Dear Glenn,
I have a picture of my family taken in 1923 at the England place. I imagine your mother had some pictures of the time we went to Antrim, Ohio. I have one with Father standing in the yard with two cousins that he had not known he had. One with Caryl and Dad at the same time. I have the large picture of the group taken at Antrim. I am not in it because I was taking moving pictures on our movie camera and some still pictures.
I have a picture of the grave stones we had put up in cemetery at Judsonia, AR. The stone that was there was Civil War stone and was faded out until you could not read it. The three childrens names on concrete edging that was around the lot was faded so. I knew the names that should be there or I would not know who they were. A year later we went back and they had not kept it. There is a magnolia tree in the center of the plot that is very old.
When my Grandmother lost her husband and two girls and the stepson she had nothing left, but her brother that lived in Kansas City, I don't know which one, sent her a ticket to Kansas City and then to Noble to her parents with Father and Aunt Lilly, Father was 4 and Aunt Lilly was 10 years old. Grandma lived there, her father had a mill ((feed mill, I suppose), when Great-Grand-mother Gray died she bought 3 acres from her father and built a 3 room house. Her parents lived in a log house.
Aunt Lilly took some kind of course from Normal University to prepare her to teach. She was 20 when her mother died. Father went to Uncle Eph and made his headquarters there. He went to Decatur, IL and worked, I don't know what at, but that was when Father started chewing tobacco. The Grays just lived about 2 miles north of where Mother lived, they both went to the same grade school, Gray School House. Father went until 3rd or 4th grade and Mother went until about 6th grade.
I have a list of the Gray brothers and sisters, Uncle Eph, Frank, Orley, Leonard, Rob, and a sister that was mother of Fern Gray that married a Hickle or Hickel. I will try and find the Gray papers and have them together wit the Meredith papers.
I received a letter or Christmas card from Kathryn Meredith Rolinski Peterson. Her first husband died, she married Peterson. I invited her to the 1983 reunion. Her Dad was first cousin to my Dad.
The Daniel Grays lived about 3 miles from Adam Guyot. Daniel Gray was Sarah Louisa Gray's father, my grandmother, mother of Robert Leroy Meredith. She married Robert Campbell Meredith, son of George Meredith. his youngest son of 13 children was George Washington Meredith and his son was Frank Meredith, father of Kathryn Meredith Rolinski Peterson. She had one brother, William Meredith who died about 1980. His wife, Hazel, is still living. She lives near LaRose, IL where Kathryn lives.
Daniel Gray married Maria Vermilye - 1st wife. Ten children were born to this union, third in line was Sarah Louisa Gray - 2nd wife of Daniel. His first wife and 6 children died in Ohio. Within a year he married Sarah Louisa Gray. They moved to Judsonia, AR. Aunt Lilly and my father, Robert Leroy Meredith, were born there. Two older children were born there but died at birth. Nora May died at age of 8 years. Carrie Jane died at the age of 13 years. They are buried at Judsonia, AR, where Robert Campbell and his son by his first wife, Elsworth are buried, I believe that he was 21 years of age.
When Wilbur and I were in Judsonia, AR at the cemetery, we found that the stone markers had deteriorated to the point that they were hardly readable. We purchased a new stone and had it put in place of the old one. The names of the children are in the concrete edging around the plot, it was still there when we were there the last time. Also, there is a large Magnolia tree in the middle of the plot.
About the spelling of my name, I spell it without the second "O". Wilbur's sister, Miss Dorothy uses both "O"s to make it easier to keep our two names legally apart.
In your first sheet, the farm where you were born is a mile west and a mile and a half north of Galesville. Six miles south of Mansfield. Blue Ridge is on the Wabash Railroad but Galesville is 3 to 4 miles north of Mansfield. That house is straight across the field from us and one quarter mile south. Verne Zieders lived one quarter mile north.
Friday 11 July 2014
Letter to Glenn Meredith from Aunt Dorthy
August 1, 1991
Dear Glenn,
Everyone seemed to enjoy the day Saturday. It was wonderful so many came and the wonderful part of the day was a beautiful cool July day. We were indeed blessed.
Glenn it takes someone to take hold of an idea and go with it. I want to thank you for doing just that. It would have never happened if you and Shirley hadn't had the enthusiasm and desire to make it happen. I thank you for it.
I hope you had a good trip home. You are use to driving long trips alone but you had many thoughts to accompany you.
My thoughts of your Dad and Mother, they had goals and ideas and they didn't let go until they made them happen.
The world has to have those kinds of people, then there are the followers. There has to be both kinds. Then there are those that find fault with any thing that other people think of. We don't need those kind but we have them. One time Wilbur said, "pick up your feet and quit dragging." He had ideas and goals and many times I wasn't one to push; instead I dragged along. If we had more pushers, more positive persons instead of negative people.
