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.
Birth: 1752 / Berks / PA Death: 30 Dec 1833 / Davidson / NC
Qualifying Service Description:
1779-1780, he served as a Private in the company of Captain Cowan, commanded by Colonel Lytle.
Additional References:
Rev War Pension file S7674
Hay, Gertrude MayRoster of the Soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution, with an Appendix Containing a Collection of Miscellaneous Records, North Carolina. Durham: The North Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution, 1932, pg 430
North Carolina Rev War Pay Voucher #1578.
Graves report submitted by Frederick Learned - 1 Sep 2023
Spouse: Elizabeth Frank Children: Barbara; Christina; George; Melchoir; William;
Members Who Share This Ancestor
None*
*This means that the NSSAR has no applications for this Patriot on file.
Instead the information provided is best effort, and from volunteers who have either researched grave sites, service records, or something similar. There is no documentation available at NSSAR HQ to order.
Unknown burial, presumably an unmarked grave next to his wife (she has two gravestones)
Directions to Cemetery / Gravesite:
Author: Frederick Douglas Learned
This biography was edited and augmented by PRS staff.
Melchoir Darr, Jr. (aka Meltzer Tar as typed per his Pension and Melker Darr as handwritten per his Will) was born in Northhampton County, Pennsylvania, the son of Melchior Darr, who had emigrated from Germany to Northampton County, Pennsylvania.
From there, Melchoir, Jr. and his brother Heinrich "Henry" (P-143870) emigrated to Rowan County, North Carolina, in about 1770.
He married Elizabeth Frank a few years later, in about 1773, presumably at the German-speaking Becks Reformed Church, where Elizabeth's parents were members and are known to be buried in their cemetery. That cemetery is also where Meltzer's wife Elizabeth is buried; she died on 29 April 1825. His Will names the following children:
Henry was born in 1784 and married Catherine Byerly.
Melker was born on 13 October 1790 and married Susanna Conrad.
Christina was born on 10 June 1782 and married Godfrey Grimes.
William was born in about 1791 and married Barbara Boss.
Barbara was born on 25 March 1797 and married Jacob Headrick.
In 1779-1780, he served as a Private in the company of Captain Cowan, commanded by Colonel Lytle. He stated he was in the Battle of Brier Creek in Georgia and was severely wounded at the Battle of Battle of Stono Ferry.
The Patriot died eight years after his wife's death, as her birth and death dates are etched on her gravestone. Whereas Melker or Melchoir's grave is unknown/unmarked but is presumably next to his wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth has two gravestones; one is old, which is written in German, and the other is newer, which is written in English. Her newer stone mistakenly says that she was the "wife of John Darr."
In his 1831 Pension Application and his 1828 Last Will and Testament, Meltzer mentions her, or her passing, which implies she died earlier. His pension is supported by an affidavit from George Fritts of the Pilgrim Church congregation, who "lived in the neighborhood" and who served in the same Regiment and frequently saw him while in the Army. "I saw him in the Battle at Briar Creek (Georgia), where he displayed the most ardent Courage." Patriot Meltzer/Melker died only two years later. In his 1828 Will, he names his youngest son William to be his Executor, which is confirmed in his 1833 Estate File.
Sources:
1790 Census of Rowan County, NC (Melchor Derr)
1800 Census of Rowan County, NC (Melchor Tarr)
1810 Census of Rowan County, NC (Melcher Tarr)
1828 Will of Melker Darr, Davidson County Will Book 1, pgs 240-1 (Melker Darr)
1831 Rev War Pension of Melcher Tar (Melcher Darr)
1833 Estate File of Melker Darr of Davidson County, North Carolina
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