He lived on the Isle of Re, situated almost opposite the City of La Rochelle. The population was almost all Protestant, many fishermen had come here from neighboring provinces, planning to migrate to the New World. Included amoung these Huguenots were Rene Rezeau and his wife Anne Coursier. They fled the island in 1685, eventually, they arrived in New York City. Here they joined the French Church, finally, they moved permanetly in Staten Island.

Rene Rezeau earned his livelihood as a mason, and while in New Your had a daughter baptized, this may be Anne Rezeau, who married Jean Perlier. They also had a daughter named Marie, who married Piette Traverrier, Jr.

Half sister to Edgar Dawson Bissett's wife Florence Edith Lint.

Isabella's family owned "Los Coches" a Mexican Rancho that later became a stop on the Coastal Stage Route.

No military record has been found on Abram A. Ritchey. The 1860 Census of Jones, Co., GA lists him as age 24, farmer and farm valued at 1035/800. Living on the farm as a laborer is Henry Prince, age 19 born GA. No further record has been found on Abram.

Samuel "Alexander" Richey was the first of his direct linage to come to America. He arrived in Pennsylvania around 1727 and later went to Virginia. He had four brothers located in Pennsylvania and some of their decendants likely also came to SC. The name is also spelled Richie, Ritchey and Ritchie and sometimes two or three different spelling are found in the same record. Alexander Richey died while in Prince Edward Country, VA in 1749. His wife was Jeanne Caldwell, was related to the Caldwell family which came to Newberry County.

From THREADS OF ANCESTORS by Leila Ritchie Mize Y Jessis Julia Miz (Pub. 1956 - Univ. of GA Printing Dept., Athens, GA., Page 103.

"In the colonial records we find Alexander Richey & brothers, and sons, who were kinsmen & friends of the Caldwell Family, A Scots-Irish group led by Captain John Caldwell, who came to America in 1727, landing in New Castle, Deleware in December, and gling to Lancaster County, PA, and from there to Virginia about 1730-45 where they assisted in organizing the government of the new county of LUNENBURG under the authorization of Governor Gooche of Virginia."

According to a two page ancestor information sheets on the Richeys': PREPARED BY CLYDE HOMER DOYAL (in John Richie-Shreveport, LA files) "Alexander Richey was born in DERRY, Ireland in 1698 and died in Prince Edward County, VA in 1749. He was a Blacksmith and came to America in 1727.
Alexander Richey & Jeanne Caldwell had 8 children: James, John, Alexander Samuel, Agnes, Mary, Cathering & Susanna."

In the book SCOTS-IRISH IN VIRGINIA, Vol. 3: Chronicles of the Scots-Irish Settlement in Virginia Extracted from the original court records of Augusta County, VA 1745-1800 Deed Book No. 3, pg. 284 shows : "3rd May, 1751. Andrew McClure, planter, and Eleanor, to Alexander Richey, Blacksmith, 300 acres in Beverly Manor tract surveyed for Samuel Templeton; Wm. McClintock's line' Adam Thompson's line. Test: Michael Realy, Robert Gray. (Mary Jane Collins)

From the notes of Mary Jane Collins on SARAH RICHEY:
James Wilson and Sarah Richey were first cousins. Anne Richey, James Wilson's mother and James Richey, Jr., was Sarah Richey's father. They had the same grandparents, James Richey, Sr. and Margaret Caldwell

Archy C. Ritchey enlisted in Co. F., 45th Reg., Army of No. VA., CSA, Jones Co., Ga., Gray Vols., as a private on April 29, 1862. The muster roll for Feb. 28, 1865, last on file, showed him present. The 1880 Census shows him living on his farm in Hammock's District, Jones Co., GA with his wife and children. In 1904 his wife made a request that her widow's pension be delivered to her at her son J. A. Ritchey's address in Dooley Co, GA. She stated that Archer C. Ritchey died in 1891 at Sibling, GA, Dooley Co. Cause of death was given as liver abscess.

Ritchie, Archie C.- private April 29, 1862 . Roll for February 28,
1865 , last on file, shows him present.

