more information, you can reach me at: Wilma Y. Ford 14508 Mount Savage Road NW Mount Savage, Maryland 21545 E-mail: wford41@atlanticbb.net Oliver Reynolds A baby slave is born somewhere in Louisiana or Georgia in 1844. When Oliver dies in West Chester in the summer of 1881, the newspaper reports both states. In his obituary, "he was born in slavery in the State of Louisiana." When Major David Jones constructs a tombstone for Oliver, an October 1881 article states "Mr. Reynolds, who was born in Georgia, was a slave..." When Oliver is seven years old, his mother is sold away from him. After that, Oliver takes the name of his master, Mr. Reynolds. Oliver stays enslaved to the Reynolds family, and when the Civil War begins, his master's son is commissioned a Colonel in the rebel army. When Colonel Reynolds enters the service, he takes Oliver with him as a servant. Oliver and Colonel Reynolds pass through all the principal battles of the war, winding up at Gettysburg, where Oliver's life changes. Whether Colonel Reynolds is killed at Gettysburg or whether Oliver simply makes a run for freedom and is present in Gettysburg is not known, but what is known is that after Gettysburg Oliver Reynolds is free. It is bit confusing to follow him after Gettysburg. If he arrives during the time of the battle, he is about 19 years old. At Gettysburg a family helps him. One of the family members is a "lady school teacher" who sees that he is very bright. She takes a considerable interest in him, and does all that she can to help him improve his situation. He spends time after that in Greencastle and Chambersburg and then, his obituary states, he works on a farm in Franklin township, Chester County before coming to West Chester. This may be an error, as Chambersburg is in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. In any event, Oliver Reynolds is in West Chester in 1870, the year the vote is given to Afro-American men (remember, we women don't get the right to vote until 1920). West Chester in 1870 is lively. Oysters are popular and it is possible to make a little money selling them, which Oliver does, among other jobs. He never holds an important job, although he fights for others to get decent positions. At the end of his days he serves as a watchman for the Honorable Samuel Butler after Butler is elected and becomes State Treasurer, (1880-1882) but by that time Oliver is ill. Oliver never marries, nor has any family members in West Chester. Unlike many other Afro-American leaders during the late part of the 1800's, there is no one to remember him. Among his friends were Levi Hood, Ephraim Govens, and Moses Hepburn, men who have families in West Chester. Oliver is a member of the Bethel A.M.E. Church in West Chester, where he is active and conducts a Bible class, which rapidly progresses under his instruction. He works hard in politics to help Afro-American men get a chance to be elected to public office. This proves very frustrating. In addition to the foolishness that amuses white citizens at the expense of Afro-American citizens, just the work of trying to understand and organize the male community to take advantage of the new freedoms and voting is hard. In the beginning, Afro-American men are fooled by lies and tricks white political workers play on them. As Oliver experiences this (and it is recorded well in the Daily Local News of that period), he begins to take more and more responsibility for speaking out about his race and about the injustices surrounding the political system of his time. He writes letters to the Daily Local News and speaks out in the committee meetings. He takes the high road, yet remains loyal to the Republican party, the party of Abraham Lincoln. However, he values the individual more than the party, and as some of the Republicans take the Afro-American vote for granted and also treat the community shabbily, Oliver along with others begins to speak out about that treatment and to lean towards the Democrats occasionally, depending on whether or not the candidate is sincere. Oliver works hard to get Moses Hepburn on the Republican ticket for burgess on borough council, representing the East Ward. He first tries to get him elected in 1872, but it isn't until ten years later, in 1882, that Moses finally is elected to the borough council. Sadly, Oliver doesn't live to see that day, as he dies the year before. Sometimes, as the Afro-American community works to become part of the political system, they seem to twist on a pin, for no matter what they try, it seems doomed to defeat. Yet Oliver never seems to give up. Oliver is also very active in community life, giving speeches on several occasions. One of his recorded speeches is given in 1876, at the celebration of the country's centennial, when he speaks at the community event. Another speech is given on Decoration Day in 1879 in