RHEA-L Archives

From: Robert Perry Rhea <>
Subject: [RHEA-L] "Reagh"
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1998 19:40:04 -0600

As most of you know, among the various spellings of Rhea, REAGH was the
preferred spelling until late in the 18th Century, at least among the
Archibald Rhea descendants (sons: William, Archibald, and Robert). I
believe that Rev. Joseph Rhea was "REAGH" when he and his family arrived
in the Colonies in 1769. Although I have not seen it, I am told that he
was Joseph REAGH on the passenger list of the ship on which he arrived.
Among the three brothers, Robert's family used that spelling longer than
did his brothers. Many of the various spellings can be attributed to
county clerks, census takers, etc. I have a copy of a deed where the
name has four spellings! I also have a copy of the original will of
William Rhea, Sr. (not the one in the will book). It is interesting
that his sons were listed as REACH, but he signed it RHEA. That was in
1801. I doubt that he wrote the text.

As for the name REAGH, I have corresponded with a number of REAGHs.
They have all said that the correct pronunciation is the same as RHEA,
that is, "Ray." One said that his ancestors came to Nova Scotia from
IRELAND in the late 1800s-early 1900s. A James Rhea arrived in
Granville, Nova Scotia in 176_? from BELFAST.

There is no doubt that the REAGHs and RHEAs have their roots in Scotland
and N. Ireland. As I stated in my 1991 Bath Co, VA article, my
grandfather said that his ancestors came from Bordeaux, France. I
wrote, "The Rheas of Augusta County were undoubtedly of Scotch Irish
stock, considering their names and their Presbyterianism. If from
France, it was but a stepping stone between Ireland and the Colonies."

Respectfully,
Robert Perry Rhea

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• [RHEA-L] "Reagh" by Robert Perry Rhea <>