Letter of Rigdon Heath, Panola County, Texas, to his brother Jeremiah Heath, while in Randolph County, Georgia visiting his mother December 10, 1850. Letter in possession of Lonne Heath, Oriental, North Carolina, on October 6, 2001 and posted to the forum of https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/heath/3095/, under post title "Rigdon Heath NC/GA/TX".

Lonne Heath writes: "This is for anyone who is researching Rigdon Heath, Jr. who was born in Craven County, NC, moved to Georgia, and then to Texas. This is a letter which we found about a week ago in the papers of my father-in-law, Deward M. Heath of Cove City, NC, who died Sept 27th. Deward was a decsendant of Jeremiah Heath. I hope the letter will help someone who is from Jeremiah's brother, Rigdon. I will be glad to answer any questions about the letter or its contents. You can email me directly at [xxx].com.

Lonne Heath Oriental, NC"

"''Georgia, Randolph County December 10th, 1850

Mr. Jeremiah Heath

Dear Brother

I left home in Panola County Texas the Eighth of last month. I am this Evening with my old Mother at Needham Jones’ and have heard from Levi Griffin and family and we are all well and doing pretty well. We have not heard from Zelpha for some time but she and her children was well and doing well the last account we had of them. I heard from you last Spring through my son Jeremiah. He sent me the letter that you sent him. I had not heard from you of along time and was much gratified to know that a kind Providence had preserved us and also that you had some thought of coming to see me. Our long silence seems to manifest that we have forgotten each other but I assure you my brother that I often think of you and would be vary glad to see you but I never shall unless you come out for I have had great fortiegue in moveing west and coming back to Georgia. I expect to reach home about the first January and do not expect ever to return even to Georgia. Texas is a good country. Land is plenty at one dollar for acre and I have all of my children with me which is ten in No six sons four daughters three of them is married and is settled by me and we are all doing well. My youngest child is a daughter five year old. If your children and Brother W. Griffin was in Texas they would likely do better than they ever can where they are. I moved for the sake of my children. They are all well pleased and have that of doing well in prospect but I pursuade no one to move but should be glad to see any of my relatives in Texas. I suppose that it is some twelve hundred miles or more from your house to mine but as far as it is I do hope that we still communicate by letter to each other oftener than we have bin in the habit of doing. I want you to write to me upon the reception of this and write me every thing about your self and children and W. Griffin and his that will interest me. I want to know how you are all getting along. Direct your letter to Pine Hill P. O. Panola (marked out) Rush County Texas. I must say to you that your old mother thinks hard that you never write to her. I therefore request you to write to her. She is of opinion that you are affended with her by false reports. She is living with Needham Jones. I suppose that you have heard of the death of Father he died last Febrary was twelve months ago of Palsey. If you should write to Mother direct your letter to Petoula P. O. Randolph County Ga. Receive this my brother as a token of the high regard and brotherly love I have for you and yours. Farewell. Rigdon Heath

Remember me to brother Griffin. Tell him to write to me and let me know how he is getting along since he has bin left alone. RH'"

Research

"Rush" county is likely Rusk County, Texas, adjacent to Panola and Shelby Counties.