James Love settled in Mecklenburg/Cabarus County NC in the last decade of the 1700’s. Acquiring land in the big bend of Rocky River, his neighbors included the families of Reed, Garmon, Little, Kiser, Tucker, and others. Deed and court records account for what must have been a typical early American settlement. But this all changed when in 1799 the young Conrad Reed discovered a large gold nugget while bow fishing along the banks of Little Meadow Creek. As per an affidavit filed in 1848 by George Barnhardt, Conrad’s father John Reed was at first ignorant of the precious metal. He used the rock as a door stop before selling it three years later to a jeweler in “Fayetteville.” And yet, in another account twenty years prior to that of Barnhardt, the Carolina Observer published in Fayetteville offered a subtly different view. This article agrees stating that John Reed did not know what he had. And as a first generation Hessian living among those he had enlisted to fight against, John Reed was fearful that the find of something valuable might somehow be used against him. So he hid the rock until he learned more about its worth. This article also states he later traveled to “Raleigh,” not Fayetteville, where he sold the gold for very little. At any rate, John Reed returned home and began mining in earnest in what became the first gold mine in America. In 1804 he invited Martin Phiffer, George Barnhardt, and neighbor Rev. James Love to join in as partners in this venture. Appearing August 1857 in HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE, the illustration below accompanies an article built upon George Barnhardt's account.

Not recorded, and not directly supported by other legal record, young Conrad Reed married ca.1805 Martha Love. Conrad’s son Thomas P. Reed who later moved to Pope County, Arkansas provided the only real proof for this marriage. Published in 1891 while Thomas was still alive, Goodspeed’s Biographical & Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas offers the following:

Thomas P. Reed, . . .pioneer planter, is well and favorably known to the majority of the residents of this locality, for he has been a resident of this section since 1857, and has been prominently identified with the farming interests hereabouts. He was born in North Carolina on August 7, 1823 to Coonrod and Martha (Love) Reed, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Virginia. They were married in the former State, the father following the occupation of farming there, and their union was blessed in the birth of four sons and four daughters, of which family three are now living: H. C., Thomas P. and Nancy (widow of W. A. Cagle). John, Elizabeth, James, Mary and Martha are deceased. The father of this family passed to his long home in 1833, and he and his wife, who died in 1855, were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church . . .

Though there is no record in Cabarrus County that marks the marriage of Conrad and Martha, the above provides the basis for a most wonderful family history.

In ca. 1785 Brunswick County VA, Martha was born the daughter of James and Mary Ingram Love. Her mother’s parents lived in Brunswick though 1794. The Love family is undetectable in census as in 1790 the record for Virginia was destroyed. They removed to Mecklenburg County NC just after 1790 being about the same time Cabarrus was cut from its eastern portion. Owning land also in Wilkes County, James Love sold that to a son before settling in Cabarrus County. As a young child, Martha was raised along the Rocky River on lands adjoining that owned by the German Hessian named John Reed. Fate led to the discovery of gold and likely influenced the choice of marriage between Conrad Reed and Martha Love. Minutes for the year 1810 of the Rocky River Conference of the Methodist Church lists a congregation of ten members meeting at “Loves.” Later known as Mount Moriah, a Methodist Church was built in 1813 on lands owned by James Love. Present day Reed Mine Road bends sharply upon itself as it runs the ridge south of Reed mine. The old Methodist Church once stood on Hartsell Road less than a hundred yards from this bend. Just down the hill a couple hundred yards west towards the river, a small grove of trees stands guard over an old cemetery. Known as either the James Love or Mount Moriah Cemetery, this burial ground marks the resting place of many who once lived in the area. Surrounded by a three-foot high wall of flint mine tailings, two crude stone pillars on the east side are drilled with holes indicating a once gated entrance. And there is more to this connection between Love, Reed, gold and church.