I have been more negative, why? I wonder. Mother was a negative person to a certain extent. Father wanted to do things, go places, she would rather stay home. I think of the hard work she had in feeding and clothing her family with no convenience, she was glad to have him take some of us and go.
She always made it possible for him to go. His shoes were polished, he had clean clothes to look clean and dressed in the best they had. I remember her saying, "he is before the public and how he looked was a reflection on her. " It didn't matter about her. He came first. She helped him in the only way she knew how. She was such a clean person. She said many times, "it is no sin to be poor, but it is a sin to be dirty."
I hope you find happiness and contentment with another mate. There is nothing worse than being alone.
Thanks for being you.
Our love to you
Aunt Dorthy and Uncle Wilbur
Thanks for all you do.
Dear Glenn,
Everyone seemed to enjoy the day Saturday. It was wonderful so many came and the wonderful part of the day was a beautiful cool July day. We were indeed blessed.
Glenn it takes someone to take hold of an idea and go with it. I want to thank you for doing just that. It would have never happened if you and Shirley hadn't had the enthusiasm and desire to make it happen. I thank you for it.
I hope you had a good trip home. You are use to driving long trips alone but you had many thoughts to accompany you.
My thoughts of your Dad and Mother, they had goals and ideas and they didn't let go until they made them happen.
The world has to have those kinds of people, then there are the followers. There has to be both kinds. Then there are those that find fault with any thing that other people think of. We don't need those kind but we have them. One time Wilbur said, "pick up your feet and quit dragging." He had ideas and goals and many times I wasn't one to push; instead I dragged along. If we had more pushers, more positive persons instead of negative people.
I have been more negative, why? I wonder. Mother was a negative person to a certain extent. Father wanted to do things, go places, she would rather stay home. I think of the hard work she had in feeding and clothing her family with no convenience, she was glad to have him take some of us and go.
She always made it possible for him to go. His shoes were polished, he had clean clothes to look clean and dressed in the best they had. I remember her saying, "he is before the public and how he looked was a reflection on her. " It didn't matter about her. He came first. She helped him in the only way she knew how. She was such a clean person. She said many times, "it is no sin to be poor, but it is a sin to be dirty."
I hope you find happiness and contentment with another mate. There is nothing worse than being alone.
Thanks for being you.
Our love to you
Aunt Dorthy and Uncle Wilbur
Thanks for all you do.
Lord Beazly, Ireland
In 1654, 1656 and 1659, an act of settlement was enacted to parcel out land among the soldiers and creditors of the Commonwealth, and only those Irish landowners able to prove their constant support of the Parliamentary cause escaped having their estates confiscated.
Charles I (1625-49) and the commonwealth (1649-60) were responsible for the raising of armies and thus uprisings occurred.
The Commonwealth was a union of England, Scotland, and Ireland effected in 1653.
Of these, those who catholic were still obliged to exchange land owned to the northeast or south of the river Shannon for land in Connaught, Galway is in Connaught.
Under William III, protestants were the only members of Parliament. He defeated James II in 1690. The Catholics supported James II. They lost all their property. If they accepted Williams regime they were exempt from discriminatory laws.
Lord Beazly gave money and soldiers to Charles I who was catholic. He then received land under the commonwealth as a Catholic in Galway. I didn't find a direct reference to Lord Beazly; however, it is the only reference to the prayer book of Geffory Beasley. Charles I and then later the Commonwealth gave land to supporters of both. Soldiers also received land. This is the only traceable historical event to this era. Aunt Minnie Howe told me about Lord Beazly.
In 1828-29 repeal of the Test Act and Catholic emancipation provided for political equality. The great potatoe famine of the 1840's caused further emigrations. Charles I and the commonwealth gave land to Lord Beasley in return for money and soldiers. They were catholics, thus received land near Galway.
The exiles who came to America gave money to support Venianism. They failed in 1865, they were imprisoned. The funding continued for a nation wide uprising.
Grandfather took advantage of it to sell his property in 1881 under the land act of 1881. A famine was projected. You can assume with support from Irish exiles, a famine is a nationwide uprising. He would not want a constant changing of land reforms. It was not a lasting reform.
The potatoe blight of the 1840's cause no proceeds from the crops, a famine resulted.
A 'vision' was given probably during the 1840's to Grandfather Beasley to give him freedom from the constant land reforms and uprisings. When he came to America, he would not do what anyone said. He had done it all. I certainly can understand why after 1840 that anyone would want to leave for the freedom from violence in America.
I assume my assumptions are correct. This is the only reference that is in the Encyclopedia Brittanica 1985. The rest is my logical assumptions.
This land from Lord Beazly was south of the Shannon River. This was town was Innashannon.
Charles I (1625-49) and the commonwealth (1649-60) were responsible for the raising of armies and thus uprisings occurred.
