BRYAN FAMILY HISTORY - Interactive Family Histories

8-390 INTERACTIVE FAMILY HISTORIESJAMES REVIER (21) is the probably the father of the author’s oldest provenRevier ancestor of the authors, William Jackson Revier. James was born onFebruary 22, 1778 in Lancaster County, Virginia. On January 3, 1806, JamesRevier married Nancy Ann Alderson in Richmond County, Virginia. Nancy wasborn on January 21, 1790 in Richmond County, Virginia and is the daughter ofJohn Alderson and Rachel Alderson. James Revier is highly likely to be the sonof James Revier, Sr. and Winifred (Thomas) Revier. James “Riveer” wrote hiswill on November 30, 1815 and this will began probate by December 16, 1816in Lancaster County, Virginia. This will mentions, son, James Riveer, son JoelRiveer, son Cyrus Riveer, daughter, Polly Riveer and two children of deceasedson, William Riveer. It is very fortunate that this will supported and enhancedby a family Bible that states: James “Riveer” was married on November 14,1771 and lists the following children: Milly Riveer, b. December 26, 1772;Abner Riveer, b. August 28, 1775; James Riveer, b. February 22, 1778; JoelRiveer, b. June 30, 1780; William Riveer, b. April 5, 1783; Cyrus Riveer, b.September 19, 1785; Polly Riveer, b. October 1, 1788. Marriage Records ofNorthumberland County, Virginia show that James “Reveer” married WinifredThomas on November 12, 1771.James and Nancy Revere as well as Nancy’s parents moved from RichmondCounty, Virginia to Maury County, Tennessee. Numerous legal documentsconnect James and Nancy Revere to John Alderson and his first wife, Rachel,and his second wife, Elizabeth Alderson. In February, 1825, an excellentgenealogical document (power of attorney) provides proof that James Revier andNancy Alderson are connected to Nancy’s deceased father, John Alderson. ThisLancaster County, Virginia power of attorney establishes that James and NancyRevier remained in Lancaster County, Virginia as late as 1825. In December,1827, Nancy Revier is found in Chauncery Court Records of Maury County,Tennessee. These court records involve land in Virginia and provide excellentinformation concerning Nancy’s siblings, step-siblings, step-mother and even anuncle. Although these records do not indicate the residence of Nancy Revier, itis most likely that she was then living in Maury County, Tennessee. This recordindicates that Nancy was a daughter of John Alderson and his first wife, Rachel.The estate of John Alderson was still being settled as late as 1836 when GerardGreenfield sued the descendants of John Alderson concerning land that JohnAlderson had once owned. This document again provides excellentdocumentation of Nancy Revier to her siblings, step-siblings and step-mother.These records mention James Revier and Nancy Revier, his wife, and it can beassumed that they were residing in Maury County, Tennessee where the courtcase was held and where the land in dispute was located.Unfortunately, no records have been located to establish the children of Jamesand Nancy Revere. There are very few Revier family members that ever livedMaury County, Tennessee and Maury County, Tennessee is the only county inTennessee where any Revier family members lived prior to the Civil War. Otherthan James and Nancy Revier, only six Revier family members have beendiscovered living in Maury County, Tennessee prior to the Civil War. Becauseof their estimated dates of birth, places of birth (Virginia) and place of residence(Maury County, Tennessee), there is a very high probability that all of theseother early Revier families living in early Maury County, Tennessee are children