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Archiver > RHEA > 1999-05 > 0926599425
From: <>
Subject: Re: [RHEA-L] Margaret Rhea
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999 08:43:45 EDT
Here is what I have on Margaret Rhea and Robert Looney. (Margaret is a
sister of Rev. Joseph Rhea.)
ED FOLEY
09-Feb-1999 Family Group Sheet
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Husband: Robert LOONEY Jr.
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Born: 1-Jan-1721 in: Isle of Mann, Ireland
Died: 12-Aug-1756 in:
Father: Robert LOONEY
Mother: Elizabeth LLWELLYN
Robert Looney Jr., son of Robert and Elizabeth Looney of
Looney's Mill Creek of James River in what is now Botetourt Co.,
Va., was born about 1721, probably in the Isle of Man. He was on
the muster roll of Augusta Co. in 1742. (Stephen Rentfro also
was on this roll.) It was this Robert Looney Jr. who on July 30,
1742 received a grant of 213 acres beginning at the South side
of Luney's Mill Creek and extending to Beaver Dam Swamp. Robert
Looney Jr. was a surety on Eleanor Draper's bond of May 17,
1749, for her administration of George Draper's estate.
(Probably the George Draper who went hunting and never returned.
His wife was killed by Indians in July 1755 at Draper's Meadow
on New or Wood's River) On Nov. 27, 1755, Robert Looney Jr. and
John Mills were processioners for Looney's Creek and the waters
thereof. In Feb. of 1756 Robert Looney was killed by the enemy
at Reed Creek, "nigh Alex Sawyer's" east of Kings Mills, later
Kingsport, Tenn. (Wm. Preston's Journal.)
Robert 2 Looney Jr. is identical with Robert Looney who,
according to family records of Judge Ben F. Looney of Greenville
and Dallas, Texas, married Margaret Rhea and had sons John 3,
Moses 3, Samuel 3, and Benjamin 3 Looney. Also, a daughter Mary
who married _________ Grimes. Judge Looney states that his
information was taken from the Bible of his grandfather, Absalom
4 Looney, youngest son of Benjamin 3 and Mary Johnson Looney.
This seems the only available evidence for the wife and children
of Robert 2 Looney Jr.
Since Robert Looney Jr. was killed in Feb. 1756 and had at least
five children, it seems that he married Margaret Rhea about 1742
or 1743. The will of Moses 3 Looney names his siblings or their
heirs in the order John, Benjamin, Samuel, and Mary. Since
Benjamin 3 had at least five children and was slain in the 1783,
he must have been married by 1770 and this makes it unlikely
that he was the youngest son of Robert 2, killed in 1756.
Therefore the order of birth indicated by the will of Moses 3
will be followed in estimating births of the children of Robert
2 and Margaret (Rhea) Looney. This permits an estimate of birth
for Benjamin of 1748 and allows for a child that may have died
young: (Early Looneys in America, Leroy W. Tilton)
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Wife: Margaret RHEA
Married: ABT 1743 in: Augusta VA
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Born: 1722 in: Fahan Parrish, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Died: 1803 in: Kingsport, Sullivan Co. TN
Father: Matthew Campbell RHEA II.
Mother: Elizabeth MCCLAIN
This line has been researched by descendant Georgia Mayne and received by
the internet from her address (1997).
Margaret's marriage is mentioned in Leroy W. Tilton's book "Early Looneys to
America". Margaret was in PA, then Augusta Co. VA before she and Robert
moved to Tennessee near Kingsport in Sullivan Co. where a number of her
Rhea cousins had also established themselves.
Margaret Looney gave bond as administratrix 17 Mar. 1756. John
Looney and Robert Rowland were sureties. (Was Margaret related
to Robert Rowland?) This John Looney was a younger brother to
Robert Jr. and at about this time he became son-in-law to
Stephen Rentfro. The Robert Looney Jr. estate was appraised 15
May 1756 by John Bowen, Hugh Caruthers, Robert Rowland, and Wm.
Harbison. Margaret Looney may have been identical with the
Margaret Looney who in Bedford Co., Va., in 1759 sued Anthony
(Fee Book) when Anthony sued Looney & Co. (Order Book). On
April 7, 1763, Stephen Rentfro and Margaret Looney witnessed a
deed from David and Mary Looney to Amos Potts and John Potts,
Jr. (David Looney was a younger brother of
Robert Looney Jr.) Margaret Rentfro, late Looney, was mentioned
as administratrix of her deceased husband on June 22, 1763, when
Robert Rowland asked countersecurity. In Feb. 1763 (probably
1764) there was reference to a judgment obtained on Jan 18, 1763
(probably 1764) by Margaret Rentfro, late Margaret Looney, vs.
John Crank (Stephen Rentfro mentioned). On Nov. 10, 1773
(Botetourt County, Va.), John Looney and wife Elizabeth, Stephen
Rentfro and Margaret Rentfro (mother of John Looney) deeded to
John Paxton 213 acres on Looney's Mill Creek, branch of the
James River. This land was patented to Robert Looney Jr. in 1742
and this deed shows that John Looney was the eldest son and heir
of Robert Looney Jr. and Margaret Looney because it recites
title by "inheritance in fee simple". Moreover, a separate deed
to Margaret Rentfro for a slave shows definitely by its tenor
that she signed because of dower rights.
(Augusta Co. - Chalkey's Chronicles)
This group soon migrated southward (apparently) together with
Moses 3 Looney, David 2 Looney, some of the children of Absalom
2 Looney, and others, and it is this John 3 Looney, who with
brother Samuel 3 Looney, Stephen Rentfro Sr., Stephen Rentfro
Jr., John Rentfro, etc., signed on Nov. 6, 1777 a petition by
the inhabitants of t he lower part of Washington County, Va.,
protesting the erection of a court house.
Stephen Rentfro entered 200 acres at the mouth of the Boxer, 31
Jan. 1780, and he moved there in 1782 when it was surveyed. This
was probably on Holston River in what is now Sullivan County,
Tenn. where (Deed Book 6, p. 416) there is mention, Feb. 1780,
of a Looney line joining "old Renfrow" and Jas. McKain. The will
of Stephen Rentfro, dated 19 Dec. 1802, and proved in July 1804,
is recorded in Knox County, Tenn. (Estate Book I, p.149.)
It mentions lawful heirs of son John and son Stephen, both
deceased, who are to receive an equal share with Elizabeth
Looney and Easter Looney, and with Moses Looney, "son of my
wife." The last is named executor.
============================================================
M Child 1 John LOONEY
Born: 1744 in: Augusta Co., VA
Died: 14-Jan-1842 in: Warren Co. TN
Spouse: Elizabeth RENTFRO
Married: in:
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M Child 2 Moses LOONEY
Born: 1745 in: Augusta VA
Died: 12-Jul-1824 in: Knox Co. TN
Spouse: Sarah HOLSTON
Married: in:
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M Child 3 Benjamin LOONEY
Born: 1748 in: Looney Mill Creek, Augusta, Virginia
Died: 1783 in: Cumberland Gap, Claiborne Co., TN
Spouse: Mary JOHNSON
Married: ABT 1773 in:
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M Child 4 Samuel LOONEY
Born: 1751 in: Washington Co. VA
Died: 1779 in: Washington Co. VA
Spouse: Ann LANE
Married: 1775 in: Washington Co. VA
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F Child 5 Mary LOONEY
Born: ABT 1756 in:
Died: 1823 in:
Spouse: Mr. GRIMES
Married: in:
============================================================
compiled by
Edward Foley
Fontana Heights #25-02
39 Mt. Sinai Rise, Singapore 276957
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