Samuel Melson

He received by deed of gift on Sep 18 1694 at Accomack Co., VA: "To all Christian people to whom these prsents shall come I Robert Atkins of Accomack County in Virginia Send greeting in ye Lord God Everlasting Know ye that I the said Robert Atkins for ye Love good will and affection which I have and benne unto my Loveing Godson Samuel Mellson son of John Mellson formerly of ye aforesd County have Given and granted and by these presents do freely clearly and absolutely give and grant unto ye sd Samuell Mellson and his heirs for Ever one black pyed crumpled horn Cow end her Calfe marked as followeth over halved and a hole on ye right ear and Cropt on ye Left with all their female encrease untill ye sd Samuel shall attain to ye age of Twenty one years and the male encrease to be his that shall Keep ye female untill ye sd. Samuel shell etteine to ye above age and after that age both male and female to run and be the sd Samuel Melson his and his heirs for Ever and if ye sd Samuel shell happen to die without issue then ye sd Cow and Calfe and encrease to be the youngest Sister of the sd Samuel Melson and her heirs for Ever In Witness whereof I have set my hand & seele this 18 Septembr 1694. Signed Robert (R A) Atkins. Witt: William Chance & Jno Custis Pock." (Compiler's note: this implies there were probably at least two Melson daughters that were sisters to Samuel - no more is known of them in the records)

Samuel Melson left Accomack Co., VA c1694 and went to settle in Nanticoke Hundred, Somerset Co., MD where his land was in the area of modern Wicomico Co. where US 50 nears and crosses the Nanticoke River. His house was likely south of US 50 and on the north bank of Barren Creek in a place called Melson's Landing in the mid-18th century (See tract "Melalys Folly" surveyed on Jun 29 1763 for a mention of the landing - SoCert:1604). His father John Melson was familiar with this area and was even married in Somerset Co. in 1672 as entered in the old land records.

Samuel Melson and wife Margaret 'of Nanticoke' sold 75a of land in 1719, Whitelaw tract A170, south of New Church, Accomack Co., VA to Thomas Wilkinson. In 1699 James Taylor Sr. & his wife Elizabeth had deeded 75a each to two daughters, Margaret Taylor and Elizabeth, with her husband Thomas Wilkinson. So Thomas Wilkinson thus became the owner of both parts. In 1733 Thomas Wilkinson, son-and-heir of Thomas, and his mother deeded 50 acres to Joseph and Elizabeth Miers, which had been left to them by the will of Thomas Sr. (no record) but in 1741 they deeded it back to Thomas and the deed also was signed by Joseph Melson as heir-at-law of Samuel and Margaret Melson.

On Jul 10 1719, Samuel Melson purchased land in the tract "Partners Choice" from William Robinson, the only son of Elizabeth Green, for 4000 pounds of tobacco (SoLR-IK:179). On Jul 28 1719, there is a boundary dispute in this tract noted in the Land Commission Office of Somerset, Samuel Melson vs. Robert Bloyce, that includes a plat and depiction of Samuel Melson's house and a deposition by William Green (SoLandComm:041)

On Oct 11 1728, Samuel Melson had a 150a land tract surveyed for him called "Poplar Ridge" for which he was granted a patent on Jan 27 1730 (NS). This land lies east of Laurel, DE in the modern day about halfway to Millsboro, DE on the main road between the two. This tract is the one he leaves to sons Joseph and Benjamin is his will proved in 1740. However, his "dwelling plantation" remained as "Partners Choice" shown preceding that he purchased in 1719.

Samuel Melson wrote his will on Jun 23 1730 and it was proven in Somerset Co., MD on Feb 26 1740 (NS):
- To wife Isbel, 1/3rd of dwelling plantation "Partners Choice" for her widowhood
- To sons Benjamin and Joseph, tract "Poplar Ridge"
- To son Samuel, "Partners Choice" after wife's decease and if he dies w/o heirs, half to go to his brothers Joseph and Benjamin and half to go to daughter Ann.
- To grandaughter Isabel, d/o Benjamin Melson, personalty.
Witnesses: William Brown, Susanna Brown, John Carmichael (MdWills-VolVIII:70)

His estate was settled on Sep 11 1741 in Somerset Co. It was on this date that Isable Cooper, wife of Isaac Cooper submitted the administrative account. Legatees: Anne Melson, daughter; Samuel Melson, son; widow, unnamed; Isbell Melson, minor granddaughter. Distribution was made to widow, son Samuel Melson, son Benjamin Melson, son Joseph, Anne Parremore, wife of Ezekll Parremore, Isbell Melson, minor granddaughter.

Samuel married Margaret Taylor, daughter of James Taylor Sr. and Elizabeth Benston, about 1695 in Accomack Co., VA. (Margaret Taylor was born about 1678 in Accomack Co., VA and died after 1719 in Somerset Co., MD.)

Samuel next married Isabel Long. (Isabel Long was born about 1678 in Somerset Co., MD and died after 1740 in Worcester Co., MD.)