Richmond Dalton son of Isham and Elizabeth Dalton
Prepared by: Louis Dolton, October 11, 2011
Richmond Dalton was born July 9th, 1815, in Madison County, Kentucky. His parents were Isham and Elizabeth (Walton) Dalton. The county seat of Madison County is the city of Richmond. That could be where Isham came up with his son's name. Isham Dalton was born about 1764 in Albemarle County, Virginia, and died in Madison County, Kentucky. Isham’s wife was Elizabeth (Walton) Dalton; born in 1775 and died in Indiana sometime after 15 December 1846. Her place of birth is given as either Scotland or Albemarle County, Virginia.
Richmond had fourteen brothers and sisters. They were Mary C. Dalton (1794-1851), Frances Hart Dalton (1795-1863), Lucy Isabelle Dalton (*1795-1871), David W. Dalton (1797-1819), Cloyd Dalton (born 1798), Sally Dalton (1800-1823), Catherine Dalton (1803-1823), Catherine Dalton (1803-1880), Elizabeth Hart Dalton (1803-1892), Nancy Lunica Dalton (1809-1876), William Dalton (1811-1864), Christina Dalton (born 1815), Richmond Dolton (1815-1899), Cyrena Dalton (1815-1880), Elijah Dalton (1817-1885). Since their birth years are given as the same year Catherine and Elizabeth may have been twins. There is a definite family tradition that Christina and Cyrena were twins.
Richmond’s father Isham, relocated from Virginia to Kentucky not long after 1800. They probably traveled the Cumberland Trail and passed through the Cumberland Gap to get to Kentucky. They settled one hundred acres of land on Drowning Creek just a few miles from the Cumberland Trail. There was never a deed registering the purchase of this land. They probably just settled and said this is our land.
In 1805 Isham was listed for the first time on the tax lists in Kentucky. Madison County is in the Eastern half of Kentucky. Madison County is in an area of the state referred to as “The Knobs” because of the large geographical features which look like door-knobs. The area is on a plateau and the knobs are the result of erosion. However, there was good farming land there and plenty of forests loaded with game. Madison County holds the city of Boonsboro established in 1775 by Daniel Boone. Kentucky became a state in 1792. When the Dalton’s arrived the area was still rough, but the Indian troubles and attacks of the 1780’s and 1790’s had been over for some time.
The last time Isham appears on the tax lists in Madison County, Kentucky, was in 1821. So it is not surprising to find an 1822 deed, filed in Madison County, listing the heirs of Isham. Richmond is among those listed.
Many folks were always looking for something better and that certainly seems to describe the Dalton’s and kindred families. They sought a better place, better land, better hunting, more water, and easier living. Pedro Epperson, Richmond’s brother-in-law, saw a broadside touting the plentiful land and easy living in Indiana. He convinced the rest of the family they should move there. In 1828 Nancy and Elias, along with her mother and his parents, moved north from Madison County, Kentucky, to Montgomery County, Indiana. Richmond was only thirteen years old at the time and so he went along with his mother.
Next, he moved to Knox County, Illinois, near Galesburg. Illinois was a state by the time he got there as they were admitted to the union in 1818. But, it was still rough country. The Black Hawk War with the Indians was fought there in 1832. The Black Hawk War occurred when Chief Black Hawk and some of his people refused to move to the reservation along with the Sac and Fox tribes.
Farming was still very difficult as the iron plow was not built until 1837 by John Deere at Grand Detour, Illinois. The Northern part of Illinois was not settled until the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 and Chicago was established as a city in 1833. The opening of the Canal resulted in a large influx of people from New York. So when Richmond arrived in Northwest Illinois he was looking for land.
On May 20, 1841, in Galena, Knox County, Illinois, he registered the purchase of a piece of property from the US Government. The legal description of the property is: “1E ½NE 8/ 13-N 1-E No 4th PM – 1815 ILLINOIS IL KNOX.” This translates to: the eastern half of the northeast quarter section of section 8; Township 13 North, Range 1 East, Fourth Principal Meridian. This would have placed the property 78 miles north of the baseline and 6 miles east of the 4th principal meridian. It describes a piece of property of eighty acres in Rio Township north of Galesburg, Illinois. Coordinates of Rio Township: Latitude: 41.1053148 (41° 06' 19.1" N); Longitude: -90.3870727 (90° 23' 13.5" W). He settled on the land, did some farming and hunting and then sold it as the area became more populated.
It was in Illinois where he met, wooed, and married Priscilla Hahn (var. Halm)(var. Martin). On 23 Nov 1839, Richmond Dalton and Priscilla Hahn obtained a marriage license from the Knox County clerk, in Knoxville, Illinois. Joseph Jones performed the ceremony on 24 Nov 1839. Together, Richmond and Priscilla, had fourteen children; six boys and eight girls. Their first son, Joseph Hahn Dalton, was born in Knox County, Illinois, Sept. 1st, 1840. The birth of Alis E. Dolton, Aramintia Dolton, Elizabeth Dolton, Joseph Hahn Dolton, Lucetta Dolton, and Loradumia Dolton were all recorded in Knox County as having taken place in Galesberg, Illinois.
Richmond still shows up on 6 Nov 1850 in the 1850 US Federal Census for Township 13 N 1 E, Knox, Illinois, along with the Pedro & Elizabeth Epperson family, his uncle Francis Hart Dalton, the Todd’s, the Thornton’s, and other Dalton’s all former residents of Madison County, Kentucky.
“According to the Epperson story, Pedro and wife Elizabeth Hart Dalton and their family moved on West for new opportunities in 1836. Pedro's brother Elias with his wife Nancy Lunica Dalton and Pedro's sister Permelia who married Daniel Hahn.” It seems likely that Daniel Hahn who married Permelia Epperson before 1836 and Priscilla Hahn who married Richmond in 1839 were related due to the closeness of these two families in time, space, and names of folks.
From there Richmond and Priscilla moved to DeKalb County, Missouri, before 1855. In Lucetta Weishaar’s obituary, Richmond’s daughter, Lucetta Dalton Weishaar, is quoted as remembering that, “She was born at Goldsburg, Illinois, and moved to St. Joseph with her parents when she was a small girl. The trip was made by steamboat.” Lucetta was actually born in Galesberg, but Goldsburg and Galesberg sound similar when you say them so I think maybe folks misunderstood her when she told them where she was born. In the 1860 Census Richmond is listed, in Washington Township, Dekalb County, Missouri, as a farmer along with his wife Priscilla and their eleven children. The book History Andrew and DeKalb Counties Missouri from the Earliest time to the Present, dated 1888, lists Richmond Dalton along with many others as an early settler of Washington Township. Richmond had property that showed up on the tax list there.
The territory of Kansas was organized in 1854. DeKalb County is only about fifteen miles east of the Missouri-Kansas state line. During this time there were frequent battles along the Kansas-Missouri border between anti-slavery settlers in Kansas and pro-slavery Missourians. Even so, there were not a lot of casualties. One such battle was called the “Battle of the Spurs.” Some Missourians crossed into Kansas and started chasing some of the anti-slavery faction who were helping slaves escape. The Kansans heard about it and sent reinforcements. This caused the Missourians to head for the border. There was not much powder used but they used their spurs a lot. Hence, the Battle of the Spurs.
Priscilla died in 1861 and Richmond moved to Jefferson County, Missouri, in 1862, to be close to family there. Jefferson County is adjacent to St Louis County on its southern border.
In her well-researched monograph “The Search for Isham Dalton and his Wife, Elizabeth Thompson Walton,” Ardis Londene says, “In 1862, Richmond purchased land in Jefferson County, Kansas, near Winchester, from his son Joseph Hahn Dalton. Joseph Dalton had purchased this land from Joshua Dean. A strong family story, told by many of Richmond's grandchildren, is that Richmond traded farms, his in Missouri for the farm in Jefferson County, Kansas, as the Kansas owner had been told to get out of the community.”
Kansas was admitted to the Union in 1861. So it was right after Kansas became a state that Richmond moved there. After Kansas became a state people flocked from all over the country to Kansas in order to try and swing it toward slave or free state. Quantrill’s Raiders attacked Lawrence, in 1863, which was part of the cause of Kansas being referred to at this time as “Bloody Kansas.” When the Civil War broke out Richmond served in the Confederate Army at age forty-six. Well, that’s what it says on his tombstone. There were Indian raids in Kansas up until 1878. So you needed to keep your rifle by you as you used your hoe. Both were still important to settlers during this time.
The Kansas state census of 1865 was taken in July. We find Richmond and eight of his children living in Jefferson Township. Lucetta is listed as being twenty years old and William, the youngest, as five years of age. In Lucetta’s obituary, comments are made of her raising her younger brothers and sisters. Richmond’s total evaluation was $4,200. In the same census we find Joseph Hahn Dalton and his wife Sarah Isabelle with three children.