The Commonwealth was a union of England, Scotland, and Ireland effected in 1653.
Of these, those who catholic were still obliged to exchange land owned to the northeast or south of the river Shannon for land in Connaught, Galway is in Connaught.
Under William III, protestants were the only members of Parliament. He defeated James II in 1690. The Catholics supported James II. They lost all their property. If they accepted Williams regime they were exempt from discriminatory laws.
Lord Beazly gave money and soldiers to Charles I who was catholic. He then received land under the commonwealth as a Catholic in Galway. I didn't find a direct reference to Lord Beazly; however, it is the only reference to the prayer book of Geffory Beasley. Charles I and then later the Commonwealth gave land to supporters of both. Soldiers also received land. This is the only traceable historical event to this era. Aunt Minnie Howe told me about Lord Beazly.
In 1828-29 repeal of the Test Act and Catholic emancipation provided for political equality. The great potatoe famine of the 1840's caused further emigrations. Charles I and the commonwealth gave land to Lord Beasley in return for money and soldiers. They were catholics, thus received land near Galway.
The exiles who came to America gave money to support Venianism. They failed in 1865, they were imprisoned. The funding continued for a nation wide uprising.
Grandfather took advantage of it to sell his property in 1881 under the land act of 1881. A famine was projected. You can assume with support from Irish exiles, a famine is a nationwide uprising. He would not want a constant changing of land reforms. It was not a lasting reform.
The potatoe blight of the 1840's cause no proceeds from the crops, a famine resulted.
A 'vision' was given probably during the 1840's to Grandfather Beasley to give him freedom from the constant land reforms and uprisings. When he came to America, he would not do what anyone said. He had done it all. I certainly can understand why after 1840 that anyone would want to leave for the freedom from violence in America.
I assume my assumptions are correct. This is the only reference that is in the Encyclopedia Brittanica 1985. The rest is my logical assumptions.
This land from Lord Beazly was south of the Shannon River. This was town was Innashannon.
Wednesday 9 July 2014
Letter to Aunt Ethel from Faye
Dear Aunt Ethel,
We were just in Illinois last week end to meet April,
who came from her job in Charlottesville, Virginia to celebrate Mom's 85th birthday and uncle Amiel and Lorraine's 40th anniversary.
Reading the Gieske family history reminded me to read the Beazly's again. When I did I thought of several questions that only you may be able to answer.
1. Was the family farm in County Cork the same land that was given to "Lord Beazly"?
2. Was it a reward for civic service or military service?
3. Since William the Conqueror brought soldiers over from Normandy and elsewhere in Europe, does anyone know if the Beazly's came from the continent then, like maybe France?
4. Did the Webbs have to leave Ireland after your parents did? Since they are living at Bristol it made me wonder. Someone said there is a caravan dealer named Webb still in Ireland. Do I have that straight? Sis told us how she left Ireland. It is hard to imagine anyone hating her enough to shoot at her.
5. What was Uncle Willie Moore's story you referred to? Something about the Revolution.... My Grandma was a Moore, but we have only traced back to Charleston where a Moore married a Furr from N.C.
Beverly went looking for the church in Ireland where your ancestors are buried, and she did find the place. Someone pointed out an abandoned house where the family used to live. I think she took a picture of a tombstone about a year ago.
One more question: that beautiful flow blue willow ware you had in your living room, was it your mother's or grandmother's china?
Our business is booming right now, but it isn't like this all year round. George is selling the same house and 5 acres he sold his first year.
Beverly is spending a few days in London trying to make up her mind about her next contract. She may go back to Sydney, Australia. The Chase Bank offered another contract where she used to work. Eventually she says she will go back to Florida.
My brother Edwin has a branch in England now. He goes over for a month at the time. His only son got married quietly last month to a nice level headed girl. They live in Nashville, which is Edwin's home base.
Love Faye
RESPONSE
Dear Faye and George,
My writing has gotten terrible since January when I had a pacemaker put in, so Glenn said he would type this up for me.
1. Yes, Cork is the largest city in the county of Cork.
2. I'm not sure what the grant of Lord Beazly was but you could find it in a city library all I can remember of William of Orange was what Dad's sister, Aunt Minnie Howe told me -- now if the paper I had written up had William the Conqueror then that is right. My memory was better then than now. It must have been about 1600, I know it was a long time before Queen Victoria. The grant of land across the south of Ireland, Dad had only about 40 acres of land left when they came to the US in 1892.
3. No, perhaps that's the reason it's spelled Beazly, not Beasley.
4. I think I remember Uncle Eddie Webb moved to England at the time and helped his son in Bristol. When the folks and I were in Ireland Mother's brother married a girl by the name of Sarah, I have no idea when she died, then Uncle Eddie married her sister, Eva.
