Eliel Melton and Juana Losoya Melton
Lieutenant
Eliel Melton was among the defender of the Texas Alamo, Quartermaster for
Travis, participated in the battle of Bexar, and the alleged husband of one of
the few female Alamo survivors, Juana Francisca Losoya.
While Eliel is not in a direct line of my ancestors, he is a
first cousin via both his parents.
My interest in Eliel was sparked by the words of Enrique Esparza who was
eight year old when he entered the Alamo with is his parents in 1836. As a
result, the purpose of this article is to clarify or verify the statement by
Enrique Esparza, a child survivor of the Alamo, concerning the existence of
Mrs. Juana (Losoya) Melton, the alleged wife of Eliel Melton. Juana is not mentioned in Groneman’s
“Alamo Defenders. In Ragsdale’s book The Women and Children of the Alamo Juana
is mentioned, but only in connection with her mother Concepcion Charli Gortari
Losoya.
In 1908 Enrique Esparza was interviewed concerning the
events of the battle on March 6, 1836.
In this interview he mentioned “Mrs. Melton” several times and painted a
brief, but interesting picture of her. He referred to her as an “Aristocrat.” His
comments launched an effort to discover the validity of his dated recollections
about Mrs. Melton and her connection to Eliel. Along the way many genealogical
facts concerning the linage of Eliel’s, brothers, sisters and cousins were
discovered. These family members
and extended family members scrambled to gain control of the 1,900 acres awarded
Eliel for his service to Texas. This family dispute continued well into the
1860s and is documented in over 300 pages of Texas Appellate court records and
court records of Navarro County.
It seems that the Eliel’s generation was an entrepreneurial,
adventuresome group willing to take a risk, and not interested in the agrarian
life of their Georgia parents.
Ethan, Eliel’s brother, was the only family member who applied for the Georgia
land lottery in 1820. Shortly after the lottery he was elected sheriff of
Walton County in 1822, and later listed as a merchant in the same county. On
March 30th, 1827 Eleel Melton’s name was published in The Athenina
as having been selected in the Land Lottery. [1]
Often individuals whose name had been drawn sold their land
without ever taking possession. As
the previous Georgia Land Lotteries land offered had been taken from the
Cherokee and Creek Indians. The
1827 lottery signaled the end of the Creek Nation in Georgia. Eliel’s cousin,
Denson Crow Melton living in Troup County, Georgia was also selected. Denson
migrated to Arp, in Navarro County, Texas about 1840.
Stourd Melton, another brother of Eliels, who married in
1826 in Clarke County, GA, was listed as a school teacher in Navarro County in
1850; apparently leaving his family alone in Clarke County to be with his
brothers in Texas. Buckner,
another brother of Eliel, was the first of the brothers to arrive in Texas, and
appears on the Tax Rolls of Robertson County for 1840. Ethan, Buckner, and
Jonathan Melton were Texas Rangers for three months during 1839.[2] After reading the history of Navarro
County, Texas and reviewing land records it appears that Ethan had some
creative land transactions and was able to obtain most of Eliel’s Texas land. Ethan was the focal point of the
protracted legal dispute of Rogers vs. Kennard.
Polly or Mary (Melton) Rogers was first married to Robert
Echols who died in 1848 fighting in the war with Mexico. Polly married second
Jobe Rogers in 1854. She soon
filed a suit in Texas claiming Ethan had sold property awarded to Eliel’s heirs
illegally and the six Rogers children were the rightful heirs. From court records it appears
that Tabitha Melton, Eliel’s mother, was the first to apply for Eliel’s Texas
land in 1836. She was awarded 1,900 acres and then granted Ethan power of
attorney. Ethan sold 500 acres to
pay debts. Mary (Melton) Echols, Ethan sister, made a second claim for Eleil’s
land. However, by the 1850 a flood
of Melton relations had migrated to Navarro, County.
