Meredith Bruce (abt. 1808 - 1890)

Born about 24 May 1808 in Campbell County, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Walden) Bruce — married 16 Jan 1828 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, United States

Husband of Mary Jane (Williamson) Bruce — married about 1840 in Missouri, United States [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 28 Jan 1890 at about age 81 in Linn Township, Moniteau County, Missouri, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Mae Newton [send private message]

Biography

Meredith Bruce married Elizabeth Walden on Jan. 16, 1828 in Pittsylvania County, VA.

Meredith Bruce came to Missouri in 1832 with his brothers Coleman and Richard. Meredith settled in the Mount Vernon, Mo area along the Missouri River. This area was just downstream of the mouth of the Petite Saline Creek. At this time it was still part of Cole County, He received land grants for land in the Mount Vernon area. On April 1, 1843 he received 40 acres described as the South East 1/4 of the North West 1/4 of Section 31, Township 48 South of the Missouri River, Range 14. The same day he received 40 acres the South West 1/4 of the North West 1/3 of Section 31, Township 48 South of the Missouri River, Range 14. Later on March 10, 1854 he obtained 40 additional acres in the North East 1/4 of the South East 1/4 of Section 36, Township 48, Range 15.

Meredith Bruce who lived in the extreme north of the county was both doctor and Methodist preacher. His famous "black salve" was supposed to relieve many ills and stayed on until gradually worn away in the course of time. (History of Moniteau County, Mo. by J.E. Ford 1936).

1850 Moniteau County, MO as head of household, as Meredith Bruce, age 42, born VA, farmer.

1860 Township 47 Range 14, Moniteau County, MO as head of household, as M. Bruce, age 51, born VA, farmer.

1880 Linn Township, Moniteau County, MO as head of household, as Merideth Bruce, born VA, age 72, farmer.

Meredith Bruce died on Jan. 28, 1890 in Moniteau County, MO from a paralytic stroke of the brain. He was buried in Pettigrew Cemetery, Moniteau County, MO.

His death notice states that he was buried at the Copp burying ground, but he has a headstone in the Pettigrew Cemetery, Montiteau County, Mo.

Research Notes

His tombstone records his birth date as May 24 1808 and death date as Feb. 2, 1890. The date of death is incorrect according to the death recorded in the Cooper County Record of Deaths. His record of death has his age as 81 years and 10 days. Using the age and date of death to calculate the birth date we get Jan. 18, 1809 as a birth date. The newspaper account of his death states he was about a month shy of being 87 years of age. The difference between May 24, 1808 and Jan 28, 1890 is 81 years 8 months 5 days. So the age 87 in the newspaper could have been someone misreading 82 to be 87.

Two of the census records where an age is recorded supports the 1808 date of birth.

Using Jan. 28, 1890 as the date of death and the year of birth as 1808.
~~ Mae Newton Bruce, Feb 7, 2024 ~~

Sources

Land Grant Records, U. S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, [Land Grants]

Marriage to Elizabeth Walden, "Virginia, Vital Records, 1715-1901", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6NVV-4J39 ), Entry for Meredith Bruce and Elizabeth Walden, 16 Jan 1828.

Death of Meredith Bruce: "Missouri, U.S., Death Records, 1850-1931"
Missouri State Archives; Jefferson City, MO, USA; Missouri Death Records [Microfilm]
Ancestry Sharing Link (accessed 7 February 2024)
Meredith Bruce death 28 Jan 1890 (age 81y 10d) in Lupus Moniteau Co.
Buried: Pettigrew Graveyard

Death Notice of Meredith Bruce, California Democrat, California, Mo, Thursday Feb. 6, 1890, page 1, [Obituary]

1890 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com"
The Tipton Times (Tipton, Missouri) Thu, Feb 13, 1890, page 5
Newspapers Clip: 142907124
Death of Meredith Bruce

Grave of Meredith Bruce, Find A Grave: Memorial #81772131, contains picture of stone. A better picture is found at the Moniteau County Historical Society, California, MO, https://www.moniteau.net/cemetery/pettigrew/bruce-meredith-chalked.JPG

History of Moniteau County, Mo, J. E. Ford, 1936.

"United States Census, 1850," FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDZX-4LY ), Meredith Bruce, Moniteau, Missouri, United States;

"United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1850 ," FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVZC-WRR ), Meredith Bruce, Moniteau, Missouri, United States.

"United States Census, 1860", FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH8Q-JDX ), M Bruce, 1860. Township 47 Range 14, Moniteau County, MO

"United States Census, 1880," FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6XR-TT7 ), Meridath Bruce, 1880. Linn Township, Moniteau County, MO

1888 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com"
The California Dispatch (California, Missouri) Thu, Jun 14, 1888, page 3
Newspapers Clip: 142910874,
Rev. Meredith Bruce preached at Bethel Church Sunday

1884 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com"
The California Dispatch (California, Missouri) Thu, Oct 23, 1884, page 3
Newspapers Clip: 142911342
Meredith Bruce appointed guardian of Lewis N. Gray. (Possibly a son of Meredith's daughter, Jane (Bruce) Gray.

Will: "Missouri, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1766-1988"
Wills, Ca. 1871-1971; Author: Missouri. Probate Court (Moniteau County); Probate Place: Moniteau, Missouri
Ancestry Sharing Link (free access)
Ancestry Record 9071 #1533088 (subscription required, accessed 7 March 2024)
Will of Meredith Bruce of Moniteau, Missouri, dated on 8 Sep 1887.

Will Date 8 Sep 1887

Probate Place Moniteau, Missouri, USA

Others Listed (Name) Relationship

Meredith Bruce

Mary Jane Bruce Wife

R K Bruce Son (eldest son)

Elyzabeth McClannahan Daughter

Heirs: G M Rymel & Belle McClahan and Olly Grays too miners (sic) heirs Charley and Richard Gray. (Note: Olly Gray is Elizabeth's daughter Mary Ollie Rimel (died 1880) and left two sons, Charley and Richard.)

Jane Gray Daughter

John B. Bruce Son

James K. Bruce Son

Thomas Wesley Bruce Son