Museum Musings

Phoebe Waterman moves to Chickasaw Nation

By Ron Jacobs, Contributor

"Phoebe Waterman was the second wife of Robert H. Love."

"Phoebe was born in Erie County, New York, and at one time had worked as a seamstress. In 1860, Phoebe moved to the Chickasaw Nation and took a position at the government Indian school, Burney Academy, where her sister and brother-in-law were employed.

Phoebe was 26 years of age when she married the widower, Robert Howard Love. The ceremony was performed by her brother-in-law Reverend Bell at Burney Academy in November of 1862. In 1863, Phoebe gave birth to her and Robert's only child, May Bell, who became the wife of Jeremiah Calvin Washington, one of the early founders of the city of Marietta. The Robert Love family made their home at Oil Springs."
 

"Phoebe Love died in Clayton, Oklahoma in 1915. She had moved to Clayton from Marietta because her niece, Miss Ada Waterman had secured a teaching position there.

Phoebe Hinman Waterman Love (1836-1915) is buried in the Clayton cemetery."