Meriwether County Georgia - Biography - Napoleon Bonaparte Lovett 1799 - 1872

**********************************************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit 
or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use 
this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative 
of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The 
submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free 
access.
http://www.usgwarchives.net
**********************************************************************************************
This file contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by 
Tom and Carolann Lovett <tcalovett@numail.org> Oct 2002 

Napolean Bonaparte Lovett

     Napoleon Bonaparte Lovett was born August 22, 1799, in Screven County, Georgia, the son
of Thomas Fenza? Lovett, Sr.(a Captain in the War of 1812) and Rebecca Bonnell.
Although the name, Lovett,  is considered by some to be of English or Scotish origin, Napoleon's
name and the name that he gave his plantations in Meriwether County reflect his mother's French
Huguenot background and influence. Napoleon Bonaparte was at the height of his power in France
in the late 1700's to 1815.
     Napoleon was an attorney of note and a Judge. His name appears on many early records in
Screven County such as slave deeds and Land records. He and his brother, John Forbes Lovett
were named Administrators of their father's considerable estate when Thomas Fensa Lovett, Sr.
died April 9, 1830.
     Napoleon was named guardian of Augustus L. L. Lovett and Alexander Jackson Lovett, two of
his minor brothers; and Clarkey Ann R. Lovett a minor sister. He was also guardian of John 
Long, son of James Long, deceased. Augustus L. L. Lovett petitioned to have a change in 
guardianship, probably because Napoleon was getting ready to move from Screven County to the 
new lands in Georgia opened up by the Treaty of Indian Springs.
     Napoleon was said to be quite dashing, sophisticated, and a "man about town". He would
travel often to Savannah and Charleston to visit the theatre and his actress friends. (McBride)
     Napoleon married, first Martha Ferrell, daughter of Benjamin Ferrell, Sr., December 5, 1832
in Screven County. Martha, born Mar 7, 1813, was 19 years old and Napoleon 33. In his will
Benjamin Ferrell, Sr. left a negro slave named Lettuce, to his daughter Martha Lovett.
     Napoleon and Martha moved to Meriwether County shortly after they were married. In
January 1832, Napoleon aquired land that was originally granted to John Long, drawn as an orphan.
He later aquired other original land grants adjoining his property. Many of his land transactions
were devoted to obtaining "clear title" to these properties.
     Napoleon named one estate "Champinole", Little Pasture, in French; and another, "Mt. Chulis", 
Place of Rest in French. On the latter, he built a plantation with school house, shops, mill,
houses for slaves, and both a slave cemetery and a family cemetery plot were set aside. In his
will, Napoleon mentions both Champinole and Mt. Chulis. Both were later destroyed.
     Napoleon and Martha Ferrell Lovett were the parents of Byrd (named after Martha's brother);
Mary A.; John Cuthbert (named after Martha's oldest brother; and William Wallace.
Martha died sometime between the birth of William in 1839 and 1843 when Napoleon married, second,
Miriam J. E. Ferrell, Martha's younger sister.
     Miriam Ferrell Lovett was born August 17, 1819. They were married December 21, 1843 in
Meriwether County. Napoleon and Miriam were the parents of Warren Parks Lovett born July 27, 1850.
In the 1850 Merwether County Census Miriam's older sister, Mary Ferrell is listed in the household.
Miriam died after the birth of Warren P. and before Napoleon's third marriage to Mrs. Sarah 
S. Parham, widow of Robert N. Parham, May 1, 1856.
     Napoleon died August 4, 1872 in Meriwether County and was buried at "Mt. Chulis". In his will
dated June 23, 1867, he mentions his beloved wife, Sarah ad his sons Byrd, John C. and Warren P. and
his grandchildren Mary and Virgil A. Reeves, children of Mary, decs.  dau, wife of Thomas A. Reeves

A photograph of this biography can be seen at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/meriwether/photos/nblovett.html