Jonas Meador Sr. (abt. 1698 - bef. 1768)

Born about 1698 in Essex County, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Frances (Hudgens) Meador — married about 1720 in Essex, Virginia [uncertain]

Descendants

Died before 22 Aug 1768 before about age 70 in Cumberland County, Colony of Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Melissa Gebhardt [send private message] and Heather Brown [send private message]

Biography

Birth

Jonas Meador was the oldest son of John Meador Sr. and his second wife, born in Essex County, Virginia about 1696 – 1700, and is named in his father's will in 1721. By the terms of the Will, Jonas would have been at least 21 in 1721.

Marriage

Jonas married Frances [possibly Hudgens] about 1720.

When Jonas' father died in 1721, Jonas inherited "a small piece of land joining upon Thomas Evinses land and running up to the church that goes from my house , then up a long? road a small course till it comes to the forks of the branch fo where it begins and from the forks to ye first beginning." It's very likely that Thomas "Evins" was the youngest son of John Evans and Susannah Meador Evans, both of whom had passed in the 1690's. Susannah Meador was Jonas' aunt and the Evans land was adjoining the Meador's.

The rest of John Meador's land was to be divided between "my other four sons", Jonas's three full brothers and his half-brother Thomas. Jonas also inherited responsibilities: he was to look after his two youngest brothers, Jason and Job, for three years.

In 1743, Jonas and brother Jason were indicted by the Caroline County Grand Jury for not attending St. Margaret's, the local Anglican parish church, and fined 5 shillings or 50 pounds of tobacco each. The men stated they were Quakers, and the charges were dismissed. A similar charge against Jonas' son Joel was also dismissed.

Migration and Land

Much of the Meador property in Essex Co. was along Hoskins Creek, a few miles west of today's town of Tappahannock. Sometime between 1723 and 1734 Jonas Meador moved several miles west to the part of Essex Co. that became Caroline Co. in 1728. Loss of records for early Caroline Co., during the Civil War, make it impossible to identify specific tracts of land. In 1734 Jonas Meador was appointed Surveyor of Roads (overseer of repair) in Caroline County, VA, replacing his brother-in-law [[Tribble-11|George Tribble]. Other road orders from Caroline Co. confirm his residence was in the area just south of the Mattaponi River and close to the town of Penola.

About 1749, family members began moving to Amelia, Cumberland and Prince Edward counties. Jonas' sons Joel and Jonas, Jr. apparently moved into Cumberland County by 1747/8. The first Meador deed recorded in Cumberland Co. (formed 1749 from Goochland Co.) was actually for Jonas Meador, Sr. But Joel Meador had purchased land in Goochland Co. in 1747. Jonas sold some land to Peter Holland in Cumberland Co. in 1750 but records for Caroline Co. suggest he did not dispose of all of his Caroline Co. holdings until 1752. Jonas settled at the heads of Deep and Muddy Creeks, about 3 miles northeast of the present county seat, Cumberland, VA. Nunnally says Jonas actually moved to Cumberland County about 1751, and that the family home was about 5 miles northeast of the present county seat. At his death in 1768, Jonas owned 630 acres. A Meador cemetery is still in the vicinity.

About the Map

The attached plat map shows the land Jonas Meador purchased in 1751 from Henry Hatcher and the land purchased from Richard Scruggs in 1756. Jonas bought and sold other property in Cumberland Co. but these two purchases were most likely his final residence location. The red line running through the property is today's Highway 45. The land is very close to today's Ashby, VA. Much of the plat map's content comes from patents and there would have been many subsequent sales and/or divisions.

Death

Jonas's will was dated May 5, 1768, and was probated August 23, 1768.

The oldest son, Joel, inherited 430 acres, but he had already taken up residence in Bedford County by 1755-1757. Joel sold his interests in Cumberland Co.: 230 acres to his mother Frances, and 200 acres to his brother Jesse who had received the other 200 acres from his father. Jonas Meador, Jr. had also acquired land in Bedford Co. by 1767, but upon his father's death, he sold it and returned to the farm to manage his mother's affairs until his death in 1773.

Jonas is most likely buried in the Meador Cemetery in Cumberland County, Virginia.

