In recognition of the upcoming 250th celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the DAR America 250! Committee of the Botetourt County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is placing a spotlight on members’ Patriot ancestors who helped this country achieve American Independence.
William Isham Dalton is the Patriot ancestor of Botetourt County Chapter member Dana Dalton Long. William was born on April 27, 1740, in Brunswick, Va. At that time, his father, Timothy Dalton Jr., was 23 and his mother, Elizabeth Ann Talbot, was 25. (They were one of the first families to move to what is now Carroll County, Va.)
William’s father, Timothy Dalton Jr., sold the 200 acres that he owned in Louisa County that he had received from a patent on February 1, 1738. The Staunton River area was known as Brunswick County when Timothy Dalton Jr. and family moved there from Louisa County about 1745. It then became Lunenburg County in 1746 and then Bedford County in 1753.
William married Elizabeth N. Sturman in 1768, in what is now Bedford. They were the parents of at least eight sons and three daughters. According to his claim to the Land Commissioners, William came to the Burks Fork area (also defined by the Indian Ridge and Nester School area) in 1772 and owned 140 acres. By 1782, his brothers, Samuel, Timothy, and Reuben, were also living in this area.
After the Revolutionary War, he bought up to 650 acres from various persons living near Big Reed Island Creek. He needed a lot of land as he had at least 10 children and in the fashion of his time, he intended to give a farm to each of his sons.
Pvt. Dalton served in the continental troops for the Montgomery County Militia under Lt. Capt. Johathan Isham’s company. History tells us that the Montgomery County Militia, as well as other Southwest Virginia militias, was sent to fight the Cherokee in North Carolina as well as Indians along the frontier. Virginia militias also fought against Lord Dunmore. Some Virginia militias were sent to fight in South Carolina. In 1781, practically all of the available militia of Virginia were summoned into service, taking part in the Battle of Guilford Court House in North Carolina and to serve with Lafayette at the Siege of Yorktown.
William died on January 14, 1811, at Big Reed Island, Carroll County, at the age of 70, and was buried in William Dalton Family Cemetery at Drake’s Branch area of Big Reed Island Creek, Dugspur, Virginia.
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non-political organization open to any woman who has lineage to a Patriot who contributed to the success of the American Revolution. Founded over 125 years ago, it is focused on service to the community and fosters Patriotism, Education and Historic Preservation. If you are interested or have questions about joining our chapter, please contact Membership Chair Emily Talbot-Guillote via email at eptg1019@gmail.com or Registrar JoElla John, jjohnregistrar@gmail.com.
