Mary Jane is the daughter of Jonah and Mary Garmon Love. Named for her mother, Mary was born 7 Apr 1806 likely in Cabarrus County NC. She married first 21 Apr 1821 Lewis Tucker. Later appearing in records as “Louis,” he is the son of George II and Mary McCloory Tucker. In 1830, Louis Tucker is enumerated in Montgomery County NC as 2m-5, 1m30-40 // 1f5-, 1f20-30. Neighbors include George Honeycutt, David Brooks, and Jacob Tucker. Louis and family removed to Kentucky in 1833. From there, they migrated to Pope County Arkansas in 1837. The 1840 Pope County census enumerates the Louis Tucker family as:
Lewis Tucker wrote his last will and testament 13 Sep 1845. Probated 16 Oct 1845, the will mentioned wife Mary Tucker and bequeathed to her a young slave named Edmond and land situated southwest of present day Dover AR. Dated 29 Jan 1846, Mary Jane Tucker petitioned the court for the appointment of Ransom Shinn to be legal guardian of her minor children Elizabeth Melinda Tucker, Martha Emma Tucker, George Wilson Tucker, James Madison Tucker, and Ransom Fonza Tucker. Ransom married Lewis’s sister Lovenia. In court on the same date, Caroline, heir of Lewis Tucker chose Ransom Shinn to be her guardian. Also, dated 24 Jul 1848, Elizabeth Malinda Tucker chose John Petray to be her guardian. And John was the husband of Mary Love Tucker’s sister Martha.
Dated 9 Nov 1848, forty-three year old Mary Tucker married Orin Taylor. Thirty-one years of age, Orin Taylor was born in Ohio. On 20 Aug 1849, “Mary Taylor formerly Mary Tucker wife of Orrin Taylor” presented herself to a Justice of Peace of Pope County (B-352, Pope County AR). She made formal declaration making out “the following schedule of property owned by her before her marriage with said Orrin Taylor to wit: a Negro boy named Edmond aged about eighteen which property she claims as her own exclusive property free from control of her husband by virtue of the Act of December the 8th 1846.” Jacob L. Shinn witnessed. And then one month later, dated 20 Sep 1849, Mary and Orrin Taylor jointly filed a gift deed (B-362, Pope County AR). For property in her possession, Mary “wishes and wills shall descend to and go to the use and behalf of her three infant sons George Wilson Tucker, James Madison Tucker, and Ransom Fonza Tucker:
“To each of the said children one cow and calf now in the possession of the said Mary Taylor to George Wilson Tucker one horse in the possession of the said Mary Tucker to each of the boys two head of sheep, to each of the three boys one good bed and furniture, and to each of the boys one oven a piece and to them jointly we give one wagon & log chain all of which property to be commanded by and under the control of of Jonah W. Tucker after he shall have given bond and surety as guardian ."In the 1850 census, Martha Emeline Tucker, aged 15, is living in the home of her older brother Jonah W. Tucker. The three minor male children are enumerated with surname “Taylor” and living in the home of Orrin and Mary Taylor. Then dated 2 Aug 1851, Orrin and Mary Taylor file yet another gift deed (D-83, Pope County AR). Stating that Lewis Tucker died in the year 1845, this conveyance covers all that of the previous and adds the following:
“There is also one clock which was the property of the said Lewis Tucker in his lifetime which he expressed desire while living should belong to his youngest son Ransom Fonza Tucker which we intend to say by these presents shall be appropriated accordingly.”Appointing William Singleton Petray trustee of the children, Mary then orders that the minor boys and all property remain with her until the children are raised and educated.
Orren Taylor does not appear on the 1860 census indicating his possible death. Or did he leave to take part in the California Gold Rush?
