William Yelton

William Yelton was born circa 1757 in Stafford County, Virginia.1 He was the son of James Yelton and Isabel Hinson. 

William Yelton married Sarah Mays, daughter of Robert Mays and Elizabeth Bolling, on 30 September 1784 in Amherst County, Virginia. The marriage was performed by Rev. Benjamin Coleman.2 William Yelton first appears in the personal property tax records of Amherst County in 1786, reporting 1 white male tithable, 1 horse, and 1 head of cattle. His last appearance is in 1800. At no time did he appear with more than one white male tithable.3 William Yelton was listed as the head of a household in the 1820 Census of Pendleton County, Kentucky. The household consisted of 1 male over 45, 1 female between 26 and 45, and 1 male between 16 and 26 (who does not appear in the 16-18 column and is therefore probably between 18 and 26). It is likely that these individuals were, in addition to William, his daughter, Elizabeth Yelton.

The census wasn't taken until late December, so that allows plenty of time for William to move from Iredell County in 1820, as he said in his pension application. Some of the entries appear to be crossed out, which makes it difficult to establish who was in the household.

    In his pension application, dated 18 July 1820, William said that the only persons living in his household were his aged wife and his 27 year old daughter. There's no one in the 1820 census household corresponding to Sarah, yet she appears with William (apparently) in the 1830 Census. There is also an unidentified male between 18 and 26. William's sons are all accounted for elsewhere, and William swore under oath that only his wife and daughter were living with him. 

Oddly enough, the crossed out entries may be a valuable clue. All the entries crossed out correspond to entries in the next household, that of Elizabeth Yelton. Evidently, the census taker thought this was all one household, but realized that he had made a mistake. That's an argument for William and Elizabeth being closely related, not just neighbors with the same surname. Elizabeth is most likely William's daughter-in-law, the widow of his son, William, since she's listed as the head of her household. She has 2 boys and 1 girl under the age of 10, and she herself is between 16 and 26.4
William Yelton was listed as the head of a household in the 1830 Census of Pendleton County, Kentucky. The household consisted of 1 male 60-70, 1 female 60-70, 1 female 10-15 and 1 male 10-15. The elderly woman is probably William's wife, Sarah. The two children are both too young to be children of William and Sarah. Perhaps they are grandchildren.5
William Yelton the Revolutionary War soldier died 5 Mar 1834 in Pendleton County, Kentucky. Apparently because he was a pensioner, his heirs are listed in the Pendleton County records. They are: James Yelton, Robert Yelton, Benjamin Yelton, Nancy Yelton (wife of Jonathan Cash), William Yelton Jr. (deceased, leaving Alexander Yelton, William Yelton, John Yelton, Cynthiana Yelton, and Elizabeth Yelton who married Clifton Love and was deceased leaving a daughter, Amarillis Love). William Yelton (III) and John Yelton are noted as being minors, as is Amarillis Love.6
Children of William Yelton and Sarah Mays

James Yelton+7 b. c 1785, d. 6 Sep 1838

Robert J. Yelton , Sr.+8 b. 1785, d. c 1834

Nancy Yelton+7 b. bt 1785 - 1790, d. bt 1840 - 1850

William Yelton Jr.+7 b. bt 1785 - 1790, d. c 1820

Elizabeth Yelton+7 b. c 1793, d. b 1825

Benjamin Yelton+7 b. c 1800

Citations

[S33] William Yelton, Pension, S35753, M804, Roll #2658, He stated that he was 63 on 21 July 1820 when he applied for a pension for his service in the American Revolution.

[S36] William Montgomery Sweeny, Amherst Co, VA Marriages, p. 85 (Order Book 1784-1787, p. 1 in original). The work cited identifies a marriage between William Yellow [sic] and Sally Mays. Until I can check the original, I am assuming that this is actually William Yelton, particularly in view of the continuing association with the Mays family.

[S35] Personal Property Tax, Amherst Co, VA.

[S84] 1820 Federal Census, Pendleton County, Kentucky, p. 31. The identification of this household as that of William, son of James and Isabel, is based chiefly on the process of elimination. There's a Wm. Yelton on p. 32, but based on the makeup of his household, that is most likely Wm. C. Yelton, son of Charles. I don't know of another William Yelton that would be over 45 in 1820..

[S28] 1830 Federal Census, Pendleton County, Kentucky, p. 74, line #6.

[S26] Pendleton Co, KY Order Book H 225.

[S26] Pendleton Co, KY Order Book H p. 225.

[S26] Pendleton Co, KY Order Book H p. 225. According to the order book item regarding his pension, William Yelton had a son Robert who was living in 1834 and was not a minor at that time. I can't find another Robert in KY (or elsewhere) that meets those criteria.