5. All I know about Uncle Willie Moore, he was married to my mother's sister. Mother said she talked too much and made the IRA mad and had to leave Ireland. There were several families that had to leave Ireland, and came to our house in the 1920's and scattered throughout the country.
I would like to have a picture of the grave stone. I'll send it back. Was the Webb house a 2-story house that you drove up to, with the barn attached to it at the back, windows on each side of the front door both up and down? If it was a one story house, it was the ruins of my father's old home.
I would like a picture of the grave stone, I'll send it back.
One of Uncle Eddie's sons lived in the Webb house about 1940, when Jim and Evelyn went for a visit. The Blue Willow ware turkey platter was mother's and brought it from Ireland. If your mother has rough white platter, that one is over 200 years old. I gave that to her so it would stay in the Beazly father. There is a platter just like it on the mantle in the soap "As the World Turns" in Bob's and Kim's house.
t
We were just in Illinois last week end to meet April,
who came from her job in Charlottesville, Virginia to celebrate Mom's 85th birthday and uncle Amiel and Lorraine's 40th anniversary.
Reading the Gieske family history reminded me to read the Beazly's again. When I did I thought of several questions that only you may be able to answer.
1. Was the family farm in County Cork the same land that was given to "Lord Beazly"?
2. Was it a reward for civic service or military service?
3. Since William the Conqueror brought soldiers over from Normandy and elsewhere in Europe, does anyone know if the Beazly's came from the continent then, like maybe France?
4. Did the Webbs have to leave Ireland after your parents did? Since they are living at Bristol it made me wonder. Someone said there is a caravan dealer named Webb still in Ireland. Do I have that straight? Sis told us how she left Ireland. It is hard to imagine anyone hating her enough to shoot at her.
5. What was Uncle Willie Moore's story you referred to? Something about the Revolution.... My Grandma was a Moore, but we have only traced back to Charleston where a Moore married a Furr from N.C.
Beverly went looking for the church in Ireland where your ancestors are buried, and she did find the place. Someone pointed out an abandoned house where the family used to live. I think she took a picture of a tombstone about a year ago.
One more question: that beautiful flow blue willow ware you had in your living room, was it your mother's or grandmother's china?
Our business is booming right now, but it isn't like this all year round. George is selling the same house and 5 acres he sold his first year.
Beverly is spending a few days in London trying to make up her mind about her next contract. She may go back to Sydney, Australia. The Chase Bank offered another contract where she used to work. Eventually she says she will go back to Florida.
My brother Edwin has a branch in England now. He goes over for a month at the time. His only son got married quietly last month to a nice level headed girl. They live in Nashville, which is Edwin's home base.
Love Faye
RESPONSE
Dear Faye and George,
My writing has gotten terrible since January when I had a pacemaker put in, so Glenn said he would type this up for me.
1. Yes, Cork is the largest city in the county of Cork.
2. I'm not sure what the grant of Lord Beazly was but you could find it in a city library all I can remember of William of Orange was what Dad's sister, Aunt Minnie Howe told me -- now if the paper I had written up had William the Conqueror then that is right. My memory was better then than now. It must have been about 1600, I know it was a long time before Queen Victoria. The grant of land across the south of Ireland, Dad had only about 40 acres of land left when they came to the US in 1892.
3. No, perhaps that's the reason it's spelled Beazly, not Beasley.
4. I think I remember Uncle Eddie Webb moved to England at the time and helped his son in Bristol. When the folks and I were in Ireland Mother's brother married a girl by the name of Sarah, I have no idea when she died, then Uncle Eddie married her sister, Eva.
5. All I know about Uncle Willie Moore, he was married to my mother's sister. Mother said she talked too much and made the IRA mad and had to leave Ireland. There were several families that had to leave Ireland, and came to our house in the 1920's and scattered throughout the country.
I would like to have a picture of the grave stone. I'll send it back. Was the Webb house a 2-story house that you drove up to, with the barn attached to it at the back, windows on each side of the front door both up and down? If it was a one story house, it was the ruins of my father's old home.
I would like a picture of the grave stone, I'll send it back.
One of Uncle Eddie's sons lived in the Webb house about 1940, when Jim and Evelyn went for a visit. The Blue Willow ware turkey platter was mother's and brought it from Ireland. If your mother has rough white platter, that one is over 200 years old. I gave that to her so it would stay in the Beazly father. There is a platter just like it on the mantle in the soap "As the World Turns" in Bob's and Kim's house.
t
Saturday 25 January 2014
Biographical Interview of Lilly Bell Meredith Taylor, by Dr. M. M. Taylor
My original name was Lele Belle Meredith. The Lele was after Aunt Lele Meredith, the sister of Robert Campbell Meredith. By general usage this later became Lilly Belle Meredith.
