Volume I, page 896

 James P. Heath, Hays’ Landing, Miss., has been a successful planter since 1885, when he left the parental roof and commenced planting on his own responsibility. He now is the owner of a fine place ten miles south of Mayersville, and he has four hundred and fifty acres under cultivation. He is not only one of the most successful planters of the county, but is an influential citizen, and, although young in years, has held a number of the local offices of trust. In 1883-4 he was a member of the board of supervisors, and he has shown his appreciation of secret societies by joining the Knights of Pythias organization and Hays’ Landing lodge No. 116. He has held all the different chairs of this order, and is the president past chancellor. He was born in 1858, and is the son of John and Mary Heath (see sketch). He received his early education in Clinton, Hinds county, Miss., and in 1890 he selected as his companion in life Miss Lurena Smith, sister of Robert Smith, and daughter of R.M. and Margaret Smith (see sketch). In personal appearance Mrs. Heath is about five feet eight inches in hight, weighs about one hundred and ninety pounds, has a fair complexion, and wears a fine blonde mustache.