James Love’s father (named James) died in 1800 Stokes County NC. When Methodist Bishop Francis Asbury toured Stokes County a few years prior, he made note of Love’s church and of its picket fence and glassed in windows. And in this elder James Love’s 1799 last will and testament, he collectively mentions seven trustees of the Methodist church. All of which were prominent in the founding of other churches. One in particular became pastor at John Daub’s Methodist Church. Located in western Stokes County near where Martha’s sister Elizabeth Love Shore lived, the founder of Daub’s church may have played a role related to the discovery of gold in Cabarrus County. The following entry found in a Moravian Minister’s diary offers yet another twist to the stories told by Barnhardt and the Carolina Observer:

Page 2785, Records of the Moravians in North Carolina
Salem, April 16, 1804. Probably the news has not yet reached Germany that for several months gold has been mined in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, about seventy miles southwest of here (the first in the United States). I have myself seen a piece of ore which was sent to Br. Jacob Loesch, in Bethania, to be smelted, and it was very rich. The report of this discovery is confirmed by so many that the only doubt is how much there may be of it. The reason that I mention it is that in our neighborhood one and another has begun to dig for gold, great hopes having been inspired by the divining rod of an old Methodist preacher, Daub by name, for instance inside of our lot No. 88. Daub supposes that the vein runs into my land, or rather into the unsold portion of the Wachovia land, and while I see no reliable ground on which he should base his assumption I will be careful if the question of a sale comes up, lest I might later regret my haste.

Looking beyond the community along Rocky River, doesn’t it make better sense that in his dealings, John Reed would look west rather than east? As a first generation German, wouldn’t he better trust the Moravians of Salem rather than the English/Irish settlers of Raleigh or Fayetteville? And even as early as the late 1780’s, the citizens of Cumberland County petitioned the General Assembly of North Carolina in hopes they could somehow entice the more technocratic Germans to settle in their region of the state. I doubt this was a place rich in metal workers. Though Reed may have made his journey to Raleigh or Fayetteville, I suspect the German-speaking people of Stokes County played a more prominent role in the early days of gold in North Carolina.

In 1810, Conrad was enumerated in Cabarrus County living near his brother-in-law Jonah Love, David Cagle, and his brother Henry Reed. On 27 May 1828, Conrad purchased 205 acres (12-85, Cabarrus NC) from Frederick Kiser. Situated on the north side of the Rocky River, this land adjoined a corner of “Catherine Reed” lands. This land also adjoined that owned by Elisha Cheek and David Kiser. David Kiser’s division line and Reedy Branch are mentioned. Conrad’s brother George Reed and John Barnhardt witnessed the transaction. Note that Catherine is the widow of Henry Reed. He had recently died in 1827. Issues related to the identity of Catherine impact upon our understanding of Martha Love. For more information on this matter, compare what is said on this page to that written on Henry Reed.

In 1830 “Coonrod” again was enumerated living near Jonah Love, brother George Reed and George Tucker. This was likely on the east side of Rocky River. In January 1833, The Cabarrus County Courts ordered that Conrad Reed act as overseer of the Dutch Road from Muddy Creek to Anderson’s Creek. This is the present day route of Highway 601 as it passes through the town of Midland. This was on the west side of Rocky River. Later that same year, on 22 Oct 1833, Thomas J. Shinn sold to Conrad Reed 377 acres (3-357, Stanly County NC) situated about five miles away in then Montgomery County. This land adjoined that owned by Shinn, Tucker, and George Reed located on the east side of Rocky River on the waters of Rock Hole Creek. James M. Shinn and James L. Reed witnessed the transaction.

Conrad Reed died at some point in late 1833. His burial location is not known. He may be buried at that Reed Family burial ground at present day Reed Mine Historic Site. But reading of his son Thomas’s deep roots in the Methodist church, I wonder if Conrad might not be buried at one of the early Methodist Churches? Working the road at present day Midland, he could have been buried in that area. But knowing Conrad’s wife’s family ties to Mount Moriah, would it not make sense he would be buried there?

In Jan 1834, Special Administration on the estate of Conrad Reed was granted to George Barnhardt. He posted a bond of $200 and George Miller provided security. Later that same year, in October, George Barnhardt again filed for Letters of Administration. This time the bond was $10,000 with John C. Reed, John Garman, and John Barnhardt providing security. At the same time, Conrad’s oldest son James L. Reed was appointed guardian of his brother and sisters Martha, Thomas P., and Nancy Reed. Dated 25 Nov 1836, John Reed Senr. sold unto Andrew Hartsell a tract of 114 acres (3-363, Stanly County NC) situated in then Montgomery County. Adjoining lands of George Reed, this tract was “known as No. 2 in the division of Conrad Reed, Decd land.” George Barnhardt and William Craton witnessed the transaction.

