Benjamin F. Melton (abt. 1764 - 1843)

Born about 1764 in Albermale County, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Nancy (King) Melton — married 2 Aug 1808 in Warren, Kentucky, United States

Husband of Elizabeth (Coy) Kneff — married 14 Oct 1833 in Illinois, United States

Descendants

Died 6 Sep 1843 at about age 79 in Lawrence County, Illinois, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Cynthia Melton [send private message]

Biography

Private Benjamin Melton served with North Carolina Line during the American Revolution.

Benjamin was born in 1764. Benjamin Melton. He passed away in 1843.

Benjamin was in the Illinois, U.S., Revolutionary War Veteran Burials Index, 1775-1850.

• Name: Benjamin Melton;
• Burial Place: Lawrence County, Illinois, USA;
• Comments: Benjamin Melton; served in the North Carolina troops with Capt. Berry Turner, Col. Henry Dixon, in 1776. He was drafted in 1781, serving three months, with Capt. William Hardin and Major Sharp. He again served for one year with Capt. Tilgham Dixon and Col. Henry Dixon. He came to Lawrence County, Illinois, in 1820, and died there and is buried in the Melton graveyard, in Denison township. He was pensioned.

^[1]

In the 1810 census Benjn was in Warren, Kentucky, United States.^[2]

Children

MELTON, Absolam 1790 - 20 Jun 1837 () b: Caswell Co NC; d: Lawrence Co IL; s/of Benjamin F Melton* & Nancy King; m: 2 Aug 1808 Warren Co KY Rebecca Morgan (m2: 19 Oct 1839 Lawrence Co John Higgins); ch: William L (18 May 1820 Edwards Co IL-28 Nov 1864 Gallatin Co IL; bur Ridgeway IL; m1: Patsy Ann Hampton; m2: Mary Ann Crawford). Absolam assumed to be buried here with other family members. He was the original landowner.

Benjamin's daughter Lucinda Porter died on 3 January 1924 in Lawrenceville, Lawrence, Illinois, United States.^[3]

Elizabeth Fowler married Benjamin Melton on 14 October 1833.^[4]

In the 1850 census Elisabeth (age 49) was in Lawrence Township, Lawrence, Illinois, United States.^[5]

Elizabeth was mentioned on a memorial in Lawrenceville City Cemetery, Lawrenceville, Lawrence County, Illinois, United States with a death date of 26 February 1892.^[6]

Elizabeth died on 26 February 1892 and was buried in Lawrenceville, Lawrence, Illinois, United States.^[7]

Brie Benjamin was mentioned on a memorial in Melton Family Cemetery, Lawrence County, Illinois, United States with a death date of 6 September 1845.^[8]

Brief life history:

The following information was found at Wabash Graves, Melton Family Cemetery, Lawrence County IL Benjamin F Melton Born: 1764 Died: 6 Sep 1843 Plot: Revolutionary War Veteran Where born: Albemarle Co MD Where died: Lawrence Co IL Son of: William Melton Sr & Sarah Married 1st: Nancy King Nancy's children: David & Tilman Dixon & Absolum & Elizabeth & Christopher & William (b: Caswell Co NC) & Nancy (b: Warren Co KY); Married 2nd: Elizabeth Coy (1792 MD-1892; m1: Richard Fowler); Elizabeth's children: Louisa & Lucinda (8 Oct 1837-3 Jan 1924; m1: ? Harris; m2: David S Porter) ^[9]

Benjamin is my 5th Great-grandfather. He is the son of William, Sr. and Sarah Melton. He served in the Revolutionary War. The following was taken from his Declaration for Revolutionary War Pension:

