William (Meeker) Meaker (abt. 1620 - 1690)

Born about May 1620 in England [uncertain]

Husband of Sarah (Preston) Meeker — married 1646 in New Haven, Connecticut

Descendants

Died 9 Dec 1690 at about age 70 in Essex, New Jersey

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Lisa Carle [send private message]

Biography

Family tradition holds that William Meaker was born in Leamington, Warwickshire, England, but there is no documentation to substantiate this, nor any records of Meakers in Warwickshire. Although Leroy J. Meeker stated that William mentioned his birthplace in his will, ^[1] this was mistaken. William Meaker's original will is kept by the New Jersey State Archives ^[2]and a full transcription was recently made, confirming that William Meaker did not mention his place of origin in this document. It could be that this information was transmitted orally, and was distorted in the transmission. 1841 U.K. census data recorded Meakers across southwest England, with the highest concentration of Meakers found in Somerset. A review of parish records available on Ancestry.co.uk showed hundreds of Meakers living in Somerset during the period 1580-1630. One of the parishes where Meakers were found is called Limington. Could this be William Meaker's place of origin? ^[3]

Jacobus says William was probably the brother of Robert Meeker. ^[4] Family tradition claims their father was Albert Meaker, but there is no credible documentation for either parent. A Meeker surname group at Family Tree DNA hopes to eventually identify ancestors in England via Y-DNA testing. ^[5] Thus far, testing of 40+ male descendants has revealed that William and Robert were not full brothers, though they were related.

While some secondary sources claimed he arrived in Massachusetts Bay about 1635 aboard the Abigail, there is no evidence of this. See Research Notes, below.

The first documented evidence of William Meaker's presence in New England is contained in an entry in New Haven Colony Records made in 1643. He was listed among those taking the Oath of Fidelity on 1 July 1644, but he was not mentioned in the earlier lists of freemen who founded New Haven in 1638, nor is it reasonable to expect that he would be, since he was a minor at the time. ^[6]

"He was propounded, Oct. 7 1646, to 'bee loader to mill,' 'for a 12 month,' 'to goe in all seasons except vnreasonable weather.'" ^[7]

In about 1646, William married Sarah Preston (1626-c1666), the daughter of William Preston (1591-1647), who brought his family from England aboard the "Truelove" in 1635. They lived first in Dorchester, moving to New Haven Colony in 1640. Preston was originally from Yorkshire but married Elizabeth Sale, from Chesham in Buckinghamshire, where his daughter Sarah was born. ^{[8] [9][10] [11]}

About the Spring of 1665, William moved with his family and others from New Haven (possibly neighbors he brought over from England), to Elizabethtown, New Jersey. He and his eldest son, Joseph, were among the original Elizabethtown Associates, who purchased land from the Native Americans with a patent issued by Governor Nicols.^[10][11][7] He had a house-lot containing six acres bounded by his son Joseph and another 13 acres upland that was bounded by his son Benjamin. He had a total of 152 acres. ^[7] When Philip Carteret was appointed governor of New Jersey by the Duke of York in 1670, they did not at first recognize the Elizabethtown grant, believing the Associates were encroaching on their New Jersey purchase rights. This led to revolt by the Associates and eventually the flight of Governor Carteret. ^[10]

William led the "Meeker Riot" of 1671 when several townsmen attacked the property of a new settler, on grounds that the Governor had granted him land without town approval. Meeker was fined for the "riot" but the fine was not enforced due to strong public opinion in his favor, and lack of a police force.^[9] The court was "powerless in the presence of an outraged and indignent people".^[7]

William was chosen as constable of the town 13 October 1671 ^[7] and became an active adherent of Captain James Carteret who had replaced his absent cousin as Governor.^[12] Later, for this offense, William's estate was confiscated, but the people of Elizabethtown and Newark were grateful for William's "fidelity to their interests" and they presented him with a tract of land at Lyons Farm ^{[10] [11]}

He died in 1690. His will was signed 9 December 1890 and proven 14 January 1690/1 in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. ^{[10][9] [7]} Abstract of the will mentions wife Hannah, sons Joseph, Benjamin and John, and eleven (unnamed) grandchildren. ^[13][14]

Marriages

William was first married to Sarah Preston about 1646.^[4][15] His second wife was Hannah ? ^[9][16]

Children

Children of William and Sarah Meeker were:^[17][18]

1. Joseph Meeker, b. 1648 in New Haven
2. Benjamin Meeker, b. 17 March 1648/49 in New Haven
3. Sarah Meeker, b. 7 February 1652/53 in New Haven
4. Mary Meeker, b. 16 October 1656 in New Haven
5. Unnamed Meeker, b. December 1663 in New Haven
6. John Meeker, b. 7 September 1666 in New Haven (?).^[19]

According to Leroy Meeker, nothing is known of Sarah and Mary other than the records of their births.

