Person:Sarah Melvin (4)

Sources

Originally presented on FamilyPedia

Overview

Sarah's parents, Joseph Melvin (1765-1817) and Phebe Melvin, moved from Berkely/Jefferson County VA/WV to Greene Co TN just before the turn of the century. Joseph's father died in 1804, and left a bequest of $300 to his son; his will was probated in 1808, and it is at this time that Joseph moves to Madison County OH. It seems likely that this move was enabled by his inheritance. Sarah married James Taylor in 1817. The probably settled near her parents "in the Lower Glade" area of Madison County.

Over the course of their marriage James and Sarah raised thirteen children. Their places of birth, as shown by various families genealogies, but unconfirmed, give us a good idea of their movements through time. The first of their children were born in Madison County Ohio, but later children were born in Parke County Indiana. While there is some inconsistency in the POB's of their children, it seems likely that the family moved to Parke County sometime between 1825 and 1829. It also seems likely that they initially settled in Wabash township, but by 1831 were living in nearby Lyford township. Wabash and Lyford are adjacent townships in the Wabash River Valley, and it is likely the their homes in Wabash and Lyford were only a few miles apart.

Sarah died, probably in Wabash township, in 1839. She is buried in the Hixon Cemetery a few miles outside of Mecca, Parke Co Indiana. James remained in the same area until his death of "fever" in 1850, when he appears in the 1850 Mortality Schedule for Indiana as a "farmer". Sarah was just 40 years of age at her death, At his death James was probably no older than 55.

1. ↑ Need to verify whether she was born in Greene or Washington County TN. Her father died in Greene, but some genealogists place them in Washington County.