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Archiver > RHEA > 1997-04 > 0861607045


From: <>
Subject: Re: Maryland Rhea's??
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 1997 03:17:25 -0400 (EDT)


I understand that the families from Northern Ireland landed either at
Baltimore, Maryland or Phil, Pa. Do you have passenger lists,Ship for the
family. Was the name spelled Rhea when they landed or was it Ray.

It is always a possibility that your family may be a later branch of the
family, since the only family member , that we know of, that came to the
colonies was Archibald Reah, and various spellings. But one of the points
you need to understand is that before Matthew Campbell Reah was in Ireland,
he was a Campbell in Scotland.

So if your name was Rhea, or Ray or O'Ray in Ireland before 1685, there is a
possibility that there is no relationship between the two families.

Here is something you might look at. In the book Descendants of Rev. Jospeh
Rhea of Ireland, p.3 After a long passage across the Atlantic they arrived
at their destination before the onslaught of the freezing winter. The brig
sailed up the Delaware River and the passengers disembarked at Philadelphia.
Arriving with the Rhea family was Fanny Dyart, Elizabeth's niece. Elizabeth
was Rev. Joseph Rhea's wife. For several weeks they lived in Philadelphia with
a relative, Matthew Byers, but in the spring of 1770 they hired wagons and
moved to Octorarah, Pennsylvania to the home of Joshua Anderson, Elizabeth's
half brother.. A wealthy man by the name of Joseph Miller(another Anderson
relative) rented them with a house and small acreage with orchard and small
field where they lived for about two years. The Colonial Clergy of Maryland n
otes Joseph settled in Cumberland, Adams Co., Pa. at Upper Marsh Creek
Church, Gettysburg Pa. 1770-1771. In May 1771 the Presbyterian Synod met in
Phil Pa. recorded in its minutes is a notation that the Presbytery of
"Donegal" had received as a member Rev. Joseph Rhea, lately from Ireland. In
1771, Joseph accepted a call to Piney Creek Church which is still in
existence today. This church is west of Taneytown MD. a small city on the
waters of Monocacy River.

It also states that Fanny Dysart, who had come over with the Rhea's married
John McAllister, a store keeper (and cousin) in Taneytown. Joseph Rhea and
the McAllisters are buried next to each other at Piney Creek Church.

Rev. Joseph Rhea's father Matthew, was the second son of Matthew Campbell
Rhea

Not trying to sell this book, but it is great reading and is available from
heritage Books, Inc. They have a online web site.

Hope this helps some, at least it gives you several places to look. The
gentleman who wrote the book above. is Mr. Ed Foley. His wife is a direct
descendant of Rev. Rhea.

Pat

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