Chestnut Grove [cemetery]. There are surely more speeches and letters written than have been found. The time after the Civil War is different. Wounds are deep and in the healing time after the war, there are a few years where all suffer and honor together the memory of their dead and the sacrifices made by all. In West Chester, during these few years, both Afro-American and white people celebrate Decoration Day together. The paper is full of concerns about that day: will there be enough flowers blooming, will the weather be good. The town moves together from cemetery to cemetery, and at each place flowers are placed on the graves and speeches made. When they come to Chestnut Grove, on at least one recorded occasion, Oliver Reynolds is the speaker. Oliver is associated with the Liberty Band, an Afro-American band that plays at political events, social events, community events. How he comes to be associated with the band is not known. There is no reference to him being their leader. The band, started in 1866, is terrific. It gets better and better as each year goes by. The Daily Local News mentions it frequently in glowing terms. Although no mention of Oliver Reynolds' activity with the band is mentioned, he must play an important part, because the paper reports that "owing to the illness of Oliver Reynolds, the band has not practiced for three weeks." Of course, at his funeral in 1881, the band plays. Also at his funeral are five ministers; Reverend Wilson, L.C. Chambers, E.B. Boardley, Rev. Patterson and "another from Phoenixville." The paper reports that "the house before the funeral moved was crowded as was also the pavement in front." Looking over Oliver Reynolds' life, it seems amazing. A motherless slave child, a slave-servant who is forced to move through the war regardless of his convictions, serving a master who is fighting to further enslave him, a chance for freedom taken, opportunity for some education embraced, hard work for little money and opportunity for advancement, giving time to fight for the political gain of others in a town to which he came as a stranger, serving his church as a teacher, helping with the music of the community by being part of the Liberty Band, making speeches on behalf of his race on public occasions and speaking and writing about local political problems in his local paper, the Daily Local News, Oliver Reynolds gives his life to this town. He suffers heart and lung problems, so it is probable that he didn't enjoy very good health during his lifetime. He dies at the age of 37 on July 29,1881 and is buried in Chestnut Grove Cemetery, where some years earlier he had given the speech on Declaration Day. Money is raised to put up a tombstone, and Major David Jones constructs it for him. Although an earlier news article mentions that Oliver is a watchman for the Honorable Samuel Butler, Treasurer of the State of Pennsylvania, the article about his tombstone states that "Oliver Reynolds was messenger under the Hon. Sam Butler." Major Jones honors Oliver Reynold's request that his inscription on the tombstone be taken from the 4th verse of the 23rd Psalm. Even though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; For thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff; they comfort me. As the generation who knew him passes away, Oliver Reynolds is simply forgotten. Return to the top of this page In Closing As I worked on the Ward System Case, I spent three years reading and trying to understand the town in which I spent almost all of my life. I learned about people I never heard of, and found out how clever and strong they were. I wish I were able to write down everything I learned about the many fine Afro-American men I discovered through the articles in the newspapers. It was like a big puzzle, or detective search, but little by little I came to "see" my town in that era and it plays in my mind -- and will always play -- like a rich, full movie: people moving on the streets, saying hello, gossiping and shaking their heads about the latest foolishness of our community. I can see the meetings and feel the defeats after spending so much time studying the many articles I read over the years. I know how the 1800's lays itself over the 1700's. No matter how bad it was for the community in the 1800's, it was better than the 1700's, when slave catchers were running around grabbing people where they could get them. And look what we did in the 1900's! We finished the work that Oliver Reynolds gave his life to do, as well as others who saw the victory of participation in government snatched from them. We finished (for now) the fight for representation in the local government. The truth lay buried almost one hundred years before it resurfaced. West Chester has much to be proud of. I hope that the community will always treasure and protect this historic cemetery, Chestnut