1. David Meek was born between 1775 and 1794 based on the 1820 census. He was listed in the 1812 tax list of Franklin Co., TN. He signed an affidavit in Franklin County Indian Court on 13 Sep 1813. He was listed in the 1820 census of Franklin Co., TN (4-2-0-1-1-0-//2-1-0-1). The name of his wife is unknown. There is no evidence concerning who his children were. However, beginning in 1830 the following five men named Meeks appear in the records of Grundy Co., TN. Since the 1820 census indicates that he had sons these men are presumed to be David's sons.
Living with the presumed son, John Meeks, in 1850 and 1860 was Elizabeth Meeks age 62 born in Virginia. This may be David’s wife. Census records vary widely on ages of the sons. If Solomon and Isaac were born in Kentucky and the other son born in Tennessee it would suggest that David came to Grundy Co., TN between 1805 and 1812. Solomon and Isaac are listed in the 1830 census of Franklin Co., TN. Grundy County was formed from Franklin County.
Y-DNA from a single descendant of the presumed son John Meeks indicates this Meeks family was related to a group of early American ancestors known in the Meek DNA Project as Group C. Two ancestors born earlier than David that are included in Group C are Thomas Meek of Washington Co., MD born about 1708 and John Meek of Augusta Co., VA born about 1707. The children and grandchildren of Thomas Meek are fairly well mapped out. Those of John Meek are not. There is no other known ancestor in Group C named Meek who could have been David's father or grandfather. This family is often confused with the Pitt Co., NC Meeks family which is in DNA Group B3. DNA proves that they were not related. Note: This analysis is limited by the lack of DNA from descendants of the other sons and assumes a valid genealogy on the part of the person tested.
Elizabeth Rhea born about 1775 in Virginia lived with David’s presumed son Britain in Grundy Co., TN. A family named Rhea lived in Augusta Co., VA. There is no evidence to connect the Rhea family of Augusta County to Elizabeth Rhea. It is suggestive and is mentioned for its probative value. It is noted that an Elizabeth Meek age 62 Virginia was living with David’s presumed son, John Meeks, in 1850 and 1860 which also gives this Meek family a possible Virginia connection.
There is considerable speculation about a Native American connection in this family. There is absolutely no factual information about David’s wife therefore no one can know if she had Native American blood. Speculation about the wives of his probable sons is based on unsubstantiated connections. However it is not improbable that some member of the family married a Native American and the issue remains an open question.
Connection to children is not proven.
- 11. Solomom Meeks was born about 1803 in Kentucky according to the 1850 census. The 1860 census lists his age as 62. He was listed in the 1830 census of Franklin Co., TN. He was listed in the 1850 to 1880 censuses of Grundy Co., TN. His wife's name was Malinda _____ in 1850. He married (2) Nancy Brown 20 Jan 1854 in Grundy Co., IN according to marriage records. By 1860 he is again without a wife. By 1880 he has several more children but no wife.
- 101. James Meeks was born about 1836 in Tennessee.
- 102. Malinda Meeks was born about 1838 in Tennessee.
- 103. Bertha Meeks was born about 1841 in Tennessee.
- 104. Jane Meeks was born about 1843 in Tennessee.
- 105. Martha Meeks was born about 1845 in Tennessee.
- 106. Hannah Meeks was born about 1848 in Tennessee.
- 107. Rueben Meeks was born about 1849 in Tennessee.
- 108. John Meeks was born about 1863 in Tennessee.
- 109. Angeline Meeks was born about 1865 in Tennessee.
- 110. Elizabeth Meeks was born about 1870 in Tennessee.
- 110b. Hannah B. Meeks was born about 1875 in Tennessee.
- 12. Isaac Meeks was born about 1804 in Kentucky according to the 1850 census. The 1860 census lists his age as 62. He was listed in the 1830 census of Franklin Co., TN. He was listed in the 1850 and 1860 censuses of Grundy Co., TN. His wife's name was Tabitha _____ in 1850.
