THE DAVID HEATH FAMILY
By Etta Heath Smith

David Crocket Heath was born in the Tenth District of Rutherford County near Versailles, Tennessee. The Heath ancestral home was built of logs and stood to the northeast of and in view of the Mt Pleasant Baptist Church.

At the age pf 16, David Heath enlisted in the 24th TN Inf. organized at Versailles. Casualty lists of the Regiment show action at Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and Missionary Ridge. During the Battle of Murfreesboro, David Heath was seriously wounded by a cannon ball. He lay on the battlefield for three days. After his recovery, he was given an honorable discharge and drew a pension from the State Government.

David Heath married Martha Jane Patterson and lived in the house of his boyhood. Issue, five children:
1 Becky Heath
2 Tom Heath married Molly Brannon and lived near the Mt Pleasant Baptist Church. Tom became the community barber.
3 Lilly Heath married Alex Bumpas. Their 5 children became widely scattered and families of their own.
4 Ransom Heath married Ola Allison and moved to California.
5 Francis Heath married Pearlie Williams and continued to live in the Tenth District near Versailles. Issue, 3 children:
A Leonard Heath died in infancy.
B Ira Heath died in infancy.
C Etta Heath married Robert (Bob) Smith of Bedford County. Issue: (1) Robert Kenneth Smith, lost his life in the Air Force during World War II, 29 Jan 1945.
(2) Margaret Smith, a Nashville school teacher.
(3) Muriel Smith married Bill Branson and lives in Jackson TN with three children.

As David Heath advanced in years, he moved to the toll-gate house near Puckett Store. At age 63 he died this place and is buried in the Mt Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery.