Enumerated as James (a. 26, bp. VA, "Gold Hunter") living with his father Jacob McReynolds in the 1850 Census for LaFayette County in Missouri.

Unlike some of the other members of his family, he is not listed in the 1852 California Census for Sonoma County.

In the 1860 Census for Sonoma County, James is listed living in the Analy Township, dwelling #107 as James McReynolds (a. 38, bp. VA). He is a farmer with $4000 of Real Estate and $2500 of personal property. Also enumerated in his household are Mary F. McReynolds (a. 22, bp. MO), Lafayett McReynolds (a. 8, bp. MO), Sarah E. McReynolds (a. 4, bp. CA), Samuel W. McReynolds (a. 3, bp. CA), Laura C. McReynolds (a. 1, bp. CA), and John V. Gauldin (a. 18, bp. MO, occupation: Teamster with $800 of personal property). His parents are enumerated living in dwelling #95, his brother William in #95, and his brother Stephen in #96. James and Matilda Hudspeth are enumerated in dwelling #109. William H. Zilhart is listed in dwelling #113.

From Historical and Descriptive Sketch of Sonoma County, California, by Robert A. Thompson (L. H. Everts Co.: Philadelphia, 1877), page 18:

In November, 1851... A few people had gathered about the present site of the town of Petaluma, which was becoming a shipping point for Bodega and Green Valley produce. James McReynolds built that year for James Hudspeth a potato warehouse, which was the first building erected there.

It appears therefore that James was indeed in California in 1851. According to family stories he returned to Missouri to marry his first wife. However, the census records indicate that they had been married earlier. Both James (a. 26, bp. VA, "Gold Hunter") and Elizabeth P (a. 19, bp. VA) are listed living with James' father Jacob McReynolds in the 1850 Census for LaFayette County in Missouri. Patience is believed to have had a son (Lafayette) in Missouri in 1852. She became ill during her trip to California that year, and died in Sonoma County the following year.

James' second marriage to his first wife's sister is listed in Sonoma County Marriages 1847-1902 (Sonoma County Genealogical Society, Inc., Santa Rosa, CA: 1st Edition, March 1980), as James MC REYNOLDS to Mary F. GALDIN on 27 May 1855, (no place recorded), officiated by N. Nuckols, and recorded in Marriages Book A Page 50. A James Nuckolls is believed to have been a member of the 1853 train.

A letter from James Madison McReynolds to Samuel Meadows, Grand Pass, Saline County, Missouri (from McReynolds Family Westward Bound by Glenva Conklin, pp. 14-15):

Green Valley, Calif. January 2nd, 1853

Dear Sir:

According to promise I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines. We are all well except my wife she has not been very well since she was attacked with colony[cholera ?] of the Road she seems to have lost her health entirely tho I hope when the Rainy season is over she will recover. It has been a very unfavorable winter on newcombers. We found provisions very high tho plenty of it if people will pay the prices asked. Flour is & has been ever since we have been here worth from $16-$25 per hundred lbs. is now worth $20-$22.50; pork from $10-20 per bbl. Groceries & Drygoods very reasonable but little higher than they are there. Fat Oxen are worth from $175-$300. Oxen brought through last summer $125-$225; cows $75-$125; good American horses $150-$200; corn meal 10-12 cts. per pound; wheat 10-16; oats 12 1/2; barley 3-5; potatoes 3-6; butter 1.00; Eggs at 50; hens $2.00 apiece. Labor form 450-700. James McCue is working for $450 dollars the present year that is the lowest higher I have heard of. There has been so much rain that we have not saved any grass yet there is still plenty of time yet. I calculate to cultivate 20 acres from which I can very safely calculate on $1000 after paying all expenses that will not take more than half of my time. After harvest I calculate on going out to meet the emigration for the purpose of buying some stock. Father is living on Wm's place. They are all well. Father is not very well satisfied. I am living on Rented Land. I don't calculate to by Land here as I am not so well pleased as I should like to be. I intended to return to that country in 1855 if I don't change my mind. This is a delightful climate & the Best Poor man's country in the world perhaps if he is only satisfied. It is a poor place for enjoyment or amusements of any kind unless a man wants to gamble. There is plenty of Game here yet a little out of the neighborhood. We have not bought any meant since we have been here. Hogs is high, shoats weighing 75-100 is worth $20-25; a good sow is worth about $60, they are plenty & easy got at the above prices. If you wish to try your luck sell your farm, take it in stock, load up the children & come along, it is not far, the Road is not steep nor the Rivers not deep. If you don't like it you can return & be better off than your are now & a good deal wiser. You will then know the truth there is such a place as California. John is on his way there, you will doubtless see him. Listen to his story but do not believe it all.