- 111. Felix Meeks was born about 1833 in Tennessee.
- 112. Benjamin Meeks was born about 1834 in Tennessee.
- 113. James J. Meeks was born about 1839 in Tennessee.
- 114. Jasper N. Meeks was born about 1841 in Tennessee.
- 115. Willis B. Meeks was born about 1844 in Tennessee.
- 116. William S. Meeks was born about 1846 in Tennessee.
- 117. John M. Meeks was born about 1849 in Tennessee.
- 118. Nathan Meeks was born about 1853 in Tennessee.
- 13. James Meeks was born about 1813 in Paynes Cove, Grundy Co., TN according to the 1850 census. He died 20 Apr 1877 in Grundy Co., TN. His will was dated 19 Oct 1876. He married Nancy Smith. He was listed in the 1850 to 1870 censuses of Grundy Co., TN. In 1870 Nancy is gone and the wife is listed as Dorcus age 30 South Carolina.
- 121. James David Meeks was born about 1838 in Grundy Co., TN.
- 122. Mary Meeks was born about 1839 in Grundy Co., TN.
- 123. Martha Clementine Meeks was born 9 Mar 1841 in Grundy Co., TN.
- 124. George W. Meeks was born about 1844 in Grundy Co., TN. He is not listed in the 1860 census with his parents.
- 125. Susannah Meeks was born about 1846 in Grundy Co., TN.
- 126. Tabitha June Meeks was born 18 Jun 1848 in Grundy Co., TN. She was not listed in the 1850 census. Source for this child is unknown.
- 127. Bertha Meeks was born about 1849 in Grundy Co., TN. She is not listed in 1860 census.
- 128. Andrew Jackson Meeks was born about 1853 in Grundy Co., TN.
- 129. James Donald Meeks was born about 1855. He died 24 Oct 1930 in Grundy Co., TN. He married Sarah Sanders 28 Feb 1878. She was born about 1820. She died 1860 in Grundy Co., TN. Note: This person is not listed in the 1860 census with James and Nancy. He is listed with them in the 1870 census.
- 241. David Meeks was born 19 Aug 1877.
- 242. Nancy Jane Meeks was born about 1880.
- 243. Robert James Meeks was born about 1881.
- 244. Martin Grover Meeks was born about 1883.
- 245. Stephen Meeks was born about 1884.
- 246. Cynthia Meeks was born about 1885.
- 247. Alexander Meeks was born about 1886.
- 248. Mary Jane Meeks was born about 1891.
- 249. Susie L. Meeks was born about 1893.
- 250. Lenar Meeks was born about 1891. She married (1) Jack Odear. She married (2) Andrew Gilliam. He was born about 1902.
- 251. Eva Meeks was about born 1892.
- 130. Samuel James Meeks was born about 1855 in Grundy Co., TN. This person is not listed in census records with the parents.
- 131. Isaac Brittian Meeks was born about 1858 in Grundy Co., TN.
- 132. George W. Meeks was born about 1869 in Grundy Co., TN. This person appears in the 1870 census but probably was not a son due to older brother with same name.
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14. Britain Meeks was born about 1811 in Tennessee according
to the 1850 census of Grundy Co., TN. (1850=age 39, 1860=age 55, 1880=age 70)
He married Emiline ______. She was born about 1816 in Georgia.
(1850=age 34 and 1860=age 47)
They were listed in the 1850, 1860 & 1880 censuses of Grundy Co., TN.
Also living with them in 1850 was Elizabeth Rhea age 76 born in Virginia.
It has been assumed that Elizabeth Rhea was the mother of Emeline. However there is no
evidence concerning her identity.
Elizabeth Rhea is presumed to be the same person as Elizabeth Easley age 84 Virginia
in the 1860 census living with Britain.
It is widely believed that Emeline is the same person listed in the 1900 census of Indian Territory, Cherokee Nation, Township 24 Emily B. Meeks recorded with Charles and Mary Clark. She was born Oct 1818 GA and listed as grandmother as well as 1/4th Native American. This author finds the Emily’s surname very difficult to interpret from the original census and has insufficient information to identify her has Britain’s wife.
