Found in the 1850 Stanly County Census, there is a mysterious Love family not yet related to the others living nearby. Enumerated beside Hutson Taylor is Martha Love aged 40. Living with her are children John aged 12, Jane aged 10 and Thos. [Thomas] aged 7. It is unlikely she is the daughter of Jonah and Mary Garmon Love as even though she was still alive, his last will and testament does not account for this Martha. We could speculate that Martha may be the widowed second wife of Thomas Love, son of James and Mary Ingram Love. In 1848, Thomas Love was named as one of several trustees who accepted land donated by his brother Jonah for the use of the Methodist Church in the founding of Love’s Chapel. He does not appear in the 1850 census. But there in Stanly County, in the area where lived most of the known members of the Love family, Martha and children are enumerated in 1850 as:
From the above, we can see that Thomas could be named in honor of the possible father or grandfather. Martha herself could also be the unmarried daughter of Thomas Love. But a record late in her life indicates this is not likely. And yes, she could be the widowed wife of an unknown son of Thomas Love. At this time we do not know who she is. But the mere tracing of her record raises questions from whence a more accurate understanding of our history will surely emerge. Let’s take a look at records pertaining to the children of Martha Love.
John Love Born ca. 1837, this John Love is not readily located in the 1860 census. But on the same day, being 15 Mar 1862, John and a Martin Love enlisted in CSA 28th Reg. Co. D. Stating their ages to be 22 years, the two are the only Love men in this unit. And yes, they resided in Stanly County. Dated 23 Aug 1862, John Love died in Richmond VA from a disease known as Erysipelas. Also called St. Anthony’s Fire, the condition is characterized by an inflammation of tissue around the face spreading in a butterfly fashion across the cheeks. The combined military record indicates $19.43 in remains was picked-up by the widow Elvira Love. Attached to the record is a declaration and affidavit filed in Stanly County NC. Appearing before C. C. Love, Justice of Peace, Elvira states that her deceased husband entered service in Goldsboro and that he died 13 Aug 1862 in Richmond. Dated 15 Jun 1863, the document is then signed Elvira Love followed by the signature of C. C. Love. And below this deposition, James E. Love signed the document testifying on behalf of his own knowledge as to the truthfulness of Elvira’s word. Note that C. C. Love is a son of Thomas Love and also served during this time as Justice of Peace. There are no further military pension applications made in the name of this John Love, deceased.
So John Love married and died likely within a year or two from the start of the Civil War. The military record ties his age nicely back to the enumeration of “John” living with Martha in the 1850 census. Knowing that Elvira lived on, the next question to ask must be what ever happened to her? She did not apply for a widow’s pension which indicates she was a woman with means or that she died prior to 1885.
Dated 3 Apr 1866, David Green Sossamon married who on all North Carolina marriage bond indexes is “Elvira Levi.” This is an error. Closer inspection of the actual bond reveals that she is actually Elvira “Love.” Thomas Love’s daughter Susannah Love married first James L. [James Love?] Reed. After his death ca. 1845 she married second David G. Sossamon. Susannah died in the early 1860’s. And now we know David married second Elvira Love, the young widow of Martha Love’s son John! Knowing all this, we can easily see why David was chosen to administer the estate of Thomas Love. And his later marriage to Elvira is only natural. It appears that no children were born to John and Elvira Love. Elvira Sossamon died in the mid 1880’s at which time David G. Sossamon married once again.
Martin Love In 1850, there is no mention of Martin Love in the household of Martha Love. But there is a Thomas Love enumerated as aged 7. Could Thomas be the same person as Martin who joined up for service in 1862 at age of 22? Enlisting on the same day as John above, the combined military record indicates Martin also suffered from Erysipelas. Dated 27 Sep 1862, he died one month after the death of his brother John. And like John, Martin too had someone who sought his personal effects. Dated 28 Feb 1863, Martha (x) Love signed an affidavit stating the following:
Appearing at the bottom of the affidavit, Christopher Yow signed the document testifying as to the word of Martha Love. And yes, C. C. Love, Justice of Peace, certified the document. Are Martin and John Brothers? The answer to this is very likely a yes. Is this Thomas Martin Love, or did Martha have yet another son? To this, we can only wager a good guess.That she is the mother of Martin Love, deceased late a private of Captain Montgomery’s Co., 28th Regiment of North Carolina Troops and that the said (son) Martin Love died on the 27th of November 1862 at the hospital at Danville VA, without leaving a Father, Wife or Child; and that I, Martha Love as his mother is entitled to all arrears of pay & c. ____________
Jonah and Martha Jane Love Little
Martha Jane Love Born 7 Aug 1837, Martha Love married 7 Mar 1858 Jonah Franklin Little. Jonah F. is the son of Jacob W. and wife Margaret Love Little. Margaret is the daughter of Jonah Love. Jonah enlisted in CSA Co. H, 42nd Reg. NC. Returning home from the war, he lived in the area around Love’s Grove UMC where he farmed. Jonah Little died 20 Mar 1909 and Martha Jane Love Little died 11 Jan 1911. Both are buried at Love’s Grove UMC. With great appreciation, the following information on the children of Jonah F. and Martha Jane Love Little has been provided by Mrs. Martha H. Melvin:
A. Margaret Matilda Little Born 16 Apr 1858, she married 4 Jan 1877 George W. Reed. He died 21 Aug 1897 and Margaret died 27 May 1900.
B. Williamson Little Born 28 Aug 1860, Williamson married 23 Feb 1882 Hester Belle Mann. Born 12 Sep 1866, she is the daughter of Dock F. and Melinda Love Mann. Buried at Love’s Grove, Hester died 8 Apr 1943. Williamson died 12 Aug 1945.
C. Infant Son Died 22 Oct. 1863.
D. Martha Elizabeth Little Born 6 Oct 1866, Martha married 22 May 1881 Jonah A. Mann, brother of Hester Belle above. Martha died 17 Nov 1884 and is buried at Love’s Grove.
E. Loretta “Rettie” Little Born 7 Aug 1870, Rettie married first 25 Sep 1884 Robert J. Moss. He died 1893 in Texas. Loretta married second 4 Jul 1896 in Stanly County James Franklin Smith. Born 15 Jan 1877, he died 30 Oct 1942 and is buried at Love’s Grove. Rettie died 17 Feb 1956.
F. Dovie Little Born 8 Apr 1882, Dovie married Henry Reed. He was born 20 Mar 1820 and died 29 Jan 1901. Dovie died 17 Jan 1959.
Martha Love is enumerated in later census records as living at the home of her daughter Martha Jane. And in 1880, the census enumerates Martha as a “Widow.” The issue of who she is still remains. But it appears she may be a descendant somehow of Thomas Love who married Susannah Polk. Martha Love was born 8 Aug l8l3 and died 4 Oct. l893. As appears at the top of this page, her grave is marked with a proper stone on which appears no indication of who her husband might be. Buried at Love’s Grove UMC, She is at rest beside her daughter Martha Jane and her husband Jonah F. Little. And in the end, we are still left wondering as to who Martha might be?
BACK
