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James Rea Sr (bef. 1720 - aft. 1788)

James Rea Sr aka Ray
Born before [location unknown]
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married before 1739 [location unknown]
Descendants descendants
Died after after age 68 in Henry, Virginia, United Statesmap
Problems/Questions Profile managers: Kirsten Rose private message [send private message] and TerriAnn Rea-Gaustad private message [send private message]
Profile last modified | Created 29 Jun 2014
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Contents

Biography

[Biographical info from original GEDCOM import by Kirsten Rose (2014) ]

James was born about 1730 in Virginia Colony, James married Johannah Kasoinah (said to be an Indian woman, but no proof) about 1749 (date based on birth of children). He passed away in 1788 in Henry County, Virginia.

Children of JAMES REA and JOHANN KASOINAH are: 4. i. WILLIAM COLLINGS3 REA, b. March 6, 1752, Virginia; d. May 27, 1856, Milton, Tennessee. ii. JOHN REA, d. Unknown; married JEANEY WOODLIEF, July 28, 1806, Henry Co., Virginia; d. Unknown.

Among his descendants - through his daughter Elizabeth - is John Edwards, Democratic Presidential Candidate.

Death Date: 1788 in Henry County, Virginia

Burial: Rea Property on Little Marrowbone Creek, Henry Co, Virginia

[End of bio from original GEDCOM import]

See the Research Notes for some differing analysis.

Research Notes

Birth: Although many trees give his birth as ~1730 (sometimes in Amherst, Virginia), his birth is likely closer to ~1718 (Place unknown). The James Rea family can be placed in Cumberland Co VA as early as 1752 [1]. James, his wife Joanna, and sons John and James Rea Jr are found in these records throughout the 1750s and 1760s. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

The 1759 Cumberland Co VA tithables list shows James Rea with 2 tithables [8], which implies one son born between ~1739-1743 (i.e. between ages 16-21). This son is likely John Rea/Rhea (1739-1813), who is also mentioned together with his father in Cumberland Co records[9]. [Y-DNA results show that James Rea and John Rea/Rhea have a common patrilineal ancestry.] If James Rea had a child b 1739, he would likely be born at least 21 yrs earlier, i.e. 1718 or before.

Parents: There is no evidence that shows James Rea, Sr of Henry Co, VA is the son of John Ray/Rhea and Hannah Hasty. This idea seems to have come from a misinterpretation of a passage in a book by Joseph C Rhea Jr "Ray-Rhea: a family book of history and genealogy for Rhea and related families" (1969).

However, it is now clear from Y-DNA analysis that the results from descendants of John Ray (& Hannah Hasty) do not match those of the descendants of James Rea of Henry Co, VA [10] Yet this erroneous relationship continues to be propagated throughout many family trees.

Marriage: There is no evidence that James Rea's wife, Joanna/Johanna, was Native American. See her profile (Joanna Rea) for more details.

A marriage date of 1749 is found in many trees. It seems to be inferred from the assumed ages of their children, all of whom are presumed to be born after 1750 (This seems to be a consequence of the presumed birth of James Rea ~1730). However, the Cumberland Co records show that their son John was born ~1740 and it's possible that there were daughters born even earlier. A deed from James and Joanna Rea to James Rea Jr[6] would put his birth ~1746 or earlier. William Collins Rea (b ~1755) is likely the youngest son, by virtue of inheriting the family land.

Children: There are nine children and one grandchild mentioned in James Rea’s LWT[11] . The six children who received token legacies are likely the oldest and (with the probable exception of James Rea Jr, who received the family Bible), they are likely listed in birth order. (Something like: John, Mary, Rebekah, James Jr, Ann, Katherine, William C, Elizabeth, Sarah) Since a grandchild, Jesse Roach, is also named as a legatee, there may have been another (deceased) daughter. More extensive research might reveal the approximate birth years of the daughters.

