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From: DeniseCF <>
Subject: [RHEA-L] Re: WALLS/RHEA
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 11:18:15 EST

My research has shown that Pleasant Vincent Rhea (1821 TN -1901 TX) was not
the son of John and Sallie Rhea of Lincoln County TN. Their son Pleasant
Vincent Rhea was born circa 1803 in TN and died circa 1864 probably in
Washington Co., Arkansas. He married Fannie White and moved to Northwestern
Arkansas (Washington Co.).
Further research is necessary to identify parents for Pleasant Vincent Rhea
(1821-1901) who is my ancestor. The only documented fact I have been able to
find is a marriage record for him. He married Mary Elizabeth Fannin(g) in Flat
Creek, Bedford County, TN 24 November 1845. The certificate states that he and
Mary were "of Flat Creek, TN".
They are probably listed in the 1850 Census Lincoln Co., TN. as Pleasant B.
(sic.) Rhea 30, Mary 25, William 4, Sarah 3, Susan 1. There are several
problems with this however. Pleasant should have been 28 years old. Mary would
have been 22 years old. Subsequent census do not list William or Susan. My gg
grandfather John D. Rhea is not listed, he would have been about 2 years old
in 1850. Errors like this are not uncommon in a census, however.

some resources for Pleasant V. Rhea (1803-1864):

>From Goodspeed's 1889 History of Washington County/pg. 1009-1010:

Pleasant V. Rhea (deceased), one of the early settlers of this county, was
born in Lincoln County, Tenn., grew to manhood there, and there married Miss
Fannie B. White. They moved to Washington County, Arkansas in 1830 and here
Mr. Rhea followed the occupation of a blacksmith, and also taught school,
taking his pay in corn, pumpkins, etc. His family consisted of seven
children, three sons and four daughters. He was a member of the Baptist
Church and died at the age of 61 years. The mother is also a member of the
same church, and is now living at the advanced age of 88 years.

from "Bulletin Series" Washington County Historical Society, Fayetteville,
Ar. Bulletin #3 titled "Thirty Years in Arkansaw" by Rev. J.H. RHEA, 1896.
The Introductory reads:
"Thirty Years in Arkansaw" was originally one of a series of lectures given
by the Rev. J.H. Rhea in Iowa and Illinois in the old lyceum-chautaugua days.
It was published in book form in 1896 by the Republican Printing Co. of Cedar
Rapids, Iowa. A copy of this rare volume was made available to the Washington
County Historical Society by Mr.<sic> J.H. McIlroy of Fayetteville, who is a
niece of the author.
The Rheas came to Washington County, Ark., in the fall of 1829, a year
after the organization of the county. The clan was headed by Pleasant V. RHEA,
a native of Lincoln Co., Tennessee, and his wife Fannie White Rhea. They were
the parents of three sons and four daughters. Their two eldest sons, Wm. H.
and John H., were born in Tennessee - W.H. in 1825 and J.H. in 1827. They were
brought to Arkansas by their parents in 1829. W.H. Rhea later achieved
prominence and wealth. He married Elizabeth C. Powell, daughter of Dr. Samuel
Powell. His brother, J.H., became a schoolteacher. He taught for a time in old
Arkansas College, Fayetteville. He then became a Methodist minister . He was a
Union sympathizer when war came, and took his family north. He spent the rest
of his days in Illinois and Iowa, where he attained considerable fame as a
preacher and lecturer. One of his most popular lectures was "Thirty Years in
Arkansaw", which he was induced to put into book form shortly before his death
in 1896."
signed W.J. Lemke, editor 1953.

Denise Fischer
Santa Clara, CA

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• [RHEA-L] Re: WALLS/RHEA by DeniseCF <>