***Thomas John Reynolds***
(b. March 28, 1854; d. September 1896)
South Carolina. Born enslaved. Black.
Occupation: boat captain, politician.
Father's occupation: teamster.
Thomas J. Reynolds was born into slavery on St. Helena Island, SC in 1854 to John and Leila Reynolds. In 1880, his family was living in Beaufort, and his father was working as a teamster.
Thomas attended school on St. Helena Island and in Beaufort. He entered Atlanta University in 1871 as an "English student" in the (College) Preparatory Department. He attended for 3 years, leaving in 1874 without completing the program. In Atlanta, he studied alongside a number of other future U of SC students: Thaddeus Saltus (1872-73), John L. Dart (1873-74), and Peter V. Hazel (1873-74). Between his studies, Reynolds worked as a teacher.
Thomas enrolled at the University of South Carolina at some point between February 1875 and January 1876. He entered as a freshman college student following the classical studies track. The university closed before he completed his degree.
After the closure of the university, Thomas returned to Beaufort, purchased a small ship, and ran a successfully business trading between the ports of Beaufort and Savannah. He was elected to State Senate, serving from 1884 to 1887. While in Senate, he served on the committees on charitable institutions, federal regulations, and public lands.
In the 1880s, Thomas became involved in law. He read law under William J. Whipper and was admitted to the bar by the South Carolina Supreme Court in 1885. He was one of several lawyer that helped Republican politician Thomas E. Miller successfully contest the 1888 election for U.S. Representative of the 7th Congressional District (which included Beaufort).
Later Thomas helped George W. Murray contest the 1894 election for U.S. Representative for the 1st Congressional District (which, after redistricting, included Beaufort). An appeal to the state election commission was unsuccessful, but Murray was eventually seated by Congress.
Thomas faced a series of setbacks in the 1890s. In 1891, he was convicted in federal court for overcharging a veteran's widow in a pension case. He was charged with a similar offense in 1892.
Thomas died in 1896.
Sources
1). 1880; Census Place: Beaufort, Beaufort, South Carolina; Roll: 1221; Page: 15B.
2). Bailey, N. Louise, et al. Biographical Directory of the South Carolina Senate, 1776-1985
Volume 2. University of South Carolina Press. 1986.
3). Tindall, George B. South Carolina Negroes, 1877–1900. University of South Carolina Press. 1970.
4). Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Atlanta University, June, 1874. Atlanta GA. 1874.
5). Catalogue of Atlanta University, June, 1872-73. Mutual Aid Job Printing House, Atlanta GA. 1873.
6). Catalogue of the Normal and Preparatory Departments of Atlanta University, 1871-72. Economical Book and Job Printing House, Atlanta, GA. 1872.
7). Burke, W. Lewis. All for Civil Rights: African American Lawyers in South Carolina, 1868-1968, University of Georgia Press, 2017.
8) Yorkville Enquirer [York, South Carolina]. November 11, 1891. p. 2.
Posted 5/27/20