Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1910 & 19

Thomas Reynolds jnr (1846 - 1919)


Thomas Reynolds was a Musician. His death notice reads "Late of His Majesty's Opera London, Professor of the Royal College of Music, Halle Concerts and Liverpool Philharmonic Concerts." He also took over his father's musical instrument business "Thomas Reynolds Snr and Sons," in Gravel Lane and later Chapel Street, Salford.


He was born in 1846 in Gibralter. His father Thomas Reynolds Snr (1818 – 1888) was at that time a Colour Sergeant in the 20th Regiment of Foot (a forerunner of the Lancashire Fusiliers), stationed at Gibralter. (It is tempting to say that his father was a member of the Regimental Band, in view of the fact he was later to become a brass musical instrument maker, and Thomas jnr was such a talented musician). Thomas jnr's mother was Jane (nee Martin) Reynolds (1829 – 1862), who died when Thomas was only 16 years old. His father married again to Betsey Warburton (1838 – 1915) later in 1862.


Thomas's siblings were Charles (born 1847 in Stockport, Cheshire) and William (born 1850 in Stockport and died young). Then a gap of 8 years, probably as this was the time of the Crimean War. Then Thomasine (born 1858 in Radcliffe and died in 1862 aged 4), William (born 1860 at Elton, Bury), James Martin (born 1862, Salford) and half brother Robert Henry (born 1864 Salford and died 1872 in Salford, aged 9).


In 1861 the family lived at the Military Barracks, Elton, Bury. However the following year, according to the Manchester Trade Directory, Thomas (Snr) established his musical instrument business at 120, Great Clowes Street, Salford. In 1871, 22-year-old Thomas jnr, was living at a Public House in Windmill St, Manchester. On 28th September 1874, Thomas Reynolds jnr married Elizabeth Berry (1849 – 1931) at Christ Church Salford. She was the 25-year-old daughter of William Berry, Labourer of 5, Montford Street, Eccles New Road, Salford. Their children were: William Thomas (born 23rd February 1876 and died 7th July 1911, aged 35); Constance Alice (born 29th November 1877 and married Samuel M Peake in 1906); Charles Ernest (born 2nd September 1879 and died 1880 aged 4 months); Louise Ernestine (born 8th September 1880, married Dr (?) West and died November 1944, aged 64); another Charles Ernest  (born 12th December 1881, who became a Silver Plater, married May Fryer in 1917 and died in 1925 aged 43); twin sister Ruth Annie (born 12th December 1881); Alexender Vivian (born 31st October 1883, became a Music Seller, married Florence Hill in 1916 and died 1941, aged 57); Dorothy Elinor (born 12th March 1885 and died 1885, aged 5 months); Olivia Martin (born 4th May 1886 and died 1886, aged 5 months); Margaret Alexandra (born 11th May 1888 and died 1888, aged 5 months); and Lucy (born 15th September 1890, did not marry and in 1939 was a Dispenser, aged 67 and living with her sister Louise (widow) at 65 Eccles Old Road, Salford. She died in April 1977 at Hope Hospital, aged 86).


Thomas Reynolds died on 3rd April 1919, aged 70 and was buried in the family grave A4/CE/4647 at Weaste Cemetery. His wife Elizabeth died on 18th November 1831, aged 81 and was re-united with her husband Thomas.