Grove. Many of the Afro-American Borough Council representatives who served during the years 1882-1893 are buried here. Return to the top of this page Speeches of and News Articles About Oliver Reynolds Speech given at the Republican Nominating Convention and reported in the Daily Local News on February 13, 1875 Before entering into a ballot for Assistant Burgesses, Oliver Reynolds arose in behalf of his race and stated that his people asked through him that one of their color be chosen to represent the East Ward in the Borough Council. He said they had waited long and patiently for such representation, and now they came forward and modestly asked the aid of the convention in nominating Moses G. Hepburn, who was the unanimous choice of his people. They had held aloof from asking any office of compensation, and the speaker thought they deserved the representation they asked in the council. The colored people had to be relied upon in the hour of trial, and now in return for their assistance, this convention should accord to them the favor of placing Mr. Hepburn upon the ticket to be voted for on Tuesday next. (Note: the committee set up the voting situation in the nominating convention so that they could pretend to accommodate the Afro-American members, but then always managed to defeat the community's candidate. Moses Hepburn was not put forward as a candidate.) Upon the result of the last ballot being announced by the Chairman, Mr. Reynolds arose and asked that he and his colored delegate associates be allowed to withdraw from the Convention. The Chairman informed him that no motion or action on the part of the Convention was necessary, and that they could retire if they so desired. Mesrs. Reynolds, Hood, London and Govens, accordingly withdrew, leaving but one of their color, Mr. Jeremiah Cummins, remaining in the Convention. Letter to the Daily Local News published February 13, 1875 "CONCERNING THE BOLT LAST NIGHT" Dear Local News. -- There seems to be a great deal of comment over the so-called Republican Borough Convention, especial the bolt, and good sense exhibited by Mr. Jeremiah Cummins for sticking to the Convention. Now, Mr. Editor, being one of the bolters, I feel it is my duty to state the reason why Mr. Cummins remained. It is this: He having recently joined the church, and believing in the declaration that whatever a man asks for in faith he shall receive, he acknowledged to me, after the meeting last night, that he did not expect anything at the hands of the Party, but he offered his petition to the God he served, in behalf of Justice, and expected him to descend from his lofty habitation and see that fair play was done. So Mr. Cummins stayed in the meeting and was disappointed. Now, Mr. Editor, I am in favor of a Republican organization for the Borough, but I want all classes acknowledged, especially the True Republicans, and if such a movement cannot be brought about, I for one, am in favor of a mixed Council. For while there is such a large Republican majority as there is here, there ought to be some one representing the weaker classes to match the strong or a Democrat or two to watch them. So I am in favor of a council composed of Republicans and Democrats. The white men with a slight exception who voted for Hepburn were politicians and could not consistently do otherwise. They say we are disorganizers but as they voted {us?} by proxy we therefore were only absent. In conclusion, I am a Republican, as I understand the principles of Republicanism, but I cannot stick to any Republican movement that does not carry the whole principle. It isn't of any use for the Republicans to stand behind the curtains and talk about what they have done for the negro. Their obligation is not filled until they do all, for the Scripture teaches me that he that doeth the ninty and ninth and omitteth the hundredth is guilty of the whole. Yours for Right and Justice, Oliver Reynolds. Return to the top of this page Oliver Reynold's Speech at the Celebration of the Centennial Year, January 1, 1876, as quoted in the Daily Local News. ... Oliver P. Reynolds (col'd.) was introduced. In substance he said: "Words cannot at all times express the emotions of the heart, and when I contemplate the past, when I was below par in the mind of the American citizen, it appears strange that I should rise to say a word to this enlightened audience on this occasion. Looking back over the early history of the country then with 13 States, and now with the constellation nearly three-fold and with a population of early 45,000,000 souls, it is gratifying to know that all her industries and resources have developed proportionately. "All colors in the great covenant are represented within her borders, and I am free in predicting that the American negro will be the greatest curiosity exhibited at the coming Centennial Exhibitions. In