School: Berks Womelsdorf (Pennsylvania/PA)
Leonard Reedy [B 1776 – D 1837] , Master Gunsmith, Womelsdorf, Pine Grove and Gratz, Pa.
Leonard Reedy learned the gunsmith trade while an apprentice to John Bonewitz in Womelsdorf, Berks Co., Pa. It is estimated he joined Bonewitz as an apprentice in 1790, at age 14, and achieved Master Gunsmith status 7 or 8 years later. He remained in the Bonewitz, Womelsdorf shop after completing his apprenticeship and moved with the Bonewitz family to Pine Grove, Pa. in 1809. Sometime after the conclusion of the War of 1812 he moved to Gratz, Pa. where he continued as a Master Gunsmith and also became a local Justice of the Peace.
Both Bonewitz and Reedy are credited with teaching the mysteries of the gunsmith trade to Andrew Fichthorn Jr. who returned to Reading in 1802-1803 and established his own shop.
Leonard Reedy’s account journals, while in Gratz, are the subject of 10 pages [13-22] in Joe Kindig’s famous book ‘Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age’ printed in 1960. His Gratz account journals are also reviewed in an article published by the Gratz Historical Society. ‘The Lost Years of Leonard Reedy’ were the subject of a private research effort by KRA member H. I. Bishop presented to KRA members in 2004.