In January 1837, a settlement with the Administrator of the estate of “Coonrod Reed, dec’d” valued the estate after commissions at $4082.28. Also in 1837, the children again appear in court as wards of their older brother James L. Reed. But this time Darling Love is listed as providing security. A later court case between James Reed and Darling Love indicates a disagreement in this appointment. Dated 9 Mar 1837, an entry was obtained by George Kesler for land in then Montgomery County. Being Warrant #2875, the county surveyor was ordered to lay off “one hundred acres for George Kesler lieing between Martha Reed’s & Thomas Pinions & Patience Taylors and with her fence to said Pinions lines.” The actual warrant was for 66 acres adjoining Martha Reed, Jonah Love and Patience Taylor. If this is the same Martha, then she has land adjoining her brother Jonah and who just might be an older sister named Patience. This Patience Taylor may be Patience Love who married first Claiborne Freeman and second a presently unknown Mr. Taylor.

Martha Love Reed did not remarry. In 1840, she is enumerated near John Reed Senr and next to son James L. Reed. And then in 1850, the 65 year-old Martha Reed is listed as living in the home of her son Thomas P. Reed. And as is confirmed much later in the Arkansas Biography, the 1850 census enumerates Martha as being born in Virginia. At that time Thomas Reed and family were living near the homes of his first cousin Susan Love Reed Sossamon. Note that she is the daughter of Thomas Love who is likely the namesake for Thomas P. Reed.

The Arkansas biography states that Martha Love died in 1855. Her resting place is unknown. Arising from a petition filed by Thomas P. Reed and siblings, the lands of Conrad Reed were sold with profits being divided amongst the heirs. The loose estate file for Conrad Reed contains pay receipts along with the following accounting:

The children of Conrad and Martha Love Reed are:

A. James L. Reed
Born ca. 1808, James L. Reed married 10 Jun 1836 Susannah “Susan” Love. Born ca. 1812, Susannah is the daughter of Thomas and Susannah Polk Love. This would make James and Susannah first cousins.

James L. Reed’s father died in 1834. A new oral agreement addressed the death and was tested on the first day back to work when on 17 Nov 1834 a 13 pound nugget was found. Sending his young son Arthur to work while he tended a sick wife, Conrad’s brother George was accused of not holding to his end of the agreement. Trying to settle the issue, and dated 25 Nov 1834, James L. Reed represented the family in establishing a court-recorded definition of the partnership. Though spelled out and seemingly corrected on paper, George Reed pressed suit that reached the Supreme Court. This case eventually led to the selling of Reed’s mine.

Dated 28 May 1845, John Reed Senior died. In August of the same year, and as per his last wishes, advertisement for the sell of Reed’s mine appeared in the Carolina Watchman. And about the same time, his grandson James L. Reed died. Dated 4 Sep 1845, John M. Black Esq., David Kizer, Joseph Howell, and Andrew Carriker met at the home of James L. Reed Dec’d to lay out one year’s widow’s provisions due Susannah Love Reed. Following the death of James L. Reed, his widow Susannah married second David G. Sossamon. And after the death of Susannah, David Sossamon married in 1866 a person named Elvira. Due to a mistake in the interpretation of the marriage bond, it has always been believed that David married Elvira Levi. However, close inspection of the bond reveals that Elvira was actually Elvira “Love.” She was the widow of Martin Love, the son of yet another Martha Love!

The children of James L. and Susannah Love Reed are:

A. Henry A. Reed Born ca. 1836, Henry appears in the 1850 census living with his mother in the home of her second husband David G. Sossamon. Henry died prior to 1866. At that time, the remaining estate was divided between his siblings.

B. Julia Ann Reed Born 11 May 1839, Julia married Adam Jackson Furr. He was born 3 Mar 1842. Julia died 15 Oct 1891 and Adam in 3 Nov 1906.

