Melton Rock Henderson Co. TX

History of "Melton Rock"

"Melton Rock" is located several miles on the old Prairieville Athens Road which crosses FM 1861 by the "Big Rock" Ranch. It is on a 46 acre tract of land. The " Rock\rdblquote is a few yards off the road on the left.

According to an altitude map the "Rock" is 700 feet above sea level. It is easy to climb. One can get a good view of the surrounding area. The view is especially lovely at night when the lights are on.

According to an abstract deed of the present owner, a patent from the State of Texas was issued on Jan. 10, 1860 by Gov. Sam Houston to Robert H. Pierson located, " In Henderson County of the waters of Clear Creek an eastern tributary of the Trinity River about 10 miles N 28\'b0 from Athens." Total acreage, 320 acres.

This tract of land was sold five times. The owners were: Thomas Jackwell, Wilkerson Durham, James Crosby, William Melton and wife, and John Melton and wife Margaret Gardener Melton, William Melton and John Melton were not related. The two Melton families kept the land the longest periods of time.

John and Margaret Melton bought the land on Nov. 30, 1901. They had 12 children. Some of them were quite young when they moved onto the land. Margaret Melton died in 1919 and John died in 1926.

The land was not divided until July 19, 1934 when 80 acres were separated and deeded to A. C. (Archie) Melton. Mrs. Mattie Melton Justice, one of the twelve children, owned 100 acres of the original tract at her death. The land passed to her only child, John Neal Justice. He is the only Melton descendant owning any of the original 320 acres. He offered the "Rock" with 15 acres of land to the state for a park. The state said they'd accept the offer if the county would agree to maintain the park, but the county refused. John Neal sold 53 acres to Gary Goodell, son of an early pioneer family.

The "Rock" has been through the years and still is, a favorite place for picnics and "Courting Couples." Tradition says that Indians once used it for a lookout and that Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow once hid from the law there.
(Information furnished by John Neal Justice and Ruth Cook)

*note
The "Rock" is no longer open to the public.

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