Melton, Eliel

Age: 38
Rank: Lieutenant
From: Georgia

Eliel Melton, quartermaster of the Alamo garrison, son of Jonathan and Tibatha Melton, was born in Georgia in 1798. He registered in Texas as a single man on January 25, 1830, and settled in Nashville-on-the-Brazos, where he made his living as a merchant in business with Joseph L. Hood. Melton took part in the siege of Bexar. He remained in Bexar as a member of Lt. Col. James C. Neill's staff, where he served as quartermaster with the rank of lieutenant. By the time of the Alamo siege, it is possible that Melton had married and brought his wife, Juana (Losoya), into the Alamo with him. He may have attempted to flee the fortress in the final moments of the battle of the Alamo and died outside of the walls. Susannah W. Dickinsonqv later described a defender whom she called "Milton" as vaulting the wall where it was lowest.