Dated 29 Jan 1867, the following contract (I-578, Pope County AR) announces yet another marriage for Mary Love:
“…that we Josiah L. K. Hunneycutt and Mary Tucker both of the county of Arkansas being of full age and sound mind do by these presents declare in prospect of marriage that the following shall be and that the same is hereby the marriage contract agreed to and established by us. That is to say that the said Josiah L. K. Hunneycutt shall not receive any control of the separate property of the said Mary Tucker by virtue of his marriage with the said Mary Tucker, but the same is intended by these presents to rest absolutely her the said Mary Tucker and in no wise be the subject to the control of said Honeycutt or in any manner liable for the debts of the said Josiah L. K. Huneycutt …..and further that the new acquisitions of the said Mary Tucker after marriage with said Josiah L. K. Huneycutt acquired by her means now on hand shall rest absolutely in her as above mentioned.”Mary then lists all household and farming properties and fifty-seven acres lying in Illinois Township. Within the end of the year, and for ten dollars, Mary Hunneycutt deeded (I-200, Pope County AR) 57 acres to her son R. P. Tucker. At the same time, her son J. M. Tucker deeded 21 acres to brother R. P. Tucker.
Who was Josiah L. K. Huneycutt? In the 1850 Pope County census, he is listed as “Joseph Honeycutt” with wife Sarah and children Nicy E., William E., John W., James A., Susannah C., Laborn M., Thomas A., and Sarah P. He and his wife were born in North Carolina. He again appears with his wife and family in 1860. But in 1870, his wife Sarah has died, but he is still living with his children and a much younger wife named Sarah. It appears J. L. K. Hunneycutt and Mary Love Tucker divorced as in 1869, just prior to the census, he married again to Elizabeth Bramen. The 1870 Pope County census enumerates sixty-three year old “Mary” living at the home of her son Jonah W. Tucker. In 1880 she is enumerated living alone and being seventy-four years of age. Mary Love Tucker Taylor Hunneycutt died 20 Feb 1895. Her obituary reads in part:
"Mrs. Mary Tucker (nee Love) died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Anthony, Wednesday evening Feb. 20, l895.As appears at the top of this page, and buried in the oldest section of the Russellville City Cemetery known as “Oakland,” Mary’s grave is marked with a large course hewn stone of dimensions roughly 1x1x6 feet tall. Situated on the highest possible ground in an open area where there must have been other old stones, the mounded site makes me believe it once was home to a large tree. In 1839, before the town of Russellville was conceived, the community with roots back to North Carolina met on this hallowed ground where the foundation was built for the future church community. A Mr. Emmet who led a meeting at Old Norris Town was called upon to preach several times under an old oak tree situated on the land. The first Methodist Church in the area was built where the cemetery is now located and later moved a few blocks south and west. The children of Lewis and Mary Love Tucker are:She was born in North Carolina, April 7, l806. She married to Louis Tucker in l82l, emigrated to Kentucky in l833, and from thence to Arkansas in l837, settled in Pope County, where she has lived since. She has six children yet living, all of whom were at her funeral. Thus another of our early settlers is gone. She ended a life of almost 89 years, and might have lived longer but for a fall and the excitement of the recent burning of the hotel. Her mother lived to the age of 93.
She was religious, soul and body, converted at about 12 years, joined the Methodist Episcopal church (being long before the division into North and South). When the division came she was in that part of the old M. E. church designated as South, in which she has been true to its interests and to Christ. Her joy was in the Lord, her delight in his service. She had a christian experience of which she was never ashamed to speak to any one. To the children and relatives we say submit and thank God that he spared mother to almost four score and ten years, and to see her great-grand children's children.
Their children are:
A. Jonah Warrener Tucker
Born 1 Jan 1825 in Montgomery County NC, Jonah married 1 Jan 1846 Mary Walker Shoptaw in Pope County AR. She was born 22 Jun 1827. Dated 1 Jan 1863, “Jony W. Tucker” enlisted in CSA CO. E, Gordon’s Regiment Cavalry AR. From his pension request, it appears he stayed home and farmed for much of the war. Jonah wrote his last will and testament dated 4 Mar 1889 and probated 22 Dec 1897. He died 17 Dec 1897 and is buried near his mother in Oakland Cemetery, Pope County AR. The obituary reads:It becomes our sad duty this week to chronicle the death of one of Russellville’s oldest and best known citizens, Jonah W. Tucker, who departed this life Friday night at 10 o’clock, the result of a paralytic stroke which received early Friday morning.Mary W. Shoptaw Tucker died 22 Dec 1902. Her obituary reads in part:
Mr. Tucker was born in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Jan 1, 1825, and came to this place in 1837. Jan 1, 1846, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Walker Shoptaw, who with three children, Mrs. Bell Hall, and J. L. Tucker of this place and Mrs. Georgia Stratton of Talequah, Ind. Ter., beside two brothers and three sisters are left to mourn his departure.Mrs. Tucker was born in Mead County, Kentucky. She became the wife of J. W. Tucker in 1845, Mrs. Tucker’s people having the previous year come to Arkansas. Mr. Tucker died five years ago at the age of seventy-three. Mrs. Tucker has been a member of the M. E. Church South, for fifty-three years, and her estimable Christian life is known by all who were at all acquainted with her.
