Kathy- Thee are only 2 Elisha Meltons in the U.S. 1840 Census. One in Louisa County, VA apparently between 40 and 50 yrs old. (1840 census did not give individual ages, just no. males under 5, ditto 5-10, 10-15 etc. That house hold had 3 males under 5, two 5-10, one 15-20, three 20-30, and two 40-50. I didn't check the one in GA. but can if you like. I tried the search option for "soundex" of Elish Melton in TN for 1840 and it came up dry. If I can be of help let me know. Don't go t a lot of trouble but if you come across the surname Abston in your VA records I would appreciate a "heads -up". Our family tradition had it that the family name was originally Aboasson and were french Hugenots that came first to England and then to VA and that the name was anglicized to John Abston. There was a Jean Aboasson in the Manakin Towne, VA. settlement in 1700( he cosigned a petition to the Gov.-Gen'l with 11 others in 12/1700) Word was he showed up later in Halifax Co. under the name of John Abston and was the father of Francis Abston, born ca. 1700. Francis is found later in Pittsylvania Co., VA in the 1767 Tithing Rolls. Some of the other names in that area are also names of some of the other French settlers in Mamakin Towne so may be true. Thus far none of us have been able to prove that Francis was son or grandson of Jean Aboasson. So if you come across anything I would certainly appreciate it.- Rex Phillips - Dallas