The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
Headstone photo used with permission of Compatriot James A. Crook, Sr
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Photo: 1 of 1
Author: James Andrew Crook Sr.
John Thomas Melvin was born in 1752 to Daniel James Melvin (1708 – 1786) and Jane Jone Thomas (1726 – 1770) in Bladen County, North Carolina, the fourth of seven children. He was a farmer and served as the Peters Creek Postmaster from Feb 20, 1838 until Aug 8, 1843. He died March 10, 1853 at 101 years of age. He is buried in the Melvin / Tatum Cemetery off Peters Creek Church Rd, Roseboro Bladen County North Carolina. First right (dirt road) past the Church then take the next right (dirt hunting road in the woods) and the cemetery is straight ahead on the right.
The following information was taken from John’s pension application (R7114, NC):
John Melvin served in the Continental Line in (1779 – 1780) as a private under Captain John Yates (1779 – 1780), Lieutenant Jesse Peacock and Colonel Thomas Owen in the Bladen County Regiment of Militia. Lieutenant Colonel Tomas Brown of Bladen County Militia, Captain Yates command, marched them from Elizabethtown to a station on Drowning Creek (present day Lumber River) near the South Carolina line, where the Tories were committing depredations. They remained in camp there for three months before marching back to Elizabethtown NC. They were instructed to return to their homes.
John stated he spent about 12 months at home and then went to Wilmington in 1781 and joined either the New Hanover County Regiment of Militia or the Bladen County detachment of militia stationed there as a volunteer for a period of 12 months and the recruiting officer was William McRee. John states Major Jeremiah Cotgrove (New Hanover Militia) was in command of his section. After the first six months of his enlistment peace was declared. John stated the militia was never given discharge papers and was told to go home.
Land Grant
John was issued a land grant for 77 acres Dec 30, 1830 in Bladen County North Carolina. It is believed to have been granted for his service during the war.
John had two common law wives:
Elizabeth Keziah Suggs (1771 – 1853) with which he had the following children:
Catherine Katie Bullard
James Melvin – Sheriff of Bladen County
Robert Melvin – NC General Assemblyman for Bladen County
Jonathan Melvin
Thomas Melvin
Elizabeth Tatum
Daniel S. Melvin
Demarius Melvin
George Washington Melvin
Rosanna Jane Reeves
Franklin Melvin
Mary Anne Turner (1769 – 1827) with which he had the following children
Duncan Turner Melvin
John Melvin – War of 1812
David Turner Melvin
Edward Melvin Sr
Nancy Ann Reeves
Joshua Turner Melvin
Andrew Turner Melvin
Samuel Turner Melvin
Sarah Jane Smith
Jane Elizabeth Reeves
Joseph Turner Melvin Sr
Thomas Melvin
Peter Melvin
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