B. Ingram P. Reed Born ca. 1841, Ingram P. Love was named for Susannah’s Grandmother Mary Ingram Love. Dated 26 Jun 1861, Ingram enlisted in CSA Co. B, 7th Reg. NC. Serving in the war, he was accounted for through October of 1864. From the Henry A. Reed estate papers, we know that Ingram was living in 1866.

C. Frances “Hester” Reed Frances was named for James L. Reed’s Aunt Frances Reed. Frances was also known as “Hester T. Reed.” Born 8 Oct 1844, Hester married 4 May 1867 Jacob S. Little in Cabarrus County. Born 6 Nov 1844, Jacob is the son of Jacob W. and Margaret Love Little. Frances “Hester” Little died 9 Jul 1900 and Jacob W. died 9 Dec 1929.

B. Mary Reed
Named for her grandmother Mary Ingram Love, Mary was born likely around 1810. We know little about her as she died prior to the 1850 census. Dated 30 Dec 1828, Mary “Polly” Reed married Allen Bost. Jesse D. Burkhead served as bondsman and J. G. Spears witnessed the bonding. Born ca. 1808, Allen is the son of William and Elizabeth Shive Bost. In 1842, James S. Russell was murdered at the home of Allen Bost. An informative wanted poster for the killer indicates Mark Kisor may have been the murderer.

In 1850, Allen Bost is enumerated in Cabarrus County living beside Jesse D. Cox. His wife died earlier and is therefore not listed. However, the naming of children matched with the estate of Conrad Reed does provide verification of all her living children. The census reeds:

44 Allen Bost – Farming 18 Elzabeth 16 Coonrod - Farming 14 Martha 21 James W. Mining 10/12 Allen J.

If Allen J. above is the same as “Jackson Bost” found on the estate of Conrad Reed, then we know for sure that Mary died shortly before the taking of the 1850 census. She may be in the mortality census for that year. There is no record of her death or place of burial. But knowing where these people lived, I imagine Martha is buried with her parents at either the Reed family cemetery or the Love / Mount Moriah Cemetery. Following the death of wife Mary, Allen Bost married second ca. 1851 Rachel Caroline Garmon. Born ca. 1836, she is the daughter of Adam and Mary Hagler Garmon. Mary is the daughter of John and Mary Love Hagler. This Mary Love is the sister of Conrad Reed’s wife. Note that John Hagler’s grave has been recently discovered in the Love / Moriah Cemetery.

The children of Allen and Mary Reed Bost are:

A. James William Bost Born 23 Oct 1829, James W. Bost is enumerated in 1850 living with his father. He is listed as a miner. He removed shortly thereafter to Blount County Alabama. Dated 7 Aug 1853, he married Mary R. A. Hyatt. In 1860, he is enumerated as head of household. As follows, it appears his brother Conrad also made the trip to Alabama:

30 James W. Bost NC (Carriage Maker)
26 Mary A. AL
05 Mary E. AL
24 Coonrod NC (Wagon Maker)
19 William Steel AL (Farm Laborer)

Robin Sterling has placed a large amount of Blount County records online at his site devoted to North Alabama Research. He emailed me and added to the following to what we know about James W. Bost:

"According to his Confederate pension application, James W. Bost enlisted in Company K of the 19th Alabama along with his brother Conrad. However, the name James W. Bost was not found in the Compiled Service Records. The application made in Fayette County reported he was born 23 Oct 1829 in North Carolina; enlisted in Company K Jun 1862 at Blountsville; wounded in the right leg at Missionary Ridge 25 Nov 1863; discharged from the service May 1865; the application was witnessed by A.B. Reeves, M.M. Sullivan, and E.W. Sullivan; the medical examiner, M.R. Seay, MD, reported Bost had chronic cystitis, piles, and deaf in left ear; pension was first approved 15 Jul 1899."

