THERE are a number of opinions among members of the Rixey family as to the origin of the family. In this chapter an effort is made to summarize all information thus far obtained in order to assist in future investigations. Claims have been made that we are of English, Irish and French descent, or a mixture of all. Whatever the nationality in the beginning, there was soon an admixture of Scotch through marriage into the Morehead family, Richard Rixey, Jr., son of Richard "Riccia," having married Elizabeth Morehead on November 16, 1764. The Morehead family came from Scotland, and their genealogical record is a matter of history.

       Elizabeth Morehead, who married Richard Rixey, Jr., was Elizabeth Brixtraw Morehead, daughter of John Morehead, Sr., of Fauquier County, Va.,, who was referred to in her father's will as "Elizabeth Brixtraw." For further information on this subject, see chapter on Fauquier County wills and also the sketch of Richard Rixey, Jr. From this union have come all the Rixeys of whom we have any record. The name Presley has been handed down from the Morehead family.

       There is an indication of Latin origin in the early spelling of the name of the original ancestor of the Rixey family, Richard "Riccia," whose name appears in the Prince William County records in 1740. For further information concerning this, see chapter on Prince William County records and also the sketch of Richard Riccia. In Dr. Rixey's book, on page 180, he spells the name "Riccie," which is incorrect. With this exception, in commend the three pages which he devotes to the ancestry of the Rixey family. It is of the utmost importance that the original spelling of the name be correctly given in a genealogy in order to trace the origin.

       Mrs. Price, in her book, with one exception, also misspells this name. She spells the name"Ricia," instead of "Riccia." The name appears correctly on page 197. Mrs. Price, on page 223, seems to connect David Rizzio, an Italian, who was influential in the court of Mary, Queen of Scots, with the "Riccia" family. There is, however, no evidence to substantiate this connection.

       I have letters from Wellington Woodford Rixey and his brother, William Joseph Rixey, of Missouri, sons of Charles William Rixey of Rixeyville, Va., in which they both stated that they had always understood that the Rixey family was of French descent. Charles William Rixey, in his Bible, made a notation that he had heard that we were Irish. This difference of opinion between the father and the two sons, leads us to believe that they were merely surmising, and not much dependence can be put in these statements. This Bible record is further discredited by the fact that, in 1853, Charles William Rixey stated that his grandfather's name was John, and two years later he made a notation in his Bible that he was mistaken, and that the name should have been Richard. His explanation was that he had mistaken the name of one of his uncles for that of his grandfather. Charles William Rixey's Bible record is further discredited by the statement that the Morehead family were English. There is no doubt whatsoever about the Moreheads being of Scotch descent.

       It is not a question as to the port from which the original ancestor of the Rixey family embarked to reach this country. Were that the question, any of the above conjectures might be correct, but the question is from what country did the family come originally. There is not the slightest indication of Scotch, Irish or English in the original spelling of the name, "Riccia."

       While discussing the subject of the nationality of the Rixey family, I shall quote the opinion of Dr. Samuel Gibbs Rixey of Missouri, who was the son of Richard Rixey, III, of Fauquier County, Va. In a letter, dated August, 1885, he made the following statement with reference to his grandfather. "My understanding is that he was from England, and of French descent, as our name indicates. He died many years ago, before my recollection. I think you are correct, his name was Richard, as was my father."

       It should be noted in this connection, that it was not then known that there were three Richard Rixeys in succession, and Dr. Rixey had confused the tradition in the family concerning Richard "Riccia," with his grandfather, Richard Rixey, Jr., who was born in Prince William County, Va.

       It is a matter of interest while tracing the origin of the Rixey family to note some of the personal characteristics of members of the older generation. The distinctive characteristics seemed to have been fair complexions, blue eyes, clear cut features (some with decided Roman noses), rather slender build, and height above the average, many of the men being six feet or over, while the women also in some instances were above the average height. These characteristics are evident in the numerous old family portraits, which are referred to in the various sketches in this book, and are also noted among some members of the family of this generation.

       In this connection it is also of interest to note that as a family, they were people of strong convictions, this being particularly true with regard to their religious beliefs. Some of my father's papers read almost like sermons, showing clearly his deep religious convictions. Further reference will be made to this in the chapter entitled "Religion of the Early Rixeys."

       In attempting to trace the origin of the name, "Riccia," the following references have been found to the "Ricci" family. In Fox's "Book of Martyrs," on page 144, this statement is made:

   "At the commencement of the sixteenth century,
   three Italian missionaries, named Roger, the Neapolitan, Pasis of Bologna and Matthew Ricci of Mazarata,
   entered China with a view to establishing Christianity there."

       In 1858, Corrado Ricci wrote a book entitled "Art in Northern Italy." An Italian grammar was written by Luigi Ricci in 1842. In this connection it should be noted that the name still continues in Italy as "Ricci," as an Ambassador to the United States from Italy in recent years bore the name of "Ricci."

       In every instance above referred to, the name, "Ricci," lacked only the final "a" to be the identical name of the first ancestor of the Rixey family whom we have been able to locate. Feeling assured that there was some connection between Richard "Riccia," who appeared in Prince William County, Va., in 1740, and the name, "Ricci," which was in Italy about the same time and which still continues there, I wrote a letter of inquiry to Dr. D. G. Whittinghill, a Baptist missionary at Rome, Italy, asking his help in the matter and explaining what I desired. He referred my letter to a Baptist minister whom he knew at Florence, who replied as follows:

["IGNAZIO RIVERA" LETTER TO AUTHOR - JANUARY 8, 1932 (to be added later)]

       If, as seems evident, the Rixey family is of Italian origin, their ancestors must have come originally from northern Italy, judging from the fair complexions and blue eyes which prevailed among members of the family of the older generation. This seems further substantiated by the letter from the Reverend Ignazio Rivera of Florence, Italy, dated January 8, 1932, in which he mentions the large number of the "Ricci" family living in Florence at the present time. As a matter of more than ordinary interest, a copy of the coat of arms of the "Ricci" family of Italy has been procured and is reproduced in this book in full colors. There are also reproduced two later letters from Mr. Rivera in which he gives the origin of the Riccia family in Genoa and explains the details of the coat of arms.

["IGNAZIO RIVERA" LETTER TO AUTHOR - MAY 24, 1932 (to be added later)]

"COAT OF ARMS" OF THE RICCIA FAMILY