Witchcraft Accusation

William (Meeker) Meaker was accused of witchcraft in the Connecticut Witch Trials

In 1657, William entered a complaint of defamation at the New Haven Court of Magistrates against his neighbor, Thomas Mulliner, who had insinuated that William had bewitched his pigs after they died of a strange illness. ^[20] Mulliner had long been a colony troublemaker and his many battles with neighbors are documented in court records. The following cogent summary of Meaker's case against Mulliner comes from Henry T. Blake's 1898 "Chronicles of New Haven Green:" +

+ "The other [witchcraft] case was one of more tragic interest. William Meeker charged Thomas Mulliner with defamation in saying that he had bewitched Mulliner's pigs. It appeared that several of Mulliner's pigs had died in a strange way, and when the last remaining animal was taken sick he resolved to investigate the nature of its ailment. In this spirit of inquiry he brought the languishing porker to a fire and having cut off its ears and tail consigned them to the flames. As this soothing remedy failed to restore the pig to its wonted cheerfulness, he gently lifted the remainder of the patient and put that on the fire also. Strange to say, so far from accepting thankfully these kind measures of relief, as a pig mentally well-balanced might be expected to do, the creature vociferously expostulated and concluded by shuffling off its mortal coil in a spiteful mood and disagreeable manner. This unreasonable, not to say hoggish conduct on the part of the brute afforded clear proof to Mr. Mulliner's mind that the pigs had all been bewitched, and that William Meeker, with whom he had had a quarrel, was somehow concerned in it. On the trial of the case, however, he failed to convince the court to that effect, and he was ordered to give bonds that he would cut short all crooked tales to Goodman Meeker's discredit." ^[21]

Research Notes

These concerns have been addressed. But they are recurring issues with William so I'll leave the comments...

The facts listed for William’s origins and arrival are for the most part not supported by the cited sources, or others that I know of.

Significantly, he is not (nor is any Meeker) mentioned in Anderson’s Great Migration series. ^[22] That is virtually conclusive that origins and arrival cannot be substantiated prior to 1640. His first recorded appearance in New England is in 1644.

Leroy Meeker (p 4)^[9] is cited for birthplace, and he states that William stated in his will that he was born in Leamington. So there is a basis for that. (I haven’t found the complete will in online sources, but an abstract may be found on Ancestry.com).

Cited for c. 1635 arrival on the Abigail are Sellgren and Thayer.

Sellgren’s profile on “NJ Founders” in turn cites Biography and Genealogy of Newark and Leroy Meeker. A check of each of these reveals that the Biography (2:117) says Meeker “came from England to the Massachusetts Bay about 1635" while L. Meeker says “It isn’t known” when William arrived but he appeared in Massachusetts Bay “some say as early as 1630/35.” No reference to primary sources – and no mention of the Abigail.

Thayer says nothing of Meeker’s origins.

William is not on this list of Abigail passengers.

No references are given for William's parentage. The entry for Alfred lists a website that refers to another that contains William’s pedigree but without sources. The entry for Rosie contains a dead link.

“Family Data Collection” (which is highly derivative and unreliable) has Albert Meeker as father of William Mecar but no source. ^[23]

I believe that William's parentage and arrival should be counted as unknown.

-- J. Miller

William Meeker Dates of Birth and Death - 1690

The progenitor of the New Jersey branch of the Meeker family was William Meeker, who came from Leamington, Warwickshire, England about 1635 to the Massachusetts Bay, and thence removed to New Haven colony, of which he was one of the founders. While residing there he married Sarah Preston, a native of Yorkshire, England.

In the spring of 1665, with his family and others of New Haven colony (whom tradition says he brought in his own sloop), he landed on the site that became known as Elizabethtown Point, New Jersey, and was enrolled with his eldest son, Joseph Meeker, among the original “Elizabethtown Associates,” who had acquired title by purchase of the Indians, and by grant from Governor Nichols, for the ground, a portion of which now comprises the entire county of Union.

Sir Philip Carteret was appointed governor of New Jersey by the Duke of York, who had been granted the entire territory by the King. The Duke of York and subsequently Carteret, did not at first recognize the Elizabethtown grant from Governor Nichols. The Associates believed this to be invasions of their New Jersey purchase rights, which culminated in dissatisfaction, a revolt on their part, and eventually the flight of Governor Carteret.

