Jonas Meador

• General Notes
  • Religion: Quaker, Baptist
    
    In 1751, Jonas Meador moved to Cumberland County, Virginia. He settled at the heads of Deep and Muddy Creeks about 5 miles NE of the present County Seat. A Meador cemetery is still in the vicinity. Here he raised a family of 9 children, who contributed greatly to the future of western migrations. Of these children only 4 continued to live in Cumberland County. These children were: their only daughter Frances, and three of their sons Jonas, Jr., Jehu, and Jesse. The others moved westward into the Bedford-Franklin area of Virginia. Josiah moved to the Giles Creek area of Virginia. Jonas Meador's youngest son, Jesse, enlisted in the Revolution on Oct. 17, 1775 and was his only son to serve in the Revolutionary War. Jesse was in the Minute Men of the Amelia District of Cumberland County and served under Captain JosephCarrington. Three of Jonas's grandsons also served in the Revolutionary War. All three were the sons of Joel: John, Jonas Jr., and Joel. Jonas owned 630 acres at his death in 1768. His will was dated May 5, 1768 and was probated Aug. 23, 1768. The oldest son, Joel, inherited 430 acres, and his brother Jesse inherited the other 200 acres. Joel had already taken up residence in Bedford County, Virginia, so he sold 230 acres of his inheritance to his mother, Frances, and the other 200 acres to his brother Jesse. Jonas Meador, Jr. had already purchased land in Bedford County, Virginia, but when his father died, he sold it and returned to the farm to manage his mother's affairs until his death in 1773. Jonas Meador's wife, Frances, executed a will on Aug. 17, 1774 but it was not probated until Sept. 25, 1780. Her death probably occurred nearer the later date. 
    Jonas Meador is perhaps the best known of the children of (3) John Meador, and certainly the best documented. Born about 1698 to 1700, he was the oldest son of John's second marriage, and was named by his father to be guardian of his two youngest brothers, Job and Jason. Under the terms of the will, Jonas was given a small plot of land, the size and location of which cannot be determined, nor can its final disposal be found in the records. Since his two youngest brothers were named Executors, they were unable to perform this duty because they were still minors, and Jonas, as their guardian, performed this duty for them, presenting their father's will for probate and signing the inventory. Sometime between 1723 and 1734 Jonas moved to Caroline County, probably following other family members. The loss of nearly all of the Caroline County records inhibits us from learning more about his activities there. We know that he was appointed Surveyor of Roads (overseer of repair) in place of George Trible in 1734 , and was paid for clearing a road from the Mattapony River across Polecat Swamp to the Chesterfield Church . This would indicate that Jonas lived in that vicinity, just south of the Mattapony River and east of the present town of Penola. In 1743, Jonas and his brother Jason were indicted by the Caroline County Grand Jury for not attending St. Margaret's, the local Anglican church, for which offense fines of 5 shillings or 50 pounds of tobacco was levied. The men stated they were Quakers, and the charges were dismissed. On a similar charge, (5) Joel, son of Jonas, was also charged. 
    CUMBERLAND CO., Land Description, 1752: 23 Oct. 1752 -- Deed Bk. 2, pg 17-18 [VaStLib microfilm 1]: Peter Holland to William and Edward Clemons, 366 acres in Southam Parish, Cumberland Co. bounded by Sampson Fleming, Robert Sith, Benjamin Moseby, Andrew Edwards, William Holland, Samuel Allen, Jonas Meadors, James Holloway, George Owen.In 1751, Jonas Meador moved to Cumberland County, Virginia. He settled at the heads of Deep and Muddy Creeks about 5 miles NE of the present County Seat. A Meador cemetery is still in the vicinity. Here he raised a family of 9 children, who contributed greatly to the future of western migrations. Of these children only 4 continued to live in Cumberland County. These children were: their only daughter Frances, and three of their sons Jonas, Jr., Jehu, and Jesse. The others moved westward into the Bedford-Franklin area of Virginia. Josiah moved to the Giles Creek area of Virginia. Jonas Meador's youngest son, Jesse, enlisted in the Revolution on Oct. 17, 1775 and was his only son to serve in the Revolutionary War. Jesse was in the Minute Men of the Amelia District of Cumberland County and served under Captain JosephCarrington. Three of Jonas's grandsons also served in the Revolutionary War. All three were the sons of Joel: John, Jonas Jr., and Joel. 
    Jonas owned 630 acres at his death in 1768. His will was dated May 5, 1768 and was probated Aug. 23, 1768. The oldest son, Joel, inherited 430 acres, and his brother Jesse inherited the other 200 acres. Joel had already taken up residence in Bedford County, Virginia, so he sold 230 acres of his inheritance to his mother, Frances, and the other 200 acres to his brother Jesse. Jonas Meador, Jr. had already purchased land in Bedford County, Virginia, but when his father died, he sold it and returned to the farm to manage his mother's affairs until his death in 1773. 
    