There is a great deal of good land here unoccupied. It is all covered by old claims. People is squatting on it & swears they will hold it or have pay for their improvements at all events. A man may improve a place & use economy & make enough to do him & return home before the claims is settled. I should be better satisfied if I could hear from there occasionally. I have not had but one letter since I left there therefore you will please be so kind as to write one occasionally. If you should come bring 2 or 3 of the Best spirits you can get.

Again your Friend and Cousin until death

James McReynolds to Samuel Meadows, Esq.

From McReynolds Family Westward Bound by Glenva Conklin (copied for me by Susan Zeni) pp. 11-12:

James moved with his family to Missouri in 1837 and in 1850 left for the California gold fields. He settled in Sonoma County but not being too satisfied he returned to Missouri this time by way of Panama. He married Elizabeth in Missouri. They crossed the plains with his folks and his brothers. He bought 160 acres in Green Valley which became known as Spring Hill Farm. His wife had become sick on the trail to California and never fully recovered. She died in March, 1853.

James gave a portion of Spring Hill Farm for the first cemetery in the area and Elizabeth was the first to be buried there. Two years later he married Elizabeth's sister. They had seven children. She died in 1869. He farmed Spring Hill for 17 years. He married his housekeeper and moved into Santa Rosa.

James Madison McReynold's Spring Hill Farm in Green Valley was between Freestone and Sebastopol in Sonoma County and part of the old Rancho Canada de Jonive.

From Sonoma County Deed Index (compiled by Susan Zeni):

James Madison McReynolds' son, James (James Floyd McReynolds ?) is listed in Sonoma County Deeds Book 221 Page 58-59 as selling land which had belonged to his father to a Geo. P. Baxter.

Obituary in an uncited newspaper (from McReynolds Family Westward Bound by Glenva Conklin, pp. 12-13):

JAMES McREYNOLDS,

WHO RESIDED NEAR SEBASTOPOL,

MANY YEARS, DIED THIS MORNING

James McReynolds, one of the resolute and sturdy pioneers of California, and who has been a resident of the Golden State for over half a century, passed across the last divide this morning at his home in this city. None of the early pioneers were more generally known or more highly respected than he who has just entered the last long sleep and his active life was made up of kindly deeds unostentatiously to those whose troubles seemed to weigh them down to the sick and needy.

Mr. McReynolds was born in the Old Dominion on August 27, 1821 and at the time of his death his life span had reached almost eighty-four years. In 1837 the parents of the deceased moved from Virginia to Illinois and settled the following year in Missouri. In 1850 James McReynolds set out for the gold fields of California making the long journey in the ox teams of that day. He settled in what was known as Green Valley, but not realizing his expecations at that time returned to his eastern home by the way of Panama. In 1852 he again set his face toward the setting sun, and reaching this county made it his home until the day of his death. He spent some time in the timber regions and finally purchased a magnificient ranch near Sebastopol which he called the Spring Hill Farm. This is one of the best properties in that splended section.

The deceased has been a widower for a number of years, three wives having passed away before the summons came to him to join them. By the first two marriages eight children were born, five of whom survive. Mrs. Ella Wells, Mrs. Laura Dow, Edwin Lee, and Floyd McReynolds. Three children were born of the last marriage, Miss Charlotte, James and Joseph McReynolds.

When the McReynolds family came to California and settled in Green Valley it consisted of the father, Jacob McReynolds, Sr., and seven sons sturdy scions of old Virginian Scotch stock: James, John, Jacob, William, Stephen, Robert, Joseph, and Isaac. Of the boys only three are living, Jacob of Ukiah, Oregon, William of Portland, Oregon, and Isaac of Washington State.

Pioneer A. H. Smith was one of Mr. McReynold's closest friends during his lifetime. They were born and raised in the same town in old Virginia, growing up together as boys. Later they became residents of Sonoma County in the early days of the old excitement and their friendship has continued since boyhood.

Notice of the funeral will be given.

James Madison McReynold's gravesite at Spring Hill Cemetery (from Susan Zeni):

James
McReynolds

Died
June 13, 1905

Aged
83 Yrs 9 Mos
16 Dys