The children based on the 1850 and 1860 censuses. - 141. James Meeks was born about 1833 in Tennessee.
- 142. Margaret J. Meeks was born about 1834 in Tennessee. She was not listed with her parents in the 1860 census.
- 143. Mary E. Meeks was born about 1836 in Tennessee. She was not listed with her parents in the 1860 census.
- 144. John William "Crip" Meeks was born Dec 1835 in Paynes Cove, Grundy Co., TN. He died in Grundy County. He married Mary "Polly" Cope 7 Jun 1859 in Grundy Co., TN according to marriage records. She was the daughter of Stephan Cope and Comfort Bouldin. She was born Sep 1841 according to the 1900 census. Census records indicate that Mary had 15 children with 12 surviving in 1900. They may have been the people listed in the 1860 census of Grundy County with daughter Mary. This is problematic since daughter was not listed. They have not been found in the 1870 census. They were listed in the 1880 census with most of their children.
- 211. Bertie Meeks was born about 1859 in Paynes Cove, Grundy Co., TN. She died 12 Apr 1912 in Grundy Co., TN.
- 212. Mary Ellen Meeks was born 25 Jan 1860 in Grundy Co., TN. she died 16 Jan 1950 in Oklahoma Territory.
- 213. Thomas Jefferson Meeks was born about 1863 in Grundy Co., TN. He died 22 May 1907 in Oklahoma Indian Reservation. He married Flora ______.
- 214. Arlena Meeks was born about 1864 in Grundy Co., TN. She married Bob Gibbs.
- 215. Jossie Meeks was born about 1864 in Paynes Cove, Grundy Co., TN. She died 18 Apr 1953 in Paynes Cove, Grundy Co., TN. She married James Gibbs about 1882 in Grundy Co., TN. She was listed with her parents in the 1880 census. She was living next to her father in the 1920 census as a widow.
- 216. Joseph Meeks was born about 1865 in Grundy Co., TN. He was listed with his parents in the 1880 census.
- 217. James Meeks was born about 1866 in Grundy Co., TN. He was listed with his parents in the 1880 census.
- 218. George Mack Meeks was born 23 Dec 1867 in Grundy Co., TN. He died 3 Jul 1949 in Grundy Co., TN. He was listed with his parents in the 1880 census. He married (1) Mary Elizabeth Bean in 1893. She was born 11 Jul 1870 They were listed in the 1900 census of Grundy Co., TN. George was listed in the 1910 census of Grundy Co., TN without his wife.
- 301. Pearl M Meeks was born Feb 1895 in Grundy Co., TN. She was not listed in the 1910 census with her father.
- 302. Beulah B Meeks was born Aug 1896 in Grundy Co., TN She was listed in the 1910 census with her father.
- 303. William B Meeks was born Jan 1899 in Grundy Co., TN. He was not listed in the 1910 census with his father.
- 304. Marvin Vester Meeks was born 12 Oct 1902 He was listed in the 1910-1920 censuses with his father. He married Agnes Sanders 20 Jan 1923 in Grundy Co., TN according to marriage records.
- A. Vester C. Meeks was born 12 Jul 1925. He died 13 May 1995.
- B. James H. Meeks was born 1 Feb 1934. He died 19 Jan 2000. He married Evelyn Lawson 19 May 1962.
- 305. Tressie Meeks was born about 1915 in Grundy Co., TN.
- 306. Clara Meeks was born 10 Oct 1918. She was listed with her parents in the 1920-1930 censuses.
- 307. Jeff Meeks was born about 1920.
- 308. Lillie Meeks was born about 1924.
- 309. John Brenton Meeks was born 28 Oct 1928. He died 27 Sep 2003.
- 310. Jossie Meeks was born about 1928.
- 311. Alfred D. Meeks was born about 1938 according to his obituary which also connects him to his parents. He died 28 Apr 2012 in Tracy City according to his obituary.
