Archibald Rhea Jr (1770 - 1833)

Born 1770 in Augusta County, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Catherine Sherrill (Sevier) Rhea — married 10 Feb 1803 in Knoxville, Knox, Tennessee, United States

Descendants

Died 25 Jan 1833 at about age 63 in Alabama, United States

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Biography

Archibald Rhea, Jr.,followed his father in church eldership. He continued to reside at the same place as his Father. He was an excellent man and a devout Christian. He acted as precentor for the congregation; he also taught music as a science, and was not only an excellent singer but an experienced and successful teacher.

Archibald Rhea Jr.: [Robert] Born say 1778. With mother was an executor of father’s estate. In March 1803 married Catherine Sevier Campbell, widow of Robert Campbell in 1803 and daughter of John Sevier. She had a son, George Washington Campbell (1800). Operated father’s tavern and was a church Elder and music teacher. Moved to Knoxville in 1815. later moved to Alabama. Signed a bond in Knox Co, 1811. Gave a power of attorney in Franklin County, Alabama, in 1826. Catherine died at Russelville, Alabama, in 1826.

Sermon at Lebanon-in-the-Fork

On his manuscript date 1875 Dr. J.G.M. Ramsey Describes a trip for a surveying party during autumn of 1789 or 1790. They had met at the junction of the French Broad and Holston rivers on today Knox County, Tennessee, While assembled the men were approached by a clerical looking individual on horseback, who informed them that he was on his way to Houston’s station beyond Little River, where some of his old acquaintances from Virginia had settled, and that his mission was to organize the Presbyterians of his region into congregations. In the party whom he addressed were many who had belonged to Presbyterian congregations in their native States, and he was eagerly besought to make an appointment to preach upon his return, at William’s Station. To this he consented, and upon the appointed day an immense crowd assembled, including nearly all the settlers for miles around. They came from Baker’s Creek, Pistol Creek, Little River, Elijah Creek, Stock Creek, all the country south of the French Broad, and in the north from house Mountain to Grassy Valley. The place chosen for the meeting was a large Indian mound, which, until recently, stood at the fork of the French Broad and Holston, immediately back of were afterward was erected the home of the late Dr. RAMSEY. From this mound the canebrake was removed and seats were arranged upon it. The text, chosen by the speaker was 2 Corinthians v, 20, from which he preached an eloquent sermon. At its conclusion he announced that any parents who wished to offer their children in holy baptism to the Lord, would be allowed that privilege. Many embraced the opportunity, and some of nearly adult age, who had been born in the wilderness, were admitted to the ordinance. While these services were going on another minister came upon the ground, and having been introduced, was invited to preach a second sermon. He stated that he had been circulating among the forts and stations, and that, hearing of the appointment, he had come to the meeting. He commended the sermon, which he had heard, but said that the subject had not been exhausted, and preceded to preach from the same text. He was Rev. Hezekiah BALCH, and the first speaker Rev. Samuel CARRICK. It was arranged that there should be a second service at an early date, which was accordingly held, and resulted in the organization of a Presbyterian Church near Gilliam’s Station. It was named ‘Lebanon-in-the-Fork,’ afterward abbreviated to Lebanon. Among the first members of this church were the families of: James WHITE, James COZBY, John ADAIR, James ARMSTRONG, Deveraux GILLIAM, Archibald RHEA, Sr., Archibald RHEA, Jr., James and Alexander CAMPBELL, Jeremiah JACK, George McNUTT, Col. Francis A. RAMSEY, Thomas GILLESPIE, Robert CRAIGHEAD, Robert BROOKS, Joseph LOVE, Jacob PATTON, Robert HOUSTON.

Research Note

"knox CO, TN history of Churches, Lebanon

I have used an observation of Richard C. Fremon, a Rhea researcher, who said it was a custom of the early Rheas to name the first son after the mother’s father and the second son after the father’s father

With his mother, Margaret, was an executor of father's estate. In March 1805 married Catherine Sevier Campbell, widow of Robert Campbell in 1803 and daughter of John Sevier (witness of father's will). Operated father's tavern and was a church Elder and music teacher. Moved to Knoxville in 1815, later moved to Alabama. Signed a bond in Knox Co., 1811. Gave power of attorney in Franklin Co., AL in 1826. Catherine died Russellville, AL in 1826. Five children, plus George Washington Campbell Catherine's first marriage.

Sources

• J. G. M. (James Gettys McGready) Ramsey, The Annals of Tennessee: (Philadelphia, Lippincott, 1860), Page 372. Robert Armstrong planted corn and raised a crop, this (1787) year, on the plantation which, next year, he settled l on Holston, a little above the mouth of Swan Pond Creek. Mr. Devereaux Gillaim, at the same time, occupied the plantation embracing the point between French Broad and Holston. His first cabin stood east of the dwelling house of the present proprietor, between it and the church.

Archibald Rhea, Sen., settled immediately opposite, on the south bank of French Broad. Alexander McMillan settled the place now occupied by Rev. Thomas Stringfield, then, as now, known as Strawberry Plains, and soon after removed to the farm on which he died, four miles above Armstrong’s Ferry, on the present New Market Road.

• https://archive.org/details/annalsoftennesse01rams/page/372. archive.org.

• Charles J. Duesler, Andresa and Jacob Dussler and Their Descendants: (: Duesler, 1989), http://www.twrps.com/ancestry/rea/rhea/. Amazon.com.

• American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI)

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Theresa Ellenwood for creating WikiTree profile Rhea-121 through the import of LucindaElizaBatesAncestors.ged on Mar 5, 2013.

Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Theresa and others.

Source Birth

Edward F. Foley, The Descendants of Matthew "The Rebel" Rhea of Scotland and Ireland (Maryland: Heritage Books Inc., 2008). Alex Green Personal Library.

Source Death

Alabama, Surname Files Expanded, 1702-1981 (Provo, UT, USA, . Operations, Inc.).