Melville was born in New York City, on August 1, 1819, the third of eight children to Allan Melvill (1782–1832) and Maria (Gansevoort) Melvill (1791–1872), who were of Scottish and Dutch descent.
Melville died on the morning of September 28, 1891. His death certificate shows “cardiac dilation” as the cause. He was interred in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Bronx, New York City.