    
    �WILL OF JONAS MEADOR�
    
    In the name of God, Amen, I, Jonas Meador SR. of Cumberland County, being in perfect sence and memory, blessed be God, do here make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner as followed, viz.:
    
    First, I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God, my Maker, hoping through the meritorious death and passion of Jesus Christ my only Savior and Redeemer to receive free pardon and forgiveness of my sins. And as for my body, to be decently buried at the discretion of my wife hereafter. And as for my worldly goods, I dispose of them as followed.
    
    Item I give unto my son Jessy Meador two hundred acres of land whereon I now live and all the appurtenances there belonging, after his mother�s decease.
    
    Item I give to my son John Meador one negro girl named Phy
    
    Item I give to my son Jehu Meador one negro girl named Hanner
    
    Item I give to my son Joab Meador on negro girl named Mogey, and the rest of my estate
    
    I give to my true and well beloved wife Frances Meador to do with it as she sees fit; and legacies left to my children to continue in the estate until the death of my wife
    
    This is my last will and testament, revoking all others, whereunto I set my hand and seal this fifth day of May one thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight.
    
    Jonas (X) Meador L�.S.
    
    Tests in the presume of
    
    Michael Jones
    
    Maryan� (X) Adams
    
    Thomas (X) Adams.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Cumberland County, Virginia will book 1 page 361.
    
    At a Court held for Cumberland County, the 22nd August, 1768, this last will and testament of Jonas Meador SR., dec�d., was proved by the witnesses thereto and by Court ordered to be recorded. Teste: Thompson Swann, clk
    
    VPM: �WILL OF FRANCES MEADOR�
    
    In the Name of God, Amen, I Frances Meador of Cumberland, being in proper health and in my natural sences, do make and constitute my last will and testament as follows, and by these presents do disannul any other will or wills whatsoever before made by me or by me ever assigned
    
    Item I give my granddaughter Anne Meador my side saddle
    
    Item I give my granddaughter Roseanah Meador one heifer
    
    Item. The rest of my estate both real and personal to be equally divided between my children as follows; Joel Meador, Mary Holland, Frances Holloway, John Meador, Josiah Meador, Jehu Meador, Joab Meador, Jesse Mardor, and my desire is that Joel Meador, Jehu Meador, & Jesse Mardor do act as executors for the estate.
    
    In witness whereunto I set my hand & seal this 17th day of August one thousand seven hundred and seventy four.
    
    Frances (E) Meador
    
    Tests
    
    John Atkinson
    
    Joisah Robetson
    
    Meathe (*) Meador
    
    Cumberland County, Virginia wills Book 2 page 266
    
    At a Court held for Cumberland County 25th September, 1780, this last will and testament of Frances Meador, deceased, was exhibited in court by Jehu Meador, one of the executors named therein, and the same was proved by Josiah Robertson and Meatha Meador, two of the witnesses thereto, and made oath according to law, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, giving security whereupon he with Simon Gentry and Samuel Holloway, his securities, entered into bond according to law and liberty is reserved to the other executors to join in probate
    
    Tests: G. Carrington JR. clk