Chosen by the Associates, and holding a commission from Governor Carteret as constable of the town, William Meeker became an active adherent of Captain James Carteret, who succeeded the absent governor. Later this was considered an offence and in 1675 he was adjudged to loose his estate. The people of Elizabethtown and Newark, appreciating his fidelity to their interests, presented him with a tract of land at Lyons Farm, where the family homestead was erected by his son. William Meeker died in 1690. The children of William and Sarah (Preston) Meeker were: Joseph , Benjamin , Sarah , Mary and John .

Biography Author # 375 Sara Frasier Sellgren References

Biography and Genealogy of the City of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey p. 117

The Meeker Family of Early New Jersey as revealed in the Correspondence of Charles H. Meek

Research Notes

Regarding the murkiness of William's origins, I thought it would be useful to list the various assertions --none of which are credibly documented-- that I've seen:

1. From George Emil Meeker, Jr. “Meeker Genealogy,” dated 4 Feb 2000: a. William “Goodman” Meeker “came from England aboard the "Abigail" about 1630 to Mass. Bay, and thence removed to New Haven colony by the first of july, 1644; removed to Newark, NJ, then known as Elizabethtown Point, New Jersey in 1644.”

b. Thomas Meeker (possibly) b c 1620, “came on the "Christian" in 1635. to Windsor, CT. Then to Fairfield, CT. in 1659.” [Source: Early German Families in America".]

c. Robert Meeker, b c1625, “Sailed from Plymouth, England in and arrived in Massachusetts in 1630. Removed to Quinnipiack (New Haven), Conn. before by the first of July, 1654; removed to Fairfield by 1668.”

2. From Leroy J. Meeker, "The Meeker Family of Early New Jersey As Revealed in the Correspondence of Charles H. Meeker, Jr." Charleston, Capitol Printing Co., 1973

“William (1) Meeker (or Meaker) (c1620/5-1790/1 [sic]) in his will stated that he was born at Leamington, Warwickshire, England, a place not far from the physical center of England. It isn't known at what time he and his brother, Robert, came to America; but they did appear in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, some say as early as 1630/35. Both were in New Haven, Connecticut by the first of July, 1644, as they took the oath of fidelity there at that time.”

3. From John V. Meeker, "A Genealogy and History of the Meeker family in America," Nov 1909, handwritten document transcribed by Laroy K Meeker for The Ezra Meeker Historical Society.

“There are two seemingly conflicting accounts of the first appearance of the family in the American Colonies, but I am convinced that the difference is not so real as seems at first though. As I have sifted it out the family consisting of an elderly man and three grown sons by the name of Meeker arrived in Salem from Essex, England in 1630, that in 1637 the family removed to Boston, that in 1638 they removed to and settled in Hartford. Here the father died about the year 1660, two of the brothers removed to and settled in New Jersey at or near Elizabeth.”

4. From "The Passaic Valley, New Jersey In Three Centuries," John Whitehead, ed., New York: The New Jersey Genealogical Company, 1901. Vols 1-2

“William Meeker was born near Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He took the oath of Fidelity at New Haven, Conn., and settled in Elizabethtown, N.J. in 1665.” (No source cited but appears to come from Dr. Charles H. Meeker, Rahway N.J., cited as the “family representative” in New Jersey.)

5. From "Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey." New York: Lewis Publishing Co., 1898. Vol. 2, P117

William “came from England about 1635 to the Massachusetts Bay, and thence removed to the New Haven colony, of which he was one of the founders [sic]. While residing there he married Sarah Preston, a native of Yorkshire, England .. In the spring of 1665, with his family and others of the New Haven colony (whom tradition says he brought in his own sloop), he landed on the site that became known as Elizabethtown Point, New Jersey, and was enrolled with his eldest son, Joseph, with the original "Associates."

- L Carle

Albert Meeker and Rosie Bennie have been detached as parents. Smith-32867 21:12, 8 April 2020 (UTC)

