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 grand daughter 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 any more. 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"
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 grand daughter 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 any more. 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"
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 grand daughter 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 any more. 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"
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 grand daughter 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 any more. 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"
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