Rhea Family Papers
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.
Dates
- 1807-1931
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
2 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Abstract
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 are included are Rhea genealogical material and various church records.
Biographical/Historical Note
Two of the most prominent Rhea brothers, John and Samuel L. Rhea, are represented in the collection.
Reverend Joseph Rhea, a Presbyterian minister, emigrated from Maryland and later moved to Sullivan County, Tennessee. Two of his descendents, John L. Rhea and Samuel Rhea, are featured heavily in this collection
John L. Ray (1832-1910) established himself as a Knoxville merchant and served as a member of the Company G 19th Tennessee during the Civil War. He also did work with the Grand Division of the Sons of Temperance and Associated Charities. He had property dealings in Iowa and Wisconsin and stock dealings with the Ohio Central Railroad and East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad.
Samuel A. Rhea (1827-1865) was a Presbyterian missionary to Persia. His first wife died in Persia and on his return trip to America he remarried and he and his second wife, Sarah, had four children: Sophie, Foster, Annie, and Leighton. His memoir was published in 1869.
Arrangement
This collection consists of three boxes and is arranged into six series.
Series List
- Series I: Correspondence
- Series II: Personal and Biographical
- Series III: Land Grants
- Series IV: Speeches and Sermons
- Series V: Financial Records
- Series VI: Sons of Temperance
Acquisition Note
Miss Lucy Rhea of Knoxville, Tennessee donated this collection to the library in 1946.
- Blount County (Tenn.) -- History.
- Cotton trade -- Southern States -- History -- 19th century.
- Land grants -- Tennessee.
- Missionaries, American.
- Sullivan County (Tenn.) -- History.
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Claims.
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
- United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783.
- United States -- History -- War of 1812.
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository