Biographies: Ben Elbert "Walker" Melton Family (Revised), Winn Parish, LA Submitted by: Grady L. McFarland, 379 Packton-Alex Rd, Winnfield,La 71483 Grandson of B.E. Melton ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: Personal records/censuses, records of Johnnie E. Moore, M. Wayne Melton, Robert W. Howell, B.E. Melton, records of Winn/Grant Parishes, US BLM Land Office records and Internet searches. Ben Elbert "Walker" Melton Family - ( Eight Generations ) For an expanded listing of names, refer to Madison M. Melton Family - Winn Parish and Tyson Cemetery articles on Winn Parish Archives - USGENWEB. This revision (11/1999) was necessitated due to finding of detailed land records of pre-1860 settlement of the local area not available in parish records. Some family lineages were changed to conform with land records. Following is a listing of persons/events in the settlement of the Winn/Grant border area preceding the War Between The States and later years. Jefferson (Jeff) Melton (born 1826), son of Elbert Melton, migrated to Winn Parish about 1850 and settled in Sec 18, T10N, R2W north of the Melton Cemetery location. According to records of Wayne Melton, Jeff returned to his home state of Georgia and brought vanguard members of the Shumake and Teddlie families back to Winn Parish about 1/01/1857. Jeff went back to Georgia and led a wagon team of 29 families back to Winn Parish, arriving 2/15/1859. With him was his brother, Madison M. Melton and his family. Travel route was the old Natchez Trace, also known as the Harrisonburg - Natchitoches Rd. Old records note other families included: Teddlie, Mathis, Jackson, Wright, Martin, Emmanuel, Graves, Bailey, Watson, Bolton, Teagle, Durham, and Killen. Other familes settled elsewhere in Winn & Grant Parishes. The Meltons moved to the Sec 18 area noted above. A US land deed for the SE/4 of Sec 18-T10N- R2W dated 7/02/1860 was found for Austin Jefferson Melton. It is known that Madison M. settled in the N/2 of Sec 17, but no US land records were found. Numerous homestead and patent (cash) deeds were found for other families. FIRST GENERATION: Great-Great-Grandparents of B.E. Melton McKinney (Quinary) Melton - b.1777 in Edgefield Co. SC, d.aft.1841 in Macon Co. Ga. Wife was Martha Rodgers (2/24/1777). Wayne Melton has found a court case in which Elbert Melton was the estate administrator. Approximate burial location is known. A detailed list of his descendants that did not emigrate to Louisiana was found - tree is well documented. His children: Jane (9/05/1798), Elbert M. (5/1800 - 11/11/1878), Lucretia (10/18/1802), Matthew (9/16/1807 - 5/07/1897), Henry Sampson (5/05/1809), Margaret Mariah (5/27/1813 - 11/10/1879) and Stephen Jefferson (12/9/1815 - 1827). SECOND GENERATION: Great-Grandparents of B.E. Melton Elbert Melton (5/1800 - 11/11/1878) - Born in Edgefield County, S.Carolina - Died in Randolph County, Ga. - Buried at Bethlehem Cemetery there. Wife #1: Malinda Jane (Jennie) Walls (1806 - 1844 or 1846) - Born in Richmond County, Ga - married 2/25/1823. Buried in unmarked grave at Bethlehem Cem. Wife #2: Jane Gilmore - married 2/04/1847 - no further known Children: Wife #1: Lucinda (1825), Austin Jefferson (1826), Madison McKinney (11/08/1827), Martha (1832), Julia Ann (1834), William Preston (1838), Henry Clay (4/26/1843 - 9/18/1883) and Elbert Green (4/26/1843 - 11/07/1904). Children: Wife #2: Antoinette Cottle (10/16/1848) and Emily C. (1849). Parents & children all remained in Georgia, except Jeff & Madison. All of children were born in Georgia. THIRD GENERATION: Grandparents of B.E. Melton Madison McKinney Melton (11/08/1827 - 4/16/1895) Susan Carolyn Swain (11/17/1830 - 8/25/1905) - born in Marion County, Ga. - Married 7/10/1849 in Marion County. Moved