Born 19 May 1814 in Cabarrus County NC, John Asbury Love married 5 Oct 1832 Mary H. McEachen in Cabarrus County. Lewis Tucker was listed as bondsman, and the bond was witnessed by Kiah P. Harris. In 1850 Stanly County NC, John A. Love and family were enumerated beside his father as:

Prior to 1860, John Asbury Love and family removed to Pope County, Arkansas where he lived out his life. John and wife appear census through 1870. From burial records we know they settled near the town of London situated a short ways west of Russellville. This is an area rich in history. The Cherokee purchased this land from the Spanish in the early 1800's. Once part of the western Cherokee reservation, treaties ignored or broken led in 1828 to their forced removal to Oklahoma. However, a small “Reserve” was allowed to remain. And then in 1838, the Trail of Tears passed from the east through this very community and again pushed the Indians westward. Both Pleasant Love and John Asbury Love lived along the Arkansas River on this point situated between Mill Creek and what is known as Illinois Bayou. Today, the river has been tamed by locks and dams. And sitting on this land is the immense cooling tower for what is known as Arkansas Nuclear One. Running to the north, I-40 passes nearly over the old cemetery now known as “London Cemetery.” It was once home to a Methodist Church. John’s son Carson is buried at Dover. There are many unmarked graves indicating that John himself could possibly be buried at this graveyard that time has passed by. But standing proudly in the middle of the hillside graveyard is the stone below that tells the story of life as it once was:

The children of John Asbury and Mary H. McEachen Love are:

A. Margaret Elizabeth Love Born 5 Jul 1835 in North Carolina. She married 5 Sep 1852 Andrew Jackson Hartsell in Cabarrus County NC. Born 19 Mar 1833, Andrew J. Hartsell is the son of Andrew and his first wife Catherine Reed Hartsell. Catherine is the daughter of John and Sarah Kizer Reed. Of note, following the death of Catherine, Andrew Hartsell [Sr.] married second Sally Love, who was John Asbury Love’s sister!

Around 1854, Andrew J. and Margaret E. Love Hartsell removed to Pope County with the families of Reed, Love, Smith, and Burkhead. As found in the Pope County Heritage Book, a sketch written by Gwendolyn Burkhead Platt indicates Andrew J. may have first settled on lands where present day Arkansas Tech is located.

Andrew enlisted in CSA Co. E, 1st Reg. AR at rank of Corporal. On 25 Oct 1864 he was taken prisoner during General Price’s raid into Missouri and from there confined at Point Lookout MD until being exchanged for release in March 1865. Amazing, family members back in North Carolina served and were later confined in the same prison. I wonder if they made contact?

Margaret E. Love died 4 Mar 1900. Her obituary reads:

Margaret Elizabeth Hartsell (nee Love)

Was born in North Carolina, July 5th 1835, and died at her home in Russellville, Pope County, Arkansas, March 6th, 1900. Sister Hartsell had been in rather feeble health for a number of years, and when she was taken with pneumonia the last week in February she did not have the physical strength to withstand a great deal; but as was her habit, she bore it with true Christian patience. The triumphant death which was granted her was such as could come only to those who had lived faithfully. She died shouting. She was perfectly rational and called her sons to her side and said, “Meet me in heaven.” Sister Hartsell was a member of the M. E. Church, South, over fifty years, and none speak of her except in terms of praise.
She was married to Brother A. J. Hartsell, October 6, 1853, with whom she removed to Pope County, Arkansas, immediately, where they continued to reside. To them were born eleven children, five of whom preceded her to the other world, and six remain to share their father’s grief.

The children of Andrew J. and Margaret E. Love Hartsell are: A.) Mary C. Hartsell, married 31 Aug 1876 Wm. C. Fowler; B.) Dulsa Ann Hartsell, married Fernando Youngblood; C.) James M. Hartsell, married a “Hinton;” D.) Dora Hartsell, married married Newton Bailey; E.) Nora Harstell, twin of Dora died young; F.) Ida Mae Hartsell b. ca. 1870 AR, married 31 May 1893 in Pope County Rufus H. Burkhead, son of Dr. William A. and Sarah Love Burkhead.; G.) Lucy E. Hartsell b. ca. 1874 and died young; and H.) John F. Hartsell b. ca. 1878, married Minnie Hunnicutt.

B. Mary Melinda Love Born ca. 1837, she is last listed in 1880 as 41 year-old Melinda, Sister-in-law, and living at the home of Burwell and Rhoda Zachary.

C. James R. Love Born ca. 1840, married Ms. Sophia. Ca. 1867. The family is listed in Pope County 1870. Sometime in the mid 1870’s, James and family emoved to Fannin County TX where they are enumerated in 1880 as: 40 James Love, 30 Sophia, 13 Melvin, 9 Margaret, 5 Laban, 1 Alvia.

D. Joab A. M. Love Born ca. 1842.

E. Carroll Carson Love Born 30 Dec 1847, C. C. Love married 22 Sep 1870 Charlotte C. Mann. He died 20 May 1908 and is buried at London Cemetery as written in his obituary:

May 28, 1908 – London – C. C. Love died at his home Wednesday morning and was laid to rest in the London graveyard Thursday afternoon, Rev. G. W. O. Davis conducting the funeral services. Mr. Love was a member of the Methodist church and a worthy citizen. He leaves his wife and six children to mourn his death.

The children of Carroll Carson and Charlotte C. Mann Love are:

A. Charlie M. Love
B. John R. Love
C. Oceaniea H. Love
D. William B. Love

F. Duncan Love Born ca. 1849

G. Rhoda C. Love Born ca. 1855, Rhoda married 18 Jan 1880 to Burwell W. Zachary.

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