Melissa was the daughter of Daniel Othniel Phelps of Cambridge, Washington, New York, and Eliza Anthony of Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island.
In 1823, her father, Daniel Phelps, Jr., of Cambridge, Washington, New York was the grantee of land (Lot 12) in Spafford, Onondaga County, New York, on 7 May 1823, from James Hay and his wife, Mabel, grantors, of Spafford, Onondaga, New York, for $700 consideration. (Book CC, page 420)
On 10 June 1823, Daniel Phelps, Jr., of Cambridge Washington, New York, was also a grantee to another parcel of Lot 12 from James Wight and Nancy his wife, of Upper Canada, for consideration of $342.96. (Book CC, page 422)
There was also a record, in 1823 of Isaac Anthony, grantee, from Daniel Phelps, Jr., grantor. It doesn't appear that Daniel Phelps lived in Spafford, New York. This appeared to have been a land purchase and transfer to Isaac Anthony, his brother-in-law.
By 1829, Melissa and her family were in Genesee County, New York. By 1830, they lived in Hanover, Chautauqua County, New York.
In 1834, her father was named in the will of his father consisting of 22 acres formerly purchased by his father from James Hill.
Daniel reportedly walked to Indiana circa 1835, and purchased 160 acres, Section 23, Jackson, Steuben, Indiana, with a federal land grant.
He was one of the early landowners in Steuben County, Indiana. The family was listed on the 1840 federal census in Jackson Township, Steuben County, Indiana.
Melissa attended school in Flint, Jackson township, in Steuben County, Indiana. Her father, Daniel lived there in 1841, with seven school-age children between 5 and 21 years. (Steuben Republic, Angola, Indiana, Wed Feb 18, 1903, page 1)
Melissa married Lyman Kenyon, on 30 June 1843, when her family was living in Flint, Steuben County, Indiana. In Indiana, marriage licenses, at the time, were issued where the bride was living. Regardless of where the ceremony was performed, it was supposed to be returned to the county issued. Sometimes the minister or Justice of the Peace neglected to return it. Quakers were exempt from obtaining a license; consequently, one may not find a record in county records but might find it in Quaker records. (Indiana Genealogist, Vol 8, Issue 1 pages 46 and 47).
Melissa and Lyman likely married in Steuben County, Indiana. The two families lived within 15 to 20 miles of each other in the northeastern part of the state. A license for their marriage has not been located in either LaGrange or Steuben County. Melissa's mother, Eliza (Anthony) Phelps comes from a family of Quakers. It is unknown whether the marriage could have been recorded in Quaker records.
Melissa's father, Daniel Phelps sold the family Indiana farm, in December 1843, six months after her marriage to Lyman.
Melissa's family including her parents and sister Alsina moved to Stephenson County, Illinois in 1846, after their father sold his property. Alsina married the following year on 27 Dec 1847, to William Hulbert in Stephenson County, Illinois per her sister's obituary.
Melissa and Lyman may have joined her parents in Stephenson County. It lies across the border from Iowa County, Wisconsin, where Melissa and Lyman are first known to have settled by 1846. A land grant issued to her father, Daniel Phelps, on 2 December 1850, in Delaware County, Iowa, showed he was residing in Stephenson County.
Their first son, Alonzo, was born in New Diggings, Iowa County, Wisconsin. That portion of Iowa County became Lafayette County in 1847.
Melissa and Lyman later moved to Trempealeau County, in 1863 where Lyman obtained a homestead.
On the 1880 census, she was listed as a widow, Lyman having died earlier in the year. Three adult sons lived with her, Charles, 29, Millard, 24, and Daniel, 26. They were listed as farm laborers, as the family farm had been sold at this time. Also living with her was Julia Penny, age 8, her granddaughter. Her daughter Julia died when giving birth to her.
A newspaper account, published in Galesville Independent, page 8, Oct 28, 1886, noted: "Mrs. Kenyon and her granddaughter, Miss Julia Penny are visiting in Iowa." It was published in the "Near Neighbors" section for Arcadia. Melissa was 65 years old, her granddaughter, Julia would have been 14 years old at this time.
She died in Arcadia. The date is unknown, but the Town Historian reported she was buried in January 1888 in Arcadia Cemetery.
Melissa was the great-granddaughter of Barrett Phelps, who served in the American Revolution. He was listed as Ancestor # A090027 on Daughters of the American Revolution. [https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A090027]
- Melissa was also related to Susan B. Anthony, a fact handed down to numerous descendants. The relationship was listed in, "Eugene Frederick Hulbert and Mary Margaret Renner," 1984, page 301. Refer to the relationship chart attached.
- Her family also has a direct lineage to English Royalty, Edward I, King of England through her gateway ancestors, Anne Marbury, who married William Hutchinson. The lineage goes back to William "The Conqueror." This link was likely well-known to her family, as this family lore was passed down to many descendants.
