Melanson information from http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/7961/

The Melansons in Acadia:

Many a writer has tried to explain the origins of this family. It was generally believed that the Melanson were of Scottish origin, but this assumption was based on a historic mistake. There is no document that demonstrates that the Melansons who came to Acadia were of Scottish decent, in fact to the contrary there is proof that they were of English decent.

The two Melanson brothers, PIERRE, dit Laverdure, a stonemason, born in 1632, the spouse of Marie Marguerite Muis d'Entremont, the daughter of the Lord of Pomcoup, Philippe Mius d 'Entremont, and CHARLES, born in 1643, the husband of Marie Dugas, daughter of Armourer Abraham Dugas and Marguerite Doucet of Port Royal, arrived in Port Royal accompanied their parents aboard the ship the Satisfaction, with Sir Thomas Temple, the new English Governor of Acadia, which arrived in 1657. During almost a century, just until the deportation of the Acadians in 1755, the settlement was the place of residence of Charles Melanson and his wife Marie Dugas, and their descendents and associates.

"The Melanson Settlement" is one of the principle Canadian archeological sites illustrating the way of rural life in Acadia in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is a mirror of the various aspects "of the daily life, their homes, material culture and their prosperity. 1755: DEPORTATION: In the Autumn of 1755, 1660 Acadians of the region of Port Royal embarked on the ships towards exile. Charles and Ambroise Melanson took refuge in Quebec, while Jean Melanson and his family were refugees in France with a group of Acadians [from] Cape Sable. Others were deported to Maryland and other States. The Melansons, like hundreds of other Acadians, were imprisoned in the military fortresses which were neither more or less than concentration camps. At gun point, English soldiers forced them to work for them. The Melansons were imprisoned at Forts Cumberland and Edward.

Today, this large Acadian family under the names of [MELANSON] MELANSON-MELANCON-MALANSON-MALONSON can be found in all of Canada, the United States and in France. These Acadians, all descendents of PIERRE and CHARLES MELANSON, arrived in Acadia during 3 1⁄2 centuries. The majority of Charles' descendants returned to the former Acadia, resettling in Nova Scotia and Southern New Brunswick, and in the USA in the States of Maine and Massachusetts, most continuing to spell their name Melanson, but some have changed to Malanson and Malonson. The majority of Pierre's descendents however did not return, resettling in Louisiana, Quebec, and Northern New Brunswick, in the Bathurst region. It is this branch of the family that today predominately spells their name MELANCON. The only descendent of Pierre known to have returned to Nova Scotia was Charles Marie who settled in Pomquet after returning with his mother from exile in France.

From http://www.terrebonneparish.com/acadian-cajun/colorig.htm

One family that has been surrounded by confusion has been the Melancon/Melanson family.  Melancon is an English name, so early researchers believe they were English or Scottish.  Further research has found that the Acadian Melancons were sons of Pierre La Verdure.  He married Priscilla Mellanson around 1630 in England or Scotland.  He and his family arrived in Acadia with Sir Thomas Temple on the “Satisfaction” in 1657.  One son is thought to have stayed in New England.  One son, Pierre, a stonemason, was born in 1632 and married Marguerite Mius d'Entremont around 1664 in Port Royal.  One son, Charles, was born in 1642 and married Marie Dugas in 1663 at Port Royal.  The Melancons were some of the first settlers of the Grand Pre region. 
     While the name is English (or Scottish), it is now thought that their father was a French Huguenot.  The 2 Melancons who settled in Acadia took their mother's surname. Check out Mike Melanson's website for more information on the Melancons.  NOTE: Archaeologists in Nova Scotia having been working on excavating the Melanson Settlement in recent years. 

Evidence of death date: AM: “Courts: 03 May 1677: Priscilla Melanson a petitioner in need of welfare.”