- 312. Ruth Hazel Meeks source for this child is unknown. she was reportedly adopted.
- 313. Mary Magdalene Meeks source for this child is unknown.
- 219. Margaret Meeks was born about 1870 in Grundy Co., TN. She was listed with her parents in the 1880 census.
- 220. Alfred Meeks was born 10 Oct 1870 in Paynes Cove, Grundy Co., TN. He died in Grundy Co., TN. He was listed with his parents in the 1880 census.
- 221. Eudora Meeks was born 14 Sep 1875 in Grundy Co., TN. She died 4 Dec 1956 in Grundy Co., TN. She was listed with her parents in the 1880 census.
- 222. Clouse Meeks was born Apr 1877 in Paynes Cove, Grundy Co., TN. He died in 1950 in Grundy Co., TN. With parents in 1880 census. He lived next to his parents in 1900. He married Minnie Stokes.
- 321. Lillie Meeks was born May 1898 in Grundy Co., TN.
- 322. Thomas Meeks was born Mar 1900 in Grundy Co., TN.
- 223. Lillie Marie Meeks was born 10 Mar 1882 in Grundy Co., TN. She died 21 Apr 1963 in Grundy Co., TN. She was listed with her parents in the 1900 census.
- 224. John Vester Meeks was born 22 Feb 1884 in Grundy Co., TN He died 4 Aug 1969 in Grundy Co., TN. He was listed with his parents in the 1900 census.
- 225. Bessie J. Meeks was born Jan 1887 in Grundy Co., TN. She was listed with her parents in the 1900 census.
- 145. Sarah J. Meeks was born about 1840 in Tennessee. She was not listed with her parents in the 1860 census.
- 146. Thomas J. Meeks was born about 1842 in Tennessee. He married Malinda Gibbs. She was born 2 Sep 1850.
- 231. Thomas Meeks was born 1872 in Grundy Co, TN.
- 232. Fanny Meeks was born 1877 in Grundy Co, TN.
- 233. John Meeks was born Jan 1879 in TN.
- 234. Mary A Meeks was born Jan 1882 in TN.
- 235. Hattie Meeks was born Sep 1887.
- 236. Lethie Meeks was born Feb 1893 in Grundy Co, TN.
- 237. Sarah E Meeks was born Sep 1883.
- 238. Jack Hiles Meeks was born 11 Aug 1897.
- 147. Milly T. Meeks was born about 1843 in Tennessee.
- 148. George D. Meeks was born about 1844 in Tennessee. He was not listed with his parents in the 1860 census.
- 149. Joseph C. Meeks was born about 1848 in Tennessee.
- 150. Jerome C. Meeks was born about 1852 in Tennessee.
- 15. John Meek was born about 1820 in Tennessee according to the 1850 census of Grundy Co., TN. He married Susan _____. He was listed in the 1850 to 1870 censuses of Grundy Co., TN.
- 151. Arminta Meeks was born about 1839 in Tennessee.
- 152. Elizabeth Meeks was born about 1842 in Tennessee.
- 153. Elijah Meeks was born about 1844 in Tennessee.
- 154. Minerva Evaline Meeks was born about 1845 in Tennessee.
- 155. William H. Meeks was born about 1848 in Tennessee.
- 155. Benjamin Meeks was born about 1851 in Tennessee.
- 155. Ann Meeks was born about 1854 in Tennessee.
- 155. Susanah Meeks was born about 1857 in Tennessee.
- 155. Lucinda Meeks was born about 1859 in Tennessee.
George Meeks & Myrtle Smartt 1946
Britain married (2) Hannah ______ based on the 1880 census where she is listed as his wife. He was age 70 born in Tennessee.
Disclaimer: This genealogy was prepared by the author using undocumented and/or unverified sources. Some facts presented here MAY NOT be correct. Never accept as factual any information you find in a library, the Internet or from other genealogist unless it is supported by documentation. Documentation DOES NOT include the undocumented genealogies of other people including those on this web site.