Abstract
Dr. Willoughby H. Reed (1856-1939) was a life member of the Historical Society and served as its Treasurer for many years. He was married to Annie Jarrett Reed (1860-) who was also a lifelong member of the Society. The Willoughby H. Reed Family Papers include the papers of the Reed family as well as Annie Jarrett Reed’s father Samuel F. Jarrett (1825-1917) diaries and other papers. There are programs from Jarrett family reunions that were held at the Reed’s home, “Will-Anna.” Willoughby H. Reed’s diaries are also part of the collection as well as correspondence, store ledgers, and receipt books.
Biographical Note
Willoughby H. Reed was a physician, pharmacist, local historian, and writer who was born in Norristown and lived in Jeffersonville, Pa. and Orange City, Florida. After graduating from Jefferson Medical College, he practiced medicine in New Jersey. He married Annie Jarrett in 1884 and opened a pharmacy in Jeffersonville. Reed also wrote books about his travels to California and Florida. He was a life member of the Historical Society of Montgomery County and served as its treasurer and chair of the publication committee. He died in 1939 in Florida. He is buried in Montgomery Cemetery.
Samuel F. Jarrett was born in Upper Providence in 1825. He was a farmer, first on his parents' farm, then on his own farm in Lower Providence. In 1849 he married Amanda Crawford; they had two daughters. Emma died in infancy. Anne married Dr. W. H. Reed. He was briefly a cavalry sergeant during the Civil War. Jarrett was active in the local Republican Party. He was elected county treasurer three times, and was on the Montgomery County Republican Committee. He also served on the Board of Directors of the People's National Bank of Norristown and a life member of HSMC. He died in 1917.
Annie Jarrett Reed was born in 1860, as Anne Jarrett. She married Willoughby H. Reed in 1884. She was a very active member of the Historical Society of Montgomery County. She died in Orange City, Florida in 1936. She is buried in Montgomery Cemetery.
Issachar U. Rhoads was a schoolmaster at the Center School in Whitpain from 1808 to 1812.
Scope and Content
The Willoughby H. Reed Family Papers consists of the papers of several members of the Reed family, dating from 1790 until Reed’s death in 1939. The collection contains diaries, correspondence, ledgers and account books, materials relating to Jarrett family reunions, school work, and Annie Jarrett Reed’s autograph book. Subjects covered in the material include Reed and Jarrett genealogy, the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, and the Reeds’ trips to Jamaica, Florida, and California.