Melissa Angelina BEEN was born 13 October 1844 to Hazzard BEAN/BEEN and Martha OSBORN in Mississippi. Although one source has suggested that Melissa was born in Charleston, Tallahatchie County, it has yet to be proven. However, we do know for sure from the U.S. Census that, in 1850 when she would have been about five years of age, Melissa lived with her parents and five other siblings in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi.
It is assumed that Melissa and her family-of-origin lived in this county until 14 December 1852, at which time her parents sold their land there. By 01 March 1853, Melissa and her family had made their way to Sebastian County, Arkansas, where her father homesteaded 200 acres of land over the next several years. The U.S. Census reports for 1860 and 1870 establish that Melissa, her parents, and siblings were living in Center Township, Sebastian County, Arkansas.
Melissa Angelina married Orlando Joseph DAVIS about 1873. U.S. Census records for 1880, 1900, and 1910 each indicate that he was born in Alabama around 1844. To date, little is known about how and where the couple met.
We do know from the U.S. Census that, in 1880, Melissa Angelina and Orlando Joseph were living in Bates Township, Sebastian County, Arkansas. By this time, they had given birth to at least two daughters in Arkansas: Mary A., who was born about 1877; and Louisa (or, possibly, "Laura") B. who was born early in 1880.
Although subsequent records of the U.S. Census provide no information about other children, the Liberty Cemetery in Greenwood, Sebastian County, Arkansas contains two gravestones of particular interest. The first marks the grave of "Jessie B. dau. of O.J. and M.A. DAVIS born Jan. 29, 1879 died Aug. 18, 1895;" the second designates the resting place of "Oscar N. son of O.J. and 'M.E.' Davis born May (or possibly, July) 20, 1873 died Aug. 29, 1874."
Other family records suggest, but do not confirm, the existence of a fifth child by the name of Teeny or Austene. Her birthdate is not known.
By the time of the 1900 and 1910 U.S. Census reports, Orlando Joseph and Melissa Angelina were living in Prairie Township, Sebastian County, Arkansas. Each report verifies that the couple had given birth to five children, only one of whom was living. Due to the paucity of records that are available, it is not evident whether this individual was Austene (Teeny), Mary A., or Louisa (Laura) B.
Since Orlando Joseph is listed in the 1910 U.S. Census, it can safely be assumed that he died sometime after that time. Possibly, he is buried in Liberty Cemetery beside his children. However, we cannot make this determination for certain because the gravestones adjacent to the children were destroyed in subsequent years by a heavy storm. Some say that Melissa Angelina died in 1922. For the same reason as above, this information cannot be confirmed.