A. Cyrus T. Tucker Born 17 Oct 1846, he died 30 Aug 1869 and is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Russellville AR.
B. Louisa Arabelle Tucker Born 9 Mar 1849, died 9 Apr 1921. She married Calvin W. Hall.
C. George Ann Tucker Born ca. 1852, she married Samuel H. Stratton and removed to Oklahoma.
D. Dommissia M. Tucker Born 7 Dec 1853, she died 14 Jan 1863 and is buried at Oakland Cemetery. E. James Lewis Tucker Born 31 Jul 1856, James married 17 Nov 1886 Lucy J. Harkey. Born 21 Nov 1863, she is the daughter of Dr. G. W. Harkey. James L. Tucker was in the grocery business. He died 12 Feb 1903 and is buried at Oakland Cemetery. Lucy died 10 Dec 1930.
F. Byron O. Tucker Born 6 Mar 1859, he died 18 Oct 1860 and is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Pope County AR.
G. Phonza M. Tucker Born 14 Sep 1861, he died 13 Mar 1868 and is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Russellville. H. Little Bee Tucker Born 10 Sep 1867, she died 7 Jun 1869 and is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Russellville.
A. James W. Tucker Born ca. 1862.
B. George M. Tucker Born ca. 1865.
C. Noah Adam Tucker Born 17 Nov 1875, Noah married first 23 Apr 1899 Daisy White. He married second 22 Mar 1903 Edna Earl Hunnicut. Born 6 Aug 1883, she died 4 May 1949. Noah A. Tucker died 21 Aug 1962 and is buried at Ball Hill Cemetery.
D. Lewis A. Tucker Born 29 Jun 1880, Lewis married Louella Harris. She was born 2 Oct 1891 and died 10 Mar 1959. Lewis died 7 Sep 1961 and is buried at Ball Hill Cem.
“R. P. Tucker, an old and highly respected citizen and business man of this city died at his home last night at 10 o’clock. He was on the streets yesterday apparently as well as ever. About an hour before his death he was struck with a pain about the heart, which resulted in his death. He was a pioneer business men in this city and only last week retired from business, having disposed of his mercantile establishment to his son Alva A. Tucker.Ransom’s wife Jane Cathryn died 8 Feb 1917. Her obituary reads in part:
Mr. Tucker was born in Quita in this county in Marchm 1844, and has spent his entirelife here. He leaves one brother, J. M. Tucker and two sisters, Mrs. Caroline Anthony of this city and Mrs. Martha Ellison of London; his wife and two children, Alva Tucker, and Mrs. U. L. Meade, both of this city.
Funeral services will be conducted from the Central Presbyterian Church by Rev. R. E. Strong, Dr. T. M. Hartman and Rev. J. A. Bozarth, Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Interment in the City Cemtery. The pallbearers will be Capt. R. J. Wilson, J. R. and Jesse Rankin, A. D. Shinn, W. J. White, L. B. McClure, W. H. Carden and J. M. Tucker.”
“Mrs. Tucker was the widow of R. P. Tucker, who for many years a prominent business man in Russelville. She was born in North Carolina March 26, 1842, and lacked but a few weeks of being 75 years old. She was married to Mr. Tucker December 9, 1869 in Pope County.”
F. Elizabeth Melinda Tucker
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