The Bazil Meek Family of Henry County Kentucky
By
Christopher A. Meek
|
Before the formation of Henry County in 1799, John
and Jacob Meek came to the area now known as New Castle, Kentucky.
That they both came together is recorded in a letter from John's
grandson, Basil Meek dated 20 Aug 1920. Both men paid taxes in
Shelby County beginning in 1794 and both appeared in the 1800
census of Henry County along with three of their sons.
There are several published and unpublished genealogies
which discuss the ancestors and descendants of these two people.
Few of these genealogies provide much evidence to support their
findings and their claims are not the subject of this paper. My
own connection to John Meek has not been the subject of any known
study of the family although most genealogies usually do mention
the fact that John Meek had a son named Bazil, which is supported
by his will. One book by H. B. Meek indicates that Bazil had a
son named Jeremiah.
|
Photo by Rick Hutchison
|
This paper is intended to describe those records
that I am aware of and put forth my interpretation which will
make a connection from my known ancestors to John Meek. In the
process I will outline a major family that resided in Henry County
for a period of time during the "early" days.
Jacob Meek
While Jacob's family is not the focus of my research,
it is important to note those records about him which clearly
outline his family. His wife is mentioned in the following deed
record. In addition to being listed in the 1800 census, he paid
taxes through 1806. He is believed to have moved to Indiana about
this time along with many of his children. By 1812, it is believed
that all of his family had left the county as records of them
begin to appear in Indiana.
Deed Book #2, Page 31, 15 Nov 1801.
Jacob Meek and Eleanor, his wife to Richard Rue,
twenty pounds for 8 acres.
Jacob's will dated 4 Aug 1835 is recorded in the
the Wayne Co., IN Will Book #2. It lists his wife, Elenor and
his children: John; Isaac; Joshua; William; Patty, wife of Elijah
Fisher; Rue, wife of William Holman; Jeremiah L.; Effe, wife of
William Grimes.
Isaac is the sole male member of the family to appear
in the 1810 census. Henry County marriage abstracts report his
marriage to Sarah Perkins on 17 Mar 1810 as well as the 20 Jul
1803 marriage of Patty Meek to Elijah Fisher. It is not believed
that any of Jacob's male offspring remained or returned to Henry
County.
John Meek
As indicated above, John Meek came to Henry County
prior to 1800. He was accompanied by his four sons. John's will
is dated 2 May 1801 and was probated in Henry County in 1803.
It lists his wife, Margaret and the children Bazel; John; Jeremiah;
Josh; Sarah; Terah; Patience; Rachal; Tempy. As with Jacob's family,
it thought that most of John's sons moved away from Henry County
prior to 1815.
The following deed record, dated 15 November 1800,
is thought to be the partition of John Meek's original settlement
to the four sons mentioned in the will. It appears that many of
the deed records are a clarification of titles and it is difficult
to determine when land actually changes hands. In any event it
appears that all four brother paid for this land again in January
1807, each holding 100 acres.
Deed Book #1, page 33 and 34 15 November 1800
John Pope of Shelby County, Kentucky, to Jeremiah
Meeks, Bazil Meeks, John Meeks, JR. and Joshua Meeks of Henry
County, Kentucky for 5 shillings, part of a tract of 3704 acres
patented in the name of James F. Moore and this day conveyed by
said Moore to said Pope containing by estimation four hundred
acres, being the land purchased by said Meeks of Robert Taylor.
Sold at a reduced price on account of the interference and the
uncertainty of said Pope's title.
Deed Book #3, page 14, 10 January 1807
Bazzel Meek to Christopher Hardwick 5 shillings for
100 acres, sold at a reduced price due to poor title, on waters
on Drennon Creek.
John's sons, John and Joshua both moved to Wayne
County, IN between 1810 and 1812. Jeremiah later moved to Hancock
County, IN. However, Bazil Meek and his family remained in Henry
County.
Bazil Meek
The person thought to be Bazil Meek, son of John
Meek appears in the 1800 through 1820 census of Henry County.
In addition, he appears in deed and tax records. Another person
named Basil Meek appears in the records after our Bazil and is
distinguished from him by the dates and size of land holdings
as well as the difference in their ages in the census.
Later records indicate that the size of Bazil's land
was 140 acres. One record lists the name of his wife, Elizabeth.
It is unclear whether Bazil remained on the same piece of land.