James W. Bost removed to Fayette AL where he died 22 Jan 1912.
B. Elizabeth Bost Born ca. 1832, Elizabeth C. Bost married 14 Dec 1853 John Karriker. Bondsman was M. C. Little
C. Coonrod W. Bost Born ca. 1834, Conrad [Coonrod] was named for his grandfather Conrad Reed. He removed to Blount County Alabama in the early 1850’s where he first lived with his brother James William. Dated 12 Aug 1861, Conrad W. Bost enlisted in Blountsville for service in CSA Ca. K, 19th Reg. AL. Stating he was born is South Carolina., we know this was an error. Serving as carpenter for the regimental quartermaster, he worked as teamster under Colonel Joseph Wheeler in 1862. He served in Loiltillo, Mississippi. In 1880, the 44 year-old Conrad Reed was living in Blountsville, Bount County, Alabama. By occupation a mechanic, he was listed as single, born in North Carolina, and living at the home of a blacksmith by the name of Elbert Scott As found at the website dedicated to CSA Co. K, 19th Reg. AL, the death register for Blount County Alabama lists the death date for Conrad W. Bost as 7 Feb 1901.
D. Martha Bost Born ca.1836, Martha is enumerated in 1850 living at the home of her father Allen Bost.
E. Allen J. or Jackson Bost Born ca. 1849, Jackson Bost is enumerated living at the home of his father in both 1850 and 1860. At this point I am not sure what happened to this person. But buried at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, there is Jackson Bost, born 20 Jun 1848 and died 10 May 1879.

C. Martha Reed
Born Ca. 1817, Martha married 2 Dec 1839 Arthur Reed. They are first cousins on the Reed side of the family. And he being the son of George and Elizabeth Freeman Reed, Elizabeth is the daughter of Claiborne and Patience Freeman. Patience may very well be Patience Love, the daughter of James Love and therefore the sister to this Martha Reed’s Mother. So they are related through both paternal and maternal lines.

When his mother Elizabeth was at home with sickness, it was Arthur who was sent to work Reed’s mine that fateful day when the large gold nugget was found. A case raised by his father George Reed reached the Supreme Court. Arthur testified and was duly cross-examined.

In 1850 Cabarrus County, Arthur and Martha Reed are enumerated as:

31 Arthur Reed 33 Martha 11 Elizabeth 06 Margaret 03 Wm. A. 01 Mary

In 1858, Arthur and family joined in on a wagon train and removed with others to Pope County, Arkansas. Residing in Gum Log Township, the census of 1860 indicates Martha had recently passed. That year the census reads:

40 Arthur - NC 18 Martha - ARK 14 Margaret – NC 12 Alex - NC 10 Mary - NC 08 Julius - NC 06 Allice - NC 02 Laura A. - ARK 3/12 Sarah R. - ARK

D. Henry Cannon Reed
Much of the following has been provided by descendant Dianna Reed.
Her efforts are greatly appreciated! Born 14 Jul 1820, Henry C. Reed married 26 Dec 1844 Elizabeth Russell. In 1860 the family is enumerated as:

37 Henry C. Reed (Mill Wright) NC 40 Elizabeth NC 14 John C. AL 11 Martha M. AL 10 Ciscero AL 08 Mary C. AL 06 Patterson Y. AL 67 Sintha Russell VA

Though listed in 1860 as being born in South Carolina, Henry is enumerated later in census as being born in North Carolina. It appears his wife Elizabeth may be a descendant of the Russell Family. And living two doors down is the Baptist Minister names I. H. Williams. In 1880 Henry C. Reed is enumerated in Blount County Alabama as follows:

1880 Blount County, Alabama 60 Henry C. Reed (married) Farmer 60 Elizabeth Reed (married) Keeping House 38 Mary E. Reed (widowed dau in law) Keeping House 20 Jinnei Reed (dau) 12 Altine Reed (Gdau)

Me Fa Mo NC NC VA TN VA KY AL VA TN AL NC TN AL AL AL

The children of Henry C. and Elizabeth Reed are:

