Before Hardin Co, KY?

From Loretta regarding a letter written to her by Walter Melton, a descendant of Mary Ann Lasswell Melton Johnson McLaughlin, of Knoxville, Tenn:

"He thinks that Matthew may have been in Madison Co., before he came to Hardin since the Meltons and Laswells were there about 1800. He stated at settlement of estate of John Melton in addition to Matthew Johnston there was also a Joseph Johnston, setted 15 Jan 1815. He also feels JohnsTon is the original name. He said Laswells were loyalists who came from Maryland to North Carolina than to Kentucky through Virginia. "