to Winn Parish on 2/15/1858 and settled in the area north of the Melton Cemetery previously noted. Both are buried in the Melton Cemetery located in the SE/4 - SW/4 of Sec 17. Madison was a Confederate soldier in Co. K , 28 La Inf, CSA. Children: (First 4 born in Georgia - last 4 in Winn Parish) Sarah Florence (1/01/1851 - 1/13/1887) - married John D. Moore,Sr. Runion L. - born 1854 - no further known Elbert Madison (4/14/1856 - 9/05/1932) - see below for further William Derrell (7/29/1858 - 12/05/1943) James Edgar (10/05/1861 - 5/17/1916) Marion Monroe (4/25/1864 - 7/06/1960) Emma E. (5/12/1868 - 3/25/1955) Anna Melinda ( 1871 - ? ) FOURTH GENERATION: Parents of B.E. Melton Father: Elbert Madison "Mack" Melton (4/14/1856 - 9/05/1932) Mother: Laurette L. "Laura" Tyson (5/03/1856 - 8/23/1935) Parents of Laura Tyson were James E. Tyson and (?) Allbright. She was born & raised in Sec 6, T9N, R2W Grant Parish adjacent to the Tyson Cemetery location. Her father ran a blacksmith shop/forge here. Old crepe myrtle trees mark the home site. The old Harrisonburg - Natchitoches Rd. bisected this property - old wagon rut trails are still visible. Her grandparents were John Allbright b.1790 in NC and Rozanah Allbright b. 1791 in Ga. Burial date/location is not known. Laura had extensive land holdings of her own. Record searches back to 1889 (no earlier records) note some 600 acres in Secs 28,32,33 of T10N-R2W and Secs 2,4 of T9N-R3W. Book D, Page 776 of Winn Parish Records notes that she bought 200 acres in Sec 2 on 11/11/1895 from John A. Allbright (uncle), and Benjamin Allbright & Mary Allbright (her uncle & cousin) for $150. She later (5/20/1905) got a US patent deed to 40 acres in Sec 4. All of this area was part of the original Allbright Prarie area in SW Winn Parish settled by her g/parents & other families prior to 1860. The first courthouse location for Winn Parish was in this area. Prior to a car wreck resulting in her death, she had moved to the SW/4 of SE/4 of Sec 32, T10N, R2W Winn Parish. This property now owned by/home site of Charlotte Melton McFarland. Laura is buried at the Tyson Cemetery, along with seven of her nine children. All graves are marked. According to Mr. Johnnie E. Moore, her parents are also buried here. There are no unnamed markers except for four large crepe myrtle trees in double rows. It was related by BE Melton that her father was married at least three times, the first two marriages to daughters of John Allbright, who lived at the adjacent Allbright Prarie area in SW Winn Parish. Laura and Susan Emeline (12/10/1847 - 5/20/1935) and Sarah E. b.1857 were children of the first marriage, as can be best determined. Susan Emeline (Lawrence) was known to be a full sister to Laura. James E. Tyson and his second wife (Allbright) had at least one son and one daughter. Edward Barney (5/07/1869 - 12/24/1953) who moved to the Aloha area of Grant Parish and was an overseer for William Edenborn. He married a daughter of Sabre Moore McBride. Daughter Caledonia (10/18/1860 - 10/06/1913) married Huey P. Long,Sr and was the mother of Huey and Earl Long and grandmother of Russell Long. Laura Tyson Melton was their half-sister. It is probable that James E. Tyson and his wives are buried by the crepe myrtle tree markers in Tyson Cemetery. There are no named markers for them. At least one sister; Susan Emeline Tyson Lawrence (12/10/1847 - 5/20/1935) along with her husband, J N Lawrence (2/07/1849 - 5/10/1910) is buried in the Tyson Cem. Graves have markers. Details reference a third wife have not been found. It is known that James E. Tyson died before 1889, from estate probate land sales. Elbert M. had extensive land holdings in Secs 20/28/29/33 of T10N, R2W Winn Parish. Property settlement records of 10/05/1927 