Joshua Meek

A21. Joshua Meek was born about 1731. He died 27 Apr 1818 in Allegheny Co., PA at the age of 87 according to his tombstone. His will was dated 28 Jun 1817 and proven 2 May 1818. Traditional histories and genealogies state that he was born Virginia or North Carolina. However, his place of birth is not established.

The book The History of Allegheny County, 1876, by Samuel Durant in the section on Moon Township, records the arrival of Joshua in South West Pennsylvania on page 149.

"Joshua, John, and Jacob Meek were early residents of the property now owned by their descendants. They were of Welsh origin, but emigrated from Virginia to Western Pennsylvania. They were obliged to leave on account of the Indians some time after coming to the township, and fled to old Fort Redstone, where they remained for several years."

(Note: Caution is advised in assuming any facts from this statement. The source of this information is unknown and may well be wrong. We do suspect that the family was likely from Maryland originally rather than Virginia. Washington County was formed in 1781 from Westmoreland County. Allegheny County was formed in 1788 from Washington County and the area around Montour Run became known as Moon Township. The area was also claimed by Virginia and was part of Yohogania County taken from West Augusta County.)

A more recent history, specific to Moon TWP, Forgotten Past, A History of Moon Township, Pennsylvania 2006 by Dr. Robert A. Jockers, examined early Virginia land grants and indicated that Joshua came to Moon TWP in 1774. The first settlers arrived in 1773. John Meek is also listed and his land was next to Joshua. Jacob Meek’s land was near by in Findley Township. The Westmoreland Co., PA tax record of 1773 list Joshua Meck in Mt. Pleasant Township. This area was in modern day Westmoreland County. There were two men named Joshua Meek(s) in the area. It is known though DNA testing that they were related although that relationship remains unknown.

According to Jockers, in 1777 settlers began to leave the area due to hostility with the Indians. A stockade was built on Robert Vance’s property and Joshua joined the local Militia. This is supported by the History of Washington County, Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches, 1882 by Boyd Crumrine, Page 213

"At the next term, held May 26, 1777" "On May 27, Michael Thorn and Joshua Meeks were sworn as captains of the militia."

Michael Thorn resided in Moon Township near Joshua Meek.

In the winter of 1781 the Indian hostilities had increased and the remaining settlers in the township departed for Ft. Redstone. In the summer of 1783 Joshua returned and remained permanently in Moon Township.

Joshua was listed in the 1781 and the 1783 tax list of Robinson Township, Washington County. In 1783 Joshua's property was recorded as 600 acres, 6 horses, 2 cows, 12 sheep, 3 slaves, value 420 Pounds. He registered his slaves on 19 Dec 1782. They were Dave, age 45, Grigg, age 30, and Ann, age 26.

Joshua's land in Moon TWP "The Garden" was eventually recorded in a land patent granted on 1 Apr 1788 and surveyed 12 Apr 1785. This patent, based on a Virginia certificate, was granted after the boundary dispute between Pennsylvania and Virginia was settled. The Virginia certificate indicates that Joshua settled on the land in 1774. Also recorded in Heinz History Warrantee Atlas of Allegheny County, Moon Township were John Meek and Jacob Meek.

A deed from Washington County (Deed book 1-C-177) dated 8 Feb 1786 indicates that Joshua purchased land from Edward Ward of Westmoreland County. Edward Ward was a speculator who purchased the land granted to Christopher Wentzell located next to Joshua’s land. The deed was witnessed by Alexander McCandles who had previously purchased land from Jeremiah Meek.

Joshua is listed in the 1788 tax list of Robinson Township, Washington County and the 1789 tax list of Moon TWP, Allegheny County. He is listed in the 1790 census of Moon Township with one female. He is also listed in the 1800 and 1810 censuses.

It is assumed that Joshua married prior to his arrival in Pennsylvania. However, this is not proven.

He married (2) Margaret Mitchell in 1789. She was born about 1766. She died in 1852. Her will is dated 30 Mar 1852 and probated 25 May 1852. She was living with son, Basel, in 1850. Her children and some spouses are listed in Joshua and Margaret's wills.

