The lack of legal documentation needed to tell the story of Matilda Love is more than made up for in other ways including a biographical sketch written at a time when her husband was still living. Born Ca. 1823, we believe Matilda is the daughter of Thomas and Susannah Polk Love. In 1840, Thomas Love is enumerated in Cabarrus County with what appears to be two daughters. His wife had already passed and he himself died in 1849. One of the girls enumerated in 1840 may very well be Matilda.
Matilda Love married ca. 1845 Thomas P. Reed. The marriage is unrecorded. Born 7 Aug 1823, Thomas is the son of Conrad and Martha Love Reed. The son of John and Sarah Kiser, Conrad’s discovery of gold in 1798 led to the first gold rush in America. Conrad died young ca. 1833. His wife Martha and children (including Thomas P. Reed) appear in entries of the Cabarrus County Minutes of Pleas and Quarters Sessions where the issue of guardianship was being cared for. In 1850, Thomas P. Reed and family are enumerated in Cabarrus County beside the family of David G. Sossomon. David was married to Susannah Love, a known daughter of Thomas Love. Therefore, these next-door neighbors are likely sisters! But there is more. Susannah married David second after the death of her first husband James L. Reed. Also the son of Conrad and Martha Love Reed, could “James L.” be so named in honor of his grandfather James Love? So it appears these two sisters married brothers. And as appears below, in 1850, the 65 year-old Martha Reed is living in the home of her son Thomas P. Reed. Note that she is born in Virginia:
Martha Love Reed died ca. 1855. Dated 3 Oct 1857, Allen Reed of Cabarrus deeded over to Thomas P. and Arthur Reed “My undivided interest both real & personal of every description in the estate of Linsey F. Cagle which is due to me & my wife Mary Reed” (18-153, Cabarrus County NC). In 1860, Allen, Arthur, and Thomas P. Reed are all enumerated in Pope County Arkansas. And there, Allen is enumerated beside William A. Cagle. Though it appears Allen and Arthur had lived for some time in Arkansas, this census record indicates Thomas P. Reed was a new arrival. And note his wife is now identified as Harriett M. Reed:
1850 Cabarrus County 25 David G. Sossomon
38 Susan
1 Columbus P.
14 Henry A. Reed
12 Julia Ann
09 Ingram P
05 Frances1850 Cabarrus County 27 Thomas P. Reed NC
27 Matilda NC
06 James S. NC
05 Nancy C. NC
02 Martha NC
65 Martha Reed VA
Harriet Matilda died ca. 1861. Thomas P. Reed enlisted for war a year later. And in that same year, he married second Mrs. Mary I. Winfield. Born 1 Jul 1828, she was first married to E. B. Winfield. Thomas P. Reed died 9 Jul 1898 and is buried in the oldest section of Oakland Cemetery, Russellville AR. His second wife Mary I. died 14 Feb 1902 and lies at rest beside her husband Thomas P. Reed. Standing at the gravesite, there are large empty spaces in this oldest section of an otherwise filled cemetery. And we know most of the surrounding graves mark the resting places of many a friend who once lived in North Carolina. It is possible his first wife Matilda Love Reed is at rest in this hallowed ground.
1860 Pope County AR 33 Allen Reed NC
29 Mary NC
13 Martha J. NC
11 Rufus R. NC
09 Elizabeth R. NC
06 Sarah A. ARK
01 Laura A. ARK1860 Pope County 37 Thomas P. Reed NC
37 Harriet M. NC
15 Jas. S. NC
11 Martha M. NC
08 Milus H. NC
03 Susan NC1860 Pope County 40 Arthur Reed NC
18 Martha ARK
14 Margaret NC
12 Alex NC
10 Mary NC
08 Julius NC
06 Alice NC
02 Laura J. ARK
3/12 Sarah R.
Published 1891 in Goodspeed’s Biographical & Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas, the following biographical sketch was written while Thomas P. Reed was still very much alive. Knowing of no record in North Carolina that testifies clearly as to some of the statements made, this account is a truly a blessing:
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. Thomas P. Reed was married in North Carolina in 1844 to Miss Matilda Love, a native of the Old North State, but in 1861 he was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, she having borne him four children: Sandy, Martha (wife of B. Berryman), Susan (wife of William Harvill), and Milas (at home). In 1862 Mr. Reed enlisted in the Confederate Army, becoming a member of Company F, and was in the cavalry until the close of the war. He was married again in 1862, his second wife being Mrs. Mary I. Winfield, widow of E. B. Winfield, by whom she became the mother of one son, George. Two children have been born to her union with Mr. Reed: Lonna (wife of W. R. Bowen), and Albert W. Mr. Reed is the owner of 135 acres of land, forty of which are under cultivation. He held the office of justice of the peace of this township for several terms, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His farm is now well improved, and his principal crops are cotton and corn.
The children of Thomas P. and Harriet Matilda Love Reed are:
A. Nancy C. Reed
Born ca. 1845, Nancy is named for Thomas P. Reed’s sister. Not appearing in census in Arkansas, Nancy likely died in either North Carolina or reroute to Arkansas.
B. James Sandy Reed
Born 10 Mar 1844, James S. Reed married 13 Apr 1871 Tennessee Virginia Falconer. James died 3 Feb 1902 . His wife died 22 Nov 1914. Both are buried at Oakland Cemetery, Russellville AR. Their children are:A. Jonnie Belle Reed Born 24 Feb 1872, she married Henry Bunnell.
B. James Thomas Reed Born 18 Jul 1875, he married Bertha Turner
C. Andrew Ed (Pate) Reed Born 2 Dec 1878, he married Rissia V. Humphrey. Andrew Reed died 6 Oct 1960. Wife Rissia V. Reed died 6 Oct 1978. They are buried at Oakland Cemetery.
C. Martha Matilda Reed
Born ca. 1849, Martha married 24 Jan 1867 Robert Cobbs Berryman. R. C. Berryman served in CSA Co. E., Cav. AR. The children of Robert and Martha Reed Berryman are:A. Laura Berryman Married Mr. Puckett
B. Lillie Berryman Born 3 Jan 1870 d. 13 Oct 1914, married 5 May 1889 Henry Albert Barefield.
C. Lillian Berryman Born 9 Oct 1872 d. 1919, married 4 Feb 1891 John Richard Williamson.
D. Ella Berryman Born married WilliamWilliamson
E. Dr. Lawrence D. Berryman Born Oct 1878, d. 26 Jan 1949
G. Jessie Berryman
G. “Little John Pruitt” Berryman Died 28 Oct 1887.
H. Nora Berryman Born 21 Nov 1887 d. 14 Dec 1978, married 4 Sep 1911 E. R. Shanks b. 1878 d. 1961.
I. Oscar Berryman.
D. Susan Reed
Born 5 Oct 1856, Susan married William R. Harvill, born 30 Jul 1859. He died 29 Dec 1894. Susan died 28 Nov 1899. Her obituary reads: Mrs. Susan Harville, was born in North Carolina October 5, 1856 and was the daughter of Thomas P. Reed. She died Novemeber 28, 1899. leaving three children, two sisters and three brothers and a host of friends to mourn her departure. She joined the M. E. Church, South when quite young in which she is a devoted member.
E. Milas H. Reed
Born ca. 1852, Milas H. Reed died after 1870.
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