note 520 acres. He operated a grist mill/sawmill in the NE/4 of SE/4 of Sec 29 where his homeplace was. He also farmed, ran livestock and leased land to tenants. He is buried in the Melton Cemetery, along with two children by Laura. Laura and Elbert M. were divorced on 10/05/1927. She was paid $2200 as a community property settlement and Elbert M. kept property that was in his/her joint ownership name. She had already moved to Sec 32 and her daughter, Mollie Melton Stephens, moved there also. Elbert M. married Martha W. Farmer (age 21) on 3/31/1928 and moved over to the "Governor" Gilmore site in SW/4 - SE/4 - Sec 28. He was a major depositer/stockholder in the First National Bank in Winnfield and lost most of his money/property due to bank failure during the Great Depression. After his death and probate, his property was sold at Sheriff's Sale on 7/01/1933 to pay off debts and back taxes. His daughter, Ruby Melton Charping, paid $1624 cash for his estate property, which was 469 acres in Secs 20,28,29 and 33. Property is now owned by her grandchildren. Children: ( Brothers & Sisters of B.E. Melton) Kate (1878 - ?) - died/buried in California L. Bell (4/14/1879 - 4/01/1899) - Tyson Cem William Jefferson (4/16/1881 - 9/07/1957) - Melton Cem Ples T. (9/19/1883 - 1/24/1907) - Tyson Cem Mollie (5/22/1885 - 10/07/1966) - Melton Cem Woodie W. (2/12/1887 - 12/10/1905) - Tyson Cem Ben Elbert (7/31/1889 - 11/16/1979) - Tyson Cem Allen Vince (9/10/1891 - 5/10/1900) - Tyson Cem Ruby Charping (2/14/1895 - 8/17/1982) - Tyson Cem Ona Orpha (8/23/1897 - 7/31/1898) - Tyson Cem FIFTH GENERATION: Ben E. "Walker" Melton Ben Elbert Melton (7/31/1889 - 11/16/1979) Wife: Voila Eudora Howell (12/20/1890 - 11/20/1973) - Married 3/22/1908. Voila was born in Hardeman County, Tennessee near Bolivar. Her parents were Robert Franklin Howell (11/18/1851 - 11/22/1927) and Sarilda Frances Hooper (8/20/1861 - 3/19/1945) and were married 1/15/1882. Parents and 13 of their 14 children moved from Tenn. to a farm located in the SE/4 of SW/4, Sec 5, T9N, R2W Grant Parish in April 1907. Two more children (twins) were born in 1907. Her parents and five brothers/sisters are buried at Liberty Chapel Cemetery. See further for listing of her siblings in the Howell family. Walker had bought the adjacent 80 acres located in the W/2 - SE/4 same section on 3/02/1908 from his mother (Laura) as noted in records P/374 prior to their marriage in 1908. After they married, both lived at the same home location until they died. All of their children were born here. Subsistence was by farming and livestock. He also grew ribbon cane and operated a syrup mill powered by a Ford flathead until the early 1960's. Walker also was a fur trapper, sawman on logging crews and horticulturist who imported/grafted/planted numerous fruit trees in the local area. As an accomplished woodworker, he built two houses for his family, much of their furniture and built coffins used for area burials. With eight children to raise, he also operated a creekbank still at various times, making whiskey/rum during Prohibition days for cash sale to railroad customers at Packton Depot. Never got caught. He owned/operated a school bus on the La500/1236 route from Packton through Zion to Georgetown School in the years before paved roads. He retired in 1954 after 31 years as a bus driver. His son, Lynn Melton, then took over the bus route until a farm accident in 1983. Small in stature at 5'9" and never more than 150 lbs, he had great stamina and could outwalk most people - ergo the nickname "Walker". Voila (Mama) was a farm wife who endured the hardships of raising eight children to adulthood. Visitors were always welcome to their home. She was deeply religious and passed away on the night of 11/19/1973 