Reynolds Family Papers

Abelard Reynolds (1785-1878) was a saddle maker, builder of the Reynolds Arcade, and Rochester's first postmaster. Reynolds played a key role in the development of early Rochester. Upon moving to Rochester in 1812,he built the village's first frame house, operating a saddle shop from the front room. He also became the first postmaster in 1812, delivering mail throughout the village. Rounding out his Rochester firsts, Reynolds also served as the village's first magistrate and was the first inn-keeper. In 1828, he moved his house off its site on East Main Street in order to erect a 4-story brick commercial building, known as the Reynolds Arcade. The building was an immediate success, and Abelard managed it until 1845, when he turned over operations to his son, William. Three years later, in 1848, Abelard Reynolds erected Corinthian Hall directly behind the Arcade, giving Rochester its first cultural center. Despite a paralyzing stroke in 1867, Abelard lived on until 1878. Having married Lydia Strong of Pittsfield, Massachusetts in 1809, Abelard was the father of four children: Clarissa, Mary Eliza, William Abelard and Mortimer Fabrius Reynolds.

William Abelard Reynolds started out a career as a barber in 1820, moving on to nursery management in 1830 (making a young George Ellwanger manager along the way), before taking over management of the Arcade in 1845. He was also president of the Rochester Savings Bank. William founded the city's first library, the Mechanics Literary Association, in 1836, and shepherded its collection through several moves, becoming the Athenaeum along the way. However, William's premature death at 60 in 1872 placed his younger brother Mortimer in charge of the family properties. Corinthian Hall had been sold in 1865, and the library only survived in the Rochester Savings Bank building due to William's intervention.

Mortimer Fabrius Reynolds was born December 2, 1814, in Rochesterville. He married Mary Eliza Hart on January 12, 1841; they were unable to have children but adopted a daughter, Minnie Belle. Mortimer was extremely successful in the linseed oil and paint business; he also developed a reputation for philanthropy. With William's death in 1872, he sold his existing businesses and took over management of the Arcade. He also purchased the Athenaeum library collection (in partnership with George S. Riley) in order to save it from being sold off at sheriff's auction. Mortimer developed a plan to open a new, public library using the collection - a project that came to fruition with the opening of the Reynolds Library in the Arcade in January of 1886. Mortimer lived on until June 13, 1892, dying a trustee of the Rochester Savings Bank and director of the Rochester City Hospital and Rochester Orphan Asylum. He left the Arcade and his mansion on Spring Street to the Reynolds Library for its support, and the library would soon move into his former home.