My birthplace, in Judsonia, AR was the 'Old Home' about one or two blocks east of the 'New Home' (these are so designated on the map in another section of this binder) The 'New Home' was next to the Harvel Drugstore, the present site of the Baptist Church and across Main Street from the Dunn Hotel. This church was not built until after I left Judsonia at age ten. Dr. Eastland officiated at my birth in 1874.
My father's first wife, Sarah Jane 'Wiley' Meredith died Sept. 19, 1866. About one year later Robert Campbell Meredith met and married Sarah Louisa Gray on Nov. 25, 1867. She had come from Ohio with her father, Daniel Workman Gray and family.
Children born to this marriage were:
Nora May Meredith
Born Feb. 27, 1869 in Illinois
Died March 24, 1877 (age 8 yrs 23 days) in Arkansas
Carrie Jane Meredith
Born Oct. 30, 1871 in Illinois
Died March 13, 1884 (12 yrs 9 months 14 days) in Arkansas
Lilly Belle Meredith
Born Jan. 6, 1874 in Arkansas
Robert Leroy Meredith
Born Aug. 8, 1877 in Arkansas
Died Sep. 20, 1950 (73 yrs 1 month 2 days)
Robert and Sarah moved to Arkansas between about 1871 and 1874 with Carrie, Nora and Ellsworth (from other marriage). They went to see what the country was like and better their lot if possible.
They went by wagon train. One wagon was driven by Robert, another by Robert Vermilye Gray and family and a third by Andrew Columbus Gray, a brother of Robert Vermilye Gray. Andrew Columbus Gray was about 18 years of age at the time and returned by the same wagon soon after.
Robert was a carpenter and wheelright by occupation, made complete wagons and sometimes coffins when needed. In the 'Old Home' there was a large room for carpentering and probably a forge outside but am not able to remember.
Times were hard, sometimes people paid, sometimes not. To my best recollection, one such deal resulted in a tract of forty acres. North and east of Judsonia. This is now owned by Dr. K.R. Taylor.
During the Civil War, Robert Campbell Meredith served in the Fifth West Virginia Cavalry with the Union Army. I was too young about age 6 at the time of his death to remember anything about length of service or any narratives concerning his war experiences. His stone in the Judsonia Cemetery lists his military assignment.
He was appointed a constable in Judsonia, about two or three years before his death and was stabbed in the chest by 'drunks' at Christmas tree entertainment.
Dr. Eastland treated his injuries and used break and milk poultices on the wound. It was my job at age 4 or 5 to carry out and burn the dressings and poultices. I could not eat bread and milk until almost grown. He recovered and this stabbing probably did not contribute to his death, which occurred on April 9, 1880. He had been fishing on the Little Red River early in the spring apparently at about the same time as his son, Orlando Ellsworth Meredith and both contracted pneumonia and died nine days apart.
The grave in Judsonia is marked by a military stone and has been photographed by Drs. M. M. and K. R. Taylor and families.
After my fathers' death, Dr. Eastland invited us to stay with him until further arrangements were made. We did this for several weeks until mother bought the house listed on map as 'New Home'. My first schooling began from this home at about age 6.
The school I attended was called Judsonia University, but it was a general school with the grades taught in the basement. Official meetings and funerals were also held here before the Baptist Church was built.
I attended this school from age 6 for three or four years up to the fourth grade and remember my fear at passing a hanging skeleton in the corner of the basement.
Two episodes of this period are impressed on my mind:
In the 'Old Home' in one room bags of unroasted peanuts were stored. I used to get some on the way by and eat them raw, when mother wasn't watching.
Sarah Louisa 'Gray' Meredith had a cow and churned new butter at times. Once she sent me to present a pound of fresh butter to Mrs. Dunn at the hotel. By mistake I presented it to Mrs. Harvel next door and was duly reprimanded on return.
When I was age 10, mother decided to move with me and Robert Leroy Meredith to Illinois.
Uncle John Meredith had written to mother that if she would come to Kansas for a visit on the way to Illinois he would pay the train fare so, Sarah went by train to St. Louis, changed trains, thence to Huron, Kansas and later to Noble, IL.
Andrew Columbus Gray met us at Noble with horses and wagons and took us to Daniel Workman Gray's log house. Columbus Gray was living there at the time. The building was one quarter mile back from the road. The Grubb House now stands on the road at the entranceway. We lived with Daniel Workman Gray for about four years.
Grandma Mariah 'Vermilye' Gray died when I was about thirteen years of age.
When I was about age 14, mother (Sarah Louisa Gray) bought an acre of ground and hired John Liers to build a three room frame house. This was later sold to Charles Farmer. He married Alminta Taylor, daughter of Marion Lafayette Taylor and sister of W. O. Taylor. We moved here at my age 14 and I went to Gray School until age 18. Mother thought that I should have more schooling before teaching, so I went to Noble, IL, to what corresponded to first year high school. There for one winter at age eighteen, I studied, took the examination and received a certificate to teach. I taught spring school of two months (common at that time) and the following winter at Glenwood School at age 19, boarding with Mrs. William Sager.
