12 for ’26: Jesse Loveless (1806-1873) Timeline

Jesse Loveless, the father of Ebenezer Loveless, is my maternal 3x-great-grandfather. Because of his early history in South Carolina, I do not have much information sourced. An exact birthdate came from another researcher. The marriage is an estimate from a published source. The earliest record of someone named Jesse is the 1847 land purchase in Cass County, Georgia, where they were living in 1850. The items below are what I have collected over the years. Like the previous 12 for ’26 ancestors, I will conduct a new full-text search to add to what I know.

1806.    Jesse Loveless was born in South Carolina. He was 44 in 1850,[1] 54 in 1860,[2] and 63 in 1870.[3] A full birthday of 30 Nov 1806 appears in many trees with no source.

1828.    Abt. Married Elizabeth Nixon perhaps in Greenville District, South Carolina. Based on year before birth of son, Terry. Son, William Loveless named his parents Jesse Loveless and Elizabeth Nixon.[4]

1829.    Son Terry Loveless born in South Carolina.[5]

1830.    Greenville District, South Carolina, census.[6] Total of 3 free persons.

            1 male 20-29, Jessey Lovelace

            1 male under 5, Terry (b. ~1829)

            1 female 15-19, Elizabeth

1831.    Son James Loveless born in South Carolina.[7]

1833.    Daughter Roxanna Loveless born in South Carolina.[8]

1835.    November 24. Sophrona Loveless born in South Carolina.[9]

1837.    Son George Loveless born in South Carolina.[10]

1839.    Daughter Mary Loveless born in South Carolina.[11]  

Comment: Mary grew to adulthood and married David Hall. George appeared in only the 1850 census. It is possible he moved away or died young.

1840.    Greenville, South Carolina, census.[12] Total 8 people, 1 enslaved female under 10, 2 working ag, 1 person over 20 who cannot read and write.

1 male 30-39, Jessee

1 male under 5, George (b. ~1837)

1 male 5-9, James (b. ~1831)

1 male 10-14, Terry (b. ~1829)

1 female, 20-29, Elizabeth

1 female under 5, Mary (b. ~1837)

1 female 5-9, Sophrona (b. ~1835) or Roxanna (b. ~1833). What happened to the other?

1841.    October. William A. Loveless born in South Carolina.[13]

1843.    Daughter Elizabeth Loveless born in South Carolina.[14]

1847. January 2. He purchased land from Drury Wall and Aaron Godfrey for $300. It was lot number 70 in the 16th, originally in Cherokee County but now Cass County, totaling 160 acres.[15]

1848. January 24. Son Jesse M. Loveless born in Georgia.[16]

1850.    Jesse headed a household in Cass County, Georgia. There is a conflict, as Jesse is shown as being born in South Carolina. However, if he was born after the land purchased, then he likely was born in Georgia. It may just be an error that he was listed as born in SC.

Jesse Loveless 44 M Farmer SC 2000
Elizabeth         40 F               SC
Terry               21 M              SC   school
James             19 M              SC
Roxanna         17 F               SC
Sophrona       15 F               SC
George           13 M             SC
Mary               11 F              SC   school
William             9 M             SC
Elizabeth          7 F               SC
Jesse                2 M              SC[17]

Jesse had 95 acres tilled, 225 acres wooded, worth $2000. He had five horses, 1 milk cow, 3 cattle, 30 swine. He raised 80 bushels wheat, 750 bushels Indian corn, 1 bale ginned cotton, 40 bushels sweet potatoes, 80 pounds of butter.[18]

COMMENT: I searched in the slave schedule but got no return. I also browsed the collection in the 12th Division, and only Hazel Loveless came up.

