Rhea in TN is probably related to John Rhea who was a long time TN rep to Congress beginning about 1800, his uncle was Archibald Rhea, early gov. of NC who Rhea County TN is named for. Sister of John Rhea, Elizabeth, married Martin Luther Coyner in Augusta County VA before 1800, this family said to be Scotch-Irish, descended from Archibald, Duke of Argyle, Scotland. This family sought refuge in Ireland after battles for Scottish assession to the British throne, and they came over here in mid-1700's, thus called Scotch-Irish. Many settled first in PA and then moved into VA. There is a Rhea list and they have a lot more info than I do. The name evolved into Ree, Ray, Rea and other similar variations and is found in great numbers in the South. Finley (Findlay, Findly) and Irwin are also names found in PA and VA. Interesting letter. Norma [email protected] wrote: > > Mr. WM. IRWIN Sparta Tenn May 23, 1856 > Wachyhach......? > Dear Brother, I received your kind and interesting letter of April 25th came > to hand by due course of mail. And I am much gratified to hear from you as it > brings the inteligence of your health and news of our friends. You wish to > know all relative to our > ..... I am yet living at my old place near zion campground and enjoying good > health, with the exception of some pain ... .... .... which the waggon run > over. I have many of my grand children living with me (JO NOLAN's girls, MAY, > JUNE, & ELIZABETH, my boys are all living near me except JAMES who lives in > Lebanon and THOMAS in Missouri. My girls are all married and JANE and MARY > are both widows now each of their husbands having died several years ago but > both are doing better than in the lives of their husbands. ISAAC TAYLOR died > in June/54. His widow still lives at the old place. Her youngest son ISAAC > is living with her and are getting along very well, next youngest lives.... > THOMAS lives where JOHN TAYLOR did. JOHN and his two youngest girls and two > youngest sons all live there with TOM. LOUISA married AL DAVIS. AMI... > ELIZABETH married B.S. RHEA. MARY R.. married F.O. HURT. All live in > Nashville, Tenn. > > page 2 > and are making money very fast. ALTAMIRA married T.G. FINLEY and lives in > Arkansas. DOUGLAS also married a Miss JANE PRICE and lives in Nashville and > have been making a fortune but is now sick of .... of the head all of whom I > have spoken are doing very well, JAMES, & JOHN TAYLOR are doing about as they > were when you were here. JAMES TAYLOR's wife died several years ago balance > are living in the neighborhood that were when you were here. JOHN SULLIVAN > still lives with his daughter LUCY at his old place. > ...........I delivered your message to MARGARET TAYLOR. She is very glad to > hear from FRANCES JOHNSON and wishes you to tell him to write to her soon > at...... > You wish to know something relating to the Estate in Ireland. I gained my > information from a smart young man who came from there. HE says the > property...held by the government and he says according to the laws of their > land that the government will hold A .... .... of the heirs till the 14th > generation runs out, and that he knows of the land and it is held as the Irwin > heirs land. You can tell the occupation of the Ancestors, the old man traded > in beeress and the old lady a bleecher of cloth as this young man tells me > there is a castle built on the land worth over $50000.00 and the cloth factory > is still kept up there. and it is known in that country as the property of the > Irwin heirs The Castle was built by government > page 3 > and will be til the 14th generation runs out and if not seen to then it will > still be ....out as be....to the use of the government. > > I must make a request of you now that .... ..... know or can ..... BRUSTER > ...married ....VOLIN I want .... write to me..... > I will now conclude by offering up my best .... your future health, happiness > and prosperity, hoping we ... when the lamp of life shall be blown out that we > may meet in that ..... land where the supreme .... and earth presides. > Remember me affectionately to our relatives and friends and .... me ever > Your affectionate brother (Isaac Taylor is written here and scratched out) > ALEXANDER IRWIN > > ----------------------------------------notes: > > Jo NOLAN was Alexander IRWIN's son in law. > Margaret (IRWIN) TAYLOR was married to Isaac TAYLOR. > This letter was typed by Phyl Vance, and ...'s are words she couldn't make > out. > I hope this will help someone connect with their ancestors. > I am also wondering if we have passed the 14th generation...anyone with > knowledge of the land mentioned in Ireland, please advise. Thanks. > Marguerite Prince Songy > > ==== PENNA-DUTCH Mailing List ==== > Do a good turn for another and see what comes back...