William Rea
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William Collins Rea (abt. 1755 - aft. 1815)

William Collins Rea
Born about in Cumberland, Virginiamap [uncertain]
Brother of
Husband of — married 1777 in Virginia, USAmap
Descendants descendants
Died after after about age 60 in Warren, Tennessee, United Statesmap
Profile last modified | Created 5 May 2019
This page has been accessed 60 times.

Contents

Biography

[Biographical info from 2014 GEDCOM import by Kirsten Rose. This info is similar to that found in many online trees.]

William was born in 1752. He died in 1856 (or 1836 [1] ).

WILLIAM COLLINGS3 REA (JAMES2, JOHN RAY/1 RHEA) was born March 06, 1752 in Virginia, and died May 27, 1856 in Milton, Rutherford, Tennessee [2] He married (1) SARAH. She died November 22, 1858 in Milton, TN. [3] (2) WINNIFORD WILSON Abt. 1777 in Henry Co., VA, daughter of J. WILSON and MARY GOODING. She was born in Henry Co., VA, and died Unknown.

In 1783 was granted land in Tennessee, 7 miles from Bledsoes Lick [citation needed] , and in 1789 he received land in Davidson Co. (Then most of central Tennessee) on the South side of the Cumberland River. [citation needed]

More About WILLIAM REA and WINNIFORD WILSON:

According to Dallas Rea [4]

Marriage: Abt. 1777, Henry Co., VA Children of WILLIAM REA and WINNIFORD WILSON are:

i. WILSON REA, b. Abt. 1770, Henry Co. VA; d. August 12, 1853, Franklin Co. IL.
ii. ABNER REA, SR., b. March 13, 1792, Henry Co. VA; d. March 03, 1845, Franklin Co., IL.
iii. JANE REA, b. 1795, Henry Co. VA; d. Aft. 1860, Franklin Co., IL.
iv. ELIZABETH REA, b. October 05, 1802; d. October 20, 1877, Milton, TN; m. JESSE ALEXANDER, August 08, 1820; d. Unknown, Milton, TN.[3]

In 1816 William C. Rea became an elder at Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Milton TN. [2]
Burial: Cook Cemetery, Milton, Rutherford, Tennessee William Collings Rea is buried with his second wife Sarah "consort of" [2]
[End of info from GEDCOM import]

[Alternate Biography]

William Collins Rea was born ~1755 in Cumberland County, Virginia Colony. [5] The Rea family left Cumberland County in the mid to late 1760s and moved to an area near the Little Marrowbone Creek in what is now Henry County, Virginia. [6] William C Rea married Winnifred Wilson ~1776. [5]. The annual personal property tax records show that they lived continuously in Henry County through 1811. [7] After his father died (~1789), William C Rea inherited most of the Rea family land [8] ,probably with the understanding that he would care for his mother. His mother, Joanna, must have died ~1794 and William sold the land in 1795, except for the grounds where both his parents were buried. [9] After selling this land and another parcel in 1797 [10] he remained in Henry County until ~1811.
Sometime after 1812 he settled in Warren County, Tennessee, near to where his brother John Rea was living. In 1814 he filed an entry for a small 15 acre tract of land which was adjacent to a 100 acre tract owned by his brother, John. [11]

In 1815 he made a deed of gift to his son John and youngest daughter Hannah, giving them his household items and livestock. He probably died not long afterwards. At the time, William was living less than a quarter mile from the old Ray/Rhea Cemetery and although no stone has been found it’s very possible that this cemetery is his burial spot. [5]

Postscript:
Records in Marion County, Tennessee suggest that William Collins Rea’s widow, Winnifred, daughters Hannah and Jane Rea (m. John Overturf), and a probable son, Thomas Ray, all went to Marion County starting around 1822. After Winnifred died (~1830), the families dispersed, with most of them coming to Franklin County, Illinois where William Collins Rea’s oldest son, Wilson Rea, had established residence. [12]

Ray-9765 18:10, 9 September 2023 (UTC)

[End Alternate Biography]

Research Notes

Birth: William Collins Rea was likely born ~1755. The 1770 personal property tax record for Pittsylvania Co VA shows that his father, James Rea Sen., has only one tithable [13] , which implies no son between 16-21 yrs old (i.e. b 1749-1754), so Wm C Rea probably born after ~1754. The James Rea family was living in Cumberland County, Virginia Colony as early as 1752, so Cumberland County is likely his place of birth.

Marriage: No marriage record has been found for William C Rea and Winnifred Wilson. However, If he was born ~1755 William would have been 21 yrs. old ~1776 which would be a typical marriage age for a male of this period. This is consistent with the probable birth date of his son, Wilson Rea (b ~1777). [Wilson Rea's obituary suggests that Wilson was b ~1770, but Wilson is not found as a tithable (over 16) until 1795, which would put his birth nearer 1778. The year 1778 is compatible with the 1850 census record, which shows Wilson Rea's age as 72. However, Wilson's marriage in Jan, 1796 would imply a very early marriage age (~17) and there is some evidence of this in his marriage record]

Children: Approximate dates of known children augmented by speculation based on a 2-3 year birth cycle. Entries without names would typically correspond either to a female or a male who did not reach adulthood. The gaps suggest at least several daughters and perhaps several children who died young.

  • 1777 Wilson [m. Fanny Franklin Jan 1796]
  • 1780 †Unk
  • 1783 †Unk M (Thomas ?)
  • 1785 William C Rea, Jr
  • 1787 †Unk M (James ?)
  • 1790 †Unk
  • 1792 Abner [m. Alsey Hopper]
  • 1794 †Unk M (John ?)
  • 1795 Jane [m. John Overturf ]
  • 1798 †Unk
  • 1802 †Hannah ? (Probably the same person as Sarah “Josina” Rea m. John Polk 1836 Franklin Co, IL?)
†Speculated. Birth years of speculated males can be estimated from their appearance as tithables in the personal property tax records.

Death: William Collins Rea probably died not long after he wrote a deed of gift in Warren Co TN in Oct, 1815. [14] In the deed of gift he gives and bequeaths his household goods and livestock to his son John and youngest daughter Hannah, with John also to get the crops John had raised on his land. The language of the gift suggests that it may have served in lieu of a LWT. William was living less than a quarter mile from the old Ray/Rhea Cemetery [15] and although no stone has been found it’s very possible that this cemetery is his burial spot.

Ray-9765 18:10, 9 September 2023 (UTC)

Sources

  1. Unsourced family tree handed down to Miriam (Keaton) Howell.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Milton TN. It's not clear if this info is from direct contact with the Hopewell Church or from other published church records.
  3. 3.0 3.1 No citation given but might be from Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Milton, Rutherford, Tennessee.
  4. No Citation given but might be "Rea-Midyette Genealogy," - "A Genealogy of The Ancestry of John Palmer Rea and Grace Delma Rea Cockrum," by Dallas Palmer Rea, Rt. 3, Benton, IL and James Edwin Cockrum, 622 S. Clara Street, Anaheim, CA; Individually Published, 1985.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 See Research Notes
  6. In 1763 James Ray entered 400 ac on the Little Marrowbone (Entry Book 1737-1770: “Land Entries in present Virginia Counties: Halifax, Pittsylvania, Henry, Patrick Franklin”, Transcr. Marian Dodson Chiarito (Clarton Press, 1984), p 310.). In 1768 James Rea and Joanna sold their Cumberland County property. (Cumberland County Virginia Deed Book 4, pp 408-409.)
  7. Henry County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists 1782-1830. Family History Library microfilm #2024587.
  8. Henry County Virginia Will Book 1, p 173.
  9. Henry County Virginia Deed Book 5, pp 199-200.
  10. Henry County Virginia Deed Book 6, pp 56-57.
  11. Tennessee State Library and Archives, Record Group-50, Series-2 Book-47 Entry #3510, p 49.
  12. Roger D Ray, “Research Notes: Ray Families in Marion County, Tennessee (~1822-1830)” (2022, Unpublished). A work-in-progress, these notes document through land, census and church records the connection among these Ray/Rea families.
  13. “Pittsylvania County Tithable List for 1770” (Transc. J.C. Kolbe) in Southside Virginian, Vol 5 No 2 (1987), p 92.
  14. Warren County Tennessee Deed Book B, p 182. (DGS #7901839)
  15. William C Rhea/Ray’s residence is specified in a land entry and survey for Uriah York in 1815. (Tennessee State Library and Archives, Record Group-50, Entry #3659.)
  • <Source Citation needed for Marriage Bond>: Possibly Henry County, Virginia Marriage bond book, v. 1, 1778-1849, 1856-1859. (FamilySearch DGS 7578990)?

William C. Rea signed a marriage bond for his son Wilson Rea who wed Fanney Franklin in Henry Co., VA January 09, 1796.