view of the fact that all the world is looking upon America and her rapid strides of progress, the negro should be looked after and care taken with him in order that his course may be of an elevating character. He has been endowed with freedom, honors and manhood, and now the good work should be to see that he is made worthy of the blessed boons bestowed upon him. The Republican party ransomed the slave, the country owes much to that party for its progress and all that tends to elevate its national character." The speaker referred to his days of slavery and closed by further appealing in behalf of his race. Return to the top of this page A Meeting called by Afro-American leaders, reported in the Daily Local News, February 18, 1879 OUR COLORED CITIZENS IN COUNCIL A call was made yesterday by the colored citizens of the East Ward to meet in the evening in Delaney Hall to express their disapprobation of some portions of the Republican ticket as formed. At the hour appointed Capt. Levi Hood moved that Mr. Jeremiah Kane be appointed President, which was unanimously carried: after which E. D. Kane was appointed Vice President and Harry Hazzard Secretary. A motion was made by some person on the floor to sustain the Republican ticket as formed on the 14 inst. This brought Capt. Hood to his feet, who objected to the motion being carried, probably on account of "the scandalous manner in which the nomination of Town clerk had been made," which he thought was an insult to their race: (Please note that the Republicans decided to have a little joke at their Afro-American members' expense. In addition to dishonestly setting things up so Moses Hepburn was defeated in the nominating process, they put up for Town Clerk a young man named Beckett and wrote up an article that I quote here to help you understand how painful this episode was to the community.) February 15th, 1879 Daily Local News. "Communicated: THE TOWN CLERKSHIP" Wm. Pinafore Beckett, the nominee of the Republican Borough Convention for the position of Town Clerk, was born within the classic limits of the "Promised Land" (note: part of the East End) some 21 years ago. It is a well-merited tribute that as this dusky son approached the confines of a quarter of a century he should have received this recognition at the hands of the intelligent voters of this place, particularly so when we consider the character and general popularity of his competitor. Mr. Beckett received a common school education, and early in life exhibited those sterling qualities which have at last recommend him to the notice of a loyal and enthusiastic constituency. This fortunate young gentleman is, in a great measure, indebted for his success to the artistic manner in which he has plied the brush and smeared the blacking: to be more representative of the profession of "shine 'em up, only a dime, sir." This innovation in borough politics, the placing of a representative of the East Ward before the people, is the advent of a political feature which will strengthen the cohesiveness of the party. Its salutary effect will be not only local but national as well. We will thus advertise to the unreconstructed rebels of the South that their bull-dozing schemes and armed bands of red-shirted riflemen carry no terrors to the hearts of loyal Chester Countians. Mr. Beckett cannot be intimidated. We will find that when the occasion arises he will grapple with the Democratic mule or any other estray with the spirit and determination which is the characteristic of his race. Today he is a rising man in the community. Wherever he may go he will carry with him the stamp of one of nature's nobleman. He is a worthy successor of his illustrious predecessor. (Now continuing the Feb. 18, 1979 article) Mr. Oliver Reynolds then spoke on the question, and paid his respects to the nominees for School Directors, in which he took strong ground in favor of voting for Mr. Barcelona Bass for that office, giving his reason therefore that the colored people had schools of their own in which a large number of their children were taught, and still they had no representative in the board. He closed with an eloquent and powerful appeal to the colored people to stand by their rights. Ephraim Govens then arose and set forth the idea that politics and partisan feeling should not enter into municipal affairs. He recalled the well-known fact that when the colored people had made an application for a water supply, they were told by a member of the Town Council to "dip their water from the Jordan as the children of Israel had done before them" and again, when they asked for gas the reply came "what do you want with gas? Go to bed early." Mr. Govens also alluded to what he and his associates considered an insult to the colored people -- the manner in which Wm. Beckett had been nominated at the convention. After heaping ridicule upon