Edward Jefferson Richey joined Company A 54th Regiment Georgia out of Bibb County, Georgia. This Regiment was called 'Lamar Infantry

Edward enlisted on Nov. 1, 1863 and was present on the Feb. 29, 1864 roll. Pension records show he was wounded in right leg (toe blown off) at New Hope Church, GA on June 5, 1864, in the left arm at Jonesboro, GA on August 31, 1864 and in the head at Nashville TN on November or December 1864. Permanently disabled by wounds.

He filed for his pension in Jasper Co., Georgia.
His pension was transferred from Jasper Co., to Worth Co., Georgia.
He pension was transferred from Worth Co. to Turner Co., Georgia.

He is buried at Amboy Cemetery, Snow Ridge,Asburn, Georgia.

Official file on record U.D.C. Reference Dept., Memorial Building, 328 Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia 23220.

Civil War may be said to have begun with the bombardment of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, and to have closed with the surrender of Lee's Army of Virginia at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865.

Edward Jefferson Ritchey enlisted on November 1, 1863 in Co. A., 54th Reg., GA Vol., Infantry, Army of Tennessee, CSA, Bib Co., Ga., Lamar Infantry as a Private. Pension records show he was wounded in both legs at New Hope Church, GA., June 5, 1864; in the left arm at Jonesboro, GA on August 31, 1864; and in the head at Nashville, Tennessee on November or December 1864. Discharged after becoming disabled. His is buried at Amboy, Turner Co., GA. The Turner Co., UDC placed a Confederate marker on his grave. He was 19 years old at the time of his enlistment and the youngest son of William R. (Buck) Ritchey. Two of his brothers died during the Civil War: William H. in 1862 and Thomas J. in 1863. Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia - 1861 - 1865 Vol. V., by Lillian Henderson, 1960. Also, Confederate Soldiers of Jones Co., GA., Frank M. Abbott Collection, Washington Memorial Library, Macon, GA. In the Confederate Veteran, Vol. 20, January 1912, p. 516, appears an article in which Edward Jefferson Ritchey is seeking information from former comrades in Co. A., 54th GA Reg., Mercer's old brigade, transferred to Walker, Gen. Cleburn's Div.; in order to secure a pension. The article says he was in the service from May, 1862 until he was mustered out at the surrender, and that he was wounded seven times, six of these being by bullets and once by a shell. His address is given as Ashburn, GA where he moved with his family about 1900. The surrender of Lee's Army of Vol. at Appomattox Court House took place on April 9, 1865. Edward Jesse was slow to return home to Jones Co., perhaps due to his was injuries. In 1867 he married Nancy Elizabeth (Nannie) Long of Jones Co., GA. He was a farmer, and he and Nannie reared a large family. Family members tell the story that he would 'brew up some weeds, bottle it, load up his wagon or buggy, and take off, whenever the notion struck'. This might be for a few days, weeks, or months. In later years his son, Edward Jesse Jr., would take over as head of the family when necessary. In 1880, Nannie took the seven children back home to her parents in the Fowles District of Jones Co., GA. In 1900 she and Jessie moved to Worth, near Ashburn, GA along with other members of the family. A daughter, Ida Ritchey Farr and her family lived about 3 miles away. Ida would bake chicken pies for her father, which he loved. A son, Will, lived nearby, on a farm. Edward Jessie and Nannie spent their final years in the home of their daughter Minnie Taffiney Ritchey Piper, at Chula, Tift Co, GA. Another daughter, Tempie Ritchey Cook, and her family were nearby, on an adjoining farm. Nannie died in 1915, Jessie in 1918.

Information regarding births, marriages and deaths obtained from Bible records of Nannie and Jessie Ritchey, in possession of Flora Mozelle (Farr) Smith, Newberry, FL; also Bible records of Tempie (Ritchey) Cook, in possession of Pauline (Cook) Martin, Tifton, GA.