A. John Conrad Reed Born ca. 1836 in Alabama, John appears in the 1860 Alabama census. Dated 5 Feb 1865, John Reed married Huldy Aldridge. She was born 12 Dec 1846. The 1880 Blount County census enumerates Huldy as widow and head of household with four children. Huldy died 22 Apr 1881 and is buried at Salem Primitive Baptist Church. The children of John C. and Huldy Aldridge Reed are: A.) Henry C. Reed b. 1866; B.) Clearcie Tamson Reed b. 1869 d. 1922, married 25 Aug 1889 Monroe Gunter, b. 19 Sep 1867 d. 1951 bur. Salem Primitive Baptist Church; C.) Modeley Reed b. 1871; and D.) Ida J. Reed b. 1875.
B. Martha M. Reed Born in 1847, Martha married 10 Aug 1870 Jesse A. Mortons. Born also in 1847, Jesse died 1895 and is buried at Salem Primitive Baptist Church. Martha died in 1907.
C. Cicero Reed Born 14 Jul 1849, Cicero married 25 Nov 1866 Mary Elizabeth Gunter in Blount County. She was born 18 Feb 1842. Cicero died 24 Oct 1868 and is buried at Salem Primitive Baptist Church. Mary lived on and in 1880, she and her child are living at the home of the aged Henry C. Reed. Mary died 16 Dec 1923 and is buried at Salem.

The Patterson Young Reed Family
back row (l -r) Percy Reed, James Reed, Bessie Reed, Betty Reed, Beulan Reed
front row (l - r) Walter Reed, Patterson Young Reed, Chalmers Reed, Mary Reed, Willie Reed, Oliver Reed

D. Patterson Young “P. Y.” Reed Born 1 Jun 1854, P. Y. Reed married 15 Feb 1880 Mary Elizabeth Eldridge Jones in Blount County, Alabama. She was born 19 Jan 1857. Patterson Y. Reed and family removed to Johnson County TX. Dianna Reed provided the wonderful photo above. She states that descendants living in Texas once kept safe a photograph of Henry Cannon Reed. If this were true, and the photo survives, then it would be of great historical importance in that the picture would be the only surviving image of the immediate Conrad Reed family. Mary E. Reed, wife of P. Y. Reed died 27 Oct 1923 in Rio Vista TX. Patterson died 31 Jul 1942. He was by occupation a farmer. On his death certificate, the informant named Patterson’s father as “Henry Cannon Reed.”

The children of Patterson Y. and Mary E. Reed are: A.) Walter Anderson Reed b. 2 Dec 1880 Summit AL d. 22 Jun 1954 Rio Vista, married 2 Oct 1904 in Morgan TX Ethel Rose Custer b. 27 Aug 1881 d. 23 Sep 1962; B.) James Cannon Reed b. 8 May 1882 Summit AL d. 11 Apr 1974 Carmi IL, married 19 Aug 1904 in Midlothian, Eliis Co. TX Fannie Octavia Moore b. 2 Aug 1888 d. 7 Sep 1963 Joinerville, Rusk Co. TX; C.) Ginny Elizabeth Reed b. 23 Nov 1883 Summit AL d. 20 Mar 1962 RioVista TX; D.) Bessie Leotha Reed b. 24 Dec 1885 Summit AL d. 4 Oct 1973 Rio Vista TX; E.) Percy Ellis Reed was by trade a blacksmith b. 29 Apr 1888 Summit AL d. 29 Nov 1940 Rio Vista TX, married 1921 Beulah Laline Falkenbury b. 27 Oct 1898 d. 30 Mar 1992; F.) Beulah Emma Reed b. 25 Feb 1889 Summit AL d. 20 Jul 1953 RioVista TX, married in Cleburne TX 27 Dec 1915 J. S. Ford b. 6 Oct 1881 d. 24 Oct 1956; G.) Willie Seaborn Reed b. 15 Dec 1891 Summit AL d. 6 Nov 1966 Cleburne TX, married 9 Oct 1925 in Cleburne TX Callie Hattie Bell Temple b. 6 Jan 1889 d. 19 Jun 1956; H.) Clarence Oliver “Ollie” Reed b. 25 Apr 1893 d. 4 Mar 1960 RioVista TX, married 26 Sep 1922 Mabel Marie Minicus b. 13 Jan 1905 Harrison AR d. 21 Jul 1987; I.) Chalmers Milton Reed b. 6 Feb 1898 Summit AL d. 14 Jul 1978 Rio Vista TX, married 19 Oct 1923 in Grandview TX Eva Mae Nanny b. 19 Sep 1902 d. 29 Jul 1996 Whitney TX.
E. Sintha W. “Jennie” Reed Born ca. 1860,

Looking at the above, we see that again, the records support Martha Love as the wife of Conrad Reed. Note that Henry lists his mother’s birth in Virginia. Also living beside Henry in Blount County is his 26 year-old son “Pattison” and 23 year-old wife Mary Elizabeth E. Reed.

