John Rea

Who was John Rea?

John Rea was an early 19th-century American politician. Rea was born at "Rea’s Mansion," near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

Rea served as lieutenant and captain with the Cumberland County Militia during the Revolutionary War. On October 20, 1784, Rea was commissioned the first coroner of Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

Soon after, he was elected to Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1785, 1786, 1789, 1790, 1792, 1793, 1801, and 1802. Also, Rea was the county auditor in 1793 and 1794.

He was elected as a Republican for the state of Pennsylvania to the Eight Congress and also served in the three succeeding Congresses. He then served in the War of 1812 as major general of the Eleventh Division of Militia.

Following the death of Robert Whitehill, Rea was elected to the Thirteenth Congress, and served from May 11, 1813 until March 3, 1815. He then became a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, serving in 1823 and 1824, when he resigned.

Rea died in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on February 26, 1829. He is currently buried at Rocky Spring Churchyard, near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.