This collection consists of material relating to the Rhea family of Sullivan County, Tennessee and covers the time period 1807-1931. Contained within the collection are Civil War-era records, John Rhea's financial transactions, Sons of Temperance financial transactions, material on Samuel Rhea's missionary trips to Persia, and John Rhea's correspondence. Also included are Rhea genealogical material and various church records.

This collection is organized into six series. Series I, Correspondence, includes that of John Rhea's business and daily activities in Knoxville as well as Samuel Rhea's missionary work in Persia and the United States. Series II contains John Rhea’s personal and biographical information of the Rhea family and includes diaries and genealogical material. Series III contains lands grants and Series IV includes speeches and sermons. Series V holds the financial records of John A. Rhea including invoices, receipts, and an estate ledger. Series VI includes material related to the Sons of Temperance such as ledgers, receipts, and speeches.