Joseph Reyner

Joseph Reyner (1754/5-1837) was originally from Yorkshire, Reyner was a lifelong Independent, though very friendly with such Baptists as the Haldanes of Scotland and Fuller of Kettering. He was a successful cotton importer and shipper, with offices at 11 Philpot Lane, Fench Street, then later in Duck’s Foot Lane and Old Swan Stairs, London. Reyner served many years as a deacon and trustee of Kingsland Chapel. His business partner was Joseph Hardcastle, another evangelical leader. Reyner was the first treasurer of the Religious Tract Society (1799-1827) and chaired its annual meetings from 1800 to 1825. He also assisted Joseph Hughes in the founding of the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1804, and was active in the London Missionary Society, among other philanthropic ventures (he was a member of nineteen religious and philanthropic societies).  He supported the BMS as well; his firm, Hardcastle and Reyner, subscribed £10.10 in 1800-1801. Universal British Directory (1791-98), 1/2:266; BMS Periodical Accounts, vol. 2, p. 205.