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From:
Subject: [RHEA-L] Alexander Rhea
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 06:56:59 EDT

Here is a nice note I received, outlining a line I have not previously had
any data for. Thought others might also be interested.

ED FOLEY


Subj: Rhea Book
Date: 6/19/00 10:37:36 PM Taipei Standard Time
From: Cmds1467
To: EFoley1

Dear Edward,

First, I would like to commend you for your extensive research on the various
lines of the Rhea family.

My maiden name is Rhea, and I am a direct descendent of #350 Alexander Rhea,
a son of #152 James Rhea. As you know, James was the husband of Mary Gray,
who was a daughter of Captain John Gray who served in the Revolutionary War
in North Carolina. For those interested in DAR membership, he is a
designated patriot.

Alexander Rhea (#350) was married twice. By his first wife, James S. and
Sarah were born. I am a descendent of his second wife, Elizabeth Rittenhouse
b. 11 Nov 1828 in W. Va, d. 20 Nov 1912 in Missouri. Elizabeth Rittenhouse
was a descendent of the Pennsylvania Rittenhouse family. As documented in
Alexander's will and other census papers which I would be glad to provide
you, the children are as follows: George Washington b. 24 Nov. 1854, m. 10
Feb 1878 to Ida Matilda Johnson, d. 4 Feb 1917 in Greenwood, Ks; Samuel
Harvey b. 1870 Carrol County, Mo; Mary b. 1857, Kokomo, Indiana; Zilpha Jane,
b. 14 March 1862, Kokomo, m. 15 Dec 1880 to William Fry, d. 6 Oct 1945;,
Margaret Melinda, b. 1865 Kokomo, m. Wm. J. Corley and Jehu Harold b. 1 June
1859 in Kokomo, d. 12 August 1939. Jehu settled in Carroll County Missouri
and married his first wife, Margaret Williams on March 2, 1887. Their two
sons were Roy Harold, b. 1889, d. 1959 and Claude Hiram Rhea, Sr. b. 1896, d.
1979. Margaret Williams died in 1898, and Jehu remarried twice, Luella
Gibson ( who died) and Stella Stroud. By those marriages, Jehu had Marvin
Francis, b. 1903, d. 1966; George Washington, b. 1906, d. 1990, and Ruth
Ellen, b. 1910, d. 1986.

My father, Claude Hiram Rhea, Jr. (b. 26 October 1927, d. 19 September 1990)
was the only child of Claude Hiram Rhea, Jr. and Cecile Virginia Walden (b.
30 October 1896, d. 4 April 1992). Claude H. Rhea, Sr. and Cecile Walden
were married on 3 April 1924 in Carrolton, Missouri. Claude H. Rhea, Jr.
married Carolyn Turnage on 26 August 1951. To this marriage, three children
were born: Claude Hiram Rhea, III, b. 13 December 1954, m. Carolyn Noss in
Paducah, KY; Charles Randall Rhea b. 15 March 1957 m. Elaine Beard in
Alabama; and Margaret Elizabeth Rhea McSweeney, b. 22 March 1962. I married
S. David McSweeney on 16 February 1991 in Palm Beach, Florida. Claude H.
Rhea, III and his wife have two children: Elizabeth b. 1987 and Mary Carolyn
b. 1993. My husband and I have two daughters: Melissa Reagan, b. 1993 and
Kathryn Walden, b. 1995.

My father, Claude H. Rhea, Jr. was an incredible man. Diagnosed with
malignant cancer at age 33, he was miraculously healed in the time before
chemo therapy. He had a doctorate in music and received a theological
degree at New Orleans Seminary. He was an accomplished musician and very
well known in religious circles. He recorded several albums, one even with
the London Symphony. He was Dean of the School of Music for several years at
Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. In his final eight years, he was
president of Palm Beach Atlantic College in Florida.

In my spare time, I enjoy geneaolgy research and am thrilled with your
findings. I would really like to further document the link of Archibald Rhea
as a definite son of Matthew "rebel" Rhea. One book which I would like to
obtain is THE HOUSE OF ARGYLL AND THE COLLATERAL BRANCHES OF THE CLAN
CAMPELL, written by John Tweed in 1871 and published by Houston and Son,
London. Perhaps there is an official link mentioned there.

Anyway, thank you for your extensive research. If you have time, I would be
interested in hearing from you.

All the best,

Margaret Rhea McSweeney

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