John Melville Allen

John Melville Allen (c. 1798 – February 12, 1847) was an American soldier and the first Mayor of Galveston, Texas.

He volunteered with the Texans, first with the Tampico Expedition in 1835, and with the Texian Army after he returned from Mexico late in the year.

He received a commission as captain of an infantry unit and was a participant in the Battle of San Jacinto.

He assumed command of a naval ship after independence and headed a recruiting mission in the United States until his release from service on December 2, 1836.

He withstood a challenge by Samuel May Williams and other persons with financial interests in the Galveston City Company.