Death: James Rea's will was written 11 November 1788 and probated 27 April 1789[11], so he died sometime between these two dates, probably in late 1788 or early 1789. The cited transcription of the Inventory and LWT of James Rea appears to be by Rochelle Dirden. I think it contains a few errors. For a copy of the original image, other transcriptions and notes see the documents attached to the FamilySearch profile for James Rea [GS6N-V7D]. Images and/or links for some other sources can be found there as well.

Biography:

Note that the John Rea who married Jeaney Woodlief was the son of James Rea (Jr), not James Rea (Sr).

Ray-9765 21:09, 25 August 2023 (UTC)

Sources

  1. Cumberland County Virginia Order Book 3, p 29.
  2. Cumberland County Virginia Order Book 3, p 29, 113, 286, 370, 528.
  3. Cumberland County Virginia Order Book 4, p 378.
  4. Cumberland County Virginia Order Book 6, p 108, 299, 320.
  5. Virginia Land Office Patents No 33, pp 233-234.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Cumberland County Virginia Deed Book 4, p 333
  7. Cumberland County Virginia Deed Book 4, p 408
  8. 8.0 8.1 Southside Virginian, Vol 2, No 4 (July, 1984). pp 156-157: Cumberland Tithables 1759.
  9. Cumberland County Virginia Order Book 3, p 370.
  10. https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/rea-ray-wray The identities of the testers are not named here to protect their privacy. There are at least three Y-DNA testers who are descendants of John Ray and Hannah Hasty. And there are at least two descendants of William Collins Rea and several of John Rea/Rhea. There are close matches within the two groups, but the two groups do not closely match each other.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Henry Co Virginia Will Book 1, p 173.
  • Pittsylvania Co., Virginia Order Book 2, page 265; September 1773 term, Charles Gallaway and Constant Perkins bring suit against James Rea and Nathan Cockram, who both fail to appear. Judgement for 2 pounds, 9 shillings is entered against them.
  • Henry County, Virginia Will Book I, page 4 In 1777, James Rea was named Administrator of the estate of Silvanus Webb.
  • James Rea appears in the Henry County, Virginia Tax Lists for the years, 1778, 1779, 1780, and 1782.
  • Henry County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists 1782-1830. James Rea/Ray appears nearly every year from 1782-1789, sometimes as levy free (1785, 1786) and marked "deceased" in 1789 list. Family History Library Microfilm #2024587.
  • Henry County, Virginia Deed Book 2, pp 315-316. Apr 24, 1783, James Rea purchased 100 acres on Little Marrowbone Creek, Joining Pool's branch, commonly called Blevins, Gray's Order line, from John East, heir at law of William East, dec'd.
  • Henry County, Virginia Will Book 1, Page 173. Will of James Rea, made November 11, 1788, probated April 27, 1789; Names wife, Johanna; sons, William Collings Rea, James Rea and John Rea; daughters, Mary Rea, Rebekah Bolling, Ann Brown, Katherine Sanders, Elizabeth Cooper and Sarah Bollings; and grandson, Jesse Rook. Executers: James Rea and William Collings Rea. Witnesses: Robert Sorton, Thomas T. Cooper, William Collings Rea and James Rea, Jr.. July 15, 1789 Inventory taken of the Estate of James Rea. July 27, 1789, Henry Co., Court held and William C. Rea, with George Hamilton and John Redd, his securities entered into bond and Inventory of the estate of James Rea, was ordered to be recorded.
