Celebrating James Reynolds Day at Historic Somers Cemetery

More than a decade ago, Virginia Reynolds Hefti, a Horace Greeley graduate and Anne Hutchinson-Bronxville Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution member, was credited with helping to save the historic Mt. Zion Burial Ground—a part of the historic corridor in Somers—from the threat of development.

Situated on both sides of Primrose Street, the historic corridor also includes the 1794 Mt. Zion Methodist Church (the second oldest surviving Methodist chapel in Westchester County), the Reynolds Homestead and the Angle Fly Preserve, a 654 acre tract of open space. The historic church and burial ground are listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

So when it came time to celebrate Hefti’s paternal ancestor, American Revolutionary War Patriot, James Reynolds—who is buried in the historic cemetery along with his wife, Abigail Knapp—The Somers Land Trust and the Enoch Crosby Chapter of the DAR invited Hefti back again for James Reynolds Day on May 17, 2015.

Born in Greenwich in 1759, James Reynolds served in Connecticut’s 9th Regiment in the American Revolution before moving to Westchester County. So naturally, James Reynolds Day, which honored the Revolutionary War patriot’s service to our country, began with the unveiling of a bronze commemorative plaque at his grave.

Helping to bring this important chapter in American history to vivid life, were Revolutionary War Re-enactors led by Bill Wienecke and a young bugler from Boy Scout Troop 376. Following the colorful graveside ceremony, James Reynolds Day activities included a genealogy workshop and a walking tour of the historic Reynolds Homestead.

For more information about the historic corridor or to arrange a tour, please visit The Somers Historical Society or the Somers Land Trust.

PHOTOS: 1.) L-R: James Reynolds Descendant, Russell S. Reynolds, Jr., of Greenwich, CT; Mrs. Russell S. (Debbie) Reynolds; James Reynolds Descendant, Richard Reynolds and James Reynolds Descendant, Horace Greeley Graduate and Anne Hutchinson-Bronxville Chapter DAR Member Virginia Reynolds Hefti; 2.) L-R: Treasurer, Somers Land Trust, Lauretta Jones, and James Reynolds Descendant, Horace Greeley Graduate and Anne Hutchinson-Bronxville Chapter DAR Member Virginia Reynolds Hefti; 3.) Revolutionary War Re-enactors - led by BillWienecke - accompanied by a bugler from Boy Scout Troop 376; 4.) Revolutionary War Re-enactors - led by Bill Wienecke - accompanied by a bugler from Boy Scout Troop 376; 5.) L-R: Mrs. Russell S. Reynolds, Jr.; James Reynolds Descendant, Russell S. Reynolds, Jr., of Greenwich, CT and James Reynolds Descendant, Horace Greeley Graduate and Anne Hutchinson-Bronxville Chapter DAR Member Virginia Reynolds Hefti and 6.) L-R: James Reynolds Descendant, Russell S. Reynolds, Jr., of Greenwich, CT and James Reynolds Descendant, Horace Greeley Graduate and Anne Hutchinson-Bronxville Chapter DAR Member Virginia Reynolds Hefti and James Reynolds Descendant Richard Reynolds.

Photos courtesy of the Anne Hutchinson-Bronxville Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.