11. Elizabeth Meek was born on 16 Aug 1791 in Allegheny Co., PA. She married George Morrison. He was born about 1789. They are reported in the 1850 census of Moon TWP, Allegheny Co., PA. Sarah, age 38, is living with them. In 1860 Sarah continues to live with them.
- 21. Elizabeth Morrison.
- 22. Sarah L. Morrison was born about 1812. She was mentioned in grandmothers will.
12. Sarah Meek was born on 11 Jun 1793 in Allegheny Co., PA. She dies 12 Apr 1856 in Mason Co., WV. She married William Yauger. He was born in 1789 in Pennsylvania. He died 22 Aug 1872 in Mason Co., WV. They moved to Muskingum Co., OH about 1821 and then to Mason Co., WV about 1849. They were listed in the 1850 census of Mason Co., WV living next to James and Catherine Mitchell.
This is the family of Shawn Thomas.
- 31. Josiah Yauger was born 12 Apr 1817.
- 32. Phillip Yauger was born 20 Mar 1821 in Muskingum Co., OH. He died 19 Oct 1906 in Mason Co., WV. He married Sophia Lutton 10 Aug 1854 in Mason Co., WV. She was born 8 Mar 1826. She died 25 Feb 1895. She was the daughter of Matthew Lutton and Eleanor Yauger.
- 33. Rachel Gorman Yauger was born 1 Aug 1823 in Muskingum Co., OH. She was listed after the other children in the census and be a spouse rather than a daughter.
- 34. Henry Yauger was born 12 Feb 1826 in Muskingum Co., OH.
- 35. Jackson Yauger was born 5 Oct 1827 in Muskingum Co., OH. He was listed in the 1860 census of Morgan Co., WV.
- 36. Washington Yauger was born Nov 1829 in Muskingum Co., OH.
- 37. Jeremiah Yauger was born 28 Jul 1831.
- 38. Bazeleal Yauger was born 1835 in Muskingum Co., OH.
13. Rachel Meek was born on 25 Feb 1795 in Allegheny Co., PA. She married David Onstott. He was born about 1786 in Maryland. They are listed in the 1850 and 1860 census of Moon TWP, Allegheny Co., PA.
- 41. Anna Onstott.
- 42. Rachel Onstott.
- 43. Mary Onstott.
- 44. Sarah Onstott.
- 45. Emma Onstott was born about 1833.
- 46. William Onstott.
- 47. Margaret Onstott.
14. Hannah Meek was born on 6 Apr 1797 in Allegheny Co., She died on14 Apr 1817.
15. Jane Meek She was born 29 Fed 1798. She died on 16 Apr 1817 according to her tombstone. She was unmarried.
16. Joshua Meek was born on 8 Jun 1800 in Allegheny Co., PA. He died 19 Oct 1853 in Mason Co., WV. He married Eleanor Yauger 26 Mar 1827 in Muskingum Co., OH. She was born 2 Nov 1802 and died 8 Oct 1853. She married (1) Matthew Lutton 28 Nov 1821 in Muskingum Co., OH. He died about 1825. Joshua and Eleanor were reported in the 1830-1850 census of Moon TWP, Allegheny Co., PA. They moved to Mason Co., WV about 1850. They are buried in McComb-Thomas Cemetery in Flatrock, WV.
- 51. Margaret Meek was born about 1825. She may be a daughter of Matthew Lutton.
- 52. Sophia Meek was born about 1827. She may be a daughter of Matthew Lutton.
- 53. Nancy Meek was born 18 Mar 1828. She died 27 Feb 1907. She married Perry Lemasters 27 Jan 1852 in Mason Co., WV. He was born 3 Dec 1827 in Mason Co., WV. He died 28 Mar 1909. Note: Data about Nancy born about 1829 is not proven.
- 54. Bazil Meek was born about 1833. (Also known as Bazaleel) He was buried Long Creek Cemetery, Dallas Co., TX. He married Emma Mariah _____. She was born about 1841 in Ohio. He was in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was a private in Company C, 13th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry. He mustered out June 22, 1865. They were listed in the 1870 and 1880 censuses of Mason Co., WV. Note: Research cunducted by Robert Bennett of the Long Creek Cemetery Association. It is not certain that the person buried in the Long Creek Cemetery, the Bazaleel in Civil War records or the family in the 1870 and 1880 censuses is the son of Joshua Meek.
  - 161. George H. Meek was born Mar 1865 in West Virginia. He died 1947 in Texas. He married Mattie Jane Berry 22 Dec 1887 in Dallas Co., TX. She was born 3 Nov 1869 in Alabama. They were listed in the 1900 and 1910 censuses of Dallas Co., TX.
    - 201. Ethel N. Meek was born 15 Oct 1888 in Texas
    - 202. Ermin Meek was born 14 Jan 1890 in Texas. She is not listed in 1900 census.
    - 203. Rosa Meek was born Feb 1892 in Texas
    - 204. Estie L. Meek was born May 1894 in Texas
