It’s Family Time~Conley C. Melton

Conley C. Melton was born on 3 May 1871, the only son of Alexander Melton and Martha Deese. He was borne  in Anson County, North Carolina. His siblings were  four sisters; three older than he and one that was younger. His two older sisters died while quite young. 

In 1890, at age 19, Conley married Rebecca Williams. Her SC Death Certificate shows her parents to be David Williams and Martha Turner.  The 1880 Marlboro County, SC Federal Census for the Davis and Martha Williams household show's a daughter Rebecca E. Williams, age 14 in the household.

In 1898, Conley Melton enlisted with the Company “M”, 2 South Carolina Infantry to serve in the Spanish American War. The 2 South Carolina Infantry left for Cuba aboard the transport ROUMANiIAN on 3 Jan 1899. The War had ended in December 1898 but the 2 South Carolina Infantry was needed to maintain stability in the region (Occupy Force). The ROUMANIAN was later renamed U.S.A.T. CROOK. (United States Army Transport).

His service to his county allowed both him and his spouse, Rebecca, to received a Military Pension stipend in the waning years of their life.

After the war, Conley safely returned home and became a local farmer, Dealer in Cattle and a taxi Driver in Chesterfield and Marlboro, Counties. 

At age 60, Conley died of a cerebral hemorrhage on 26 May 1931. Rebecca William Melton died on 20 May 1833 from nephritis (kidney failure).

Both Conley and Rebecca Melton are buried in Old St. David’s Cemetery in Cheraw, South Carolina. Conley and Rebecca had no surviving children, so no tombstone can be found for her. Conley‘s service during the Spanish American War enabled Rebecca to receive a tombstone from the Government for his service. It's a shame that the Military Tombstone is now almost buried along with Conley and Rebecca.

(Click to view) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70382261/conly-c.-melton

The age of this Church should make this Church and its grounds a prime showcase for Chesterfield County.

In the 1910 Census, Conley and Rebecca state that they have been married 20 years and have 1 child who was deceased, In the household is a female, age 5 named Mary JOHNSON shown as their grand daughter. Then in 1920, there is a female named Mary GRAHAM, age 15, listed as boarder.

I have not been able to identify exactly who Mary Johnson and Mary Graham is? I do think they are the same person but I haven’t found them or a child that was borne to this Couple. If you have any information on who Conley & Rebecca’s child was/is or any info about Mary Johnson or Graham please contact me through this blog post with comments.

Conley C. Melton is my 1st Cousin Twice Removed.

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[1]. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed  3 June 2020); Memorial page for Conly C. Melton; (3 May 1871–26 May 1931); Find a Grave memorial # 70382261, Citing Old Saint David's Episcopal Church Cemetery; Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
[2]. Spanish American War Volunteers Index to Compiled Military Service Records, 1898, Record Group 15: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773 - 2007, National Archives Identifier: 76193916 (St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.: Department of Veterans Affairs/Ancestry.com,, 1940), , Private Conley Melton, Company "M";  2 South Carolina Infantry.
[3]. 1900 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Smithville, Marlboro, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0099, Page: 10/286 (stamped); Line 16, Dwelling 184, Family 184, Household of  Cornel MELTON; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 6 June 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm  T623_1536.
[4]. 1910 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Smithville, Marlboro, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0090, Page: 16B/86(Stamped); Line 65, Dwelling 100, Family 106, Household of C. C. MELTON; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 6 June 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm  T624_1468.
[5]. 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 36, Page: 25A/86 (Stamped); Line 4, Dwelling 504, Family 508, Household of Colonel MELTON; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 6 June 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm T625_1690.
[6]. 1930 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0007, Page: 2B/198 (Stamped); Line 96, Dwelling 46, Family 47, Household of Conley MELTON; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 6 June 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm T626_Roll: 2192.
[7]. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Conly C. Melton (3 May 1871–26 May 1931), Memorial # 70382261.
[8]. Conley C. Melton obituary, The State, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, 1 June 1931, page 5, column 8.
[9]. Rebecca W Melton, death certificate #6528 (Death Date: 20 May 1933), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.
[10]. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Rebecca Williams Melton (February 1866–20 May 1933), Memorial # 70382040.

[11]. https://www.spanamwar.com/2ndsouthcarolina.htm