The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: NC
Qualifying Service: Soldier / Patriotic Service
Image taken and provided with permission from compatriot Gerald Adams (SC) member 195444
The church has a website for the cemetery that allows looking up plats by the person’s name, tombstone photos by plat number, and information by plat number. Look up the plat number first then use the map at the site to locate the individual.
https://ppc1767cemetery.org/
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
There is a plat map inside the gate at the semi-circle driveway entrance
Photo: 1 of 1
Author: Dr Hugh Calvin Rea
“John Rea, III son of John II and Martha Tomberline Farmer Rea, was born 7 August 1764 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. About three years after his birth he had a younger brother, Andrew, born about the same time their father died, leaving the widow Martha with four small sons. Since all of the sons were young children, their father’s estate could not be settled until the oldest brother, David, reached the legal age of 21.
Their mother, Martha, married again to Robert Lewis, and concern was expressed as to whether or not the children’s inheritance was in jeopardy. The matter came before the courts, and it was ordered that the three youngest boys be indentured to learn a trade. In 1774 the court made the following order: Ordered by the court that John Rea, another orphan son of John Rea, deceased, be bound unto Ambrose McKee until he arrive at the age of 21 years to learn the art and mystery of a tailor, he being ten years of age the 7th of August next, and the said Ambrose McKee agrees to pay the said John ten pounds prov’n money at the expiration of the term aforesaid and further comply with the Act of Assembly.
John married Nancy Secrest (1772-19 March 1867), the daughter of Jacob Secrest and Barbara Simms who were German (or Swiss) immigrants. John and Nancy made their home in the Twelve Mile Creek drainage area in what is now western Union County. The deeds for land in this area describe it as being on Cedar Branch of Twelve Mile Creek. On present day maps we have been unable to find exactly where this was located. He and Nancy Secrest had 7 children: James Milton, John Morgan, Mary Martha Anne, Green Lee, Avery Simpson, Nancy Adeline, and Jacob M. Read.
John Rea, a farmer, was referred to as John Rea, Esquire. This title was given because of his service in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1817 to 1822. He also served locally as a Justice of the Peace.” http://reaclanbook.wordpress.com/category/genealogy/
The military service records for the Revolutionary War show that John Rea, Esq. served thirty-one days in the militia during 1782 under General Marion and that he supplied sundries during 1781 and 1782. Young John who was eighteen in 1782 must have been impressed with General Nathanael Greene and Light Horse Harry Lee because in 1798 he named his second son Green Lee Rea. The names of these two Revolutionary commanders have continued to be passed down in the family, although not many are aware where the names came from. John’s oldest son, John Morgan Rea, was named after General David Morgan, hero of the Battle of Cowpens.
He died November 15, 1843 in Providence, Mecklenburg County, NC and is buried in the Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Providence, Mecklenburg County, NC.
Reference: Rea, Hugh Calvin, “The Rea Family Data’” Charlotte, NC, 1852. http://reaclanbook.wordpress.com/category/genealogy/
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Send your submission1, in a Microsoft Word compatible format, to patriotbios@sar.org for inclusion in this space 1Upon submission of a patriot biography, the patriot biography becomes the property of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and may be edited to conform to the patriot biography submission standards.
Additional Information:
The death date of 19 Mar 1867 is the patriot's wife's death date. Find-A-Grave has her obituary, and it states that John Rea was already deceased at the time of her death in 1867
DAR NOTE: (there are potential issues) regarding this man's service - SERVICE BELONGS TO A MAN OF THE SAME NAME LIVING IN GEORGETOWN, SC -10-2010