Tabitha was buried in the Echols family cemetery in Walton
County, Georgia and apparently lived out her years living with her daughter
Mary (Melton) Rogers. Perhaps, Tabatha was convinced in her later years to
change her initial decision to give Ethan the Texas land. Mary lacked
sufficient documentation to prove her Texas case.
For many years my Melton Family was an obsquire link to the
many Meltons found in East Texas, and Eliel Melton who died defending the Alamo
was of no know connection. Over
the years an interesting link has been established, and it may be of interest
to explain the concentration between the Meltons, Crows, Daniels, and Strouds
that apparently came to East Texas after Eliel’s death to claim his estate.
While there are several on–line pedigrees concerning Eliel, and
Jonathan and Tabitha (Stroud) Melton who were the parents of Eliel. Tabitha was one of several sisters, two
of who married into the Crow family.
Margaret (Stroud) Crow and Elizabeth (Stroud) Crow both had large families,
and their children also migrated to Texas. Dorothy Crow, a daughter of Elizabeth Stroud and Isaac Crow
married, about 1800 Moses Melton. Moses was a younger brother of Jonathan. The
Meltons, Strouds, and Crows all attended the Mars Hill Baptist Church in Clarke
County. Church records indicate a
serious commitment to their religion and the name Eliel is Hebrew for God is
God. The Meltons were among the
founders and Eliel’s grandfather (John Stroud) even confessed to his
appreciation for the stimulates of the day. In 1846 Moses’ children followed their older cousins and
migrated to Smith and Rusk County, Texas.
The families of Moses and Tabitha account for the major population of
Meltons in East Texas.
Just before
1800 until the 1830 Clarke County, Georgia was the center of activity for these
cousins. In 1822 “Eleel” Melton, his brothers, father, uncles and several other
Meltons, are listed on land record for as Grantors and Grantees, court dockets
and were members of the Clarke County militia. But by 1830 a migration toward Texas had started, and
family members were established in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisianan. A
seven-page genealogy is recorded in the publication: Old Northwest Texas, by Nancy Samuels and Barbara Knox concerning
Tabitha Melton and her children.
Mary (Melton) Echols, Eliel’s sister is mentioned in records of Walton
County, GA where Eliel is identified as her brother. The children of Moses’ son Denson Crow Melton are contained
in other sources. (See LDS
Ancestral File).
For the Meltons the migration to the attractive land of
Texas began from Social Circle, Georgia.
Eliel Melton was not the first Melton to migrate to Texas. An Elizabeth Melton is listed in
Nacogdoches in 1822. Eliel arrived in Nacogdoches, Texas on 25 January 1830. He
was “age 32, an unmarried merchant and Christian.” Ethan later recorded that
Eliel migrated from Chambers County, Alabama, and the power of attorney
recorded in Navarro, Texas for Eliel’s heirs mentioned Chambers County. Chambers is located on the Georgia
Alabama state line and would not have been the slightest detour in a route to
Texas. However, Chambers County
was not organized until 1832 and despite some references Eliel was in Texas
before that date.
After crossing what is now Alabama it is most likely that
Eliel continued across Mississippi and Louisianan to New Orleans, and then up
the Red River to Nacogdoches. It appears that Eliel arrived in Nacogdoches on
his own initiative and without thought of joining one of the several Texas
colonies. These new Texas colonies
and the Mexican government wanted married men with families not single men. However, it did not take long for Eliel
to establish himself. Perhaps, arriving with Eliel was a William Melton, native
of Alabama, who also arrived in 1830 with a family of two persons.
From 1832 Eliel is mentioned many times in the records of
early Texas. William Melton is not.
Eliel became a “merchant,” businessman and a person of some prominence;
well know to Stephen Austin, William Travis, Don Carols Barrett, John W. Smith,
the Spanish officials whom he supplied, and other central figures of the Texas
Revolt. On February 5, 1836 Eliel along with Bowie, Travis and 10 other
officers in San Antonio signed a letter addressed to the first Texas Convention
concerning the seating of delegates.
During Eliel
six years in Texas he acquired large amount of lands in various parts of Texas.
