John Meador Sr.

• General Notes
  • "John Meador married Elizabeth White, daughter of Richard White. On Dec 10, 1694 he divided his land among his children. He described himself as "John Meadors, widow, in the county of Essex, for the love I have for my children by my wife to be divided equally between them, as near as I can divide it. To my son Richard Meador and my son John Meador, land by John Evans; land on the east side of great branch to my son Hope Meador; to my daughter Rachael Meador 105 acres bought of Edward Thacker also land given me by my father-in-law, Richard White, land also to daughters Elizabeth and Esther Meador. . ."
    
    Southern Familes Genealogies #1, 1600-1800 - Historical Southern Families Vol IV, Meador-Meadows of Essex County, Virginia.
    
    John next married Mary Awbrey after 1694.
    
    John Meador, was less than ten years old, and records do not reveal the details of how his step-father, Henry Awbrey, fared during these times. But it is a matter of record that Col. Thomas Goodrich and his son Benjamin were supporters of Bacon, for which they were fined 50,000 pounds of tobacco each and ordered to recant before the court with a rope about their necks. This Col. Goodrich did, but with a token cord instead of a rope, to demonstrate his contempt for the Governor's orders.
    
    The Rappahannock Indians had fled from their villages behind the settlers on the east bank of the river to sanctuary several miles upstream. In their absence, the lands were taken up by white settlers, and the Indians could not return. Decimated and broken, though having remained peaceful during the whole affair, their cause was championed by Henry Awbrey, the senior member of the county court. Enlisting the help of about a dozen settlers, they were relocated, probably on Henry Awbrey's large grant lands, where there is a place which is till called Indian Neck. There is also a Rappahannock Indian church at Beasley; and there are reports that traces of an Indian settlement have been found on the Meador plantation , but no records have been found to this effect. "Participating in the resettlement in January, 1684 were Henry Awbrey, who served as overseer and go-between as well as furnishing his boat; Robert Tomlin, Jr., who supplied a sloop and a smaller boat; and several men including (3) John Meador. John was reimbursed by the court for 9 days service and the use of his horse .
    
    On the 1687 date, the same JOSEPH (F) his mark CALLAWAY and a Mary (X) Gorbell witnessed the Deed of Gift that JOHN MEADOR SENIOR, widower made on 10 Dec 1694.
    
    John MEADOR was born in 1659 in Charles Parish, York Co., Crown Colony of Virginia. He died on 21 Nov 1721 in Essex Co., VA. John married (1) Elizabeth WHITE, daughter of þ Richard WHITE and þ Addra NMN, in Jul 1677/1678 in Essex Co., VA. Elizabeth was born in 1659 in Essex Co., VA. She died on 17 Aug 1694 in Essex Co., VA. John is cousin to Thomas above.
    
    John Meador is found in the book "CAVALIERS AND PIONEER" by Nell Nugent "John Meador 50 acs Rappa. Co on S side of Rappa Riv., 21 Apr 1690 p 40 adj his own land of Mr Henry Awbrey; on the manine Sw of Hoskins Cr. and Im of John Chambers. Also mention here: Mr John Scott 748 acs Chas. City Co Bristoll Par date 1690 Imp of 15 pers John Meadowes. He married (2) Mary? Awbrey? Aft. 1694.
    
    Title Meador, John.  Publication 21 April 1690. Other Format Available on microfilm. Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41. Related See also the following surname(s): Meadow. Note Location: Rappahannock County (extinct). Description: 50 acres on the South side of Rappahannock River. Adjoining his own and Henry Awbrey's land. Source: Land Office Patents No. 8, 1689-1695, p. 40 (Reel 8). Part of the index to the recorded copies of patents for land issued by the Secretary of the Colony serving as the colonial Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. Subject - Personal Meador, John. grantee.
    
    "JOHN MEADOR, 640 acres Rappahannock County: South side Rappahannock River on Beverday Southwest at the head of Hoskins' Creek, 20 April 1687, p.558. Beginning on South side of the old Beverday Southwest, near an Indian path; to a small island & etc., 450 acres granted Thomas Browning, 30 Nov 1657; assigned to John Cook, 4 May 1659; assigned to THOMAS MEDORS, 7 Aug 1659; & granted him 9 April 1664; 190 acres for transporting of 4 persons: John Chambers, JOSEPH CALLAWAY, Robert Duell, John Warrener."
    