them at that time, they afterwards added insult to the injury by leaving his name off the ticket and substituting that of a white man ..." Return to the top of this page Daily Local News, February 20, 1879. "Communicated" OPEN LETTER FROM OLIVER REYNOLDS Editor of the Daily Local News. -- As the columns of your valuable paper are always open for fair play, I beg leave to set myself right before the public. I have been accused of being the originator of the East Ward Indignation Meeting. For the satisfaction of those so deeply interested, I will just say that I never saw or heard anything in regard to it until it had been given to the newspapers, and as soon as it was read to me, I remarked that while we, the colored people, slept on the evening of the delegate election, the bridegroom came and departed. So I thought we had best wait and retaliate next year. But they said they did not want a sneaking retaliation, but desired a bold denunciation. I then said I would not throw myself in their way, but next Fall, when I would sound the Republican bugle, I would expect the old soldiers to rally under their colors, which they promised to do. I went to the meeting and did what I thought was right. I opposed with all the power in me the motion to remove the name of Dr. J. B. Wood from the head of the ticket and in lieu thereof place that of Robert E. Monaghan, and carried it because I thought it would be going farther than the meeting could afford. I stated to each gentleman that he had his qualified right of voting as he pleased. Now, Mr. Editor, it seems to be a great shake that the East Ward has gone Democratic for one of the most upright citizens and purest gentlemen in our borough. It must be remembered a few years ago, when many Republicans favored closing up Miner Street [WCJIM: to allow the railroad station to expand], which we believe would greatly depreciate the value of property on the east side of the railroad, Mr. Monaghan stood up against it. Moreover, Mr. Monaghan's manner of address commends him to the people for be ye rich or poor, ragged or dirty, and even if you happen to be black, he will address you when he meets you on the public highway. Again, it must be remembered that the colored people can't live by the acts of justice alone. When the Republican party made us citizens they published to the world that they did what they believed to be strictly right. If they were in good faith they certainly cannot ask a continuance of service for doing what they claim to be a simple duty. The Republican of the morning's issue says the taxes of the colored citizens who voted the Democratic ticket were paid last fall by the Republican party. It don't seem intelligent to me for a party to do its poor members a favor which they did not ask and afterwards have the party organ hurl it contemptuously in their faces six months afterward, simply because they are too poor to help themselves. It seems to me, instead of making the party stronger, this paper is trying to burst it asunder. Now, Mr. Editor, in regard to the colored people being indebted to the Republican Party for all we have, I think we have done what little we could to help ourselves, for we have no trades. We can't get any skilled labor to do; we have no offices; we can't ever get to be a foreman in a coal yard, and that is black as sin. We did a great deal toward the Union soldiers during the late civil struggle in the south. I have flanked the Rebel guards and given to wounded Union soldiers the last drink of water they got on earth. And I am not publishing this act through the papers that every one that I served in the army is in debt to me, for I think that I only did my simple duty. As to how I voted Tuesday, any one can find out by asking me. OLIVER REYNOLDS Return to the top of this page Oliver Reynolds' Speech at Chestnut Grove Cemetery on Decoration Day, May 30, 1979, Daily Local News. Oliver Reynolds then delivered an address. He alluded to the birth of the Nation over a hundred years ago, and he said we believe now, as our fathers did in 1861, that this is one Nation and not a confederacy. We have met today, and no words could perform commemoration as the acts of decorating could. He thanked God that this nation was yet one. We consecrate ourselves anew to our allegiance to the American Union, and he thanked Heaven that the youngest generations appreciated the value of martyrdom of those lying in this ground. He said the ballot box must be sustained for all. He alluded feelingly to the late General George F. Smith, and congratulated Post 130 on its having taken the new name. He reminded his friends of the recent death of Harvey P. London, who had been a faithful soldier. He cautioned his friends not to second the actions of the majority in the present Congress, but to keep fresh in mind the objects for which the hundreds of thousands