For the first year Eliel remained in Nacogdoches and his name appears on a list
of foreign residence. However, he was soon moving between the various
settlements and from records in 1832 Eliel had established his business in
Nashville on the Brazos with Judge Joseph Hood. On August 6, 1832 Eliel and Hood were supplying
the Spanish garrison in Robertson’s Colony with “groceries and other articles.”
On the 13th Eliel with several others petitioned Steven Austin
concerning the failure of the same garrison to aid with current Indian problems
that had begin with the murder of “Mr. H. Read.”
As merchants both Judge Hood and Eliel needed a secure Texas
trade route free from the threat or reality of Indian attack. A secure route from the east was needed
for personal travel as well as the delivery of supplies and other goods. This would have been primary concern
for the success of the Hood and Melton business. However, American security did not seem to be a priority for
the Mexican troops assigned to the Texas frontier and these troops were not the
most professional. The demands by merchants, settlers and others, for public
safety was continually neglected by the Mexican troops assigned to Texas and
became a rallying point for the coming conflict.
By 1833 Melton and Hood had expanded their trade into San
Antonio and were conducting trade back into the “Northern Colonies.” “Major Red” John W. Smith, was also a
Texas merchant and knew Melton and Hood.
Major Red later scouted and procured food for the Alamo Garrison, was a
friend of the Esparza family, and was one of the last couriers to depart the
Alamo and survived. Red Smith’s was chosen as an Alamo courier because of his excellent
geographical knowledge. This
knowledge was apparently acquired during his travels as a Texas merchant.
On August 1, 1833 Smith wrote a letter from San Antonio to
Sterling Robertson and mentioned that he had taken a cash advance in the form
of a “draft” from Melton & Hood.
The letter also indicated that Melton could give a report on local
affairs in San Antonio when he arrived in Nashville on the Brazos.
This short letter is more of a personal note than a formal
declaration of business affairs, and seems to indicate that there was special
oral information to be conveyed by Melton. [3] P. 496 (Smith was later elected major of San Antonio.)
On September 7th 1835 Eliel purchased over 5,000
acres of land from Jose Antonio De La Garza for 175 pesos. This sale is recorded in Bexar land
records and the disposition of the land after Eliel’s death is unclear. There was also about 900 acres in
Robertson’s Colony that Ethan Melton applied for.
The point is that Eliel was a successful businessman with
many contacts of men who were the central figures in early Texas History. Eliel also had some military expertise;
because he is listed in Clarke County, GA records as a 3rd Sergeant
in 1819 and a Captain in 1820. This must have reflected in his commission to a
Texas Lieutenant in 1835.
The question as to who was left alive at the Alamo after
March 6th is a difficult task.
On November 1st 1857 Juana Navarro Alsbury stated that she,
her sister, and Mrs. Dickerson were the only females in the garrison. Groneman,
states that Toribio Losoya’s “parents,” brother, and sister were left
alive. The Hand Book of Texas p.
297 states that Toribio’s wife; son and two daughters survived the siege. These lists are inconsistent at best,
but cumulatively they include: Juana Alsbury’s son Alejo Perez, her sister
Gertudis Navarro, Anna Salzar Esparza, her daughter, three sons; Mrs.
Concecpcion Losoya, her daughter and two sons; Mrs. Victoriana and three little
girls, Susanna Dickerson, her daughter, an old woman named Petra; Mrs. Melton;
Trinidad Saucedo and other unidentified persons survived.
The evidence to support Esparza’s statement concerning Juana
Melton beyond the circumstantial is sparse. However, official records do reflect that Concepcion Losoya
had a son and daughter living with her in the 1830 San Antonio census. It does
seem logical that Eliel would have married. Since most of the Americans allowed
into Texas were married men, the available females were Mexican women living in
of San Antonio. This was the home of the Losoyas family, and where Eliel had
part of his business interests. Juana Losoya was socially acceptable just as
Eliel. The fact that Juan Losoya had a sister named Juana is put to rest with a
review of the 1830 census for San Antonio. There Da Concepcion Charle’, female, widow age 30, Juana
Losoya, age 1? female single, and Juan Losoya age 7 are listed. This is independent corroborates
of Esparza’s recollections of the existence of Juan, Juana and Concepcion
Losoya.