Further information supplied by Mrs. W. B. Hitchcock (Ruth Cook), Mrs. W. A. Martin (Pauline Cook), Mrs. S. M. Beaty (Thelma Ritchey) and Martha Minter (Monk) Beasley. Also, conversations with Ida (Ritchey) Farr's two daughters: Mozelle Smith and Clovis Goodman, Newberry, FL. Another informant has been Mrs. Earl Stroberg (Eileene Piper).

Please note that the only reference that I have for this entry is a posting to the 7,500 Marriages from 96th and Abbeville District, SC. 1774-1890 (Pages 84-85) Compiled by Larry E. Pursley and copywrited in 1980. This entry list the 1844 marriage of a H. J. Richey to Mary "Polly" Dunn. These were very common names and I have not proven them to be the correct linage.

There is a second enty in the same publication listed above indicating a marrieage of a Henry Richey and Mattie Hinton. There are no dates provided of this marriage.

James Richey was born before his parents left Ireland in 1749 (after their arrival) James Sr. Married Margaret Caldwell. In 1773 - 1774 James and some of his sons came to Donalds area of SC and staked out lands. Two sons, Robert and John, remained and fought in the Revolution in SC. James went back to VA where he and his son James Jr. also have Revolutionary War service records. Before the end of the war, however, all of the James Richey Sr. family was settled on their land in SC. This land was located in an area just north and east of the Greenville Presbyterian Church in Donalds, SC.

His tombstone reads:

James Richey, Sr., PVT, 2 VA State Regiment. Revolutionary War, 25 Jul, 1724 ---

Allen Duane Richie notes and National Archives information: "James Richey, Sr. is a Revolutionary War Veteran who served in Captain William Long's Company of the 2nd Virginia State Regiment commanded by Col. William Brent (this company was designated at various times and Capt. James Quarles and Capt. William Long's Company.) He appears on the Company Payrool records from May, 1779, through November, 1779, and received a certificate for the balance of his pay on November 19, 1783. For his services as a Private, he was paid $6.66 per month, plus $10.00 subsistance pay." (Source Military Records, National Archives)
Clyde Homer Doyal notes: "James Richey was born in Belfast, Ireland in 1720 and came to America in 1727. James and Margaret are buried in Greenville Cemetary in South Carolina. They had 6 children: John (1750-1808); James Robert, and Andrew. James Richey was the son of Alexander Richey (1698-1749)"
According to Anabel W. Stogner's information on James Richey, Jr. her notes state: "He returned to Virginia to fight in the Revolution with his son James Jr., but he left two sons, John and Robert, in South Carolina where they fought in the Revolution. James Richey had 3 sons and 2 sons-inlaw who fought in the Revolution and survived with hime (James) to live long, productive lives. Two other sons Andrew and William were too young to fight in the War. James Richey, Sr. moved his family to South Carolina after the War and settled in Old Abbeville Co. Thereafter he signed his papers as 'James Richey, Sr. of Chickawaw'." A. W. 8 (sourch almost illedigble) March 1983.

12 Aug. 1801. On the back it reads "Came to South Carolina in 1784 from Amelia Co., VA; son of Jeanne Caldwell and Alexander Richey from Ireland to Prince Edward Co., VA"

Will dated 16 Dec. 1807; Executor: Sons, John, Jas. Richey Wit: George Brownlee, William McCrone, James Richey, Jr Was of Chickasaw in Abberville Dirst. Children John, James, Robert Richey, Agness Purdy, William and Andrew Richey.

Grnadchildren John, Margaret, James Wilson, Robt Morrah, Margaret Daughter of my son James Richey, Margaret daughter to my son Andrew Richey, James son to William Richey, Margaret Seawright Daughter to Robert Richey, Margaret daught to my son John Richey.

Ann Purdy was James Richey's cousin. They moved to Alabama.

from Elaine Randall English eng4@@stc.net.com

1. John descended per the following:

Samuel Richey
Alexander Richey (Richie)
James Richey

born in Amelia County, VA and died Before April 1808 in the Abbeville
Dist. SC.