while sitting in her chair by the fireplace reading her Bible. Both are buried at the Tyson Cemetery West of their home in Sec. 6. They left as their legacy (as of 7/29/1999): 8 children - 25 grandchildren - 35 great grandchildren - 10 great/great gc. SIXTH GENERATION: Children of B.E. Melton Infant daughter (b/d 2/22/1909) Elbert F. (2/02/1910 - 7/13/1911) Woolford K. (5/19/1912 - living) Charlotte Corinne (8/07/1913 - living) Nancy Belle (7/27/1915 - living) Fannie Clyde (2/13/1919 - living) Phillip Clayton (5/30/1921 - living) Lindley Marion (11/06/1924 - 5/13/1997) Mary Temple (5/01/1928 - 6/15/1996) Bobby Jean (3/01/1931 - living) SEVENTH - EIGHTH - NINTH GENERATIONS: GC / GGC / GGGC of B.E. Melton Woolford K. Melton Fannie Mozella Riley - married 11/17/1933 - live in Rolling Fork, Miss. Children: Shirley, Denon, Dianne Grandchildren: 3 Great-grandchildren: 2 Charlotte C. Melton Edmond Lee McFarland (7/05/1904 - 7/08/1987) - married 12/24/1934. Children: Mary Jeanne (12/06/1936 - 3/03/1937) - buried at Zion Hill Cem. Grady Lee (4/26/1939 - living) Douglas Wayne (3/25/1944 - living) Grandchildren: Shane Lee (5/02/1973) Stefan Reid (9/08/1976) US Military Academy (West Point) - Class of 1999 Nancy Belle Married Buck Barrett and had two children: Houston Ray Barrett Melton Maurice Barrett Then married G.W. Sledge on 9/19/1945 - no children of this marriage. Grandchildren: Nine Great-Grandchildren: Seven Fannie Clyde Married H.S. Coleman,Jr on 2/18/1941. Children: James, Robert, and John Grandchildren: Four Phillip Clayton Married Lois Payton on 11/25/1949 in South Dakota. Children: Russell, Clayton, Timothy, Karen, Curtis, Nita Grandchildren: Eight Lindley Marion Melton Married Claudia Quinn on 9/12/1947. Married Toy Lee Haynes 12/24/1972 Children: Markita Grandchildren: Two Mary Temple Married Ira V. Thompson in Little Rock, Ark on 4/05/1949. Children: John , Charles Grandchildren: Two Bobby Jean Melton Married Byron R. Tullos in Winnfield on 9/10/1948. Children: Danny, Ben Russell, Susan, Bobby Grandchildren: Seven Great grandchildren: One This concludes the direct lineage of B.E. Melton Family as descended through Madison M Melton and Elbert Madison Melton. For posterity and expansion of family biography, the following are attached: HOWELL BROTHERS & SISTERS OF VOILA EUDORA HOWELL MELTON: Julia Margaret (11/03/1882 - 2/08/1969) - married William Edward Sweat on 5/13/1910 - lived in Georgetown, La area. Finley Robert (4/12/1884 - 3/19/1967) - married Rosie Dawson (8/24/1894 - 12/09/1959) on 7/26/1923. Winnie Ann - ? dates - infant Eudia May (5/1887 - died in childbirth ? date) Iva Pearl (5/18/1889 - 11/24/1972) - married William Jefferson "Bud" Melton on 1/03/1911. Grady Frank (11/08/1893 - 11/11/1942) - married Ethel Wattis on 5/27/1923. Birdie F. (9/08/1894 - 9/01/1950) - married James Stell on 1/29/1911. Robert Neely (3/18/1896 - 12/06/1936) - married Nancy Smith on 6/08/1919. Mary Alma (1/20/1898 - 10/08/1981) - married Roy Long on 9/27/1914. Hunt Lafayette (9/28/1899 - 10/21/1965) - married Ruth Hyde on 3/02/1923. Florence Gracie (7/12/1901 - 5/08/1979) - married Charlie Melton on 5/13/1916 William Barrett (1/19/1904 - 2/22/1930) - single Sadie E. (11/06/1904 - 11/11/1972) - Married W A Warren on 3/21/1925. Burley DeSoto (5/06/1907 - 5/17/1957) - married Maggie Collins on 5/12/1928. Ponce DeLeon (5/06/1907 - 11/03/1982) - married Hazel Kennedy 5/03/1931 FIFTH AND SIXTH GENERATION: Brothers/Sisters of B.E. Melton & Their Children Kate (1878 - ?) - Married William F. Gilmore on 12/19/1894.Had one son, William F. Gilmore "Governor" who was killed in St. Louis on 5/14/1923 and buried in Melton Cemetery. One daughter, Belle Gilmore, moved to Texas with Kate. Married Tom Knight and had one daughter, Katie