In any event by 1818 Jeremiah Meek, his son, seems to be paying
for the same land again on behalf of his father and himself. The
tax records are consistent with these deed records.
Deed Book #3, page 792, 10 May 1810
John Meek to Barksdale Meek 5 shillings for 140 acres
on waters of Drennon Creek, part of 2000 acres survey to Woodcock
to Meek.
Deed Book #5, page 119, 23 August 1815
Bazil Meek and Elizabeth Meek, his wife, to John
Foree, both of Henry County, Kentucky $575.00, for a tract of
land on waters of Drennon Lick Creek, 140 acres being part of
2,000 acres survey conveyed to Lynch to Woodcock, to John Meek
to Bazil Meek.
The distinction between the two men named Bazil Meek
is important because later deed records identify Bazil's son Jeremiah
Meek who is our ancestor. Following is two versions of abstracts
which describe the same transaction. That these records refer
to our Jeremiah is established by the mention of his wife's name.
Henry County marriage abstracts indicate that Jeremiah Meek married
Rachael Rawlings on 29 Dec 1815. Jeremiah appears in the 1820
census of Henry County and there does not appear to be an other
person with that same name during this time period. It should
be noted however, that while many people named Meek have been
identified, there are some which have not been identified.
Henry Co Ky Deeds
&
wf Rachael
7-189 24 June 1818 Jeremiah Meek to Bazil Meek $100
Dr. Creek 100 A part of Vincent Williams 3000 A. survey pat. 5
Mar 1805 - bounded Lewis' fence - corner Jere Meek - Williams
orig line - corner Jesse Meek . . further understood 2d Jan 1816
Abraham Hite as atty in fact for sd Williams did convey by deed
to sd Jere Meek 150 A land but he ought to have conveyed to my
sd father Bazil Meek 100 A & to myself 50 A - deed now intended
to convey to my father the sd 100 A in property conveyed to me
as aforesd.
(signed) Jeremiah (x) Meet, Rachael (x) Meek
Deed Book 7 Page 189, 24 June 1818
Jeremiah Meek to Bazil Meek, both of Henry County,
Kentucky $100.00 for tract of land on waters of Drennon Lick Creek
being part of Vincent Williams 2000 acre survey, patent bearing
date 5 march 1805. Bounded by Jesse Meek to correct deed of January
2, 1816 by Abraham Hite to Jeremiah Meek for 150 acres he ought
to have conveyed to my father Bazil Meek one hundred acres and
to Jeremiah Meek, 50 acres
signed Jeremiah (x) Meek
Rachel (x) Meek
Married 29 Dec, 1815
Henry County, Kentucky
These early deed records also identify another son
of Bazil. In one record, Jonathan Meek is mentioned as a son of
Bazil and in another, the name of his wife, Catherine, is mentioned.
As with some of the other entries, the abstractor included information
from the marriage records. Jonathan appears in the 1820 through
1850 census.
Page # 3
Deed Book 10, Page 282, 13 January 1823
Indenture between Edmond Searcy & Jonathan Meek
both of Henry Co., Kentucky, witness that for the sum of $500.000
for 50 acres from the said Johnathan Meek & Bazil Meek, his
father do sell and convey to the said Johnathan Meek the property
on ridge between Drennon Creek ans Emily Run, joins John Meek.
Deed Book 23, Page 306, 26 April 1850
In part "Jonathan Meek & Catharine his wife,….."
"(Married in Henry County, Kentucky to Caty
Newhouse 5/1/1820)"
Both Bazil and his son Jeremiah ceased to appear
in the various Henry County records prior to 1830. Based on census
and probate records, it is believed that both families moved to
Hancock County, Indiana. They appear in the 1830 census of that
county and shortly afterwards in the probate records. My previous
research was focused on these records in an effort to establishing
the names of Jeremiah's children. This was accomplished through
the probated records and the fact that I knew the name of my ancestors
Levi Meek, a fairly uncommon name. Jeremiah's children were identified
as Eliza Ann Meek, John Henry Meek, Levi Nuttle Meek and Stephen
Basil Meek.
Bazil Meek's probate record was not identified for
several years although it was in my possession. The abstract was
very unclear and not identified as relating to Bazil Meek. Although,
it appeared to contain the names of Jeremiah's children, the other
names were unfamiliar because at that time I only knew the name
of one of his children.