Married Nancy Ann Brownlee was born in Abt. 1770 in the Abbeville District.
Was (probably) the daughter of John Brownlee and Alice ???

John is buried in the Old Greenville Presbyterian Church in the Abbeville
Dist. near Donalds, SC (Shoals Junction Rd.) Revolutionary War Soldier
Marker, 1952

His record of Rev. War service is on file in the Historical Commission
of SC in Columbia.

Pvt. SC Militia

John J. Ritchey enlisted in Co. F., 45th Reg., Army of No. Va., CSA, Jones Co., Ga. Gray Vols., as a private on March 4, 1862. He returned to Jones Co. after the war. His farm was valued at 2,400 and personal property at 600 in 1870. He was farming. Nancy Adams (age 40) was listed as keeping house. Another Nancy Adams (age 19) and George Adams (age 2) were listed as living in his household. Their relationship has not been determined. In 1860 Nancy Adams (born GA, age 32) and Archy Adams (age 22, born GA) were living in William R. Ritchey's household.

Ritchie, John J.- private March 4, 1862 . Roll for December 31, 1864 ,
shows him on furlough of indulgence. Roll for February 28, 1865 ,
last on file, shows him absent without leave since January 19,
1865 .

Margaret D. Richey died young. I don't have the date but the reference indicated that she was still a child. She was alive when her father's will was finalized in December 4, 1831, as the courts appointed John Wier as the guardian of Robert C. Issac Cowan, Elizabeth D. and Margaret D. Richey. This John Wier was either the 1/2 brother of William Richey or he was this John's son. (William's father had married Mary Stewart after her first husband (John Wier Sr.) had died while in a British prison ship in Charleston harbor. Mary Stewart had one child, John Jr.,
when she married Robert J. Richey.

Robert had eight children that shared in his father's estate.

Robert RICHEY, box 82, pack 2010, will dated Aug 4, 1824 Abbeville; prov
Aug 15, 1828. Exrs: Son Jas RICHEY, John WIER, John SEAWRIGHT. Wit:
Margaret WIER, John L. GILLESPIE, Hugh H. STEWART. Wife, Mary Richey.
Chn: Eliz, Jas, Robt RICHEY, Margaret SEAWRIGHT, Wm. RICHEY dec'd.
Jennet Seawright, Anny BROWNLEE, Nancy Pursly. Inv made Nov 20, 1828 by
Joseph LYON, Wm. Cochran, John L. GILLESPIE.

Violet Ritchie died in 1809 in Clark Co., KY and she names her brothers, Alexander and George and her sister Margaret with Alexander Thompson being named executor of her will.

William Richey served as Captain of SC Troop during the Rev. War. Was killed by Tories.

William Richey, box 79, pack 1927; will dated 1779 in 96 Dist Rec May 16, 1783. Txr: Sis Mary Richey. Wit: Ebenezer, Aaron Starns, John Filed. Parents, Robt, Margaret Richey. One paper men Mary Goodman exr. Inv made by Saml. Wharton, Saml. Weathers, John Carter (written Ritchey, Ritchey.)

I have found a reference to a William Richey that married a Elizabeth Martin in ca1807. This was found in the 7500 Marriages from the 96th and the Abbeville District, SC 1774-1890, compiled by Larry E. Pursley, Copy wrighted 1980. Page 161.
--------------------------------------------
William Richey was married two times. His first wife, and the mother of the following children, is believed to be Elizabeth Martin:

1)Polly Ann "Anne") Richey (Married Thomas Hawthorne-son of Davis Hazlep Hawthorn)
2) Jane Cowan Richey (Married a John Dunn)
3) Robert Caldwell Richey
4) Margaret D. Richey

I do not know the order in which these children were born, however, I do
know that "Anne" was born on 11/18/1812 and that she and her sister Jane
were married while the other two children were still considered minors.