    "JOHN MEADOR was a politically powerful favorite of Royal Governor Berkeley and benefitted from a number of grants from the Royal government along the Rappahannock River in the 1660s. He was not a Puritan, but a Royalist. This is significant because it seems to indicate that JOSEPH CALLAWAY and the other 3 men was associated with the Royalist political faction and not the Puritans."
    
    The land deed for John Meador and children:
      John, in his indenture of December 10, 1694, he described himself as "John Meador Sr., widow, in the county of Essex, for the love I have for my children by my wife Elizabeth, deceased, I give them all of the land had by
    my wife to be divided equally between them, as near as I can divide it To my son Richard Meador and my son John Meador, Jr., a parcel of land beginning at Cole Springs, running the great branch to the main swamp; to my son Thomas Meador land by John Evans; land on the east side of great branch to my son Hope Meador, to daughter Rachel Meador 10 acres bought of Edward Thacker also land given by my father-in-law, richard White; Land also to daughters Elizabeth and Esther Meador. All land given to my sons and
    daughters never to be sold but to remain from heir to heir so long as there can be one of the Meadors found alive."
    
    1694 Dec 10 - Essex Co, VA - Deeds & Wills (1692-5), p.332:
    
    Know all men by these presents that I, John Meador Senior widower, in ye county of Essex in ye Parish of South Farnham, for ye love I bear to my children that I had by my wife Elizabeth [White] Meador deceased, I doe hereby give them such parsell of land that I shall set downe severall by themselves. All ye land that I have on ye West side of a branch that goeth by ye name of a great branch I do give to my son Richard Meador and my son John Meador it shall be divided as I shall see fit between them as near as I can divide it to they and their heirs lawfully begotten of their owne bodies for ever.
    
    A parcell of land beginning at a Cole Spring by my orchard fence and running West and by north till it meets with ye great branch, so along ye great branch till it comes to ye maine swamp of ye creeke, then downe ye swamp till it comes to ye Cole Spring branch, then up ye branch where it begun, being a long neck of land, I do give to my son Thomas Meador and his heirs lawfully begotten of his owne body for ever.
    
    A parcell of land beginning at my uppermost line by John Evans land by ye head of a branch at a marked White oake and running downe ye branch till it meets with ye maine swamp ye branch being crooked all ye lands that I have within my bounds of ye east side of that branch being a great deal of old fields belonging to it I doe give to my son Hope Meador and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever.
    
    I doe give to my daughter Rachell Meador one hundred and five acres of land that I bought of Mr. Edwin Thacker to she and her heirs for ever. A parcell of land lying into the neck the north side of the Creek which my father in law Richard White gave to me by deed of Gift I doe by the virtue of that Deed of Gift I doe give to my daughter Elizabeth Meader ye second neck & my daughter Esther Meader the neck that has ye Housing and orchards to them and their heirs lawfully begotten of their owne bodies forever.
    
    The land given unto my sons and daughters never to be sold nor disposed of but to ramaine from heir to heir as long as there can be one of ye Meaders found alive, if it ye Lords will to call any of my sons or daughters before me and any of them shall dye before me, ye land of ye deed to returne to me again to my disposing.
    
    I doe reserve & except myself Timber upon any parts of ye land for my own use as long as I live as Witness my hand and seale this tenth day of December, 1694.. /s/ John Meader (Seale)..
    
    Wit: Mary (X) Gorbell, Joseph (F) Calloway
    
    The Meadors family has book "The Meador family"
    
    John Meadors will can found in the book. I copy from the book
    
    Will of John Meador, 1721 - Essex Co. VA Meador, John Will dated 17 Oct 1721 Probated 21 Nov 1721 Essex Co., Virginia Wills, Inventory, Administration of Estates
    
    Essex County, Va. Wills, Inv Adm fo Estates No3
    
    "In the name of God, Amen, I John Meador of Essex County being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind and perfect memory, blessed by God, therefore do make and form following:
    
    "First and principall, I commend my soul unto the hands that giveth, hoping by the meritorious death and passion of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ to receive full pardon and forgiveness of all my sins and offences and a joyful resurrection in the last da: and my body decently to be buried at the direction of my excutors hereafter name. And as for my worldly good:
    
    Item I give to my son Thomas Meador, one shilling
    
    Item I give to my daughter Rachell Jordan, one shilling
    
    Item I give to my daughter Elizabeth Armstong, one shilling
    
    Item I give to my daugher Dinah Tribble one shilling
    
    Item My desire is that my five sons shal keep their own guns without appraising
    
    Item I give to my daughter Mary Meador, one gold ring.
    