and son. T.R. They moved to California. L. Bell (4/14/1879 - 4/01/1899) - never married. William Jefferson "Bud" (4/16/1881 - 9/07/1957) Iva Pearl Howell (5/18/1889 - 12/24/1972) - married 1/03/1911. "Bud" farmed the SW/4 of Sec 4, SW/4 - NW/4 of Sec 4 and NE/4 - SE/4 , N/2 - SE/4 - SE/4 of Sec 5, T9N,R2W Grant Parish on Bear Creek bottom land. He also ran a store next to the L&A Rwy depot station at Packton. He lived just East of Rwy in SW/4 - SE/4 of Sec 33, T10N,R2W Winn Parish. Husband/wife/three children/their children are buried in Melton Cemetery. Children: Nephews/Nieces of B.E. Melton Woodrow Wilson (2/10/1912 - 8/05/1971) Nella Ada Long (11/15/1912 - 8/30/1990) - married 10/15/1932. He was an electrician. He died while picking wild grapes in Bienville Parish with his wife and W.A. Warren. They had two children: Francis Melton Skinner May (11/13/1933 - living) Children: Michael & Michele - one g/d - one g/gd Shelby Carter Melton (7/09/1935 - living) Patricia J. Evans (1/23/1942 - 9/20/1997) - Married 2/06/1958 Children: Judy Melton Juderman Panessiti (1/22/1963) Dan Panessiti (1/27/1964) Dau: Jessica Lynn Juderman (7/01/1983) Debora Ann Melton McCarthy (6/03/1965) Bill McCarthy (6/30/1965) William J.II (1991), Lauren Shelby (1993), James Edward (1995) Terri Denise Melton (9/30/1974)- Married 12/23/1996 Ben Sanders (7/19/1974) Laura Louise (8/22/1915 - 2/11/1995) Married J.W. Harkins 12/29/1950 - daughter Carol Ann (12/27/1952) William Jackson (10/20/1918 - 1/21/1997) - Married Cora Mae Terrial on 3/25/1943 - Fighter pilot in WW2 - Maj/USAF/Ret - Lived in Beeville, Tx. Four sons & one daughter. Jack is buried in Melton Cem. Mary Maxine (10/07/1920 - living) - Married Thomas James Hale 5/01/1939 - Two children: Rita and Allen Ples T. (9/19/1883 - 1/24/1907) - never married. He was killed by gunshot over a dispute involving chickens. His assailant was killed by "Bud". For details, see: Powell - Melton Murders article in USGENWEB - Winn Parish Archives - Criminal Justice Matters. Mollie (5/22/1885 - 10/07/1966) - married Alex Stephens in 1905. They moved to property owned by her Mother in SW/4 - SE/4 of Sec 32, T10N, R2W Winn Parish. All of their children were born there. He was the station Agent at Packton Depot. She later moved to the NW/4 - NW/4 of Sec 33, where she died. Buried at Melton Cemetery. Children: Nathan Stephens (1/01/1907 - living)- mar. Flossie Looney - no children. Catherine (9/24/1912 - 5/10/1990) - Mar. Louis (Ed) Tullos in 1935. Dau. Patsy (1.15/1937 - 8/04/1999) Evelyn (9/05/1915 - living) Dau. Gayle (2/08/1940) Woody W. (2/12/1887 - 12/10/1905) - killed in hunting accident in Arkansas. Allen Vince (9/10/1891 - 5/10/1900) Ona Orpha (8/23/1897 - 7/31/1898) Ruby (2/14/1895 - 8/17/1982) Husband #1: Married Hayes Carlisle, unknown dates, who owned a delta plantation (500 plus acres) on Steele Bayou North of Vicksburg, Miss. Her husband was killed by his brother, who had gone insane. She was widowed with one son: Allen Carlisle. She had no more children. Her heirs still own this property and lease it for farming. Husband #2: Name is unknown. He owned a hotel in Vicksburg. When he died, she traded this downtown property for some 600 acres in the hills adjoining the East side of Vicksburg National Park. Until her death in 1982, she ran a large cattle ranch operation there. Husband #3: Irby Charping - no further known. Her grandchildren ( Hayes & Mary ) own her property in La & Miss. She is buried in the Tyson Cemetery in Grant Parish. Her footstone marker is engraved "Trailblazer" - a fitting description of her life. THIRD GENERATION: Great-uncle of B.E. Melton Jefferson (Jeff) Melton (1826 - 1864) Francis Swafford (1832 - 1894) - Both born in Georgia - Married 3/07/1852. They emigrated to