Benjamin Melton (Lawrence Co. IL)

 

Revolutionary War Pension Declaration W.2227

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State of Illinois, Lawrence County

On this 17 day September 1832 personaly appeared in open court before the Circuit court for the County of Lawrence now sitting Benjamin Melton a resident of the County of Lawrence aforesaid aged sixty six years he being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration to obtain the benegit of the act of Congress affixed Jan 7th 1832

That he enlisted the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated to with that he served for the term of three months drafted under Capt. Berry Turner and Col. Henry Dixon this was he believes in the year 1776 but that he cannot recollect the month. That he marched from North Carolina to the state of Georgia and that he was engaged in a battle with the enemy at a Fort near Stono ferry on Ashly river That he was last of the line with Gen. Lincoln

That he served and other term under Capt William Hardin and Major Sharp begin drafted for three months in the fore part of the Summer of the year 1781 as near as he now recollects, That he marched from Caswell County N. Carolina to Guilford County and joined Harny at Troublesome Ironwork immediate after the Battle of Guilford Courthouse that from the Ironworks he marched to Ramseys 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 Santu in the State of South Carolina in the year 1781 a short time before the battle of Eutaw Springs and that he was in that battle. That he was at this time under the command of Capt Leyman 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 Lt 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 Albemarle in the State of Virginia That he has no record of his age That since the revolutionary war he lived in Caswell County in the 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 abour twelve years that he has 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 & Delaware men but does not distinctly recollect any regulars officers except Gen Greenand Col Hamilton Gen Lendar He hereby relinquishes every claim every claim whatever a pension or annuity excepy the present and declares that his name is not on the pension of the agency of any state

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

Benjamin X Melton

We William Farley a clergyman residing in the County of Lawrence State of Illinois and Thomas C Collins a resident of the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Melton who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that he is reputed in the neighborhood where resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

William Farley

Thomas C Collins

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after rulling the interogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that it appears to them that William Farley who signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Lawrence aforesaid and that Thomas C. Collins who has also signed the same is a resident of the same county and is a reliable person and that this statement is entitled to credit.

Wm Wilson

Jas M McLean clerk of the Circuit Court for the County of Lawrence and State of Illinois do hereby certify the foregoing contains the original procedings if the said Court in the matter of the applicationof Benjamin Melton for pension

In testimony wherof I have hereunto set my hand seal of office this 18th day of September 1832

Jas M Mclean clerk

 

Additional Document Notes

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Affadavit of John Melton, age sixty seven, dated August 16, 1833 given. No relationship stated.

 

Widow's Declaration

Declaration of Elizabeth (Fowler) Melton widow of Benjamin Melton deceased

Declaration made March 21, 1853 Lawrence County Illinois

Married: October 17, 1833 Lawrence County Illinois

Benjamin Melton died in Lawrence County Illinois September 6, 1843