1851. February 8. Son, A. Ebenezer Loveless was born in Georgia.[19]

1853. January 20. Son, James Loveless married Lucretia F. Godfrey by S.P. Rowland, MG.[20]

1855. January 4. Son Terry Loveless married America Allen by S.P. Rowland MG.[21]

1860. Jesse headed a household in 16th District, Cass County, Georgia.[22]

Loveless, Jesse, 54, m, farmer, 1500/400, SC
Emily, [Elizabeth?] 59, f, SC
R.A., [Roxanna] 26, f, SC
M, [Mary?] 20, f, SC,
Wm, 18, m, SC, School
E, [Elizabeth] 16, f, SC, School
J.M., [Jesse M] 12, m, GA
E, [Ebenezer] 9, m, GA

COMMENT: No Loveless in the slave schedule for 1860 after searching and browsing. He was not listed in the agricultural schedule either.

1860. September 20. Roxanna Loveless married Doctor W. Loudermilk in Cass County by B. C. McCurry.[23]

1861. January 3. Jesse purchased from Robert Cameron 158 acres in the 5th district of the fourth section of original Cherokee now Chattooga County.[24]

1861. December 6. Cass County was renamed Bartow County.[25]

1862. September 29. Jesse sold land to John Lumpkin.[26]

1866. September 9. by James H Glazner, D.D married Mary Loveless and D. V. Hall in Chattooga County, Georgia.[27]

1866. October 2. Elizabeth Loveless and T. J. Loveless were married by the J.P. Samuel Hawkins.[28]

1867. June 22. Jesse Loveless appeared on the Summerville precinct, Chattooga Co, Georgia, election return. Other Loveless names include: Thomas J., Blassingame, America Loveless (colored), John H.[29]

1868. September 28. Roxanna Loudermilk died in Bartow County and was buried in Raccoon Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Taylorsville. Her tombstone is difficult to read but gives birth and death dates, as well as inscription of w/o D.W. Loudermilk.[30]

1869. September 2. William A. Loveless married Matilda Davenport in Conway County, Arkansas.

1870.    Jesse headed a household in Chattooga County, Georgia. Three of their children plus three grandchildren were living in the household.

Jesse Loveless   63 W M Farmer SC
Elizabeth           59 W F       SC
Jesse M             22 W M     GA
Ebenezer           19 W M     GA
Sophrona Sims 38 W F       SC
John M              11 W M     GA
Seaborn              9 W M     GA
Sarah                  6 W F       GA[31]

COMMENT: Looks like Sophrona married a Sims and had three children with him. The marriage may have been about 1858 or so, based on the oldest being 11 years old and born about 1859.

1870.  Jesse owned 160 acres, half improved and half wooded, valued at $1000. Livestock included 2 horses, 1 mule, 2 milk cows, 3 cattle, and 14 swine, all valued at $300. He raised 125 bushels of winter wheat, 200 of Indian corn, 30 oats, 25 sweet potatoes, got 11 pounds of wool, 50 pounds of butter, and 10 pounds of honey.[32]

1871. March 19. Ebenezer Loveless married Eliza A. Rodgers in Chattooga County by W.T. Russell, MG.

1871. October 2. Jesse Loveless sold to Francis A. Kirby for $1300 the tract no. 1 in 5th District of the 4th Section in Chattooga County.

COMMENT: This is this the same land he bought from Robert Cameron. Why wasn’t his wife listed?

1871. Jessee Loveless appeared on the property tax list for Chattooga County, Georgia, 925th District, with no poll, 3 children between 6 and 18 years of age, $1300 cash, $290 of other property, total worth $1590.[33]

COMMENT: This is taken after he sold the land. The three children may have been the three grandchildren living with him 1870: John M, Seaborn, and Sarah Sims, children of Saphrona.

