RHEA-L Archives

From: Anne Bruce <>
Subject: [RHEA-L] Rev. Joseph Rhea
Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1999 10:42:54 -0800

6 December, 1999
Dear descendants of Rev. Joseph Rhea:
I recently received the microfilms of THE PRESTON AND VIRGINIA PAPERS,
compiled by Lyman C. Draper. There was a slight reference in the
abstracts printed in book form so I ordered the full page copies. This
letter answers a question I have long had regarding the time that Joseph
and his son, John Rhea, visited the frontier lands with the idea of
purchase. It has been especially meaningful to me to discover that
Colonel William Preston was the person who helped Joseph. This is so as
Preston's last child, Margaret Brown Preston, married the grandson of
Joseph Rhea ( his daughter, Margaret Rhea married Robert Preston and
their son, Colonel John Preston married Miss Margaret Brown Preston. Two
Preston lines, apparently unconnected, but linked by this marriage to
Rev. Joseph Rhea.) Quoting:
" Dear Brother,
My friend, the Rev'd Mr. Rhea on his way to your distant part called on
me and designs to stay some time in Fincastle County. He is well
recommended by the Presbytery to which he belongs and I received two
letters from ministers belonging to the same body in his favor.
He accepted of a call from the congregation of Piny Creek, but was not
installed as their minister. He has a large family and cannot so
conveniently purchase land for them where he lives, which together with
the destitute condition of the Church inclines him to have an
inclination to move back if Divine Providence should open a door for his
comfortable settlement.
He has a view to visit Reed Creek where I apprehend he has some previous
invitation . He is a dear friend of mine from old acquaintance I
always found that my Friends were favoured by you. I suppose he will
call upon you His son (John, I believe) is intending to take a Latin
School at Reed Creek. I hope if it any way offer to be advantageous to
him you will favor the young man.
My family insists and desires to be remembered to you and your family
and none more than
your B'r John Brown
July 26, 1775."
____________________________
August 10, 1775
"My dear Sir
I received yours by Jony and am astonished at the content of some of it
and in the meantime sorry for Charles. Is it possible that he is in the
use? of reason? or has his advancement to sit on the commitee turned his
head? I am apprehensive if he had considered the office he has
undertaken as minutely as he should have done........... .skipping
I have your long letter which plainly represent you patriotick spirit
and I think I have another I received from you of a more ancient date
I have hunted for it this morning but as I am going abroad I have not
time to make intelligent search. ....................skipping
There are many pretended Friends but few real ones Some has great zeal
but not according to knowledge. Malice and untempered zeal practized
will turn at last upon themselves and carries their punishment with
them. but enough of this at present. I long to see you but I cannot
now fix the time that I shall have the pleasure which I have so much and
long delayed. I heartily thank you for the kindness you have shown to my
honest friend Mr. Rhea. I hope you will find him what you take hime to
be He was reconed one of the best scholars in the North of Ireland and
would be no dispicable inspecter of a school. I hope he will settle at
Reed Creek . My heart warms to him mentioning Nasler. I am, sir , with
all sincerity
your brother John Brown
__________________________
and these two letters document the manner and by whom, Joseph Rhea along
with his son, John Rhea who later became a Congressman from Tennessee,
located their new home land in the colony of Virginia (later Tennessee)
just before the Revolutionary War descended upon the frontiers.
Best wishes,
Anne Rhea Bruce

This thread:

• [RHEA-L] Rev. Joseph Rhea by Anne Bruce <>