My mother, Sarah, became sick in September of that year, with some kind of stomach trouble with pain and vomiting. Dr. E. B. Palmer visited her several times, then said he could do nothing more for her. In the meantime she had no appetite and could not keep any food down.
A doctor Davis from Wakefield was called. He advised us to get some beer and keep it cold. This was difficult but we bought ice and kept it wrapped in paper. She took small amounts for awhile then refused. Later the doctor said that he could do nothing for her.
Then we consulted a Dr. Boyles from Clay City. Robert Leroy Meredith who was about sixteen years of age and six feet tall would pick up and return the doctor to the railroad station at Noble, IL. He gave up after several trips.
While teaching at Glenwood School mother asked me to leave teaching and come home, which I did. After this, Robert Leroy and myself took care of mother, Sarah until she died on March 23, 1894, at my age twenty. I borrowed five dollars from Owen Grubb to finish payment on the property tax.
After mothers death it was necessary to make some money immediately so I started teaching probably at Gray School and Robert Meredith went north to work on a farm, at age 16.
In the summer at age 21, I went to Decatur, IL and lived with Frank Gray for about three months, thinking of teaching in the north, but the schools were all taken. So I returned in August for Institute, which was a teachers preparatory course of one month at Olney, IL. There was an opening at Elwood School which was about halfway between Noble and Olney, Illinois and my application was accepted at a salary of $28.00 per month. I boarded with Mr. and Mrs. Betebenner during this year at my age of 22.
During my twenty third year I taught spring term at Hedrick School and winter at Decker School.
My twenty-fourth year was also spent at Decker School and I was married to W. O. (William Otis) 'Odie' Taylor on Dec. 20, 1899. becoming 25 years of age on Jan. 6, 1900.
I lived at intervals from 1894 to 1899 with Uncle Ephraim Gray and his wife Anna 'Curtis' Gray.
I lived happily married with W. O. Taylor until his death on Sept. 27, 1952. He now rests in a mausoleum in Haven Hill Cemetery, Olney, IL.
Since 1952 I have maintained the W. O. Taylor and Lilly Belle 'Meredith' Taylor home during the summers. I have lived during the winter season with Dr. K. R. Taylor and Ruth 'Summers' Taylor in River Forest, IL. I enjoy life and still manage my own financial affairs at my attained age of 87, in the year of our Lord, 1961.
My birthplace, in Judsonia, AR was the 'Old Home' about one or two blocks east of the 'New Home' (these are so designated on the map in another section of this binder) The 'New Home' was next to the Harvel Drugstore, the present site of the Baptist Church and across Main Street from the Dunn Hotel. This church was not built until after I left Judsonia at age ten. Dr. Eastland officiated at my birth in 1874.
My father's first wife, Sarah Jane 'Wiley' Meredith died Sept. 19, 1866. About one year later Robert Campbell Meredith met and married Sarah Louisa Gray on Nov. 25, 1867. She had come from Ohio with her father, Daniel Workman Gray and family.
Children born to this marriage were:
Nora May Meredith
Born Feb. 27, 1869 in Illinois
Died March 24, 1877 (age 8 yrs 23 days) in Arkansas
Carrie Jane Meredith
Born Oct. 30, 1871 in Illinois
Died March 13, 1884 (12 yrs 9 months 14 days) in Arkansas
Lilly Belle Meredith
Born Jan. 6, 1874 in Arkansas
Robert Leroy Meredith
Born Aug. 8, 1877 in Arkansas
Died Sep. 20, 1950 (73 yrs 1 month 2 days)
Robert and Sarah moved to Arkansas between about 1871 and 1874 with Carrie, Nora and Ellsworth (from other marriage). They went to see what the country was like and better their lot if possible.
They went by wagon train. One wagon was driven by Robert, another by Robert Vermilye Gray and family and a third by Andrew Columbus Gray, a brother of Robert Vermilye Gray. Andrew Columbus Gray was about 18 years of age at the time and returned by the same wagon soon after.
Robert was a carpenter and wheelright by occupation, made complete wagons and sometimes coffins when needed. In the 'Old Home' there was a large room for carpentering and probably a forge outside but am not able to remember.
Times were hard, sometimes people paid, sometimes not. To my best recollection, one such deal resulted in a tract of forty acres. North and east of Judsonia. This is now owned by Dr. K.R. Taylor.
During the Civil War, Robert Campbell Meredith served in the Fifth West Virginia Cavalry with the Union Army. I was too young about age 6 at the time of his death to remember anything about length of service or any narratives concerning his war experiences. His stone in the Judsonia Cemetery lists his military assignment.
