Burton Cyrus Litton

WORKMAN

Posted By: Linda Watson Byak (email)
Date: 7/2/2007 at 14:58:31

Burton Cyrus Litton Sr. served in the War of 1812. He entered the service in Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky. He served as a private for six months under the command of Captain John W. Shirley's Company - Barbee's Regiment, Kentucky Militia. He enlisted on August 23, 1812 and was honorably discharged at Cincinatti, Ohio on March 23, 1813. Records show that at the time of his enlistment, Burton Litton was 6 ft. in height, he had grey eyes and very dark or black hair.

Burton assumed title to some land in Kentucky through Kentucky Land Grants. Thes was 50 acres on the Cumberland River on December 19, 1822. He also aquired 65 acres on Red Bird Creek on December 19, 1825, and 50 acres on Blakes Creek on February 8, 1827. All the land parcels are located in Whitley County.

Melinda Workman was the widon of John Workman. She and Burton were married on May 14, 1833 and her home, Clary Grove, in Sangamon County, Illinois by William Crow. They came to Iowa and settled in Round Prairie Township around 1845.

From the "Kentucky Soldiers in War of 1812". December 27, 1850 Burton Litton, aged 60 years, residednt of Jefferson County, State of Iowa, makes declaration for the purpose of obtaining Bounty Land; entered the service at Adair County, Kentucky; was honorably discharged at Cincinnati, Ohio, March 23, 1813; He received a certificate of Discharge from his said Captain and kept it in his possession several years, but when he was about moving from Kentucky, thinking that it would never be of any use to him, he destroyed it with other loose papers. Signed before William E. Groff, Notary Public, Jefferson County, Iowa. on February 14, 1871 - His post office address is Vega, Jefferson County, State of Iowa; his residence Round Prairie, cJefferson County, Iowa. On April 8, 1871 he was in a regiment under the command of Colonel Barby and stationed at Fort Barby on the St. Mary's River, State of Ohio, and detailed to make Military Roads, and guard Government Trains.

Jefferson County, Iowa, Will Record Book "B", p. 434. Last will and testament of Burton Litton Dec'd, June 8, 1874.

I, Burton Litton Senior of the township of Round Prairie in County of Jefferson and State of Iowa considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory existence hereby ordain, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament and by tghese presents do declare publissh, ordain and say that this is my last will and testament that is to say. First, aftger my debts and funeral expenses are paid I give and bequeath unto my beloved children and their heirs, viz; John W. Litton, Curton Cyrus Litton, Augustus D. Litton, heirs of Cager Litton, five dollars. Benjamen Litton five dollars, Washington Litton five dollars, June Cox five dollars. The residue of my estate both real and personal I bequeath to my beloved wife Melinda S. Litton during her natural lifetime then at her decease to my beloved son Burton Litton Jr. for his own benefit control and use the same as if he had previously possessed the same in fee simple.

I hereby constitute and appoint Burton and Benjamen D. Workman my executors to carry out the provisions of this my last will and testament.

In witness where of I have here unto subscribe my name this 4th day of October AD 1868. Burton Litton

Gravestone is very worn, looks like there is lots of room under his age date for more writting, but it's hard to see if there is more or not. A Private in Capt. John W. Shirley's Co., Barbee's Regt., Ky. Militia, Enl. Aug. 23, 1812, for six months. Moved to Jefferson Co IA in 1845.

27 Dec 1850 - Burton Litton, aged 60 years, resident of Jefferson County, State of Iowa, makes declaration for the purpose of obtaining Bounty Land; entered the service at Adair County, Kentucky; was honorably discharged at Cincinnati, Ohio, 23 March 1813; received a Certificate of Discharge from his said Captain and kept it in his possession several years, but when he was about moving from Kentucky, thinking that it would never be of any use to him, destroyed it with other loose papers. Signed before William E. Groff, Notary Public, Jefferson County, Iowa.

Bounty Land Warrants: #16132, 80 Acres; #16655, 80 Acres.

14 Feb 1871: Post office address is Vega, Jefferson Co IA, residence is Round Prairie IA.

8 Apr 1871: Was in a regiment under the command of Colonel Barby, and stationed at Fort Barby on the St. Mary's River, OH, and detailed to make Military Roads, and guard Government trains.

Mt. Pleasant News
May 31, 1949

Large Crowd at Lambirth Service

With ideal weather conditions, one of the largest crowds in many years assembled at Lambirth cemetery to pay homage to those who gave their lives in defense of their country. The decorating of the graves followed a short program under the stately pine tree where for so many years the service has been held.

Following the singing of America, Rupert Hepker gave the invocation and the Gettysburg address was read by Maurice Millard. The Battle Hymn of the Republic was sung and an interesting short address was given by J.E. Vandagriff of Mt. Pleasant. In closing he presented the members of the Bob Tribby Post American Legion in their service and taps.

There are four of the War of 1812 buried in the cemetery the list of whom was read by Arvid Thomson. They are Burton Litton, Joseph Lee, Abraham Smith and J.H. Walker. Sixteen Civil War veterans are buried here: William V. Smith, Thomas Howell, L.H.W. Andrews, Benjamin Lowen, George W. Seaman, Andrew J. Berry, Willis Van Dorin, Nicholas Hogate, Richard Lambirth, David Rainey, James T. Grisham, Lewis Jones, Joshua B. Campbell, John W. Doan, George Meneeley and John Lowen. One World War II veteran was buried here, Earl Humphrey.

A long line led by the Legion boys formed to place an abundance of beautiful flowers.

Among the many persons from a distance attending were: Mr. and Mrs. Harold Holley, Des Moines; Mrs. Velma Baker, Swedesburg, Mr. and Mrs. Newt Wyatt, Cedar Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Marsh Elliott, Ottumwa; Mr. and Mrs. John Berry and son, Burlington; Mr. and Mrs. Philip Bayles, Lowell; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Church and family of near Bonaparte; Mr. and Mrs. Orville Heckenberg and son and Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Young and children of Galesburg, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Fred McWilliams and Lorene of Knoxville, Ill.; Mrs. Lena Gilson and Philip of near Salina; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Coe, Joan and Bobby of Fairfield; Mrs. Alta Heckenberg and Macil and Mr. and Mrs. John Heckenberg of Fairfield; Mrs. Velma Masden of Fairfield; Mrs. Floyd Church and son, Byron, Hillsboro; Ed Litton and Mrs. Edith Helfenstine, Fairfield; Mr. and Mrs. Earl Barton and Marilyn, Bonaparte; Sheriff and Mrs. Tom Howell, Fairfield; Captain and Mrs. Russell Crane and son who have recently returned from Germany where they have spent three years and many from Mt. Pleasant.

Letter from Hawkins Taylor, 6 Nov. 1878 to the Fairfield Ledger: “In the spring of 1836, Scott and Combs Walker, cousins of mine, James Gilmer, Burton Litton, Hardin Butler, ____ Hardin and probably some other families that I have now forgotten, settled in Round Prairie. They were all from Adair County, KY, the same county that I came from. Hardin Butler was the grandson of John Butler, one of the most noted Indian scouts that ever was in KY. Amos Lemon settled on the farm now owned by Albert Howell. He was a preacher of the Baptist faith.”