William Melton (Lawrence Co. IL)
Revolutionary War Declaration S. 36117
State of Illinois, County and Circuit of Lawrence
On this Sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one, personally appeared in open Court to wit, in the Circuit court of the County aforesaid the same being a Court of Record William Melton aged Sixty three years - who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following - declaration in order to obtain the provisions made by the acts of Congress of 18th march 1818 and the 1st May 1820 that he the said William Melton enlisted to serve during the War some time in the Summer of the year 1776 - in the Company commanded by Captain Henry Dixon - (afterwards commanded by Capt. James Read) in the Regiment Commanded by Col. Thomas Clark, in the line of the State of North Carolina on the Continental establishment; that he continued to Serve in the said Corps until the taking of Charleston by the British when he was taken prisoner and remained a prisoner until the end of the Revolutionary War, when he was set at liberty at Nova Soctia by the enemy and returned home but that his Regiment and Company were then dispersed and he was unable to procure a discharge That he was in the Battles of Brandy wine - Germantown and Monmouth and at the taking of Charleston as aforesaid and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said Service, except the testimony of Benjamin Melton whose affadavit is hereto announced And in pursuance of the act of 1st May 1829 I do solemly affirm that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and that I have not since that time by Gift, Sale or in any manner disposed of my propertity or any part there of with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed on the eighteeth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or Securities Contracted or debts due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the annexed Schedule and by me Subscribed and i do further Swear that I lost the use of one of my eyes while in Service as aforesaid and have Since nearly lost the use of the other that I have no Children That my wife is above eighty years old and Infirm, and that I am in danger of becoming Chargeable to the County in which I live. That I am by trade a Taylor but am not able by reason of my age and infirmity to pursue that or any other business
Wm X Melton
Schedule of property
One Bed and Bed Cloathing kitchen and house furniture to the value of ten dollars The nurssary wearing apparel of myself and wife -
State of Illinois, Lawrence County and Circuit
In the Circuit Court of the County and State aforesaid. This day cam Benjamin Melton who being duly Sworn according to law deposes and says that is Brother to William Melton the deponent in the annexed affirmation that he knows the said William Melton served as a Soldier in the North Carolina line on the Continental establishment during the revolutionary war for several years but cannot testify as to the exact time of Commencement or termunation of his said service that the said William Melton is now old inferm and unable to labour and in very indigent circumstances and further this deponent says not
Benjamin X Melton
Sworn to in open court 6th November AD 1821
Jas M Mclean Clerk
Sworn to and declared in open court on the 6th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one before William Wilson Judge of the Lawrence Circuit Court in the State of Illinois the same begin a Court which proceeds according to the courts of common law with Jurisdiction unlimited in Point of amount keping a record of its proceedings and having power to [illegible], emprison and infict Captial punishments
Jas M McLean Clerk
I James M McLean Clerk of the Lawrence Circuit court in the State of Illinois do hereby certify that the fore going affirmation and the Schedule thereto annexed and affidavit and trusty ??? from the records of the said Court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the Court that the total value of the property - exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is eighteen dollars
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 7th day of November AD 1821 and of the Independence of the United States the 40
Jas M McLean
Additional Information from Documents
Letter from North Carolina Secretary's Office: William Melton appeared on the Rolls of the 1st Regt NC Continental line in Capt. Dixon's Company.