The Man Who Has Been Buried in This Mound Since 1850: Shiawassee County
Here is something you may have passed by unknowingly in Shiawassee County: a lone grave out in a field...away from any conventional cemetery.
This grave contains the remains of Lyman Melvin, buried in a pile of Earth similar to that of an Indian burial mound. This burial mound is unmarked on the south side of Beard Road in Antrim Township, approximately 50 yards from the road. It's measurements are about six feet high and eight feet across.
Lyman Melvin was born March 18, 1805 in Ontario County, New York.
In May 1836, Lyman and Allen Beard arrived in Michigan and left their families in Washtenaw County while they explored the land. They used an Indian trail northward until they came across the log cabin of Dyer Rathburn They were told that no explorers had entered land west of the trail, so that’s what they did - through swamps, over creeks, and cutting down trees for easier travel.
They came to a large “oak-opening” place and rested on a nearby Indian mound, in the midst of lavish vegetation and plush flowers. It was while they were resting that Lyman mentioned that if he ended up living in Michigan, this is where he wanted to be buried when he died.
Lyman Melvin died on February 13, 1850, at age 44, was buried in a mound behind the orchard on his farm and has been there ever since. Lyman’s wife re-married and went to California.
The grave is listed as “Melvin Grave” on Google Maps, and possibly the only place you’ll see it listed. Scroll a way down to see the location and a few photos.