MARRIAGE BOND TRANSCRIPT (Transcription by ?, similar but not exactly the same as one made by Dallas P Rea (1979))

Known by all men these presents that we Wilson Rea and Wm C. Rea_______ of the County of Henry are hereto and firmly bound unto R. (Robert) Brooks Esq. (Governor) of the state. In the sum of one hundred fifty dollars to which payment will Truly to be made, we bind ourselves our heirs dated this 9th day of January 1796. Whereas there is a marriage depending and by God's permission certainly intent is between the above bound Wilson Rea and Fanney Franklin. Now if there is no lawful cause to obstruct the marriage then the above to be void or else remain in full force power and virtue. Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of Fee or stall copy William C. Rea (seal) January 9, 1796 Wilson Rea (seal) My son Wilson is desirious of marrying Fanney Franklin. I hereby inform you it is agreeable to me. You will therefore please to issue licenses accordingly which will oblige _________ (words that can not be transcribed) Your most_______ William C. Rea

Following information was researched by Lela C. Adams. Her collection is housed at the Bassett Branch Historical Center, Bassett, VA

  • Henry County VA Deed Book 5 pg 36-37 30 April 1793 Richard Cornwell of Rockingham Co. NC to George Hairston of Henry Co VA sells and conveys land on both sides of Reed Creek - 57 acres. Witness: John Norton, Joseph Stovall, William Collins Rea, Jesse Roach (X) Henry County
  • VA Deed Book 5 pg. 199-200 29 July 1795 William Collins Rea of the County of Henry to George Hairston of the same for the consideration of One Hundred twenty pounds sells 249 acres on both sides of the Little Marrowbone Creek joins the lines of Copper and Bollings Creek. No witness. MEMO: The within William C. Rea is entitled to the grounds where his father and mother is buried.
  • Henry County VA Deed Book 5 pg 273 24 March 1797 Benjamin Harrison and wife to Henry Lyne.... Witness: William C. Rea
  • Henry County VA Deed Book 6 pg. 56-57 William Collins Rea and Winnefred Rea his wife of Henry Co., VA to George Hairston of the same for the sum of Five pounds sells by survey 33 acres on Marrowbone Creek joined William Dillon. Witness: Thomas Graves, Peter Leak
  • Henry County VA Deed Book 6 pg 119 30 July 1798 William Collins Rea is a witness to the marriage contract of Rachel Cooper and Hezekiah Salmon
  • Henry County Va Deed Book 6 pg 208 25 November 1799 William Collins Rea is a witness to deed of Wm. Roberson to John Hammonds.
  • Henry County Va Deed Book 6 pg 388 28 August 1802 Deed of Trust - William Collins Rea to John Rowland Jr. William Collins Rea is indebted to George Hairston in the amount of Seventy Five pounds and secures this debt with all his cattle, furniture, kitchen utensils, gun, etc.
  • Land Grants in Henry County, Virginia Book 30 pg 579 27 November 1794 249 acres on both sides of Lillte Marrowbone Creek adjoining Cooper's line.
  • Land Grants in Henry County, Virginia Book 34 pg 673 26 September 1796 William C. Rea 33 acres on Marrowbone Creek joins William Dillon.


Acknowledge

Rea-545 was created by Kirsten Rose through the import of Rose_2012-01-29_2014-06-26.ged on Jun 26, 2014.





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Comments: 3

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There is no evidence that William Collins Rea's last name at birth (LNB) was "Rae".

His father, James Rea, used the spelling "Rea". Almost all records for William Collins Rea use the spelling "Rea" (There are a few rare instances of "Ray" or even "Rhea".)

(Note: Only a Profile Manager can make this change.)

posted on Rae-1425 (merged) by Roger Ray
The William Rea/Ray who lived in Rutherford Co TN and was associated with the Hopewell Church is not William Collins Rea

The William Rea/Ray who appears in various records of Wilson and Rutherford Co, TN is often presumed to be William Collins Rea, originally of Henry Co, VA. My attached research note examines numerous records for William Rea/Ray in Wilson & Rutherford Counties and provides evidence that these are two different people.

As a result of this misidentification numerous items found in many trees for William Collins Rea are incorrect. These include his birthplace/date (1752, Ireland), death place/date (1856, Rutherford Co, TN), and the existence of a second wife (Sarah) and child (Eliza).

posted on Rae-1425 (merged) by Roger Ray
edited by Roger Ray
Rea-545 and Rae-1425 appear to represent the same person because: These are the same person
posted on Rae-1425 (merged) by Miriam (Keaton) Howell

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