He lived a quiet stable life in Jefferson County and little is known of his life there. He consistently showed up on the state and Federal censuses. In the 1870 US Federal Census for Kansas, Joseph and Loraduma Whitehair and Josiah (John) and Lucetta Whitehair were also living there. Ransome and Aramintia Barnes were living over in Center Township in Atchison County. In 1880 Edward Dolton’s family and Eugene Dolton’s family were living in Liberty Township in Dickenson County, Kansas. So he had plenty of family living close by throughout all the years of his life.
Nine years after Pricilla’s death, on October 6th, 1870, Richmond married Parmelia Jane Bray. She was related to the McKanna family and was referred to as Aunt Jane. Richmond and Jane had no children.
Richmond joined the Methodist Episcopalian (M.E.) church and was baptized July 27th, 1890. Richmond had a very decisive religious experience. He was thoroughly versed in the Holy Scriptures from which he could quote extensively from memory. It was his delight to converse on Scriptural themes. In his obituary it says of Richmond, “Like Job, he was a great sufferer, and his prayer was that he might be also like Job in patience.” He died on a Sunday night at 10:20 in 1899. He was aged 84 years, 3 months, and 22 days. His obituary quotes his last words as, “Lord Jesus let now thy servant rest, and take me away from this misery” and says, “’Thus he came to the “grave in full age, like a shock of corn cometh in his season.’”
Richmond died 1 Oct 1899. He was buried in the Wise cemetery, Winchester, Jefferson County, Kansas. His grandson Bird Dolton was living in St Joseph, Missouri, when Richmond died. It was Bird who gave the information for the death certificate and his name is therefore affixed to it.
A newspaper article from several newspapers of the Kansas City area entitled "Reunion" describe the Dalton reunion of 1906."
One of the most enjoyable events of the season was the Dalton family reunion at residence of J.A. Whitehair last Thursday, August 23, 1906.
Sixty-seven years ago, Richmond Dalton and Priscilla Hahn were united in marriage. Fifteen children were the result of this union, two dying in infancy and thirteen living to be grown men and women, having families of their own. The ten surviving children, five boys and five girls, from forty-six to sixty-six years of age, were present at the reunion.
Two sisters and a brother had not seen each other for thirty-six years and one brother and sister had not met for forty years. All the relatives within driving distance of Chapman, came to welcome and become acquainted with those who came from afar. One of the crowning features of the day was the noon repast which was spread on the lawn. Luscious grapes and peaches were brought from Oklahoma and occupied prominent places on the table.
In the afternoon a number of pictures of various groups were made, but the ones in which the assembled guests took the most pride was the picture of the five brothers and sisters: Mr. J.H. Dalton, Edmond, Okla.; Mrs. Abbie Dean, Callaway, Nebraska; Mrs. John Weishaar, Nortonville, Kansas; Mrs. John Highfill, Muskogee, I.T.; Mr. Naham Dalton, Topeka, Kansas; Mr. T.W. Dalton, Junction City, Kansas; Mrs. R.A. Barns, Prescott, Oklahoma; Mrs. J.A. Whitehair, Chabman [sic], Kansas; Mr. E.T. Dalton, Chapman, Kansas; Mr. Willie Dalton, Dover, Oklahoma, and the picture of the entire body of relatives, number-seventy-one
Cards with the announcement of the reunion on one side and small photographs of Richmond Dalton and his wife on the other side, were distributed as souvenirs of the occasion.
Orchestra music and instrumental and vocal solos were enjoyed by all present.
And as the shades of evening drew near, they all joined in singing “Bless Be the Tie that Binds” with heartfelt emotion.
[The Chapman Lookout (Chapman, Kansas) 30 Aug 1906, Thu, Page 1]
[The Chapman Advertiser (Chapman, Kansas) 30 Aug 1906, Thu, Page 4]
Ardris Londene describes in her article where Richmond’s children located after they left home:
“Joseph Hahn Dalton moved from Kansas back to DeKalb Co., Missouri.
Elizabeth Dalton Atterbury died c. 1869. Her only son went to South Africa.
Abigail Dalton Dean lived in Callaway, Nebraska
Euphamia Dalton Highfill-no information on family.
Lucetta Dalton Weishaar raised her family near Nortonville, Kansas.
Alice Ellen Dalton Highfill moved to Muskogee, Indian Territory.
Nahum Isham Dalton lived with his family in Topeka, Kansas
Theron Eugene Dalton settled in Junction City, Kansas.
Araminta Dalton Barnes lived in Prescott, Oklahoma.
Loraduma Ann Dalton Whitehair lived in Chapman, Kansas.
Edward F. Dalton (grandfather of Jack Londene) raised a large family in Chapman, Kansas.
Katherine Dalton Epperson-no information on family.