1872. December 10. Note.

1873. December 29. Jesse Loveless died in Faulkner County, Arkansas.[34]

1874. February 7. J. M. Loveless came to court stating Jessee Loveless died intestate on 29 Dec 1873, leaving personal property valued at $500, the heirs are America Loveless of Bartow County, Georgia, James Loveless of Texas, W.A. Loveless, Saphronia Sims, Mary Hall, and Ebenezer Loveless and the petitioner (J.M. Loveless) all of Faulkner County, and the heirs of Elizabeth Loveless late of county, deceased. Also that his mother Elizabeth Loveless wished he take role of administrator.[35] He was appointed administrator of the estate of Jesse Loveless. He was held on a bond of $1000 and R. Glenn, E.F. Lea, and Buriel Nixon were his sureties.[36]

COMMENT: Jesse Loveless’ wife, Elizabeth Loveless is alive and wants her son, J.M. Loveless to be administrator. That the heirs include J.M. Loveless, the petitioner, WA Loveless, Saphronia Sims, Mary Hall, and Ebenezer Loveless all from Faulkner Co, heirs of America Loveless of Bartow Co, Georgia, W. A. Loveless of Texas, and the heirs of Elizabeth Loveless. The two that are “heirs of” suggests that two children of Jessee and Elizabeth have died. Son, Terry Loveless (husband of America) died in 1863 and left two children. Daughter, Elizabeth Loveless (wife of Thomas J Loveless) died in 1874 and left two sons.

R. Glenn was a neighbor, living in the south half of southwest quarter of section 36. E.F. Lea could be Burrell Nixon’s daughter, Elizabeth F. Lea, widow of Ambrose Lea. I would need to research whether a woman could be a surety on a bond in Arkansas. Burrell Nixon is likely Jesse’s wife, Elizabeth Loveless’ brother.

1874. January 21. J.E. Johnson presented to court a note dated 10 December 1872 where Jesse Loveless promised to pay $100 before or on 25 December 1873, and declared that nothing had been paid.[37]

1874.  J.M. Loveless brought into court the full inventory of all monies, goods, chattels, books, papers, evidences of debt, and debts due or to become due, except for the property of the widow. Jesse was not indebted or bound in any contract.

COMMENT: No day or month was recorded on the sheet and left blank.

1874. November 27. There is now an inventory list showing the following items in the estate of Jessee Loveless, deceased. He stated the items were the widow, Elizabeth’s allowance.

1 Horse                                                 worth                           $60.00

1 Cow and calf                                      “                                  25.00

1 Yearling                                             “                                  10.00

1 two Horse waggon                              “                                  40.00

1 set waggon harness                              “                                  25.00

1 Double barrell gun                              “                                  10.00

Household and kitchen furniture             “                                  50.00

Farming tools                                        “                                     5.00

                                                                                                $225.00[38]

COMMENT: Because she claimed all the items, there was no sale of the personal property. She likely claimed the right to live on the property, too, so no sale yet of the lands.

On the same day he also stated he obtained Letters of Administration, took an inventory, and the widow claimed the property as her personal allowance. He asked to be dismissed from Administration.[39]

1877. July 16. J.M. Loveless petitioned to the court to sell the southeast quarter of section 36, owned jointly by the eight heirs, that it would be no advantage to each to have a divided piece of land. That Thomas M. Richardson also has the three shares and interest of Ebenezer Loveless, Mary Hall, and William Loveless. The remaining shares belong to the petitioner, James Loveless, Sophrona Richardson, heirs of Elizabeth Loveless (Willie and Albert Loveless), and heirs of Terry Loveless (Joseph E and Delia L Loveless). He asked that the land be sold and the moneys arisen from such sale be divided to the heirs. The court appointed a commission to sell the land at the clerk office door on 3 September 1877.

COMMENT: Elizabeth Loveless, the mother, must have died before 1877. Ebenezer, Mary Hall, and William, have sold their share of the land to Thomas M Richardson (husband of Sophronia) and together the Richardsons have 4 of the 8 shares. The other 4 shares are owned by J.M., James, heirs of Elizabeth (Willie & Albert), heirs of Terry (Joseph E & Delia L), This petition is saying the shares are too small to be useful and asked permission to sell the land. The land was to be sold at the clerk’s office door on 16 July 1877.