He was appointed a constable in Judsonia, about two or three years before his death and was stabbed in the chest by 'drunks' at Christmas tree entertainment.
Dr. Eastland treated his injuries and used break and milk poultices on the wound. It was my job at age 4 or 5 to carry out and burn the dressings and poultices. I could not eat bread and milk until almost grown. He recovered and this stabbing probably did not contribute to his death, which occurred on April 9, 1880. He had been fishing on the Little Red River early in the spring apparently at about the same time as his son, Orlando Ellsworth Meredith and both contracted pneumonia and died nine days apart.
The grave in Judsonia is marked by a military stone and has been photographed by Drs. M. M. and K. R. Taylor and families.
After my fathers' death, Dr. Eastland invited us to stay with him until further arrangements were made. We did this for several weeks until mother bought the house listed on map as 'New Home'. My first schooling began from this home at about age 6.
The school I attended was called Judsonia University, but it was a general school with the grades taught in the basement. Official meetings and funerals were also held here before the Baptist Church was built.
I attended this school from age 6 for three or four years up to the fourth grade and remember my fear at passing a hanging skeleton in the corner of the basement.
Two episodes of this period are impressed on my mind:
In the 'Old Home' in one room bags of unroasted peanuts were stored. I used to get some on the way by and eat them raw, when mother wasn't watching.
Sarah Louisa 'Gray' Meredith had a cow and churned new butter at times. Once she sent me to present a pound of fresh butter to Mrs. Dunn at the hotel. By mistake I presented it to Mrs. Harvel next door and was duly reprimanded on return.
When I was age 10, mother decided to move with me and Robert Leroy Meredith to Illinois.
Uncle John Meredith had written to mother that if she would come to Kansas for a visit on the way to Illinois he would pay the train fare so, Sarah went by train to St. Louis, changed trains, thence to Huron, Kansas and later to Noble, IL.
Andrew Columbus Gray met us at Noble with horses and wagons and took us to Daniel Workman Gray's log house. Columbus Gray was living there at the time. The building was one quarter mile back from the road. The Grubb House now stands on the road at the entranceway. We lived with Daniel Workman Gray for about four years.
Grandma Mariah 'Vermilye' Gray died when I was about thirteen years of age.
When I was about age 14, mother (Sarah Louisa Gray) bought an acre of ground and hired John Liers to build a three room frame house. This was later sold to Charles Farmer. He married Alminta Taylor, daughter of Marion Lafayette Taylor and sister of W. O. Taylor. We moved here at my age 14 and I went to Gray School until age 18. Mother thought that I should have more schooling before teaching, so I went to Noble, IL, to what corresponded to first year high school. There for one winter at age eighteen, I studied, took the examination and received a certificate to teach. I taught spring school of two months (common at that time) and the following winter at Glenwood School at age 19, boarding with Mrs. William Sager.
My mother, Sarah, became sick in September of that year, with some kind of stomach trouble with pain and vomiting. Dr. E. B. Palmer visited her several times, then said he could do nothing more for her. In the meantime she had no appetite and could not keep any food down.
A doctor Davis from Wakefield was called. He advised us to get some beer and keep it cold. This was difficult but we bought ice and kept it wrapped in paper. She took small amounts for awhile then refused. Later the doctor said that he could do nothing for her.
Then we consulted a Dr. Boyles from Clay City. Robert Leroy Meredith who was about sixteen years of age and six feet tall would pick up and return the doctor to the railroad station at Noble, IL. He gave up after several trips.
While teaching at Glenwood School mother asked me to leave teaching and come home, which I did. After this, Robert Leroy and myself took care of mother, Sarah until she died on March 23, 1894, at my age twenty. I borrowed five dollars from Owen Grubb to finish payment on the property tax.
After mothers death it was necessary to make some money immediately so I started teaching probably at Gray School and Robert Meredith went north to work on a farm, at age 16.
In the summer at age 21, I went to Decatur, IL and lived with Frank Gray for about three months, thinking of teaching in the north, but the schools were all taken. So I returned in August for Institute, which was a teachers preparatory course of one month at Olney, IL. There was an opening at Elwood School which was about halfway between Noble and Olney, Illinois and my application was accepted at a salary of $28.00 per month. I boarded with Mr. and Mrs. Betebenner during this year at my age of 22.
During my twenty third year I taught spring term at Hedrick School and winter at Decker School.
My twenty-fourth year was also spent at Decker School and I was married to W. O. (William Otis) 'Odie' Taylor on Dec. 20, 1899. becoming 25 years of age on Jan. 6, 1900.
I lived at intervals from 1894 to 1899 with Uncle Ephraim Gray and his wife Anna 'Curtis' Gray.
