There are two John Loves recorded in the annals of early Wilkes County, North Carolina. The first served in the Revolutionary War for his father James Love and later acquired the lands his father first entered ca. 1779. This John Love was born in Brunswick County VA and moved to Charlotte County with family before settling on Hunting Creek in southeast Wilkes County NC. It is believed he is the son of James Love Junior and therefore the grandson of James and Elizabeth Love of Brunswick County VA. This John Love signed with and (X) and is believed to have married in 1787 Surry County NC to Patsy James. The true interest of this site is in distinguishing members of this Love Family from Brunswick County VA. And yet the record of another John Love who married in Wilkes County confuses our story. This page is dedicated to this person whose ancestry is unknown. By listing all records pertinent to this other John Love, we may be able to determine his relation, if any, to our family.
On 23 May 1789, John Love married Peggy King in Wilkes County NC. He and James Allen served as co-bondsmen. This John Love signed his name while James Allen signed with a mark (X). George Wheatley, Clerk of Court, witnessed the recording of the marriage bond. In the 1790 census, John Love is enumerated in the sixth company living beside Robert King and near George Wheatley. Listed as 1m16+ , 2 f, no slaves, the census reflects a newly married couple.
As will be clearly shown, Peggy is the daughter of Robert King. Robert King entered warrants for at least two tracts of land in Wilkes County where only one of the pieces was eventually granted. The description for that tract is as follows:
Grant # 792 (Wilkes County NC) Ent. 28 Dec 1782, Sur. 8 Aug 1782, Iss. 9 Aug 1787. Being 100 acres lying on Graves Creek of the East Fork of Roaring River. The warrant was for land “beginning at the lower end of his other entry.” Jos. Voan(sp) and Wm. Cornelius served as chain bearers for the survey.Searching online for any information on Robert King, I found a wonderful resource in the minutes of Old Roaring River Baptist Church. Not only is this page pertinent to our story, it also is a joy to read such a page accounting the early churches of North Carolina. Beginning in the earliest entries, Robert King and William Cornelius are clearly identified as active members of the church. Old Roaring River Baptist Church is located in northern Wilkes County at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the community of Traphill. I have yet to identify Graves Creek, but can imagine it is one of the smaller creeks running through the area. So, Robert King lived in this community. And as witnessed by the 1790 census, the other John Love lived nearby.
Probated Jul 1799 in Wilkes County, Robert King wrote his last will and testament. A simple instrument, the will empowered his wife Mary Ann King to dispose of the estate as she sees fit. There is no mention of the children. Spencer Adams and William Allison witnessed the will. Mary Ann King & John Love proved the will in the Jul 1799 session of the Wilkes County Court. At that time they were both appointed by the court to administer the will. As found in loose estate papers dated 8 Nov 1799, events must have changed the basis of this agreement as Mary A. King, James Sheppard and Richard Allen paid security bond for Mary J. King, administrator of the estate of Robert King, deceased. There is no mention of John Love in the loose estate papers.
In the 1800 Wilkes County census, there are two listings for John Love. One is going to be John Love, son of James. The other is this John Love who married Peggy King. For now I have not distinguished between the two. So the census record for both is as follows:
1800 Wilkes County NCDated 19 Sep 1805, Jesse Allen, Sheriff of Wilkes County sold land (G-7, Wilkes County NC) to Wm. Hampton. The land was sold in response to a claim of one pound, three shillings and three pence combined with a cost of fifteen shillings and six pence. The lands of John Love were sold to pay this debt he owed James Sheppard. Being 140 acres, the “tracts” are situated on Graves Creek adjoining that owned by Joseph George and Wm. Cornelius.Page 49, John Love 1m10-, 2m10/16 1m45+ // 2f10-, 1f26-45
Page 51, John Love 4m10-, 1m45+ //1f10-, 1f26-45
Recorded May 1809, the conveyance was witnessed by Richard Allen, Thomas Hampton, and Henry Hampton. This transaction goes a long way in defining the life of both John Love and Robert King. As per land records, it appears this John Love never purchased land for himself. From the time of their marriage through 1805, John and Peggy lived on the lands of her father. The close of this story is found in the 1810 Wilkes County census. For that year there are no (none) mention of (any) John Love. Realizing this, I now raise the question, …“then where was our John Love who married Patsy James?” Saving that for another day, we can begin to close this one in that there is only one listed in 1810 for Love in Wilkes County. Peggy King is enumerated next to Richard and Jesse Allen as: 2m10/16, 1m16-26 // 2f10-, 1f16-26, 1f45+.“Including the said Wm. Cornelius Improvements the same being a tract of land conveyed
by Wm. Cornelius, to Robert King, and was supposed to have been the property of said Love
since the death of said King.”
What happened to this John Love? Did he die? The final deed above was made in 1805 but not recorded until 1809. Just before Peggy is listed as head of household in 1810, the deed clears her husband’s past debt. And note the debt is owed James Sheppard who is the same person that provided security bond for Peggy’s administration of her father’s estate. And this less than two months after John Love and his mother-in-law came in to apply themselves for administration. There is a piece still missing from this puzzle.
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Go to John Love, son of James Love, Junior
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