    Item I give to my son Jonas Meador, a small piece of land joining upon Thomas Evinses land and running up to the church that goes from my house , then up a long? road a small course till it comes to the forks of the branch fo where it begins and from the forks to ye first beginning. And the rest of my land I give to my other four sons, bo be equally divided with all my houses and orchards thereon belonging and I do appoint my two sons Job and Jason my lawful executors
    
    Item I give to my son Joshua Meador on chest to be apprasied and the rest of my estate to be equally divided among my children and leave my two youngest sons to be age at 17. I do leave my son Jonas Meador to look after them 3 years. And my will not to be in force till my death Witness my hand and seal Oct 17,1721
    
    John Meador seal Probated 21 Nov 1721
    
    Tests:
    
    Samuel Waggoner
    
    Francis F Poarris
    
    Ann A Bradbury
    
    
    Present for Probate Nov 21,1721 by Jonas Meador during the minority of the executor in the said will mentioned, with oaths by Samuel Waggoner, Francis Pierce and Ann Bradbury per Victor Meador
    
    Presented for probate Nov, 21,1721 by Jonas Meador during the minori ty of the executor in the said will mentioned, with oaths by Samuel Waggon er, Francis Pierce and Ann Bradbury.
    INVENTORY OF (3) John Meador, SR.
    Essex County. Will Book 3, page 287
    
    2 cows and yearling 1 dozen new spoons
    2 barren cows ? doz. old ditto
    1 young steer and heifer 3 pas. forks and 6 of spire
    6 head of sheep 2 towels
    1 horse and mare 2 pare of shears
    25 new pewter parcel of old iron
    42 old pewter 1 chest and lumber
    parcel shoemakers tools chest and cane
    parcel of books chest and box
    parcel of candle stubs 2 mills bags
    parcel of tin 1 feather bed and furn.
    parcel of earthenware ditto
    parcel of glass bottles ditto
    parcel of old lumber ditto
    2 lanterns parcel of old spools
    Lord 2 bolts 2 spinning wheels
    parcel of segitt boots collar and harness
    parcel of small sillards parcel of olifford
    drinking glass 2 parcel of lasts
    looking glass parcel of coopers and
    curing pans and steel carpenters tools
    1 warming pan and sinior 2 old pads
    3 pare of old wool cards 4 new harness
    pare of porbett comperios 1 old chest and lumber
    1 gun and 1 rowing rod parcel of nails
    parcel of bowels and trays 4 old barrels
    parcel of old chairs and 2 old mills bags
    table and furniture 2 bushels of soft joynte
    1 skillet 1 linen wheel
    2 pare of fire tongs and 16 lb. wool
    fire shovels parcel of baskoft
    1 spit 2 saddles and bridles
    2 pots parcel of planks
    1 cutting knife parcel of banded leather
    pare old baltol eddy hook
    1 brass cord 2 raw hides
    parcel of old umblott old table
    2 shot bags and powder horns 1 cart and wheels
    parcel of earthen ware 1 hive of bees
    copper pott old grinder
    2 frying pans parcel of old carque
    1 spiro mortar basrolls
    106 pott iron parcel of cotton
    parcel of old pott iron 1 lines and harness
    his own wearing clothes 5 bushels of wheat
    parcel of money scales and rule parcel of can hooks
    2/6 cash 1 small auger
    parcel of mall lumber 6 years of caterloons
    pare of large scales stuff
    parcel of lumber
    
    Total value 63-6-0
    
    NOTE: Lancaster later named Rappahannock, then Essex.
    Nunnally, Major Perkins, " The Descendents of Jonas and Francis Mead or of Essex, Caroline, and Cumberland Counties, Virginia", Nine Oaks, Pi ne Bluff, Arkansas, 5 June 1968 is the source of dates, wives and children.

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