This document seems to answer the question about the land that Ebenezer sold to T.M. Richardson. Both the deed index and the deed itself give the land description as the southwest quarter of Section 36. Perhaps either this description or the description on Richardson’s deed is incorrect. I need to located all T.M. Richardson’s deeds to try to work this out.

1881. January 17. J.M. Loveless came to court to complete the final account. He mentioned the payout from the personal property, but not the sale of the real estate.[40]

COMMENT: The land sale was not mentioned probably because (1) a commission was set up to sell it, and (2) the sale wasn’t filed until 1883. There were no more documents in the case file.

1883. January 13. F.C. Moore, the commissioner appointed by the court to sell Jessee Loveless’s land reported to the court about the sale: that on the 16 July 1877 he was appointed commission in the case of J.M. Loveless et al Exparte, and sold on the 3 September 1877 the southeast quarter of Section 36 in Township 7 North of Range 13 West. He sold the land to T. M. Richardson for the sum of $786.00, have payable in 4 months and half payable in 8 months. The collection was as follows:

1st note         $393.00
             2nd note       $393.00
      interest on same       47.00
                                  $833.50
Paid       A Loveless                                  voucher 1      $100.00
  "           E Loveless                                        "        2      $100.00
   "         TJ Loveless                                       "         3      $100.00
   "          JM Loveless                                    "         4      $100.00
  "           Mary Hall                                        "         5      $100.00
   "          W A Loveless                                  "         6      $100.00
  "           James Loveless                               "         7      $100.00
  "           S Richardson                                  "         8      $100.00
  "           F C Moore Commissioner                                  $25.00
   "          F C Moore Clerk costs                                       $  8.50
                                                                                       $833.50
T. M. Richardson in making settlement with the first 4 mentioned heirs paid these $5.00 each
more than their share and in making settlement with him I took the receipts for $100.00 each.[41]

COMMENT: This concludes the estate, as Elizabeth Loveless has died, that J.M. Loveless, the administrator has sold the land to Thomas M. Richardson. Thomas M. Richardson also paid the first 4 and extra $5. These were the shares he had purchased previously? This record of the distribution to the heirs was not part of the probate package. It is too bad as there might have been original signatures on the vouchers. The above heirs were and they each received $100 from the sale of the land:

1. A. Loveless: America Loveless, wife of Terry Loveless, for Joseph & Delia Loveless

2. E. Loveless: Ebenezer Loveless

3. T. J. Loveless: Thomas J. Loveless, husband of Elizabeth Loveless, for Willie & Albert Loveless

4. J. M. Loveless: Jesse M. Loveless, administrator

5. Mary Hall: Mary Loveless, wife of David Hall

6. W. A. Loveless: William A. Loveless

7. James Loveless

8. S. Richardson: Sophronia Loveless, wife of Thomas M. Richardson

Commissioner F.C. Moore recorded the sale to T.M. Richardson, on 15 January 1883.[42]

COMMENT: The sale was in 1877, but why was it not recorded until 1884? J.M. Loveless et al is mentioned as the heirs of Jesse Loveless. I found when Richardson and wife sold this land to W. M. Mills on 15 Dec 1884. S. Richardson signed with her mark. Perhaps it needed to be filed late so he could sell it.[43]

Conclusion
The next step will be doing full-text search for more records for Jesse, using variations of the spelling of Loveless/Lovelace and the variation to his name Jesse/Jessee/Jessie. I will use the following localities: Greenville District in South Carolina, Bartow/Cass & Chattooga County in Georgia, and Faulkner County in Arkansas. It appears that many of the records are available from home. I will be at a Family History Center this week and will conduct full-text search on locations that have locked films.

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[1] 1850 U.S. census, Cass Co, Georgia, p 292 (stamped), fam 1665, Jesse Loveless.