perished during the ward of the rebellion -- the perpetuation of the Union. Daily Local News, July 29, 1881. "OBITUARY DEATH OF OLIVER REYNOLDS" Last night, after a lingering illness of a pulmonary character, Oliver Reynolds (col'd) departed this life at the residence of James Patton, No. 324 East Miner Street this borough, aged about 37 years. Deceased was well-known in this county as an ardent worker in the Republican ranks and for his unceasing labors for the enlightenment and advancement of his race, in whose behalf he worked untiringly and with some degree of success. He was born in slavery in the State of Louisiana, and his mother was sold from him when he was only seven years of age after which he took the name of his master, a Mr. Reynolds. Upon the war of the rebellion breaking out his master's son was commissioned a colonel in the rebel army and upon his entering the service he took Oliver with him as a servant. With him he passed through all the principal battles of the war and upon reaching Gettysburg he secured a place in the good graces of a family in which was a lady school teacher who recognizing his native intelligence took a considerable interest in his welfare and did all in her power to benefit his condition. From Gettysburg he then took his way to Greencastle, Maryland (Note: I think that is actually Greencastle, Pennsylvania) thence to Chambersburg and next into Franklin township, this county. (Note: I am not sure that it wasn 't really Franklin County, Pennsylvania, as Chambersburg is capital of that county), where for a short time he worked on a farm. In 1870 he came to West Chester and has since made this his home, he becoming engaged in many ways to obtain a livelihood. Having contracted a severe cold in the army, it grew upon him and finally ripened into pulmonary consumption, which led to his death. He has been identified with our borough politics ever since his coming to West Chester, and in which he frequently made himself conspicuous for his intelligent views on public matters as expressed in little speeches of a forcible character. Had he been given the opportunity for an education he doubtless would have risen to a prominent place among his people; but owing to a want of money this ambition and desire was not gratified. In religious works he also took an active part and conducted a Bible Class in the Bethel A.M.E. Church, which is said to have rapidly progressed under his instruction. Upon election of Hon. Samuel Butler to the office of State Treasurer (1880-1882), he was chosen to the position of watchman in that department at Harrisburg, which place he filled until a few months ago, when, by reason of his rapidly declining health he was forced to return to West Chester. In all matters pertaining to the advancement of the colored people he took a lively and consistent interest and though weak physically he exerted all his best efforts to accomplish such ends as were calculated to lift them up into a more enlightened position among mankind. He was a good citizen and his loss will long be felt by those with whom he associated and worked in matters pertaining to the welfare of the colored race. Return to the top of this page REYNOLDS In West Chester, at the residence of James Patton, east Miner Street, on Friday the 28th inst, Oliver Reynolds, aged about 37 years. Funeral on Monday afternoon, August 1st to meet at the house at two o'clock, and leave at three o'clock. Interment at the Chestnut Grove Cemetery. AUGUST 2, 1881 Interred ... the remains of Oliver Reynolds were interred in Chestnut Grove Cemetery yesterday afternoon, from the residence of James Patton, East Miner Street. The house before the funeral moved was crowded as was also the pavement in front. Rev. Wilson, L. C. Chambers, E. B. Boardley, Patterson and another from Phoenixville made remarks appropriate to the occasion. October 5, 1881 TOMBSTONE FOR THE GRAVE OF OLIVER REYNOLDS Major David Jones is engaged in constructing a tombstone to be erected over the grave of the late Oliver Reynolds who was messenger under the Hon. Samuel Butler. Mr. Reynolds, who was born in Georgia, was a slave until the emancipation proclamation was issued, after which he came to West Chester and be became one of our most prominent citizens. At his request an inscription has been placed upon his tombstone taken from the 4th verse of the 23rd psalm. "I have flanked the Rebel guards, and given to wounded Union soldiers the last drink of water they got on earth. And I am not publishing this act that every one that I served in the army is in debt to me, but I think that I only did my simple duty." -- Oliver Reynolds Oliver Reynolds' life was a celebration of freedom. -- Wilma Ford Cite this work as Wilma Ford, Oliver Reynolds, A Good Man (Mount Savage, MD: self-published, 2007), web version at http://wcjim.com/history/reynolds.htm.