Esparza’s statement paints an intriguing account of Mrs.
Juana Melton. He referred to her
as an aristocrat and above talking to his mother. After the battle Mrs. Melton
sent her brother across the room to request that nothing be said about her
marriage to an American. In later
years Esparza recollection of Juana’s parasol was also telling of her social
station.
Knowing the seriousness of the times, Mrs. Melton must have
been more than perplexed as Santa Anna approached. From her marriage she undoubtedly held a position of
responsibility in the community as well as from her Spanish heritage. Loyalty for her husband, her heritage
and her family must have weighed heavy on her mind. That February day in 1836 when the young boy Enrique Esparza
walked into the Alamo he noticed the umbrella that belonged to Mrs. Melton, the
concern, and Juana’s demeanor as she drew circles in the dirt. What else could be on the mind of this
young woman, perhaps not even 20 years old? The loyalty toward her husband, and her family prevailed.
She remained at their side until the end.
The answer to the question, Was Eleil Melton married to
Maria Juana Francisca Losoya?
While the marriage does not appear to have a civil record and Texas
court records contained a statement from Eliel’s mother that he was single and
had no children, there was without question a Juana Losoya with a brother Juan
Losoya at the Alamo. As was their mother and older brother, Toribio. To rely on the impressions and
memory of an eight-year-old boy some 60 after the event is very risky. However, a strong redeeming factor is
that for the next 30 years both Juan and Enrique lived in San Antonio. This would constantly refresh their
combined memories, and as the years passed the events at the Alamo would be
renewed each time the two met. If
Juana (Losoya) Melton remained in San Antonio, and there is no reason to
suspect that she did not, because her mother and brother were there, she too
would have had contact with Esparza.
Also Juan Losoya appears to have remarried and was the owner of San
Antonio town lots. This is recorded in 1840 tax records for San Antonio. If
Eliel was not married he certainly cohabitated and supported Maria with a life
style far above her social position.
A puzzling
factor Conception filed a request for land for her son’s, Toribio Losoya,
service and death at the Alamo. If Juana was legally weed to Eliel why didn’t
she file for land? [4] This land grant issue is most
troubling. The lack of a civil marriage record and it seems possible that
Esparza may have made the assumption that the couple was husband and wife.
However, in the 1840 Bexar County Tax payers list are the names: Juan Losayo,
Conception Charles, Leal Juana and Juan Leal. Juana Leal was taxed for 2,991
acres. The 1850 Bexar census shows
Juan was born in 1810 and Juana in 1820.
Conception is also listed in San Antonio at 60 years of age.
There seems to be a motivation for war based on a desire for
safety and to establish a sound business environment. Commerce held the key to Texas’ future prosperity. The
Mexican government had strict trade laws and imports were restricted to the
Galveston Custom House. Economic development depended on a safe business
environment. The Spanish Garrison proved to be unwilling to offer the
protection the citizens demanded. The Texas military suffered long periods of
isolation from Mexico City. Pay was often infrequent, and supplies always
marginal. Troops were often forced
to farm, hunt or rely of charity from the locals who they were suppose to be
protecting.
Esparza 22 November 1902: The first thing I remember after getting inside the fort was seeing
Mrs. Melton making circles on the ground with an umbrella. I had seen very few umbrellas……… At three o’clock we went
before Santa Anna. His quarters were in a house which stood were [Saul] Wolfson’s store now is. He had a great stack of silver money on
a table before him and a pile of blankets. One by one the women were sent into a side room to make
their declaration and on coming out were given two dollars and a blanket. While my mother was waiting her turn
Mrs. Melton, who had never recognized my mother as an acquaintance and who was
considered an aristocrat, sent her brother, Juan Losoya, across the room to my
mother to ask a favor that nothing be said to the president about her marriage
with an American.