[2] 1860 U.S. census, Cass Co, Georgia, p. 804, fam 9, Jesse Lovless.

[3] 1870 U.S. census, Chattooga Co, Georgia, p. 105b (stamped), fam 133, Jesse Loveless.

[4] “Arkansas, U.S., Confederate Veteran Records, 1861-1856,” imaged, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/63143/images/63143_c5550ddb_0066-00216 : accessed 15 May 2026) > Confederate Questionnaire, 1911 > Lee, James-McDowell, James M > image 216-220 of 420, Loveless, Wm. Allen, Faulkner County.

[5] 1850 U.S. census, Cass Co, p 292 (stamped), fam 1665, Jesse Loveless. Terry was 21.

[6] 1830 U.S. census, Greenville District, South Carolina, p. 311 (penned), Jessee Lovelace.

[7] 1850 U.S. census, Cass Co, p 292 (stamped), fam 1665, Jesse Loveless. James was 19.

[8] 1850 U.S. census, Cass Co, p 292 (stamped), fam 1665, Jesse Loveless. Roxanna was 17.

[9] "Mrs. Saphronia Richardson," Log Cabin Democrat, 24 Jan 1921, p. 4, col. 4.

[10] 1850 U.S. census, Cass Co, p 292 (stamped), fam 1665, Jesse Loveless. George was 13.

[11] 1850 U.S. census, Cass Co, p 292 (stamped), fam 1665, Jesse Loveless. Mary was 11.

[12] 1840 U.S. census, Greenville Dist, South Carolina, p. 43, Jessey Loveless.

[13] 1850 U.S. census, Cass Co, p 292 (stamped), fam 1665, Jesse Loveless. William was 9.

[14] 1850 U.S. census, Cass Co, p 292 (stamped), fam 1665, Jesse Loveless. Elizabeth was 7.

[15] Cass Co, Georgia, deeds, v. G, p. 409, Drury Walls & Aaron Godfrey to Jesse Lovelace, 1847, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4N-X91S-M : accessed 16 Nov 2025); citing IGN 007897600, image 511 of 599.

[16] 1850 U.S. census, Cass Co, p 292 (stamped), fam 1665, Jesse Loveless.

[17] 1850 U.S. census, Cass Co, Georgia, p 292 (stamped), fam 1665, Jesse Loveless.

[18] 1850 U.S. census, ag sched, Cass Co, Georgia, p. 335 (penned), line 31, Jesse Loveless.

[19] Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, death certificate no. 2972 (1929), E. Loveless; imaged, "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976," FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9Y19-3PYD : accessed 14 Jul 2008).

[20] Cass Co, Georgia, marriages, v. D, p. 189, James Loveless to Lucretia Godfrey, 1853, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-8BZD-7ZK : accessed 15 May 2026), IGN 005190884, image 191 of 455.

[21] Cass Co, Georgia, marriages, v. E, p. 61, Terry Loveless to America Allen, 1855, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9BZD-Q16 : accessed 15 May 2026), IGN 005190884, image 264 of 455.  

[22] 1860 U.S. census, Cass Co, Georgia, p. 804, fam 9, Jesse Lovless.

[23] Cass Co, Georgia, marriages, v. E, p. 209, Doctor W Loudermilk to Roxanna Loveless, 1860, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-8BZD-7QW : accessed 15 May 2026), IGN 005190884, image 339 of 455.

[24] Chattooga Co, Georgia, Deeds, Bk E, p 100, Robert Cameron to Jesse Loveless, FHL microfilm 337236. The digital images are locked.

[25] "Bartow County," New Georgia Encyclopedia (https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/counties-cities-neighborhoods/bartow-county/ : accessed 15 May 2026).

[26] Bartow Co, Georgia, Deeds, v. P, p. 236, Jesse Loveless to John Lumpkin, 1862, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-N9N1-H : accessed 15 May 2026), IGN 008563802, image 154 of 421.

