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Archiver > RHEA > 1999-02 > 0918429791


From: Robert Perry Rhea <>
Subject: Re: [RHEA-L] Morgan Co. In. - Rhea
Date: Sun, 07 Feb 1999 17:23:11 -0600


James H. Rhea (James Harvey Rhea) who married Sarah J. Sligar was the
son of Robert H. Rhea, and the grandson of Joseph C. Ray/Rhea of
Washington Co., VA. I do not believe that this family was in any way
connected with the Rev. Joseph Rhea family, or with the families of
Robert Reagh/Rhea who died in Washington Co., VA, in 1779, the husband
of Sarah (Bingham) Rhea, and of his brothers, William and Archibald
Rhea. The family of "The Other Joseph" is chronicled in the RAY - RHEA
book authored by Joseph C. Rhea, Jr., 1969. According to the author,
James Harvey Rhea was born in Smyth Co., VA, Nov. 3, 1842, and died in
Eminence, Indiana, Dec. 1, 1900. On page 21 of his book, he states that
Joseph C. Ray became acquainted with a school teacher [in Washington
County]. The school teacher upon learning his name told him, "Why, in
this part of the country we spell that name R-h-e-a." On the advice of
the teacher, Joseph C. changed the spelling to Rhea. The story, if
true, is a little puzzling, for if the teacher's reference was to
Robert, his family was still using the Reagh and Reaugh spellings when
the conversation presumably took place (just after 1790).

Are there RHEA-L subscribers who trace their ancestry to this Joseph C.
Rhea? If so, the RHEA - RAY book is a good reference. The author did
a good job of tracing descendants to 1969 (we had neighbors who were of
that line), but his review of other Rhea lines does not compare
favorably with more recent ones. So goes genealogical research!

Robert Perry Rhea

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