Sources:
1. Baker, J.W., A History of Robertson County Texas.
2. Curvier y Losoya, Maria Francisca. Petition, 16 Apr 1861.
Court of Claims Voucher File #5026 (heirs of Toribio Losoya) Federal Land
Office, Austin, Texas.
3. Dorman,
Emily, Tax Payers of the Republic of Texas. p. 19, 177. ( Buckner)
4. Groneman, Bill. Alamo Defenders A Genealogy: The People
and Their Words, Eakin Press, Austin, Texas.
5. McLean, Malcolm, Papers Concerning Roberson’s Colony in
Texas, 1980. Vol. 4
6. Matovina, Timothy M., The Alamo Remembered Tejano
Accounts and Perspective, 1955. p 5,68,69,71,123
7. Hand Book of Texas (On Line)
8. Myths & Realities of The Alamo, The Republic of
Texas, American West and the Texas State Historical Association.
9. Sams, Anita B., Wayfarers in Walton, History of Walton
County Georgia. P.
10. Deeds & Mortgages, Clarke County, Georgia (LDS Film#
0214582)
11. LDS IGI and Ancestral File (Melton, Stroud, Crow
genealogies)
12. History of Mars Hill Baptist Church, Oconee County
Georgia
13. Ragsdale, Crystal. Women & Children of the Alamo. P.
71.
14. Southwestern Historical Quarterly Vol. 37, p.160,162,269.
15. Miller, Thomas Lloyd. Bounty and Donation Land Grants of
Texas 1835-1888, University of Texas Press. P. 466.
16. White, Gifford, 1830 Citizens of Texas, Eakin Press.
Austin, Texas p.
17, Jenkins, John H. The Papers of the Texas Revolution
1835-1838. Presidential Press Austin, Texas, Vol.4. p. 265.
18. Losoya Family web site: http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/b/a/r/Breton-F-Barrier/GENE5-0003.html.
19. Melton, Eliel. Eliel Melton’s
Alamo Defenders file. DRT Library. San Antonio, Texas.
20. Melton Web information: http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/AA/qsa1.htm
21. Ingmire, Frances Terry, Texas Rangers, 1982 p. 101.
22. Navarro Land & Property Records (LDS Film 0963257
p., 245)
23. Davis, Robert Scott. Records of Clarke County,
Georgia p. 53, p.108, 206.
24. Poyo, Gerald E and Hinojosa, M. Gilberto, Tejano Origins
in the Eighteen-Century Century San Antonio.
25 Dorman, Elmer, Tax Payers of the Republic of Texas
Children of Jonathan
Melton and Tabitha Stroud are:
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182
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i.
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Ethan8
Melton, born 08 October, 1794 in Franklin Co., GA; Married twice (2) Lucinda Hill 1843
Died 18 November, 1873 in Navarro Co., TX.
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183
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ii.
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Eliel Melton, born Bet. 1797 - 1798 in GA; died 06 March,
1836 in battle of the Alamo, San Antonio, TX.
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184
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iii.
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Mary Melton, born 1800 in GA; died 03 May, 1876 in Floyd
Co., GA. She married (1) Robert Milton Echols 18 February, 1816 in Clarke
Co., GA. She married (2) Jobe Rogers 07 September, 1854.
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185
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iv.
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Lucinda Melton, born 1802 in Clarke Co., GA.
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186
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v.
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Mark Stroud Melton, born 1805 in Clarke Co., GA; died 14
January, 1866 in Navarro Co., TX. He married Sarah Lea 17 October, 1826 in
Clarke Co., GA.
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187
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vi.
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William Melton, born 1807 in Clarke Co., GA; died Aft.
1820.
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188
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vii.
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Jeremiah Melton, born 1810 in GA; died Abt. 1871 in
Navarro Co., TX.
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189
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viii.
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Missie (Lissy) Melton, born 30 March, 1810 in GA; died 19
April, 1837 in Walton Co., GA. She married Stephen Felkner Abt. 1832.
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