Sources

1. ↑ Meeker Family of Early New Jersey as revealed in the correspondence of Charles H. Meeker, Jr., Charleston, WV: Capitol Printing Co, 1973), p. [4]. Online at FamilySearch.org
2. ↑ New Jersey State Archives, Wills 1670-1917, Unrecorded Wills, Volume 4, “Probate for William Meaker,” p. 333.
3. ↑ BritishSurnames.co.uk and Somerset, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1531-1812 on Ancestry.com
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Donald Lines Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven (Baltimore, [Md.]: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1981; Orig. New Haven Genealogical Magazine, 1923-32), vol. 5, p. 1160, AmericanAncestors.org
5. ↑ https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/meeker/about
6. ↑ Records of the Colony and Plantation of New Haven, From 1638 to 1649. Charles J. Hoadly, ed. Hartford: 1857, pages 122, 139, 176, 293, & 439.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5} Rev. Edwin F. Hatfield History of Elizabeth, New Jersey, including the Early Hsitory of Union County, n.p.: Original: Carlton & Lanahan, NY, 1868; republished: Higginson Book Co, Salem, Massachusetts, unknown publish date, pp. 57-58, 81-82, 138-9, 142-3.
8. ↑ Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume V, M-P, Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007. Pages 519-525
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4} Meeker, Leroy J. The Meeker Family of Early New Jersey: as revealed in the correspondence of Charles H. Meeker, Junior, Charleston, West Virginia: Capitol Printing Co., 1973; citing FHL Film #1317115. Online at FamilySearch.org
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4} Sellgren, Sara Frazier. "William Meeker," Descendants of Founders of New Jersey, link: accessed 30 September 2019; citing Biography and Genealogy of the City of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, pg. 117 and The Meeker Family of Early New Jersey as revealed in the Correspondence of Charles H. Meek.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2} Thayer, Theodore. As We Were: The Story of Old Elizabethtown: Published for the New Jersey Historical Society by The Grassman Publishing Company, Inc. (1964)
12. ↑ James was the son of Sir George Carteret, one of the NJ Proprietors. Philip, the governor, was their distant cousin. Jack Harpster, John Ogden, The Pilgrim (1609-1682): A Man of More than Ordinary Mark (Staunton, VA: American History Press, 2015), pp. 145, 164.
13. ↑ New Jersey Published Archives, 1st series, vol. 21, Calendar of Records, 1664-1703 (Paterson, NJ: The Press Printing and Publishing Co., 1899), p. 183 Ancestry.com
14. ↑ A. Van Doren Honeyman, ed., Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of NewJersey; 1st ser., v. 30; Calendar of New Jersey Wills..., v. 2, 1730-1750 (Somerville, NJ: Unionist-Gazette Assn., 1918), "Appendix -- Certain Omitted Abstracts", p. 562. Archive.org.
15. ↑ He was married at least by July 1647 when Sarah was mentioned in her father's will as "Wm Meeks wife". Vital Records of New Haven, 1649-1850 (Hartford, CT: The Connecticut society of the Order of the founders and patriots of America, 1917), Archive.org, v. 1, p. 104, n. 30.
16. ↑ The will mentions a current wife Hannah.
17. ↑ Jacobus lists all as children of Sarah, born New Haven, except Joseph. But he is listed by L. Meeker and mentioned in William's will. Donald Lines Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven (Baltimore, [Md.]: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1981; Orig. New Haven Genealogical Magazine, 1923-32), vol. 5, p. 1160, AmericanAncestors.org
18. ↑ "Sarah Preston, the first wife of William and the mother of his children...." Leroy J. Meeker, Meeker Family of Early New Jersey as revealed in the correspondence of Charles H. Meeker, Jr. Charleston, WV: Capitol Printing Co, 1973), para. 5 and Box 2, p. [15]. Online at FamilySearch.org
19. ↑ Date is given by Jacobus and corroborated by published New Haven VR. It appears to conflict with Hatfield who documents William's presence in New Jersey by Feb. 1665/6. Perhaps his wife remained behind for some months.Vital Records of New Haven, 1649-1850 (Hartford, CT: The Connecticut society of the Order of the founders and patriots of America, 1917), Archive.org, v. 1, p. 23; Edwin F. Hatfield, History of Elizabeth, New Jersey, including the Early History of Union County (New York: Carlton & Lanahan, 1869; Carlisle, MA: Applewood Books, n.d.) Archive.org. p. 57.
20. ↑ Records of the Colony or Jurisdiction of New Haven, From May 1653 to the Union. Together With the New Haven Code of 1656. edited by Charles J. Hoadly, Hartford: Case, Tiffany & Company, 1857, pp224-226
21. ↑ "The Green as the Seat of Judicial Tribunals," Chronicles of New Haven Green, A Series of Papers Read Before the New Haven Colony Historical Society, by Henry T. Blake, New Haven: The Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Press, 1898, p167
22. ↑ Robert C. Anderson, Great Migration Directory: Immigrants to New England, 1620–1640, (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2015).
23. ↑ “William Mecar in the Family Data Collection - Births” Ancestry Record genepoolb #3011888.

See also:

• Johnson, Norvan L. "Hardin Clay Roots #1," Rootsweb, Updated: 2015-10-22 01:39:55 UTC (Thu) link: accessed 30 September 2019.
• Pomfret, Dr. John E. The Province of East New Jersey, 1609-1702, (The Rebellious Proprietary): 1962.
• Hatfield, Rev. Edwin. The History of Elizabeth, New Jersey: 1868.
• Thayer, Theodore. As We Were, (The Story of Old Elizabethtown): 1964.
• Cunningham, John T. Newark: 1966.

Descendants of Founders of New Jersey https://www.njfounders.org/founders