Winn Parish and farmed south of Winnfield. They had one child (noted to be 7 years old on 1860 Winn Parish Census). Child was killed by accident. Status of any other children is unknown. Jeff was robbed/killed near Mt. Lebanon in Bienville Parish. Was buried in NW corner of Winnfield Cemetery - grave is not marked. His wife is said to be buried near Iatt lake in Grant Parish. Memorial markers for Jeff and Francis are in the Melton Cem. FOURTH GENERATION: Children of Madison M. Melton - Aunts & Uncles Sarah Florence Melton (101/1851 - 1/13/1887) John D. Moore,Sr. (12/14/1853 - 12/09/1948) - married 5/09/1875. Farmed and raised three children on 120 acres in NW/4 of Sec 21 near Moore. She died in childbirth and is buried in the Melton Cem. John D. was married twice more and had eight more children by wife #3. He is buried in the Pleasant Hill (Killen) Cem. See Johnnie E. Moore Family History Article in this archive location for specific material. Their children: First Cousins of B.E. Melton George W. Moore, Cleola Moore, Matthew W. Moore, four infants William Derrell Melton (7/29/1858 - 12/05/1943) Nancy Venizue Wright (4/02/1866 - 12/21/1944) - married at Zion on 1/11/1883. Both are buried in Winnfield Cemetery. Their children: First Cousins of B.E. Melton Eddie Cleveland (2/09/1885 - 10/09/1954) - Winnfield Cem. Riley Clinton (4/11/1890 - 9/22/1970) - Melton Cem. Wright Spencer (10/11/1893 - 10/20/1976) - " " Bill Tom (5/11/1896 - 12/29/1968) - Minden, La Joe Lee (10/29/1898 - 12/17/1992) - Garden of Memories/Winnfield George Cranford (12/10/1901 - 10/23/1981) - Melton Cem. Mary Ann (Anna Mae) (1/07/1906 - 5/1972) - Baton Rouge Jewel Wade (9/30/1909 - 7/24/1996) - Melton Cem. James Edgar Melton (10/05/1861 - 5/17/1916) Alma Jordan (11/17/1866 - 7/04/1932) - both buried at Melton Cem. He had extensive holdings and farmed in Secs 17,18,19 and 20 of T10N, R2W. Edgar & his wife built a church next to the present Melton Cem. Building was constructed of 1x12 and 1x4 pine lumber and had glass windows. He was killed from falling from a wagon while binding down loose hay. He fell on a tree stub which penetrated his body - gangrene resulted. A concrete marker next to Winn Parish Rd 428 just west of Melton Cem marks location. Their Children: First Cousins of B.E. Melton James Charlie (10/08/1888 - 10/26/1951) - Melton Cem. Florence (12/07/1890 - 4/15/1931) - " " Luther (2/09/1893 - 5/18/1973) - " " Lou Anna (4/03/1897 - 7/10/1987 ) - " " Myrtie Beatrice (4/07/1898 - 7/05/1904) - " " John (1901 - ?) - buried in Minden, La Marvin M. (4/21/1904 - 3/06/1970) - Melton Cem Arvin ( " - 3/12/1929) - " " Alma (4/28/1909 - 9/11/1981) - Old Corinth Cemetery Sam (10/10/1910 - 11/22/1972) - Melton Cem. Marion Monroe Melton (4/25/1864 - 7/06/1960) Caroline McIlwain (1/02/1869 - 3/19/1959) - married 10/31/1889 He worked at area sawmills and later moved to Winnfield. None of his family ever lived in the southern Winn Parish Melton area. Their Children: First cousins of B.E. Melton Ida -1890, Alma-1893, Claude-1895, Flora-1896, Volena-1898, Audie-1902, Fletcher-1904, Clifford-1907 and Iley-1911. Emma E. Melton (5/12/1868 - 3/25/1955) - married James E. Hunt 10/01/1896 and had two children, both died young. Josiah Elbert Hunt (2/16/1899 - 3/25/1900) James Matison Hunt (7/19/1897 - 3/22/1900) She then married Issac E. Wise (7/23/1862 - 5/03/1932) and they had one child, Eugene Wise (3/05/1904 - 3/07/1904). Moved to Texas and had two daughters, Buleah and Lelia. All except last two buried at Melton Cem. Anna Melinda Melton (1871 - ? ) - Married J.O "Ollie" Till 2/16/1888 - one son T.M. Till (2/19/1885 -5/19/1886) is buried at Melton Cemetery. They moved to Texas and had 7 other children (George, Preston, Roscoe, Pearl, Nettie, Alma and Albert).