[27] Chattooga Co, Georgia, marriages, v. 1a, p. 18, D.V. Hall to Mary Loveless, 1866, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-LBZD-4DP : accessed 15 May 2026), IGN 005190935, image 252 of 432.

[28] Chattooga Co, Georgia, marriages, v. 1a, p. 19, T. J. Loveless to Elizabeth Loveless, 1866, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-LBZD-4DP : accessed 15 May 2026), IGN 005190935, image 252 of 432.

[29] Chattooga Co, Georgia, Return of Registered Voters, Precinct No. 925, Sommerville, no. 67, Jessee Loveless, imaged, “Georgia, U.S., Returns of Qualified voters and Reconstruction oath Books, 1867-1869,” imaged, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1857/images/32305_1220705227_0314-00007 : accessed 15 May 2026) > Return of Qualified Voters > Chattooga > 42 > image 3 of 53.

[30] Find a Grave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104013635/roxanna-loudermilk : accessed 15 May 2026), memorial 104013635, Roxanna Loveless Loudermilk, Raccoon Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Taylorsville, Bartow Co, Georgia, image by Eric Brantley.

[31] 1870 U.S. census, Chattooga Co, Georgia, p 105b (stamped), fam 133, Jesse Loveless.

[32] 1870 U.S. census, Chattooga Co, Georgia, ag. schedule, Summersville, district 925, p 13, line 20, Jesse Loveless.

[33]Georgia Tax Digests, 1871, Chattooga Co, Jessee Loveless, “Georgia, U.S., Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892,” imaged, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1729/images/40881_1020705384_0246-00727 : accessed 15 May 2026) > Chattooga > 1871 > image 28 & 29 of 182.

[34] Faulkner Co, Arkansas, probate case file, Jesse Loveless, deceased, Letters of Administration, J.M. Loveless, 1874; M87-1, Box 6, File 31, Probate, Arkansas History Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas.

[35] Faulkner Co, Arkansas, probate case file, Jesse Loveless, deceased, Petition, 1874; M87-1, Box 6, File 31, Probate, Arkansas History Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas. 

[36] Faulkner Co, Arkansas, probate case file, Jesse Loveless, deceased, Administrator's Bond, 1874; M87-1, Box 6, File 31, Probate, Arkansas History Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas.  

[37] Faulkner Co, Arkansas, probate case file, Jesse Loveless, deceased, J.E. Johnson in Demand of Jessie Loveless, 1874; M87-1, Box 6, File 31, Probate, Arkansas History Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas.

[38] Faulkner Co, Arkansas, probate case file, Jesse Loveless, deceased, Inventory, 1874; M87-1, Box 6, File 31, Probate, Arkansas History Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas.

[39] Faulkner Co, Arkansas, probate case file, Jesse Loveless, deceased, in the matter of the estate of Jessee Loveless, deceased, 1874; M87-1, Box 6, File 31, Probate, Arkansas History Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas.

[40] Faulkner Co, Arkansas, probate case file, Jesse Loveless, deceased, Final Account, 1881; M87-1, Box 6, File 31, Probate, Arkansas History Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas

[41] Faulkner Co, Arkansas, probate, v. B, pp. 406-07, Report of Commissioners, J.M. Loveless, Exparte, 1883, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89W3-4JX1 : accessed 17 May 2026), IGN 007117257, image 426 of 550.

[42] Faulkner Co, Arkansas, deeds, v. 9, p. 133-37, F.C. Moore Commissioner to T. M. Richardson, 1883, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3Q5-W9YG-4 : accessed 11 May 2026), IGN 008565350, image 394-6 of 639.

[43] Faulkner Co, Arkansas, deeds, v. 10, p. 2, T. M. Richardson & wife to W. M. Mills, Sr., 1884, imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3Q5-3TLK : accessed 10 May 2026), IGN 008565351, image 6 of 639

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