County of Lawrence and State of Illinois 18th day of September 1832

+That he served another tour under Capt. William Hardin and Major Sharp being drafted for three months in the fore part of the summer of the year 1781, as near as he can recollect. That he marched from Caswell County N. Carolina to Guilford County and joined the army at Troublesome Ironwork immediately after the battle of Guilford Courthouse. That from the Ironworks he marched to Ramsey's [Ramseur's] Mill on Deep River where he was again drafted for one year. That after his tour of three months was up, he was permitted to go home forty days. That he then joined the main army at the high hills of Santee in the State of South Carolina in the year 1781 a short time before the battle of the Eutaw Springs and that he was in that battle. That he was at this time under the command of Capt. Tilgman [Tillman] Dixon and Col. Henry Dixon. From the battle of the Eutaw Springs he marched to Stono Ferry near which he was engaged a skirmish with some British soldiers on St. John's Island. That during all the time he was in the service of the United States he was a resident of Caswell in the State of North Carolina. That he was born in the County of Albermarle in the State of Virginia. That he has no record of his age. That since the Revolutionary War he lived in Caswell County in North Carolina for some time after the war. That he moved from there to Warren County in the state of Kentucky where he lived till he moved to this state [Lawrence Co., Illinois] about twelve years ago. That he has lived near the same place ever since he came to this state. That while in service he was in company with some of the regulars from Pennsylvania and Delaware, but does not distinctly recollect regular officers except Gen. Greene and Col. Hamilton Gen. Sinclair. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension of the aging of any state... Benjamin married first to Nancy King, second to Elizabeth Coy daughter of Christopher Coy. Elizabeth had been married before to Richard Fowler. Benjamin & Nancy's children are: David, Tilman Dixon, Absalom, Elizabeth, Christopher, William (born Caswell Co., No. Carolina), and Nancy (born Warren Co., Kentucky). Benjamin & Elizabeth's children are: Louisa (died in infancy), and Lucinda (bn: 8 October 1837, dd: 3 January 1924). The courthouse clock in Lawrenceville, Illinois was donated by Lucinda & her second husband David S. Porter. Benjamin died 6 September 1843, contrary to what has been inscribed on the monument.

In reference to Benjamin's marriage to Nancy KING: When Mrs. Lucinda (MELTON) (HARRIS) PORTER, daughter of Benjamin MELTON, made application to join the Daughters of American Revolution, on 27 September 1916, Miss Fannie ADAMS of Williamsfield, Illinois, furnished the information that Benjamin MELTON's first wife was Nancy KING, as told to her by her mother. Miss Fannie ADAMS was born 17 March 1863 in Knox County, Illinois and was a daughter of Alfred ADAMS and his wife Matilda BARDON, a granddaughter of John BARDON and his wife Nancy MELTON, and a great-granddaughter of Benjamin MELTON and wife Nancy KING. Reference: "Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County," Chicago and New York Munsell Publishing Co.; 1899; p895.

"REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS AT MELTON GRAVEYARD On Saturday afternoon, June 8th, 1924, Dr. William R. Mangum, William Umfleet, Byron Leach and the writer went out to the Melton Graveyard at the Southeast corner of the Robert Gillespie Farm at Burnt corners of Tank City to locate approximately the burial place of three Revolutionary soldiers who are buried there.

Mr. Umfleet remembered the graveyard and its location and pointed out what he believed to be location. Mrs. Robert Gillespie agreed with thus decision the following Monday afternoon.

There are no markers on the place anymore. Many years ago there were some wooden markers but so far as known never any permanent markers erected. With the assistance of Isaac Hart, Earl Sanders and George Parker, the corner was cleaned and trimmed up and three white wooden markers such as the American Legion used to mark solders (sic soldiers) graves were placed and flags attached to them. Mr. Umfleet assisted in driving the stakes as he is a direct descendant of Christopher Coy, one of the patriots.

The graveyard is known as the Melton Graveyard. The three patriots are William Melton, Benjamin Melton, and Christopher Coy.

On learning of the desire to honor the near resting place of these men, Mr. J. E. King of the Good Pine Lumber Co., Mr. Freemont Harris promised material for a marker. The former to furnish the cement and the latter the sand and gravel. The Ohio Oil Company, through Mr. Homan, Superintendent, promised an iron rail enclosure. Mr. Morris England transported the stone, free of charge.

