22. John Meek was born 27 Nov 1805 in Mecklenburg. He died 10 Jan 1902 in Hood Co., TX. He married (1) Mahala Tidwell 30 Nov 1831 in Dickson Co., TN. She was born 10 Mar 1818 in Dickson Co., TN. The source for the previous information is not known. John is thought to be the person listed in the 1850 census of Upshur Co., TX. He is age 44 and born in North Carolina. His wife, listed as "M" is age 32 and born in Tennessee. The use of initials in the census make it difficult to be certain about all of the children. However, Orlena and Rachel are named. Their ages are consistent with the dates of birth in the genealogy. He was listed in the 1860 census of Wise Co, TX. He was listed in the 1870 and 1880 censuses of Hood Co, TX.
Note:
Traditional genealogies of the descendants of Moses Meek born about 1755 include John Meek born 27 Nov 1805 the son of Josiah Meek. These genealogies include the children and grandchildren of John. The source of this information is not known. However, the genealogy states that John died 10 Jan 1902 in Hood Co., Texas.
This author is unaware of any documentation to prove that John Meek born in 1805 is the son of Josiah. If Josiah had a son named John there is no proof that this John was the same person recorded in Hood Co., TX. Having said that, the following information is provided.
John Meek is listed in the 1850 census of Upshur Co., TX at age 44 and born in North Carolina. His wife is listed as “M” age 32 and born in Tennessee. The children were born in Tennessee with the exception of the youngest, a female named C, age 2, who was born in Texas. This dates the migration of the family to Texas between 1846 and 1848.
The initials of the children and their ages match the children in the genealogy with the exception of Cave Johnson Meek born about 1836. There is a male named RG, age 7 who is the only unidentified child in the census.
The 1860 census finds John in Wise Co., TX, age 53 born in North Carolina, living with the children listed in the genealogy including Cave Johnson Meek at age 17. Christopher is likely the person listed in the census of Erath Co., TX with wife Emily. In 1870 John, with some children named in the 1870 census, is living in Hood Co., TX with Cave and Christopher living in close proximity. In 1880 John is still listed in Hood Co., TX with daughter Artimissa and her husband.