In the name of God Amen I, Jacob Meek of the
County of Wayne and State of Indiana being advanced in age and
not firm in body but sound in mind and memory do make this my
last Will and Testament in manner and form following to wit.
First of all I commend my soul to God who gave
it and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent and christian
like manner. And to such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased
God to help me I give and dispose of the same in the manner and
form following to wit.
I give and bequeath unto my dear wife Eleaner
Meek all my estate consisting of Thirty acres of land to go in
with all my estate both real and personal of what kind or nature
the same may be I give and bequeath unto my dear wife so long
as she remains my widow.
And as respects the disposal of my land and
property at the death of my wife it is my will and testament that
ten acres of my land situated on the East side of said thirty
acres a long the North and South line be at the disposal of my
wife Eleanor. And the remaining twenty acres of land I give and
bequeath unto my daughter Effe Grimes her heirs or assigns forever
at the death of my wife. And as touching the rest of my property
at the death of my wife I leave it entirely at the disposal of
my wife to give it to whom she may think proper.
As to the rest of my children I bequeath as
follows to wit I hereby declare and bequeath unto my son John
Meek one dollar - to my son Isaac Meek one dollar and to the heirs
of my son Joshua Meek deceased one dollar. As to the heirs of
my son William Meek deceased one dollar. To Patty Fisher my daughter
wife of Elijah Fisher one dollar. Rue Holman my daughter wife
of William Holman one dollar. Jeremiah L. Meek my son one dollar.
And lastly I consider consitiute and appoint
my dear son in law William Grimes of the County of Wayne and State
of Indiana to be the executor of this my will hereby revoking
all other wills by me heretofore made and declaring this and no
other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I
have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of May A.D. 1835.
Abraham Cuppy
Indiana Will Records Book 2 Page 222-223
Palladium, Richmond, Indiana May 23, 1840
A Revolutionary Patriot Gone. - Died, - In the vicinity of this city, on Saturday evening, the 16th instant, Jacob Meek, aged 93 years. Mr. Meek was probably the oldest man in the county. He was born in the year 1747, in the state of Maryland, and served throughout the revolutionary war: believing that “To fight In a just cause, and for his country’s glory, Is the best office of the best of men.”
After the close of the revolution, he emigrated to the western part of the State of Pennsylvania, enduring the privations incident to the settlement of that country, which was at that time almost an unbroken wilderness. After remaining there a few years, he moved to Kentucky. Here again he met the savage foe, and assisted in defending the helpless and dependent pioneers from the revengeful and murderous Indians – participating in many of those scenes which gave to Kentucky the appalling title of the ‘dark and bloody ground.’ Peace and safety in a measure restored to the settlements in that State, he again penetrated the then ‘far west,’ and located in this county, – thirty-three years ago – long before such a place as the city of Richmond now is was thought of. Here again, although he had passed beyond the number of years generally allotted to mankind, he contributed his part to the defense of the frontier.
The life of Mr. Meek was one of eventfulness. Born before the revolution, he saw and felt the usurpations of a foreign government upon free born American citizens - joined heart and hand with those patriots who determined to repel the tyrannical measures attempted to be imposed upon the citizens of the colonies - fought by the side of Washington and his illustrious compeers - participated in several bloody and severely contested battles, and finally saw the arms of freedom victorious and peace restored to his country. He as seen that country which in his youth was an unbroken wilderness and the abode of savages, transformed into highly cultivated fields and flourishing cities and villages. In short, he has seen the fruition of all the sanguine hopes that animated the minds of those who broke the yoke of British tyranny, and established our government upon the sacred principles of equal liberty and justice to all men.
'His course is done - his errand done,’ and his spirit has joined those of the immortal dead of other days.
DIED - In the county Henry in the State of Kentucky about six weeks since, Basil Meek, a brother of the above aged one hundred and nine years. He was also a patriot of the revolution.
his
Jacob X Meek
Mark Signed
sealed and published by said testators as his last
will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and
at his request have subscribed as witnesses.
A. Haines