William Dalton moved to Oklahoma and raised a family”
- Email from Diane Kiefer (Dikeifer@msn.com) 7/4/2006
- “Madison County KY Daltons,” edited by Melanie Crain
- "The Story of David Epperson and His Family," by Edna Epperson Brinkman, published in 1933.
- “The Search for Isham Dalton and his Wife, Elizabeth Thompson Walton,” a research journal by Ardris Londene
- US Census Records
- Missouri State Census Records
- Kansas State Census Records
- History Andrew and DeKalb Counties Missouri from the Earliest time to the Present, dated 1888.
Family Group Sheet for Richmond Dalton
Richmond Dalton was born June 10, 1815, in Madison County, Kentucky. Richmond’s father was Isham Dalton and his mother was Elizabeth Thompson Walton, born 1774 in Albemarle County, Virginia. Richmond married Priscilla Hahn in 1822 and they had thirteen children together.
Children- Joseph Hahn DALTON b: 1840 in Illinois and married Sarah Isabelle Thornton.
- Elizabeth DALTON b: 1841 in Illinois and married Green B. Atterbury.
- Abigail DALTON b: 1843 in Illinois and married Joseph Dean
- Euphamia DALTON b: 1844 in Illinois and married William Highfill
- Lucetta DALTON b: 1845 in Illinois and married Josiah Weishaar
- Alice Ellen DALTON b: 1847 in Illinois and married John Highfill
- Naham Isham DALTON b: 1848 in Illinois and married Louisa Daum b: in Illinois
- Theron E. DALTON b: 1849 in Illinois and married Josephine Ellison
- Araminta DALTON b: 1851 in Illinois and married Ransom A Barnes
- Loraduma DALTON b: 1853 in Illinois and married Joseph Whitehair
- Edward F. DALTON b: 1854 in Illinois and married Lucy Jane Henson
- Katherine DALTON b: 1858 in Illinois and married W. Willis Epperson
- William DALTON b: 1860 and married Emma TODD
Isham Dalton’s Family Group Sheet
Isham Dalton was born about 1764 in Albemarle County, Virginia, and died 1822 Madison County, Kentucky. His wife Elizabeth Thompson Walton was born in1775 and died sometime after 15 December 1846. They were married 20 January 1794 in Albemarle County, Virginia.
- Mary C. Dalton, born in 1794 in Virginia d. 1851 m. 1817 Madison County, Kentucky, married Jeremiah Todd
- Frances Hart Dalton b. May 21,1795 Albermarle County, Virginia, 1863, DeKalb County, Missouri, m. Nov.02,1823 Madison County Kentucky, married Emeline (Biddy) Coyle.
- Lucy Isabell Dalton, born in 1795-6 in Virginia and died in 1871, DeKalb County, Missouri, m. 1812 Madison County, Kentucky, married Jesse Todd on December 10, 1812 (brother to Jeremiah).
- David W. Dalton b. 1797-9, Virginia. In 1819 he married Ruth Harper in Estill County, Kentucky. Then in 1841 he married Margaret Cloyd.
- Sally Dalton, born about 1800 Virginia. She married William Franklin Daugherty in July 29, 1821 or 1822 in Madison County, Kentucky.
- Catherine Dalton b. 1803 Virginia, d. 1880 Jackson County, Kentucky, m. 1818 Madison County, Kentucky, she married James Lainhart
- Elizabeth Hart Dalton (must be a twin) b. 1803 Virginia, d. 1892 Henry County, Illinois, m. 1824 Madison County, Kentucky, she married Pedro Epperson
- Nancy Lunica Dalton b. 1809 Madison County, Kentucky, d. 1876, Mills County, Iowa, married December 10, 1824, Madison County, Kentucky, to Elias Epperson (brother to Pedro)
- William Dalton b. 1811, Madison County, Kentucky, d. 1864 Brown County, IL m. 1833 Montgomery County, Indiana, he married Malinda Hymer
- Richmond Dalton was born 1813 in Madison County, Kentucky, (The Epperson book gives Louisville, Kentucky, as place of birth. His obituary and probate record shows his place of birth as Madison County, Kentucky.)
- Cyrena (var. Serena) Dalton b. 1815 Madison County, Kentucky, d. 1880, Macoupin County, Illinois, m. 1834 Montgomery County, Indiana, William Baldwin
- Christina Dalton b. 1815 (twin of Cyrena, supposedly died at age 14, unverified)
- Elijah Dalton b. 1817 Madison County, Kentucky, d. 1885 St. Joseph, Missouri, m. 1836 Montgomery County, Indiana, Sarah Nix