Children

Children of Jonas and Frances: Joel Meador
Mary Meador Holland
Frances Meador Holloway
Jonas Meador Jr
John Meador
Josiah Meador
Jehu Meador
Joab Meador
Jesse Meador

Sources

• Order Book Abstracts of Essex County, Virginia, 1716-1723 (Part IV), The Antient Press, Ruth & Sam Sparacio, 1990, p. 5, OB p. 616, 21 November 1721, The Last Will & Testament of John Meador deced was presented in Court by Jonas Meador Exr. with ye Will annexed (during the minority of Job Meador & Jason Meador, Exrs. in the Will menconeed) who made oath thereto & being proved by the oaths of Saml. Wagoner, Francis Pierce & Ann Bradberry witnesses thereto is admd. to record: And on mocon of sd Jonas and him performing what is usual in such cases, Certificate is granted him for obtaining Letters of Admcon. with ye Will annexed (during the minority of sd Exrs.) in due form.

• Order Book Abstracts of Essex County, Virginia, 1716-1723 (Part IV), The Antient Press, Ruth & Sam Sparacio, 1990, p. 6, OB p. 617, 19 December 1721, Jonas Meador, John Allen, Benjamin Wagoner acknowledged their bond for sd Jonas’ Admcon. Of ye annexed of ye Estate of Jno. Meador deced which is admd. To record.

• Order Book Abstracts of Essex County, Virgina, 1723-1725 (Part 1), The Antient Press, by Ruth & Sam Sparacio, 1989, p. 2, OB p. 4; 18 September 1723, The petition of Jonas Meador Trustee of ye Estate of Jno. Meador deced desiring to surrender ye sd Estate to ye sd John’s Exrs. before his term is expired is rejected.

• Order Book Abstracts of Essex County, Virgina, 1723-1725 (Part 1), The Antient Press, by Ruth & Sam Sparacio, 1989, p. 12, OB p. 18; 19 September 1723, Jonas Meador presented & made oath to his Audit of ye Administration of ye Estate of John Meador deced & on his motion is admitted to record.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1732-1740, Part One, 1732-1734/5, by John Frederick Dorman, 1965, p. 60; 14 February 1733/4 [OB p. 123], It’s ordered that Jonus Meddows be surveyor of the road in the room of George Trible.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1732-1740, Part Two, 1734/5-1737, by John Frederick Dorman, 1966, p. 39; 14 May 1736 [OB p. 341], Jonas Meadors, overseer of the road from Doag Town road to William Hutchings.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1732-1740, Part Two, 1734/5-1737, by John Frederick Dorman, 1966, p. 51; 13 August 1736 [OB p. 359], In the Grand Jury presentment agt. Jonas Meadors for not keeping his road in repair. It’s ordered that Meadors be fined 15 shillings.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1732-1740, Part Two, 1734/5-1737, by John Frederick Dorman, 1966, p. 64; 8 October 1736 [OB p. 378], It’s ordered that Jonas Meadors be overseer of the road from the old road to Mauldin’s road.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1732-1740, Part Three, 1737-1740, by John Frederick Dorman, 1966, p. 43-44; 9 March 1738/9 [OB p. 524], Ordered that a road be cleared from Mattapony River across Polecat Swamp to Chesterfield Church, as the same is off by Robert Woolfolk and others; that Jonas Meadors, Thomas Hamm, James Collins and Timothy Chandler with their respective gangs assist in clearing the road.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1732-1740, Part Three, 1737-1740, by John Frederick Dorman, 1966, p. 44; 9 March 1738/9 [OB p. 525], John Dawson’s deed of lease of land to Benjamin Dickens was proved by William Mageehee, Richard Ship and Jonas Meador witnesses thereto.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1732-1740, Part Three, 1737-1740, by John Frederick Dorman, 1966, p. 53; 11 May 1739 [OB p. 536], Ordered that William Stone be surveyor of the road in the room of Jonas Meadors.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1740-1746, Part Two, 1742/3-1744, by John Frederick Dorman, 1973, p. 40; 11 November 1743 [OB p. 237], We present Joseph Baker, Jonas Meador and Jason Meador of the parish of St. Margaret’s for not going to their parish church within two months past.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1740-1746, Part Two, 1742/3-1744, by John Frederick Dorman, 1973, p. 45; 10 December 1743 [OB p. 245], [The presentment of the Grand Jury] agt. Jos. Baker, Jonas Meador and Jason Meador is dismissed.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1740-1746, Part Three, 1744-1746, by John Frederick Dorman, 1973, p. 5; 11 January 1744/5 [OB p. 344], Elizabeth Turner being admitted to choose a guardian made choice of Jason Meadows who with Lewis Turner acknowledged their bond. Ann Turner being admitted to choose a guardian made choice of Jonas Meadows who with Lewis Turner acknowledged their bond. Note: On the same day, Meshech Turner chose James Turner, Abednego Turner chose William Pemberton and Sarah Turner chose James Turner.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1746-1754, by John Frederick Dorman, 1968, p. 36; 14 August 1747 [OB p. 52], Upon the petition of Joseph Shuttler it’s ordered the people at Doctr. Walker’s quarter, Richard Ballard’s, Jonas Meador and Jason Meador assist him in clearing the road he is overseer of.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1746-1754, by John Frederick Dorman, 1968, p. 49; 9 October 1747 [OB p. 71], By consent of the Court, Anne Turner makes choice of Jonas Meadors he giving security for the said orphan’s [estate] and Wm. Evins his security acknowledged bond.

