I cannot take credit for the work done on the Melton's, I have to give all the credit to my Uncle, James P. Melton, Jr and his wife, Eldred Williams Melton.

Data Copyright © 1996-2003 E. Melton

The origin of the surname Melton is obscure but found established in England in the 1200's in the counties of Suffolk, York, Lincoln, and especially the Leicestershire area of Melton-on Mowbray. A dictionary definition of the name means "a stout woolen cloth with a short nap" and the cloth remains in use in fine garments to the present day. In American the earliest surname Melton is found among the members of the John Smith Co who came to settle the New World. Richard Melton and Clement Melton were left in Jamestown in 1622 when other party members returned to England. No effort has been made to establish a lineage to these early Meltons nor to others such as Henry Melton and Thomas Melton who entered the Americas as early as 1635.

Our precise line begins with Terry H. Melton son of Preston Melton and Polly Pollard. Terry H. Melton was born 6 October 1796 in Tennessee and died 9 November 1877 and is buried in the Wooton Pioneer Cemetery, Leslie Co., KY. He was listed as 21 years of age on the 1817 Knox Co., KY tax list as a single male with 7 horses. In 1820 he was listed on the on the Harlan Co. KY census with 1 male, age 20-30; l female age 20-30; 1 male, under 5 years. Researchers have interpreted this census date to be Terry H. Melton, his first wife Charlotte Brock and their son Preston Melton born May 1819. After the death of Charlotte Brock Melton in 1920, Terry H. Melton married Sarah Ann Templeton born ca 1797 and died ca 1893, daughter of James Templeton and Amy Brock. They became the parents of seven children; namely Amy, William, Jane, John Simpson, Terry Colwell, Sarah Ann and Nancy. There is some evidence to support the belief that Terry H. and Charlotte had a second child Polly born 1820 who married Isaac Simpson. Except for primary sources, family records and legends serve as the source for the documentation of this family.