After a break of several years I revisited my old
research and had the occasion to look at Bazil's probate record
at the same time I was reviewing the deed records. An examination
of the Hancock County probate record and a Henry County deed record
revealed that the probate record was in fact about Bazil Meek
and provided a list of his children. While the list of children
in the two records is not exact and the abstracts are less than
clear in other regards, it is apparent that they are about one
family and Jeremiah's children are contained in both.
Hancock Co., IN Probate Order Book 1828-1843
Page 147. In an application for partition of real
estate of Jeremiah Meek dec. are listed: Jonathan, Joseph
and Joshua Meek and Joseph and Patience Young-his wife and Barlow,
Jacob, Jasper, Jarah (Sarah?) and James Meek. The rights of Samuel
Wollum an heir of Rachel Wollum dec. who was the wife of James
Wollum, and also the interest of Eliza Ann Meek who is the wife
of Moses Meek and John P., Levi and Stephen Meek heirs of Jeremiah
Meek dec. are mentioned. May 15, 1838.
Henry Co., KY deed abstracts
Page #4
Deed Book 17, Page 57, 58, and 59, 13 Jul 1836
Joshua Meek, Jas Meek, Barlow Meek, Jacob Meek, Joseph
Young & Patience Young, late Patience Meek, heirs and representatives
of Bazil Meek and Eliza Ann Meek, John Meek, Levi Meek & Stephen
Meek, Infants heirs of Jeremiah Meek, deceased, Jess Meek, Joseph
Meek & Sally Meek, infants of Bazil Meek & Rachel Meek,
by Jas Wholines, her guardian of the first part and George Shortndge
of the second part a tract of land on the waters of Drennon Creek
containing 100 acres, Bounded by Jeremiah Meek & Jess Meek.
Meek heirs sell due to Court order and for $745.00.
Joshua Meek signed below
James Meek
Barlow Meek
Heirs of Bazil Meek, deceased
Jacob Meek
Joseph Young
Patience Meek late Patience Young
Eliza Ann Meek
John Meek
Levi Meek
Infants of Jeremiah Meek, deceased
Stephen Meek
son of Bazil
Jesse Meek
Joseph Meek
Sally Meek
Samuel Wholines, guardian for
Infants of Bazil Meek, Jr.
Rachel Meek
While the deed record suggest that there might have
been a son named Bazil Jr., it is believed that this is a reference
to Bazil himself. There was a younger person named Basil Meek
appearing in the Henry County records starting in 1830 and I was
quick to assume that he was a son of Bazil based on the deed record.
However, I have subsequently learned that this person was part
of a different family. In addition, the Indiana probate records
do not support a son named Basil.
Thus, the children of Bazil and Elizabeth Meek are;
Jeremiah, Jonathan, Rachel, Joshua, James, Barlow, Jesse, Jacob,
Patience, Joseph and Sarah. Having discovered these names, I attempted
to obtain details about them and their own families.
Bazil Meek's Children
Jeremiah Meek's family
has been the primary focus of my research and his children and
grandchildren have been identified in various records. As indicated,
Jeremiah's and his minor children Eliza Ann Meek, John Henry Meek,
Levi Nuttle Meek and Stephen Basil Meek left Henry County about
1828. There is no evidence that any of them returned. Additional
information is available on other pages at this site.
Jonathan Meek has already
been discussed and he and his family can be seen in the Henry
County records including the all important 1850 census of Henry
County. He married Catherine Newhouse 1 May 1820. The census identifies
some of his children as Lavinia born in 1831; Simpson born in
1834; Thomas born 1837; Jonathan L. born in 1843. Additionally,
marriage abstracts indicate that a daughter, Mary, married John
T. Young on 29 Nov 1842 in Henry County. The census indicates
that there were 2, possibly 3 additional older children.
Rachel and Patience were
both married and the names of their spouses was given in the records
above. Of course, Rachel died prior to 1838. It is not known where
Patience was married or lived. I have not seen any other reference
to them or their families.
Joshua Meek, as with the
remainder of the children, he is less clearly connected to the
records. A person named Joshua Meek paid taxes 1823-1838 and there
is a deed dated 21 Jun 1831 which mentions a wife Sally. There
is a marriage abstracts for Sally Stewart dated 5 Mar 1821. Joshua
in the 1830 census gives an age of between 1800 and 1810. There
were three children under the age of 10.
It should be noted that genealogies of other familles
have provided details of the family of Joshua and Sally (Stewart)
Meek. They are not reported here due to the lack of certainty
that he is the same Joshua Meek who was the son of Bazil Meek.
