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Archiver > RHEA > 1998-10 > 0909102186


From: Tomikin <>
Subject: Re: [RHEA-L] John W Rea
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 1998 17:23:06 -0700


Dennis Rea wrote:

Any knowledge of John W. Rea, born 1809 in South Carolina (not certain where
>but believe in the 96th district or Greenville County....there are several
>Rea's in 1820 Greenville County census but can't verify if these are his
>family) . Moved to Mississippi and married Rachael McWilliams and had six
>children, Andrew, Louisa, Thomas, Emily, Samuel, Charlie. John died in
>Jackson
>Miss in 1854. He was a carpenter. I am most interested in knowing his
>parentage. Family stories seemed to point to his father as being of French
>decent, a bit of a puzzlement in view of the Rea name mostly being associated
>with Irish and English. If you have any information on John W. Rea's
>parentage
>and family origin I would be most appreciative. PS: Story goes that his
>father was a ship stowaway, most likely traveling from France (but we don't
>have any verification of this). Email me at if you can
>help.
>
>Dennis Rea
>E-Mail:
>
Dennis
As far as I know, Rea, is a Scottish name, not french. Your John W. Rea,
born 1809 in SC is a likely descendant of the Rea Families of Mecklenburg
Co., NC which borders SC. Some Reas were in Union Co., SC along this
border. The fact that your John Rea had a son named Andrew Rea is another
possible link because there were at least four Andrew Rea's in Mecklenburg
Co in the generation before 1809. Andrew Rea (1731-1809) wife Jane Cochran
had son named Andrew who had a family and another son, John Rea who had a
son named Andrew. Andrew's brother, my ancestor, John Rea (1732-1767) wife
Martha had a son Andrew Rea born 1767. Unfortunately, except for my
ancestor John's sons: David Rea (1757-1839) wife Mary Berryhill; Robert Rea
(1762-1852) wife Agnes Patton and John Rea (1764-1843) wife Nancy Secrest
none of the other families are as yet fully identified with listed
children. But you might want to look at Mecklenburg Co., NC data to find
your ancestor's family. If I can be of any help write to me:
Tom Rea

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