Person:John Reynolds (109)

from Thompsonville continued to farm on the southwest quarter of lot 14, concession 13.

John was on the committee appointed on November 8, 1879 for the building of the Thompsonville chruch which was opened in 1880.

The present Reynolds house was built in 1891 close by the first frame house. Its is a 21 room house of red brick built on the hill with a beautiful view to the south overlooking the Tecumseth valley. The brick was hauled by sleigh fromn the brickyard in Beeton. The house was built in the middle of the farm because it was uncertain at the time if the 13th conession road would be constructed. The land was quite swampy and gradually drained somewhat as the flats were cleared. Until the 13th as built, the Reynolds traveled along a trail north of the farm. Also, with the buildings centrally located, the distance was approximately the same for the horses and field workers to reach the barns frmo either end of the farm. The story was told that before the new house was completed, John Reynolds had a rope strung from teh nw house to the old, with a bell on the end of it. The hired men and boys were still sleeping in the old house and John would awaken them early to start the day's work by pulling the rope.

Randall Train Station was named after John. He insisted that the railway company build the tracks north of concession 12 in order to avoid the flod waters of the spring melt, even though it meant cutting through Reynolds land. The company wanted to build the track straight from Cookstown to Allimil (Juntion Join). John proved his point by showing the C.N.R. representative the high water makings on trees in the swamp.

In 1876 John Reynolds bought land south of concession 13 from William Train. Wm. Train owned many acres in the valley which he had cleared of trees for his sawmill located on the Nottawasaga River near Thompsonville. Mr. Train then sold the land to the settlers. John also owned several other farms. Records show John sold the right of way for The Hamilton and North West Railway (C.N.R.) in 1877 which cut across the above acreage.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Lois Reynolds Kerr. History of Reynolds Family
   2,9.