• Cumberland County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 6; 22 May 1749, James Bolling of Cumberland Co. to Jonas Meador Sr. of Caroline Co., a certain tract of land on the branches of Willis Cr., about 200 acres bounded on the north and west by James Cunningham, on the south by Samuel Adkinson and Thomas Carter, and east by John Johnson and Alexander Cunningham, part of a larger tract patented to Christopher Bolling. Wit: William Johns, William Hobson.

• Cumberland County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 230-231; 25 June 1750, Jonah Meador Senr and Frances his wife of Caroline Co. to Peter Holland Jr. of Cumberland Co. 200 acres bounded Northerly and Westerly by James Cunningham, Southerly by Samuel Atkinson and Thomas Carter and Easterly by John Johnson and Alexr Cunningham, it being part of a tract granted to Christopher Bolling by patent. Wit: Robert Lowry, Benjamin Dicker, William Lowry.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1746-1752, Part Three, by John Frederick Dorman, 1970, p. 5; 12 October 1750 [OB p. 235], Gill, a Negro girl belonging to Jonas Meadows adjudged nine years old.

• Cumberland County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 453-456; 5 December 1751, Henry Hatcher of Chesterfield Co. to Jonas Meadow of Caroline Co., 200 acres in Cumberland Co. on branches of Deep Creek adj. lands of Samuel Nuchols, Field Robertson, Edward Robertson, Matthew Herbert and Francis Steagar, the tract of land being land purchased by Henry Hatcher of Thomas Robertson. Wit: William Bass Junr., Henry Hatcher Junr., Henry Moody.

• Caroline County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1746-1752, Part Three, by John Frederick Dorman, 1970, p. 58; 13 February 1752 [OB p. 297], Jonas Meadows and Frans. His wife acknowledged their deeds of livery and seizing indented to Major Pryor.

• Cumberland County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 461-463; 8 February 1752, John Johnson of Cumberland Co. to Jonas Meador of Cumberland Co., 200 acres on south branches of Willises Creek adj. Thomas Carter, Christopher Dickens, James Cunningham, Jonathan Cunningham, it being land granted to John Johnson 12 January 1748. Wit: James Cunningham, William B. Bond, Edward Clemons.

• The Vestry Book of Southam Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia, 1745-1792, by Ann K. Blomquist, 2002, p. 68; 16 May 1752, Pursuant to an order of Vestry have prosessioned the Lines between the Persons hereafter named: [between] James Holloway, Senr. & Jonus Meadors, John Allen Present

• Abstracts of Cumberland County, Virginia Court Order Books from June 1749 to May 1756, by Shela S. Fretwell, 1987; p. 143, 5 April 1754, [OB p. 171], An Indenture of Bargain and Sale between Peter Holland and Christopher Dickens is proved by the oaths of Jonas Meador and John Watts, two of the Witnesses thereto.

• Cumberland County, Virginia Deed Book 2, p. 139-140; 7 May 1754, Peter Holland of Bedford Co. to Christopher Dicken of Cumberland Co., 200 acres adj. James Cunningham west, North Jonas Meador East John Cox South, it being land Peter Holland purchased of James Bolling. No wife or dower. Wit: William Holland, Jonas Meador, Charles Holland, John Watts.

