CHARLOTTE – The Matthews Heritage Museum is pleased to announce its newest exhibit: Rediscovering the Reids. This exhibit features the two Reid Families of Matthews and Sharon Township, sometimes a confusing topic. Intriguingly two Reid families with no known relationship to each other were joined together with the marriage of Ellie Reid Bell and T. N. Reid. Dr. and Ellie Reid lived in the Reid house at 134 W. JohnStreet throughout their marriage. The exhibit explores the preceding generations of Reids living in the area, leading to this couple and their children. The museum has conducted new research to get a better understanding of the families. The exhibit will open on March 5, and be on display until June 25, 2022.
The Reid House was given to the Matthews Historical Foundation by Sarah Redd, who inherited the building from Nancy Reid. Nancy and her sister, and two step-sisters lived in the house with Dr. T. N.Reid, her father, and Ellie Reid Bell, her mother. The Reid House, located at 134 W. John Street is one of the few surviving structures in Matthews from the Victorian era.
Ellie’s family first came to this country when her great-grandfather James Reid emigrated from northern Ireland and settled in Mecklenburg. James was a patriot in the Revolutionary War. James’ son Solomon and grandson Jeremiah Solomon were early leaders in the county. Solomon served in the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War, and Jeremiah Solomon served in the NC State Legislature and is often referred to as the “father” of Matthews as he submitted the request to incorporate the town. Jeremiah’s son Edward Solomon built the Reid House but sold it to his sister, who lived there with her second husband, Dr. Thomas Neely Reid. Dr. T. N. Reid of the “other” Reid family grew up in Sharon Township and was a beloved doctor to the Matthews community.
Dr. T. N. Reid’s great-grandfather was born in Mecklenburg County in 1772. His great-great grandfather moved here from either Pennsylvania or Ireland. The roots of both of these families intertwine with other leading families in the area. Learn about this interesting family and get to know many of its members. Many never-before-seen photos of these residents will be featured.
The Museum is open Thursday to Saturday from 10 to 4:30. Admission charged. Free the first Saturday of every month. For this exhibit, tours of the Reid House will be given several times during the exhibit, to be announced.