Signed: Byron R. Lewis"

"NOTE: Kenneth Umfleet is son of Wm. Umfleet. He has two daughters. Kenneth married a Yates girl from North of Vincennes." "There has been lots of oilfield work surrounding the MELTON GRAVEYARD for the past 100 years, since oil was first discovered near Bridgeport in May, 1906. The T-road intersection where the MELTON-COY Monument sits is known as Tank City. The huge storage tanks are long gone, but the wells on the surrounding leases are still pumping. Fortunes have flowed from this neighborhood.

The Melton-Coy monument is still in the guy's front yard. I have no idea as to how long.

I live five miles south of the south edge of Bridgeport, then one-half mile West. The Melton-Coy monument erected on the S. E. corner of the Robert Gillespie farm in 1924, near the site of the old Melton Graveyard, is one-half mile South of Bridgeport, then one mile east on the north side of the road. John M. King R.R. #1, Box 492 Sumner IL 62466"

Sources

1. ↑ Illinois, U.S., Revolutionary War Veteran Burials Index, 1775-1850: "Illinois, U.S., Revolutionary War Veteran Burials Index, 1775-1850"
   Original data: Harriet J. Walker. Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Illinois. Los Angeles, California: 1917
   Ancestry Record 4508 #344 (accessed 15 November 2023)
   Name: Benjamin Melton; Burial Place: Lawrence County, Illinois, USA; Comments: Benjamin Melton; served in the North Carolina troops with Capt. Berry Turner, Col. Henry Dixon, in 1776. He was drafted in 1781, serving three months, with Capt. William Hardin and Major Sharp. He again served for one year with Capt. Tilgham Dixon and Col. Henry Dixon. He came to Lawrence county, Illinois, in 1820, and died there and is buried in the Melton graveyard, in Denison township. He was pensioned.
2. ↑ 1810 Census: "United States Census, 1810"
   citing Page: 272; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M252; Digital film/folder number: 005157065; FHL microfilm: 0181353; Image number: 269
   FamilySearch Record: XH29-6XT (accessed 15 November 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9YY2-SGGP
   Benjn Melton in Warren, Kentucky, United States.
3. ↑ Death of daughter Lucinda Porter: "Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947"
   citing FHL microfilm: 1452343; Record number: 152;
   FamilySearch Record: NQL1-HH2 (accessed 21 February 2023)
   Benjamin Melton in death record for daughter Lucinda Porter, 3 Jan 1924 in Lawrenceville, Lawrence, Illinois, United States.
4. ↑ Marriage: "Illinois, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1791-1850"
   Original data: Dodd, Jordan, Comp.. Electronic transcription of marriage records held by the individual counties in Illinois
   Ancestry Record 2086 #33151 (accessed 15 November 2023)
   Elizabeth Fowler marriage to Benjamin Melton on 14 Oct 1833.
5. ↑ 1850 Census: "United States Census, 1850"
   citing Affiliate Publication Number: M432; Line: 21;
   FamilySearch Record: M8R9-YPP (accessed 21 February 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: S3HT-6QW5-N5
   Elisabeth Melton (49) in Lawrence Township, Lawrence, Illinois, United States. Born in Kentucky.
6. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #17205637 (accessed 15 November 2023)
   Memorial page for Elizabeth “Betsey” Coy Neff (6 Mar 1792-26 Feb 1892), citing Lawrenceville City Cemetery, Lawrenceville, Lawrence County, Illinois, USA (plot: Old Section 1 is north side of the road by Iron Gate); Maintained by C E S 2002 (contributor 46534968).
7. ↑ Burial: "Find A Grave Index"
   citing record ID 17205637, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
   FamilySearch Record: QVVV-FPHQ (accessed 21 February 2023)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #17205637
   Elizabeth Coy Neff burial (died on 26 Feb 1892) in Lawrenceville, Lawrence, Illinois, United States of America.
8. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #13625662 (accessed 21 February 2023)
   Memorial page for Benjamin F. Melton (1764-6 Sep 1845), citing Melton Family Cemetery, Lawrence County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Robbie Carnell Story (contributor 46809919).
9. ↑ Wabash Graves, Melton Family Cemetery, Lawrence County IL [1]