WILL OF JAMES REA 11 NOVEMBER 1788, HENRY CO, VIRGINIA WILLS BOOK 1, GP 173 WILL OF JAMES REA WRITTEN NOVEMBER 11. 1788 PROBATED APRIL 27, 1789 In the name of God amen. James Rea of the county of Henry being wake of body but of sound Mind and memory thanks be to the Almighty God for the same and calling to mind the uncertainty of his life do make my last will and testament in manner and form. Following first and principally, I recommend my soul unto the hands of the Almighty God who gave it and my body to be decently buried. Item, I first and foremost desire that all my just debt be discharged then the balance of my estate to be disposed of a following: Item I desire that my estate both real and personal remain and continue in the hands of my beloved wife Johnna Rea except the smith tools and horses. I give my son William Collings Rea, after the death of my wife Johnna Rea, the land I live upon. I give my son William Collings Rea, except 40 acres I give to Thomas Cooper. I give to my grandson Jesse Rook bed and furniture, also one bay mare. I give to my son John Rea, Mary Rea, Rebekah Bolling, Ann Brown, Katherine Sanders one shilling sterling each. I give my son James Rea one Large Bible, the rest of my estate to be equally divided between Wm. Collings Rea, Elizabeth Cooper, and Sarah Bollings. I leave my son James Rea and William Collings Rea my executors together my last and testament. Hereby revoking all former wills by me. Heretofore made and appointed this to be my last will and testament whereof I now here unto. I have set my hand and seal this 11 day of November 1788, S. S. delivered in the presence of Robert Sorton, Thomas T. Cooper, James Rea Jr., & Wm. C. Rea - - - - James Rea S. S. At court of quarterly September for Henry Co on the 27th day of April 1789 the within last will and testament of James Rea, Sent; was exhibited in court by Wm. C. Rea one of the executors here-in named who made oath according to law. The same was proved by the oath of two of the witnesses thereof to be the last will and testament of the same James Rea, deceased. The said Wm. C. Rea with George Hamilton and John Redd his securities entered into bond and acknowledged the same. Whereupon the same was ordered to be recorded. By the court the said Wm. C. Rea, having obtained probate thereof in due form. TESTE.
  • Henry County, Virginia Will Book 1, Page 176. INVENTORY OF JAMES REA SR. H. M. C. of Henry Co. Court Directed Appraised as follows: 15 July 1789 1 Feather bed and furniture 8.40 2 Iron pots and hooks-17/Frying pan-5/ 1.20 1 Oven & lead-10/Iron & heater6/ .16 1 Pr. sturup, 1 wedge,guage,handsaw .06 1 Pr. stillards-15/1hackle-20/1axe-6/ 2.15 1 Cowhide-5/1flaxwheel-10/churn & pail-8/ 1.03 2 Dishes,3bowls,6plates,7spoons &1 candle mold 2.00 5 Knifes, 3 forks-3/butter Pots & bole-7/2-foot rule1/3 11.03 1 Pr. scales-5/1 small trunk-2/6 side____ 7/6 .15 2 Chains-4/1chest15/1 bareshear plow; 1 pr. gears-30/ 2.50 1 bunch broke flax-4/ .40 1 Sorral horse 8.00 1 Grindingstone-1/1 bostons forefold slate-2/6 3.60 7 Head geese-17/6ten Head of hogs34/ 2.16 4 Barrels and 7 bushel corn-30/ 1.10 6 Head of cattle 7.10 6 Bee hives-35/1 table&barrel-5/ 2.10 7 Bells-one3/;ea4/ .07 1 Bed and two blankets 3.10 1 Mare and colt 4.10 1 Hame and strap *49.14.3 * Money in pounds John Wash, W. Pace & J. N. pace. Court held for Henry County on 27 July 1789. Within Inventory of the Estate of James Rea, was Notarized and ordered to be recorded.

