GEN-EDITOR-L Archives

Archiver > GEN-EDITOR > 1997-08 > 0872084945


From: <>
Subject: Re: Rhea's in East Tennessee
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 1997 09:49:05 -0400 (EDT)


Gene,
If the name is originally RHEA, it is in all probability related to our
family. Matthew Campbell, from Scotland, after the 1685 rebellion, escaped to
Ireland where, because his nickname in Scotland was ruadh(red-haired) changed
his name to Reah, pronounced Ray, but very rarely spelled that way. He
married in 1687, and by 1698 he had changed his name. He is well chronicled
in county Donegal. By1800 the name was spelled RHEA in the colonies.

There were three sons of Matthew, that we are aware of. Matthew, b. 1688,
who was the grandfather of Rev. Joseph Rhea of Maryland and Tenn.(I looked up
your names in the book of his life. The Descendants of Rev. Joseph RHEA of
Ireland by Edward F. Foley, and did not find them. It is published by
Heritage Books, Inc.) His family is credited with the towns of Rheastown, Pa.
He died in Maryland, but he had purchased a number of acres of land in
Sullivan Co. Tenn, before his death, so afterwards the family moved there.
John Rhea the statesman, was his son. and also made the first map of
Tennessee.

Archibald b. 1690/92 is my direct. He is the only son of Matthew, we know of
that came to the colonies. He first was found in 1730 in Cumerland Co. Pa. He
then located in Augusta Co. Va. by 1740. He was married in Ireland to a Ann
?, and had sons William, Robert and Archibald, William is also my direct.
Through our discussion list, and help from many others we have been able to
pinpoint the children and most spouses of all three including children and so
forth.

William the first son, b. 1687, is the most elusive. We know nothing of him
or his children., but believe that he never came to the states.

There were a few Rea's, that when they came from Ireland, changed their names
to Rhea. One story is that, when they landed, they were asked how they
spelled their name, and they said Rea, but the person who asked, said Oh,
Well we have many here who spell their name Rhea, so this family changed
their name to Rhea.

I would be interested in hearing more about your family. We understand that
there is another branch from Pa. and they may be from the William I told you
about b. 1687. Have to look more into that.

If you would be interested in subscribing to the discussion list let me know.
If you are interested in the newsletter, also let me know. and I can tell you
how to subscribe to both.

Pat

This thread: