RHEA-L Archives

From: "Robert P. Rhea" <>
Subject: [RHEA] James RHEA, Son of Rev. Joseph, on Marriage
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2001 14:43:03 -0500

While going through the microfilmed copy of James RHEA's diary (Common
Place Book) I ran across some interesting material on the subject of
Marriage.

On a separate sheet of paper (apart from the diary) he wrote the
following:

"Blountville T. 24 Aug-1814
This morning Eliza- left me to go to see her sister Polly who lives at
Samuel Snapps on Nolichucky river- I wish she may come back safe and in
good health- if she never returns- I will mourn for the loss of my only
female companion."

On page 20 of his diary, under the date of Dec. 21, 1814, he wrote:
"This day I wrote a letter to the Honorable John Rhea in Congress
Washington City relative to errors in sending letters- and about
marriage- asking him his opinion- advice etc. etc." His brother John's
opinion and advice would be based on observation, for, as we all know,
he never married.

In Anne Rhea Bachman HYDE's letters that she donated to the Tennessee
Historical Society, she wrote to Judge Samuel C. Williams on April 21st,
1945, that John "evidently had some love affair, indicated in the letter
to his brother Matthew, which you have, which was doubtless the reason
he never married." And to the same person five days later she wrote "I
suppose this was Major Duffield who married John Rhea's lady love- be
sure to read John Rhea's letter to his brother Matthew on this
subject."

A little over a month after writing to John for his opinion and advice,
James wrote:

"Monday 23 January 1815. Some Reasons for Marriage
1. I will be able thereby to have cooking and boarding at my own house.
2. My domestic business will be better conducted.
3. I wish to have an heir.
4. Much expense will be saved.
5. A woman who is both capable and willing to attend to business- will
add to instead of diminish the
property of her husband and herself.

It doesn't appear that James was married when this was written! I
believe that 1815 is the year given for his marriage to Elizabeth SNAPP.

Also, while going through the diary I looked for references to a son,
Robert M. RHEA, who was recently revealed to Ed Foley while studying the
EVANS family. Ed wrote that this son appears to be the son of a
previous marriage. Whenever James mentioned a close relative, he usually
stated the relationship. The first reference to a Robert was on Sunday,
May 20, 1832, a week before his brother, John, died. He wrote: "Robert
(Jos. Rhea dec. his son) came down at 1 OCLock P.M.says that his uncle
John continues unwell..." Then on May 31 he wrote: "Letter to George
Gains 31 May- by Robert Rhea." A reply was received from George Gains
on June 9. Might this have been the son, or was he the son of Joseph?
If the son, he would have been about 25 years old.

If James Rhea had a son by a previous marriage, why did he state that
having an heir was one of five reasons for marriage? Might the
reasons have been written for any man rather than specifically for James
Rhea? They appear to be more personal than universal..

Robert Perry Rhea

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• [RHEA] James RHEA, Son of Rev. Joseph, on Marriage by "Robert P. Rhea" <>