William Shields Reid (1778 - 1853)

Born 21 Apr 1778 in West Nottingham Township, Chester Co., Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 23 Jun 1853 at age 75 in Lynchburg, Virginia

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Biography

Rev. William Shields Reid D.D., or Father Reid as he was affectionately called, came to Lynchburg and began his ministry in 1808. In 1815 he organized a society with fifteen members, gave the ground and built the first Presbyterian church in Lynchburg. The Rev. W. H. Kinkle said of him "I have known Dr. Reid for ten years, and I have never seen him in any temper than that I want to be in the last moment of my life. I have lost a friend whose character, beautiful with the reflected graces of his Lord, was a delight to study.

Headstone Inscription: Beneath this stone lie the ashes of Rev. William S. Reid D.D. for forty years the faithful and beloved pastor of the 1st Presbyterian Church, Lynchburg, Va. He was born April 1778 in Chester, County, Penna. He died June 23, 1853; aged 75 years and 2 months. This stone was erected by his friends and the members of his church in 1855.

Notes

William came to Lynchburg, Virginia with his wife shortly after their marriage. Here, he established the First Presbyterian Church, also giving the ground on which to build the church building. About the year 1828 or 1829 a division occurred in his church; but he continued on as it's pastor for many more years.

Rev. William Shields Reid (A.B. Princeton 1802) was a tutor at Hampden Sidney College, and, later, it's President for one year. A newspaper article entitled "Commencement at Princeton College", published 06 Oct 1834 in the Daily National Intelligencer, wherein he was named as having received this honor from the Trustees of the college. He was President of one of the best female schools in the state, as well.

Sources

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 17 April 2020), memorial page for Rev William Shields Reid, Sr (21 Apr 1778–23 Jun 1853), Find A Grave: Memorial #103091100 , citing Presbyterian Cemetery, Lynchburg, Lynchburg City, Virginia, USA ; Maintained by Dacanta (contributor 47158985) .

• Venable, Elizabeth Marshall. Venables of Virginia (New York, New York, 1925), Page 93, 390

• Sketches and Recollections of Lynchburg, by The Oldest Inhabitant (Margaret Cabell), 1858, C. H. Wynne, Richmond, Virginia, Page 324

• Annals of the American Pulpit, by William B. Sprague, D.D., 1860, Vol. 4, Page 388