James Meek In the 1830
census was born between 1800 to 1810 as was his wife. There was
a son age 5 to 10 and 2 females under the age of 10. No one by
this name was in the 1840 census. A person named James Meek paid
taxes from 1823 to the end of the records in 1843. There were
2 people with this name in 1843.
There is a marriage record in Gallatin Co., KY for
James Meek and Mary Betsy Stewart 19 Apr 1822. There is no evidence
to connect this record to the son of Bazil.
Barlow Meek paid taxes
1829 to 1843, although he is not in the 1830 census. He is first
mentioned in the deed records in 1849. His wife's name is given
as Leanora/Lennah. The transaction is with a William Sutton. Marriage
abstracts show a marriage to Leannah Sutton 27 Feb 1845, Father
Elijah Sutton. Another marriage was to Dicy Ann Louden 10 Apr
1838, father Hugh Louden.
Barlow in the 1840 census was age 30-40. He had 2
children under the age of 5. This would be consistent with a marriage
to Dicy Ann Louden.
Jacob Meek paid taxes
records from 1833 to 1842. Jacob in the 1840 census was born between
1820 and 1830. The female was born between 1800 and 1810. There
was another female born between 1790 and 1800 and the were 2 children
under 10. There is a Henry County marriage abstract for Charlotte
Clark dated 27 Oct 1831. Again, James, the son of Bazil, can not
be proved to be the same person in these records.
Jesse Meek is mentioned
in the probate records in such a way as to imply that he was younger
and unmarried. The only Jesse in the 1850 census who fits would
have been born about 1814. His wife was Louisa. Marriage records
indicate that a Jesse married 4 Jan 1845 Louisa Wiley, father
Spires Wiley.
However, the census list children at ages 10 and
8 who could not have been the product of this marriage. In order
for Jesse in the marriage record to be Basil's son, he would have
to have been married to a 1st wife who died before
he married Louisa.
There is a marriage record for Lucretia Henderson
25 Feb 1836 who could account for the 10 and 8 year olds in the
census.
Jesse Jr paid taxes from 1837 to 1843 (end of records).
There was an older Jesse which appear throughout the records.
Joseph Meek in the 1850
census was born about 1817 with the wife born about 1820. Marriage
abstracts show a marriage to Serena Stewart 31 Dec 1840, father John Stewart.
Abstracts of the 1850 census give both Serena
and Lavina for the name of the wife.
Joseph and Serena were reported in the 1870 Census
of Indiana. They have also been reported by genealogist and information
is known about their children and grandchildren. There is little
concrete evidence to prove that this Joseph is the son of Bazil
Meek.
Summary
It is apparent that the as the children get younger,
there is less certainty about their connection to the records
which requires more speculation. While I have continued to assume
the marriage abstracts correctly identified the spouses and in
many cases have identified children associated with each, the
purpose of this paper is to give my interpretation of the facts
of the known records. Therefore, I will not speculate further on
the facts that are not confirmed. Hopefully, I will find more
information in the future or others researchers who are descendant
from each of Bazil's sons.
As I worked backwards from Levi Meek , I found his
father Jeremiah Meek in the Indiana records. Admittedly, I used
unconfirmed sources to focus on Bazil Meek of Henry County as
the father of Jeremiah. However, the records support Jeremiah
presence in Henry County as well as his connection to Bazil Meek
and subsequently to John Meek. An effort was made to identify
other possible people living in the county with similar names
who might account for the records. Thus far, nothing has surfaced
to contradict the conclusions made here.
Finally, It has been established that a number of
Bazil Meek's children continued to reside in Henry County through
1850. While subsequent research might reveal that other people
with similar names account for the information in the records,
it seems unlikely that all of these connections will be discounted.
At the very least, Jonathan Meek resided in the county for over 50 years.
In any event, it appears that the majority of all
Meek families had left Henry County by 1860. We know where some
of them went. Yet there remains the mystery of where the others
eventually settled.
Some of the information that I have on these families
can be seen on the other pages on this site:
June 1, 1997
Christopher A. Meek
NOTE: Please note that this article may become outdated as additional information is gathered
and the individual pages are updated.
UPDATE: See the article "The Clay Co., IL Connection" for information on
where some of Bazil's children may have gone after leaving Henry County.
Go To Top
Return to Articles Menu
Return to Clearinghouse page