    - 205. Bryan Meek was born 5 Oct 1897 in Texas.
    - 206. Thomas E. Meek was born about 1902 in Texas.
    - 207. William B. Meek was born about 1907 in Texas.
  - 162. Ella Meek was born about Nov 1867 in West Virginia. She died Dec 1949 in Dallas Co., TX. She married John Thomas Edwards about 1878. He was born about 1858 in Dallas Co., TX. They were listed in the 1900 census of Dallas Co., TX.
    - 211. Lilly Edwards was born Sep 1889 in Texas
    - 212. Grover Cleveland Edwards was born Dec 1892 in Texas.
    - 213. Bertha Edwards was born Aug 1899 in Texas
  - 163. Robert Walter Meek was born Dec 1871 in West Virginia. He died 1916 in Texas. He married (1) Anne _____. She was born about 1886. He was listed with his sister, Ella, in the 1900 census.
    - 221. Eula Meek was born about 1903 in Texas.
    He married (2) Katy _____. She was born about 1896 in Texas.
    - 222. Lawrence Meek was born about 1914 in Texas
    - 223. Luceil Meek was born about 1916 in Texas
  - 164. Adda Meek was born about 1875 in West Virginia. She died Sep 1962 in Dallas Co., TX. She married Thomas R. Mathis. He was born about 1847 in Alabama.
    - 231. Jeffery Allen Mathis was born 18 Dec 1899 in Texas
    - 232. Ollie O. Mathis was born about 1904 in Texas
    - 233. Laura T. Mathis was born about 1907 in Texas
    - 234. Unia Faye Mathis was born about 1910 in Texas
    - 235. Ed Vanston Mathis was born about 1914 in Texas
    - 236. Ramond E. Mathis was born about 1919 in Texas
- 55. Eleanor Meek was born 3 Sep 1837 in PA. She died 26 Feb 1911 in Columbus, OH. She married John Edward Godley 25 Mar 1860 in Mason Co., WV. He was born 23 Apr 1823 in Ohio. He died 23 Feb 1902 in Columbus, OH. He was the son of Martin Godley and Eliza Jane Roseberry. They are listed in the 1860 census of Mason Co., WV. Note: Data on Ellen born about 1837 is not proven.
- 56. Henry Meek was born about 1841. He is likely the Henry Meek listed in the 1870 and 1880 censuses of Morgan Co., WV. He married Parthenia ______ about 1868. (Her surname may have been McDaniels.) He served in the same army unit as his brother Bazil during the Civil War. They were listed in the 1900 census of Mason Co., WV. Parthenia was listed in the 1910 census as head of household.
17. Nancy Meek was born on 20 Oct 1802 in Allegheny Co., PA. She married John D. McCormick. He was born about 1800 in Pennsylvania. They were listed in the 1850 census of Moon TWP, Allegheny Co., PA. They were listed in the 1870 census of Moon TWP, Allegheny Co., PA. Listed with them was John D. McKindley age 10 and Mary E. McKindley age 8.
- 61. Margaret McCormick is not listed in the 1850 census with her parents.
- 62. Mary Ann McCormick was born about 1827.
- 63. James McCormick was born about 1828. He was listed with his parents in the 1860 census. In 1870 he lived nect to his father with Lizzie A. age 32 and three children.
- 64. Emily McCormick was born about 1830. She married Phillip McKinley. He was born 1 Apr 1827 in Muskingum Co., OH. She was listed with her parens in 1850 and he resided with Joshua Meek in 1850. They moved to West Virginia. She died about 1862. Two of her children are listed with her parents in 1870.
  - 151. John D. McKinley
  - 152. Mary E. McKinley
  - 153. Nancy Jane McKinley was born 6 Jul 1852 and died 27 Oct 1946. She married Winfield Scott Meanor.
  - 154. Virginia McKinley
- 65. George McCormick was born about 1832.
- 66. Elizabeth McCormick was born about 1834.
- 67. Nancy Jane McCormick was born about 1840. she was listed with his parents in 1860 and 1870. census.
18. Jeremiah Meek was born on 6 Mar 1804 in Allegheny Co., PA. He died 19 Jan 1899 according to a newspaper article on the family. He resided in Moon TWP, Allegheny Co., PA through out his life. He is reported in the 1830 and 1840 census with wife, 2 sons and 1 daughter. He is listed in the 1850 census, age 45 with wife, Jane, age 44 and Jas Delany, age 17. He is listed in the 1860 census, age 55 with wife, Jane, age 54. He is listed in the 1870 census, age 66 with wife, Jane, age 44. He is listed in the 1880 census, age 76 living with James Aten, age 61. There were no children listed after the 1840 census.