Royal Descent from Edward I, King of England
- Edward I, King of England
- Elizabeth is the daughter of Edward Plantagenet (abt.1239-1307)
- Eleanor is the daughter of Elizabeth (Plantagenet) de Bohun (abt.1282-1316)
- Pernel (Petronilla) is the daughter of Eleanor (Bohun) Dagworth (abt.1310-1363)
- Richard is the son of Pernel (Butler) Talbot (abt.1335-abt.1368)
- Mary is the daughter of Richard Talbot (abt.1361-1396)
- Thomas is the son of Mary (Talbot) Nottingham (bef.1383-1434)
- Elizabeth is the daughter of Thomas Greene (abt.1400-1462)
- Edward is the son of Elizabeth (Greene) Raleigh (abt.1421-)
- Edward is the son of Edward Raleigh (1441-aft.1509)
- Bridget is the daughter of Edward Raleigh Esq (abt.1470-bef.1508)
- Elizabeth is the daughter of Bridget (Raleigh) Cope (1506-bef.1537)
- Bridget is the daughter of Elizabeth (Cope) Dryden (abt.1529-bef.1584)
- Ann is the daughter of Bridget (Dryden) Newman (abt.1563-bef.1645)
- Edward is the son of Ann (Marbury) Hutchinson (1591-1643)
- Anne is the daughter of Edward Hutchinson (1613-1675)
- Henry is the son of Anne (Hutchinson) Vernon (1643-1716)
- Anne is the daughter of Henry Dyer (abt.1676-1742)
- Barrett is the son of Anne (Dyer) Phelps (abt.1699-abt.1764)
- Daniel is the son of Barrett Phelps (1722-1789)
- Daniel is the son of Daniel Phelps (1761-1834)
- Melissa is the daughter of Daniel Othniel Phelps (abt.1797-abt.1878)
The Royal Descents of 900 Immigrants, Gary Boyd Roberts, 2018, page 478, the descent down to Anne Marbury
Note: It is believed there is a Phelps Family Bible, possibly passed down by Melissa's brother, Seneca Phelps. It is thought her marriage to Lyman Kenyon was recorded in it. This author has been trying to locate this Bible to confirm family information. Contact me if you have any information as to its whereabouts. Thanks, Marilyn Kenyon (last updated 10 March 2024)
Melissa was the daughter of Daniel Othniel Phelps of Cambridge, Washington, New York, and Eliza Anthony of Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island.
In 1823, her father, Daniel Phelps, Jr., of Cambridge, Washington, New York was the grantee of land (Lot 12) in Spafford, Onondaga County, New York, on 7 May 1823, from James Hay and his wife, Mabel, grantors, of Spafford, Onondaga, New York, for $700 consideration. (Book CC, page 420)
On 10 June 1823, Daniel Phelps, Jr., of Cambridge Washington, New York, was also a grantee to another parcel of Lot 12 from James Wight and Nancy his wife, of Upper Canada, for consideration of $342.96. (Book CC, page 422)
There was also a record, in 1823 of Isaac Anthony, grantee, from Daniel Phelps, Jr., grantor. It doesn't appear that Daniel Phelps lived in Spafford, New York. This appeared to have been a land purchase and transfer to Isaac Anthony, his brother-in-law.
By 1829, Melissa and her family were in Genesee County, New York. By 1830, they lived in Hanover, Chautauqua County, New York.
In 1834, her father was named in the will of his father consisting of 22 acres formerly purchased by his father from James Hill.
Daniel reportedly walked to Indiana circa 1835, and purchased 160 acres, Section 23, Jackson, Steuben, Indiana, with a federal land grant.
He was one of the early landowners in Steuben County, Indiana. The family was listed on the 1840 federal census in Jackson Township, Steuben County, Indiana.
Melissa attended school in Flint, Jackson township, in Steuben County, Indiana. Her father, Daniel lived there in 1841, with seven school-age children between 5 and 21 years. (Steuben Republic, Angola, Indiana, Wed Feb 18, 1903, page 1)
Melissa married Lyman Kenyon, on 30 June 1843, when her family was living in Flint, Steuben County, Indiana. In Indiana, marriage licenses, at the time, were issued where the bride was living. Regardless of where the ceremony was performed, it was supposed to be returned to the county issued. Sometimes the minister or Justice of the Peace neglected to return it. Quakers were exempt from obtaining a license; consequently, one may not find a record in county records but might find it in Quaker records. (Indiana Genealogist, Vol 8, Issue 1 pages 46 and 47).
Melissa and Lyman likely married in Steuben County, Indiana. The two families lived within 15 to 20 miles of each other in the northeastern part of the state. A license for their marriage has not been located in either LaGrange or Steuben County. Melissa's mother, Eliza (Anthony) Phelps comes from a family of Quakers. It is unknown whether the marriage could have been recorded in Quaker records.
