The Truth About Maria Reynolds

Early Life

Maria Reynolds was born March 30th, 1768 as Maria Lewis. She was born into a poor family of 1 half sibling and 5 full siblings. Her mother Susanna Van Der Burgh, was barely literate and could only write her name. Her father Richard Lewis was illiterate so that combination proved for a poor family. When Maria was 15 her family wanted her to have a better more wealthy life so they married her off to a wealthy suitor named James Reynolds. James Reynolds was what you would call a con artist. James Reynolds tricked the the Lewis family. He tricked them into thinking he was wealthy and promised them that Maria would a better more comfortable life with him. It isn't specified how old James Reynolds is but based on his rank in the American Revolutionary War, he  had to be at least several years older than her. By my calculations he was in his late 20s/ early 30s when he married 15 year old Maria.