The Longevity of the Love Family

In the story of Robert Love of Potter Creek, it was noted that Robert and four of his siblings made their way to Pennsylvania around 1849, after being freed from the Carter plantation. A bill had been passed in 1849, stating that free blacks could not stay in that state after being freed. In addition, the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act gave permission for slave hunters to capture persons who may have been runaway slaves and return them to their owners, which encouraged a mass exodus from the plantations.

The story of Robert R. Love, son of George Love and Dollie Wans, freed ex-slave who lived to be 103, continues with his siblings, who all seemed to have inherited the gene for longevity. His mother was said to have lived to the age of 105. In addition to Robert, there were four other known siblings in this family: Chaney, George, John and Polly.

A brother to Robert and Chaney, George Love, died in November of 1907, aged 90. He resided for many years in Altoona, and was called at one time “the wealthiest colored citizen of the city.” He died at the home of his daughter in Pittsburgh, but his body was returned to Altoona for his funeral which was held at the Mt. Zion Baptist church on 22nd St. and Fifth. Services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Daniel Cave, assisted by Rev. Edward Orms and Rev. Milo S. Jones, former pastor of the 16th St. AME church. Interment was in the Eastern Light cemetery.

Sister Polly Love Warren did not fare as well in her old age, dying in November of 1907 – on the same day and at the same hour as her brother George’s death. Said to be over 90 years of age, she was living at the Blair County Alms House (Blair County Hospital for Insane). Cause of death noted was “exhaustion of chronic mania.” Known as “Aunt Polly,” a negress and a pioneer resident of the city, she lived a rather strange life. For years she lived in a tumble-down frame shanty on Third avenue between 5th and 6th streets, which she owned. She lived the life of a recluse until age incapacitated her from performing household duties, when she was removed to the county home. Polly was regarded as eccentric and was “inordinately proud,” according to her obituary. While for years she lived upon the charity of kindly disposed neighbors, those who desired to help her were forced to intrude their kindness unobtrusively. Various subterfuges were resorted to get “Aunt Polly” to accept charity. When offered food and clothing she refused them point blank, so neighbors were resorted to the method of placing their offerings in baskets and putting them upon her porch or about her premises while she was sleeping. She was a member of the Zion Methodist Episcopal church. Interment was in the Eastern Light cemetery.

The obituary for brother John Love in December of 1907 tells of his life. “One of the oldest colored residents of this section of the state and the third member of the Love family to die within a month, died at the home of his son, William Love, of senile debility. He was aged 96 years and was born in Farquier county, Virginia, but has resided in this city for the past 26 years. During the civil war he served one year and three months in Company H., 41st Regiment, US Infantry. Less than a month ago his sister, Aunt Polly Love died at the county home and several weeks ago his brother, George Love, died in this city. During his residence in this city he has been a member of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal church. He is survived by three children – William, Frank R. and Mrs. Dorothy Skinner, all of this city; one brother, Robert Love of Woodbury and one sister, Mrs. Chaney Tillman, also of Altoona.” Funeral services were held at the home of his son William, with interment in the Eastern Light cemetery. His widow, Sarah, remarried after his death to Henry Keyes/Keys. She was the daughter of Martin and Sarah Keith, born at Maria Forge in South Woodbury township. Called a “respected colored woman,” she was also buried in the Eastern Light cemetery.

Chaney Love Tillman was noted as being the oldest woman in Altoona at the time of her death in 1914 at age 103. Her obituary told of being born in Farquahar County, Virginia around 1811 on a plantation owned by Ottoway Carter, her last master. Her parents and first husband died while she was yet in bondage. Chaney was set free before her master died in 1858; the emancipation papers that freed her from a life of slavery at age 47 were issued from the Culpepper County courthouse. Chaney and several brothers and sisters went north and settled in Shavers Creek Valley, Huntingdon County. Known as “Aunty Chaney,” she bore the family name of Carter until marrying Henry Tillman. He died before she moved to Altoona in 1880. Her burial place is the Oak Ridge cemetery in Altoona.

One wonders how the effects of slavery affected these different members of the Love family. Did it contribute to their longevity and their endurance to persevere in the midst of difficulties and sorrows to pass on to future generations…or did memories of their earlier lives remain in their thoughts to haunt them forever?