Melissa's father, Daniel Phelps sold the family Indiana farm, in December 1843, six months after her marriage to Lyman.
Melissa's family including her parents and sister Alsina moved to Stephenson County, Illinois in 1846, after their father sold his property. Alsina married the following year on 27 Dec 1847, to William Hulbert in Stephenson County, Illinois per her sister's obituary.
Melissa and Lyman may have joined her parents in Stephenson County. It lies across the border from Iowa County, Wisconsin, where Melissa and Lyman are first known to have settled by 1846. A land grant issued to her father, Daniel Phelps, on 2 December 1850, in Delaware County, Iowa, showed he was residing in Stephenson County.
Their first son, Alonzo, was born in New Diggings, Iowa County, Wisconsin. That portion of Iowa County became Lafayette County in 1847.
Melissa and Lyman later moved to Trempealeau County, in 1863 where Lyman obtained a homestead.
On the 1880 census, she was listed as a widow, Lyman having died earlier in the year. Three adult sons lived with her, Charles, 29, Millard, 24, and Daniel, 26. They were listed as farm laborers, as the family farm had been sold at this time. Also living with her was Julia Penny, age 8, her granddaughter. Her daughter Julia died when giving birth to her.
A newspaper account, published in Galesville Independent, page 8, Oct 28, 1886, noted: "Mrs. Kenyon and her granddaughter, Miss Julia Penny are visiting in Iowa." It was published in the "Near Neighbors" section for Arcadia. Melissa was 65 years old, her granddaughter, Julia would have been 14 years old at this time.
She died in Arcadia. The date is unknown, but the Town Historian reported she was buried in January 1888 in Arcadia Cemetery.
Melissa was the great-granddaughter of Barrett Phelps, who served in the American Revolution. He was listed as Ancestor # A090027 on Daughters of the American Revolution. [https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A090027]
- Melissa was also related to Susan B. Anthony, a fact handed down to numerous descendants. The relationship was listed in, "Eugene Frederick Hulbert and Mary Margaret Renner," 1984, page 301. Refer to the relationship chart attached.
- Her family also has a direct lineage to English Royalty, Edward I, King of England through her gateway ancestors, Anne Marbury, who married William Hutchinson. The lineage goes back to William "The Conqueror." This link was likely well-known to her family, as this family lore was passed down to many descendants.
Royal Descent from Edward I, King of England
- Edward I, King of England
- Elizabeth is the daughter of Edward Plantagenet (abt.1239-1307)
- Eleanor is the daughter of Elizabeth (Plantagenet) de Bohun (abt.1282-1316)
- Pernel (Petronilla) is the daughter of Eleanor (Bohun) Dagworth (abt.1310-1363)
- Richard is the son of Pernel (Butler) Talbot (abt.1335-abt.1368)
- Mary is the daughter of Richard Talbot (abt.1361-1396)
- Thomas is the son of Mary (Talbot) Nottingham (bef.1383-1434)
- Elizabeth is the daughter of Thomas Greene (abt.1400-1462)
- Edward is the son of Elizabeth (Greene) Raleigh (abt.1421-)
- Edward is the son of Edward Raleigh (1441-aft.1509)
- Bridget is the daughter of Edward Raleigh Esq (abt.1470-bef.1508)
- Elizabeth is the daughter of Bridget (Raleigh) Cope (1506-bef.1537)
- Bridget is the daughter of Elizabeth (Cope) Dryden (abt.1529-bef.1584)
- Ann is the daughter of Bridget (Dryden) Newman (abt.1563-bef.1645)
- Edward is the son of Ann (Marbury) Hutchinson (1591-1643)
- Anne is the daughter of Edward Hutchinson (1613-1675)
- Henry is the son of Anne (Hutchinson) Vernon (1643-1716)
- Anne is the daughter of Henry Dyer (abt.1676-1742)
- Barrett is the son of Anne (Dyer) Phelps (abt.1699-abt.1764)
- Daniel is the son of Barrett Phelps (1722-1789)
- Daniel is the son of Daniel Phelps (1761-1834)
- Melissa is the daughter of Daniel Othniel Phelps (abt.1797-abt.1878)
The Royal Descents of 900 Immigrants, Gary Boyd Roberts, 2018, page 478, the descent down to Anne Marbury
Note: It is believed there is a Phelps Family Bible, possibly passed down by Melissa's brother, Seneca Phelps. It is thought her marriage to Lyman Kenyon was recorded in it. This author has been trying to locate this Bible to confirm family information. Contact me if you have any information as to its whereabouts. Thanks, Marilyn Kenyon (last updated 10 March 2024)
Gravesite Details
There are no headstones for Lyman or Melissa. Earlier, one for their son, Frederic was broken, lying on the ground.