The following information was researched by Lela C. Adams Bassett, Virginia. Her collection is housed in the Bassett Branch Historical Center, Bassett, Virginia

  • Henry County, Virginia Deed Book 4, Pages 200-201, 26 April 1791 John Marr and wife Susannah of Henry County, to John Rea for the sum of Fifty four pounds sells land on Sandy Creek a branch of Little Dan River being 160 acres.
  • Henry County, Virginia Deed Book 5, page 176, 29 December 1794 David Quaarles and William Quarles Jr. of Henry County to George Hairston...240 acres on the South side of Smith River joins John Rea, Marrowbone Creek, Rea's Creek.

Acknowledge

Rea-543 was created by Kirsten Rose through the import of Rose_2012-01-29_2014-06-26.ged on June 26, 2014.





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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with James by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with James:

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Comments: 4

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I believe that the information in this profile is problematic in a number of important respects.

Many of the supporting sources for my remarks can be found in the profile for James Rea [GS6N-V7D] at FamilySearch.org. Starting at the top:

Birth: I’d estimate his birth closer to ~1718 (Place unknown). A 1768 deed from James & Joanna Rea to James Rea Jr places this family in Cumberland Co VA from 1756, the date of the patent for this land. The 1759 Cumberland Co VA tithables list shows James Rea with 2 tithables, which implies one son born between ~1739-1743 (i.e. between ages 16-21). This son is likely John Rea/Rhea (1739-1813). [Y-DNA results show that James Rea and John Rea/Rhea have a common patrilineal ancestry.] If James Rea had a child b 1739, he would likely be born at least 21 yrs earlier, i.e. 1718 or before. See the supporting documents attached at FamilySearch.org (under “Memories”).

Parents: There is no evidence that shows James Rea, Sr of Henry Co, VA is the son of John Rhea/Rea and Hannah Hastey. This idea seems to have come from a book by Joseph C Rhea Jr "Ray-Rhea: a family book of history and genealogy for Rhea and related families" (1969).

However, it is now clear from Y-DNA analysis that the results from descendants of John Rhea (& Hannah Hastey) do not match those of the descendants of James Rea of Henry Co, VA. Yet this erroneous relationship continues to be propagated throughout many family trees.

(Even though the WikiTree page lists no known Y-DNA descendants of James Rea, there are at least two bona fide descendants of Wm Collins Rea and several of John Rea/Rhea.)

Brother of John M Rae: The John Rea/Ray/Rhea who died in Warren Co TN (1813) is almost certainly the son of James & Johanna Rea of Henry Co, VA. James Rea’s LWT names a son John and, as noted above, James’s 1759 tithable count shows that he had a son probably born ~1739. This John Rea appears frequently in Henry Co and Patrick Co records from the period 1763 - 1798. Henry & Patrick county tax records show him sometimes listed as a blacksmith, preacher or D. Divinity along with his sons James, Moses, Aaron and John Jr.

Marriage: The 1749 marriage date seems to be inferred from the presumed ages of their children, all of whom are presumed to be born after 1750. However, If one accepts that James & Johanna Rea lived in Cumberland Co VA before coming to the Henry Co VA area then they had a son born ~1740 (John) and maybe daughters born even earlier. The deed (referenced above) to James Rea Jr would put his birth ~1746 or earlier. Wm Collins Rea (b ~1755) is likely the youngest son, by virtue of inheriting the family land.

Children: There are nine children and one grandchild mentioned in the LWT. The six children who received token legacies are likely the oldest and (with the exception of James Rea Jr who received the family Bible), they are likely listed in birth order.

Biography: I don’t see how Fergus Rea could be the father of James Rea. I haven’t personally researched Fergus Rea, but many trees date his marriage as being in 1725, and the birth of James in 1726. I just don’t see how James Rea could have been born this late. I can’t even tell how the names of his children were sourced. The John Rea who married Jeaney Woodlief was the son of James Rea (Jr), not James Rea (Sr).

Death: James Rea's will was written 11 November 1788 and probated 27 April 1789 [Henry County VA Will Book I, p 173], so he died sometime between these two dates, probably in late 1788 or early 1789

The cited transcription of the LWT for James Rea appears to be by Rochelle Dirden. I think it contains a few errors. For a copy of the original image (Henry Co VA WB I, p 173) and other transcriptions and notes see the documents attached to James Rea [GS6N-V7D] at FamilySearch.org.

posted by Roger Ray
If Johanna Rea was an Indian James would not have been able to leave his property to her. There is nothing to suggest that this woman was anything other than white.
posted by Kathie (Parks) Forbes
Could I get some clarification since I was not able to verify in records - is the father Fergus Rea as the bio lists? Or is the father John Rea?
posted by Miriam (Keaton) Howell
Rea-543 and Rea-933 appear to represent the same person because: Same people
posted by Gail (Baker) Williams

R  >  Rea  >  James Rea Sr