Obituary of Jacob Meek

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.

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Copyright © 28 Feb 2007 by Christopher A. Meek