Traditional Meek genealogy indicate the he married Betty Morgan. She was born about 1808 and died about 1873. However, A Boley genealogy indicated that he married Jane (Jerima) Boley. She was born 8 May 1808 in Cecil TWP, Washington Co., PA. She died 26 Sep 1873 in Moon TWP, Allegheny Co., PA. Her parents were John Boley and Mary Downard. It appears that some or all of the information on Betty Morgan is incorrect.
A Godley researcher indicates that Jeremiah married Sarah Jane Lutton, the widow of Robert Lutton. It says that she brought two children to the marriage, Robert born 1822 and Sophia born 1826. This information may or may not be true. It does raise questions about the children in the census records.
- 71. Male born bewteen 1815-1820 based on the 1830 census. May be the same person in the 1840 census born between 1820-1825.
- 72. Female born between 1820-1825 according to the 1830 & 1840 census.
- 73. Male born between 1830-1835 according to the 1840 census.
19. Susannah Meek was born on 20 Nov 1806. She died in 23 Jun 1839 according to her tombstone. She married Samuel Ewing before 1839. He was born about 1784. He died on 23 Jun 1839.
20. Bazel Meek was born about 1811 in Allegheny Co., PA.

If you have any questions, E-mail Chris Meek.

Note: 1

Virginia Certificate #492
"Joshua Meeks produced a certificate from the commissioners for adjusting and settling claims to lands in the counties Yohogania, Monongalia and & Ohio for four hundred acres land in this county on Montour’s Run to include his settlement made in the year 1774. Which entry & "

Note: 2

Pennsylvania Patent
Survey book 1 p. 48 4-12-1785
Granted a tract called "Garden" to Joshua Meek containing 416 acres adjoining John Meeks, John Lee Webster and John Ward. (It is assumed that this is land he already lived on.)

Joshua Meeks
416 1/2 Ms Strict
Surveyed Apr. 12, 1785 on
A Vir. Cert.
Patented Apr. 7 1788 to same on
a warrant to accept dated
Apr. 1, 1788 p. 14.80
"The Garden"

"The Connection"
291 Hs. 4 Ps 8 Allowance
Christopher Wentzell
Warrant dated Apr. 30, 1785
Surveyed May 30, 1785
Patented Apr 7, 1798 to
Joshua Meeks, R35.211
"Aberdeen"

Heinz History Warrantee Atlas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, 1914

Note: 4

The following additional quotes from early history book cannot be relied upon and were likely not based on actual research.

The book "The History of Allegheny County", 1876, by Samuel Durant, page 150

"Jacob Meek settled in Findlay Township, adjoining the land of his brothers in Moon Township, previous to 1887."

"The Genealogy and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania", 1915 by Jordan Volumn II, page 258.

"Joshua, John, and Jacob Meek were among the early settlers of Moon Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, coming from Virginia about 1769."

The book "The Early Families and History of Moon Twp. Allegheny Co., PA" by Charles D. Rouzer states;

"Joshua Meek was born in the colony of Virginia, in 1731, and lived to the age of 87. ... This man seems, from all the information I can find, to be the father of Joshua Jr., John and Jacob Meek, who received patents for land in Moon and Findlay Townships, Joshua and John Meek being the men who acquired the plots in Moon Township." This book postdates the other references.

Note: Abstracts of court records

Frederick Co., VA records dated 10-1765 Joshua Meek vs William Clements - dismissed by agreement

There is no proof that this is the same Joshua Meek who went to Allegheny Co., PA. However, it may account for why people believe that he was from Virginia. The Meek family was in both Eastern Virginia and Western Maryland at this time. They frequently spent time in both states.

From Berkley Co., VA
Archibald Shearer, assignee of Moses Cherry; 29 Feb. 1768 - 8 July 1768; 336 acres on Potomac; adjoins his own, Thomas Cherry's 100 acres & 125 acres patents, Aaron Cherry, Vulgamore and Wells 288 acres survey. Chain Carriers: Joshua MEAKES & John Richardson. Surveyor Richard Rigg.

This Joshua is very likely the Joshua Meck in the 1773 tax list of Mt. Pleasant TWP, Westmoreland Co., PA. He is not the Joshua Meek who lived in Moon Township.

The name Joshua Meek is mentioned in the proceeding of the Council of Maryland, 1761-1769. Joshua Meek of Fredericks County was issued a summons 1 Nov 1766.

There a person named Joshua Meek who resided in Anne Arundel County and he is mentioned in records between 1780 to 1812. This person cannot be the one of the two men named Joshua in West Pennsylvania.

The following has not been verified
SHARON PRESBYTERIAN CEMETERY
Carnot Rd., Moon Township
Allegheny County, PA

MEEK, Bazaleel, b 1-29-1810 d 5-3-1902
MEEK, Eliza Neely, wife of Bazeleel, d 1-11-1840 ae 20
MEEK, Harriet B., wife of William J., 1851-1925
MEEK, Jane, wife of Jeremiah, b 5-8-1808 d 9-26-1873
MEEK, Jeremiah, b 3-6-1804 d 1-19-1889
MEEK, Nancy Jane, wife of Bazaleel, b 9-26-1826 d 8-26-1906
MEEK, William J . , 1849-1919

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Joshua Meek

(1731-1818)

By Christopher A. Meek.