Lovick Pierce Betts was named after a Methodist Bishop, Lovick Pierce. Lovick's father, Jonathan Betts 3/15/1785 - 6/15/1856, was a Methodist minister. His mother was Elizabeth Fondren 11/1/1785 - 3/3/1856.

Lovick was in Jackson County, Georgia in 1827 when he registered for a land lottery. Before the 1830 census he had married and had his first child. He was living in Walton County, Georgia. In 1840 he, his wife and 6 children were again in Jackson County, living near his parents.

The 1850 United States Federal Census shows that Lovick is living in Bengaul, Gwinnett County, Georgia Age: 43
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1807
Birth Place: Georgia
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
Lovic Betts, a miller, 43,
Mary Betts, 37,
Martha F. Betts, 16,
Nancy B. Betts, 14,
Mary C. Betts 12,
George W. Betts, 10,
Ira H. Betts, 8,
Synthia An Betts, 5,
Henry T. Betts, 2,
William P. Betts, 4/12,
Beverly L. Trail, (hanis maker), 22

He was living in a little community called Bettstown that is between Carl and the Appalachee River on a little creek named Betts Creek in Gwinnett. He was living on or near family land.

In 1860, he, Mary and nine children were living in the same area and probably the same place. The 4 older daughters had married. He and his wife had had 13 (known) children and all lived to adulthood.

George, Henry and Ira joined the military during the War Between the States. They lost their first child (assumed) when Ira was captured at the battle at Cold Harbor and incarcerated in Elmira prisoner of war camp. He died of smallpox in Elmira. After the War George moved to Texas and Henry returned home. Many cousins, nephews, friends and neighbors were lost in the war.

Before 1870, 8 of his children had married and all but George lived in the area.

Lovick wrote his will in 1875, giving most of his possessions to his wife Mary and willed that after her death the property be sold and divided among his 12 children.

In 1876 Lovick and 4 others gave money sufficient to build a new building for Midway Methodist Church. Lovick had grist mills that were doing well.

In 1880 Lovick and Mary had one child, Henry and his wife, Mary living with them. Family members were living all around. About that time the family and neighbors might have noticed that their houses were sinking. No doubt they attempted to shore up their buildings.

On 20 Oct 1880, Wednesday. Lovick's obituary is listed in the weekly Gwinnett Herald, on page 3, and states:
Death of Lovick Betts
Mr. Lovick Betts, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of Gwinnett, died last Sunday after a short illness. He was in his seventy second year, and had been a member of the Methodist church for about half a century.
The cause of his death was somewhat remarkable. About fifty years ago, [c. 1830, he would have been around 23 years old]. by some accident, he had one of his toes shot. From time to time it gave him trouble, but didn't seriously interfere with his active business life. From this old wound started what is known in medical parlance as bone erysypilis which spread until it produced his death. He was a quiet, orderly citizen, and raised a large family, nearly all of whom are living in this county.

His loss is a serious one to the community and to the church, and is irreparable to his immediate family, with whom we sympathize in their affliction.

Note. The Random House College Dictionary, 1975, gives this definition. Erysipelas: an acute, febrile [feverish] infectious disease, caused by a specific streptococcus, characterized by diffusely spreading deep-red inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes. The word refers to red skin of the foot.

Lovick is buried at Midway Methodist Church where his father was minister for many years and where he probably attended all his life.