Lucinda Melton Porter

One of the dresses on display at the Historical Society's newest exhibit belonged to Lucinda Porter.

Lucinda Melton Porter was born in 1837 in Denison Township to a family with deep local pioneer roots.  Her father Benjamin Melton had fought in the Revolutionary War so when she was born, he was between 70 and 80 years old.

His daughter Lucinda was married for the first time at age 16 but widowed at age 23 with a young 5-year-old boy.

In 1862 Lucinda married David Porter. Lucinda, who was living in Lukin Township at the time visited her mother in Flora where David lived and after a courtship of one year they were married. David was a schoolteacher and a very popular local Lawrence County resident.

They eventually built a brick house on what is known now as Porter Ave here is Lawrenceville. They had no children and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1912 with a great deal of fanfare.

Lucinda was active in the local social activities and their Methodist Church as well as being a charter member of the local Toussaint Dubois DAR -Daughters of American Revolution chapter.

 In 1911 the couple donated a Seth Thomas clock and bell to the county which still occupies the tower of the Lawrence County courthouse.

The couple were described as dedicated to each other in 1911. David, at the age of 85, fought off would- be burglars in their home.  When David became tired, Lucinda at age 74, took a hot poker from the fire and went after the home invaders herself. Together they fended off the crooks who were caught three days later and sentenced to 10 years in the penitentiary. Lucinda was quoted as saying “I would do it again and give up my life for him if necessary.”

David died in 1914; Lucinda lived another 10 years until pneumonia caused her death in 1924. She was 87 years old, outliving all other daughters of soldiers of the American Revolution.