Elizabeth (Betsey) Cowan became William's second wife. (Some researchers have listed this marriage to William as her second marriage and her first being to a Joseph Lyons, however, according to the following copy of William's Will (and the note that was added) it is fairly clear that Betsey's marriage to William was her first and her second was to Joseph Lyons. Elizabeth and Williams two children were:

5) Isaac Cowan Richey
6) Elizabeth Dorilla Richey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
WILLIAM RICHEY'S WILL

Wm.RICHEY, box 79, pack 1935, est adm Jan 3, 1820 by Joseph RICHEY, Jas.
AGNEW, Wm. BLAIN bd to Moses Taggart.Rec'd 1820 of John RICHEY for rent of
land $15.50. Rec'd of Margaret CICHEY for rent $17. Rec'd of Robt RICHEY on
note $44.74. Mar 12, 1821 pd Jas. Richey, Jr. $5.00. Abbeville, SC

Wm. RICHEY, box 79, pack 1936: Est adm Nov 24, 1821 by Col. Isaac COWAN,
John WIER, Robt RICHEY, Saml. R. EVENS bd...Cit pub at Uper Long Cane Ch,
Inv made De6, 1821 by Robt RICHEY, Joseph LYONS, Wm COCHRAN. "Betsey"
Richey the wid later m Joseph LYON.

William RICHEY: minors, Box 81, Pack 2002: Dec 4, 1831 John WIER, Joseph,
Thos. LYONS bd to Moses Taggart Abbeville. John WIER made gdn of Robert
C., Isaac C., Edliz. D, Margaret D. Richey minors of Wm. RICHEY Dec'd.
Heirs: Jane C. Dunn, Polly ann HATHORN m, Robt. C, Isaac, Margaret D.,
Eliz. D. Richey, 1832 pad John DUNN $118. Paid thos HATHORN $118.

This William Richey died before his father's will was made, but his eight children received a share from their grandfather.

On June 9, 1861 he enlisted in Co. B 12th Reg., Army of No. VA, CSA, Jones Co., GA. Vols. as a private. He died of apoplexy at Pt. Republic, VA on June 15, 1862.

William R. Ritchey was enumerated on the 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860 and 1870 US Census reports as a resident of Jones Co., GA. He drew in the 1832 Cherokee Land Lottery of GA and drew land lot #70 in the Eight Dist., Third Section, in Cherokee, now Murray Co., GA. At the time of the lottery he was living in Tayler's Dist. of Jones Co.

In the 1850 census he is listed at 58, farming and property value of $2,000. Taphiney's age was 46 and seven children were still living at home.

He and Taphiney were enumerated in Hammock's Dist, Clinton, Jones Co., GA in 1860. His property was valued at $1500/3600 and he was still a farmer. Taphaney must have died shortly after this census as W. R. Ritchey is married to Rebecca Burkhalter on Dec. 30, 1862 in Jones Co., GA.

The 1870 census shows William living in Clinton, Jones Co., GA. He is 79, farmer and his farm valued at 200/1638. Rebecca Ritchey's age is given as 72 and place of birth Virginia.

In 1874 William received an exemption under Section 2040 of the Code of GA., whereby his property became exempt from levy and sale. This was copied at the County Courthouse, Gray, GA, Jones County Affairs, 1864 - 1874. Ordinary Court Sitting for County Purposes, pages 402 403. His personal property inventory is:
1 White Mare 10 years old40.00
1 Yellow Cow and Calf15.00
2 Sows, White15.00
50 # Beef & 1 Bu Meal 6.00
1 Beds, 2 Bedsteads & Clothing20.00
Common Farming Tools, including
3 pr Gear Plows, Daes &c.10.00
Cooking Utensils for Family 5.00
1 Doz. Pieces of Old Crockery 5.00
Wearing Apparel15.00
Family Bible and Books 5.00
TOTAL $136.00

William is not on the 1880 census so must have died c 1874.

In the Frank M. Abbott Collection of Military Records, War of 1812, Folder 14, 1883 Pension List, Washington Memorial Library, Macon, GA contains the following information:

# of Certificate: 29,540 Name: Richey, Rebecca Address: Clinton
Cause for which Pensioned: Widow 1812
Mo. Rate: $8.00 Date of Original Allowance: May, 1880