D. Thomas P. Reed
Born 7 Aug 1827, Thomas P. Reed is named for his mother’s brother Thomas Love. Dated 10 Jun 1843, Thomas married Harriet Matilda Love in Cabarrus County NC. John Hartsell served as bondsman. Likely the daughter of Thomas Love, Matilda is Thomas P. Reed’s first cousin. In 1850 Cabarrus County, the widow Martha [Love] Reed is living at the home of Thomas P. Reed. She is enumerated as 65 years of age and born in Virginia. Thomas and family removed to Pope County Arkansas in the late 1850’s. Matilda died in 1861. Thomas P. Reed married second Mary I. Winfield. Thomas P. Reed died 9 Jul 1898 and is buried in section one, Oakland Cemetery, Russellville AR. His second wife Mary died 14 Feb 1902. Much more about this family is presented on the following page.

E. Nancy C. Reed
Born ca. 1827, Nancy is named for her Aunt Nancy Love who married Ely Howell. Nancy married 18 Aug 1847 William A. Cagle. First cousin Timothy Reed served as bondsman. R. H. Foard witnessed the bonding. Enumerated in 1850 as both being 23 years of age, William and Nancy had a three-year old daughter named Mary Jane in 1850. From court records we know that in he mid 1850’s, Wm. A. Cagle was a justice of peace for Cabarrus County. In 1858 the family removed to Pope County, Arkansas. They are enumerated in 1860 as follows:

1860 Pope County, Arkansas 32 William A. Cagle NC 32 Nancy C. NC 12 Mary J. NC 10 James P. NC 08 Ephraim A. NC 06 Martha A. NC 04 Sophronia NC 5/12 Thomas ARK 10 Henry E. (Lab) a son? NC 21 Randleman, Jackson B. NC

In this census, brother-in-law Thomas P. Reed is living nearby. And note that a 21 year-old Jackson B. Randleman is living in the household of William A. Cagle. He is their nephew, the son of Nancy’s sister.

F. Elizabeth Reed
Dated 12 Dec 1836, Elizabeth married Jonathan Martin Rendleman. A. J. Shankle served as bondman. The son of Martin Christopher and Experience Harris Rendleman, Jonathan was christened 14 Nov 1810 at Organ Lutheran Church.

In an unrecorded transaction, Jonathan acquired 150 acres adjoining James Love land and the Mount Moriah Methodist Church lot situated south west of Reed mine. This land had passed through the hands of Tucker heirs, Evan Howell, and then Andrew Hartsell. Elizabeth Reed Rendleman died prior to 1845 as on 20 Dec 1845, Jonathan M. Rendleman married second Mary E. Tucker. The marriage document identifies the bondsman as “Erwin Reed.” And H. E. Reed signed at the bottom. So it appears this is Elizabeth's first cousin, the son of John Reed, Junior. In 1850 Cabarrus County, the family is enumerated as:

39 J. M. Rendleman
28 Mary E.
12 Jackson B.
07 Martha E.
01 Mary J.

Knowing Elizabeth died prior to 1845, both the census and estate division above are in agreement identifying her children as:

A. Jackson B. Rendleman Born ca. 1838, Jackson removed to Arkansas where he appears with other family members in census records. Nothing more is known.
B. Martha Elizabeth Rendleman Born 1 Jan 1841, Martha removed with her family to Illinois. She died 30 Oct 1918 and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Makanda, Jackson IL.

Dated 10 Nov 1868, John. M. Glenn (agent of Jonathan M. Randleman) sold the 150-acre tract (22-26, Cabarrus County NC) to George and Allen Barbee. Not knowing, but yet sensing this was an indication of removal from the region, I searched the Internet for further information. Jim Belford has collected a great bit more on this family as is posted on his highly recommended site. From information gleaned from Jim’s website, I learned that Jonathan M. Rendleman died 24 Jan 1892 and is buried at Ebenezer Hall, Lick Creek, Union County IL.

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