• The Vestry Book of Southam Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia, 1745-1792, by Ann K. Blomquist, 2002, p. 97-98; 19 April 1756, In Pursuants of this order we have Processioned all the lands Belonging to such Persons as were Readay to give their attendance with our bounds…Christopher Dickens line Jonus Medder Present, Jonus Meddors line, Christopher Dickens Present…

• Cumberland County, Virginia Deed Book 2, p. 315-316; 22 November 1756, Richard Scruggs of Lunenburg Co. to Jonas Meadow Senr. of Cumberland Co., 230 acres at the head of Mudday Creek adj. William Tabor, John Robertson, William Bradley and William May. Wit: John Richard, John Meador, Jonas Meadow.

• 1758 Cumberland County, Virginia Tithable List; List of John Watts: Jonas Meadow, 2; John Meadows, 5.

• The Vestry Book of Southam Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia, 1745-1792, by Ann K. Blomquist, 2002, p. 143; 11 August 1759, We John Hobson & William Hobson, Field Robinson & Samuel Jones Processioners begun…the line between Jentrey and Jonus Meador, both Parties Present…

• The Vestry Book of Southam Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia, 1745-1792, by Ann K. Blomquist, 2002, p. 184; March 1764, In obedience to an order to us directed 23 July 1763 that we John Carter Jur., John Newton and Francis Amoss Jur. Begun and Possessioned Renewed and markt the several lines…Jonus Meador lines, Jonus Meador Present…

• The Vestry Book of Southam Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia, 1745-1792, by Ann K. Blomquist, 2002, p. 166; 27 February 1765, In obedience to the order of vestry we the subscribers we have Possessioned and Renewed the lines…the line between Jonus Meador & Richd Murrey, Prsent John Meador, a line between Jonus Meador and Charles Hutchinson and Hutchinson present, a line between Hutchinson and Edward Tabb, between Tabb and Jonus Meador…

• Cumberland Co. Will Book 1, page 361; In the name of God, Amen, I Jonas Meador SR. of Cumberland County, being in perfect sense and memory, blessed be God, do here make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner as followed, viz.: First, I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God, my Maker, hoping through the meritorious death and passion of Jesus Christ my only Savior and Redeemer to receive free pardon and forgiveness of my sins. And as for my body, to be decently buried at the discretion of my wife hereafter. And as for my worldly goods, I dispose of them as followed. Item I give unto my son Jessy Meador two hundred acres of land whereon I now live and all the appurtances there belonging, after his mother’s decease. Item I give to my son John Meador one Negro girl named Phy. Item I give to my son Jehu one Negro girl named Hanner. Item I give to my son Joab Meador on Negro girl named Mogey, and the rest of my estate. I give to my true and well beloved wife Frances Meador to do with it as she sees fit, and legacies left to my children to continue in the estate until the death of my wife. This is my last will and testament, revoking all others, whereunto I set my hand this fifth day of May one thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight. Jonas (X) Meador L.S. Tests in the presume of Michael Jones, Maryann (X) Adams, Thomas (X) Adams. At a Court held for Cumberland County, the 22nd August 1768, this last will and testament of Jonas Meador SR, deceased, was proved by the witnesses thereto and by the Court ordered to be recorded. Teste: Thompson Swann, clk.

• Perkins, Nunnally, (1968) The Descendants of Jonas and Frances Meador of Essex, Caroline, and Cumberland Counties, Virginia transcription on-line.

• Meador, Victor P, and Bernal M Meador, (1983) Our Meador Families in Colonial America ... Independence, MO: V.P. Meador.

• Boddie, John Bennet. Historical Southern Families, Vol IV. (Redwood City, California: Pacific Coast Publishers, 1960). pp. 131-137, "Meadors-Meadows of Essex County, Virginia"

• Meador, Daniel Burton, (1968) Genealogical Records of Some Members of the Meador Family ... Fairhope, Alabama: D.B. Meador.

• Meador, Victor P, (1989) Meador Families of Virginia : and Points West, 3 Vols. Independence, MO: V.P. Meador.

• Person:Jonas Meador (7), WeRelate.org

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/86196390/jonas-meador