I lived happily married with W. O. Taylor until his death on Sept. 27, 1952. He now rests in a mausoleum in Haven Hill Cemetery, Olney, IL.
Since 1952 I have maintained the W. O. Taylor and Lilly Belle 'Meredith' Taylor home during the summers. I have lived during the winter season with Dr. K. R. Taylor and Ruth 'Summers' Taylor in River Forest, IL. I enjoy life and still manage my own financial affairs at my attained age of 87, in the year of our Lord, 1961.
Meredith Family Genealogy starting with Lillie Bell Meredith
Lillie Bell Meredith
Born Aug. 18, 1877
Died Sept. 20, 1950
She married William Otis 'Odie' Taylor - Dec. 20, 1899
Children of this marriage are:Marion M
1. Kenneth Robert Taylor M.D.
2. Marion Meredith Taylor M.D.
Marion married Avis Elizabeth Wildenradt - June 30, 1937
Children of this marriage are:
2a. Marion Meredith Taylor, Jr.
Born July 21, 1938 in Chicago, IL
Born at Burrows Hospital, 669 Irving Pk
Graduated Roosevelt Grade School, River Forest, IL
Graduated Oak Park-River Forest High School, Oak Park, IL 1956
Graduated Northwest University, Evanston, IL 1960
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, attending 1961
Lives at 1323 Jackson Ave., River Forest, IL
Age 23 in 1961
(more details in Taylor Family Chart)
Born Aug. 18, 1877
Died Sept. 20, 1950
She married William Otis 'Odie' Taylor - Dec. 20, 1899
Children of this marriage are:Marion M
1. Kenneth Robert Taylor M.D.
2. Marion Meredith Taylor M.D.
Marion married Avis Elizabeth Wildenradt - June 30, 1937
Children of this marriage are:
2a. Marion Meredith Taylor, Jr.
Born July 21, 1938 in Chicago, IL
Born at Burrows Hospital, 669 Irving Pk
Graduated Roosevelt Grade School, River Forest, IL
Graduated Oak Park-River Forest High School, Oak Park, IL 1956
Graduated Northwest University, Evanston, IL 1960
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, attending 1961
Lives at 1323 Jackson Ave., River Forest, IL
Age 23 in 1961
(more details in Taylor Family Chart)
Tuesday 21 January 2014
Genealogy Chart beginning with Thomas Meredith (1750)
A. Thomas Meredith
Born Aug. 24, 1786 in Londonderry Township, Guernsey Co., Ohio
Died Feb. 12, 1868
Married Elizabeth Bain
a.) Robert Campbell Meredith
Born Jan. 11, 1829
Died April 9, 1880
Age 51 - short biography under Lillie Bell Meredith Taylor biography
Several other children
First marriage- Robert Campbell Meredith and Sarah Jane Wiley
She was born Nov. 27, 1827
Died Sept. 19, 1866 - age 39
Marriage date March 27, 1851
Children of the marriage of Robert Campbell Meredith and Sarah Jane Wiley
aa) Eleanor Evelyn Meredith
Born Nov. 21, 1851
Died Oct. 19, 1865
Age 13 yrs, 10 mon. 21 days
bb) Mary Alma Meredith
Born Mar. 15, 1855
Died Sept. 21, 1861
Ae 6 yrs, 6 mon. 6 days
cc) Alpheus A. Meredith
Born Jul 17, 159
Died Sept. 19, 1865
Age 6 yrs 2 mon. 2 days
dd) Orlando Ellsworth Meredith
Born Jan. 4 1862
Died April 18, 1880
Age 18 yrs 3 mon. 14 days
He was called Wort. Died 9 days after his father. Cause was pneumonia contracted after fishing in the Little Rd River. Sarah Louisa 'Gray' Meredith
was worn out and sick from caring for Robert Campbell Meredith at the time
of his death. Wort died at the neighbors house where they were taking care
of him to relieve his step mother.
ee) James Ross Meredith
Born Oct. 9, 1865
Died Oct. 15, 1865
Age 6 days
2nd Marriage - Robert Campbell Meredith married Sarah Louisa Gray
married Nov. 25, 1867
She was born Mar. 4, 1847
Died March 23, 1894
Age 47 yrs 19 days
Buried Greenhill
Sara Louisa Gray was born in Ohio. Her father was Daniel Workman Gray from Ohio. Sarah came to Illinois with her family. Daniel Workman Gray had a forge and blacksmith shop. He made a pair of tongs at the forge. Ephraim Gray at age 4, sat and watched them made. These tongs were given to Ephraim Gray later, then given to his son Orley Ephraim Gray and later given to Dr. M. N. Taylor about 1957 and are now in his trophy case in River Forest, Illinois. Lilly Belle Meredith Taylor says she followed Daniel Workman Gray about when she was about 10 years old while he grafted and planted fruit trees. He said "I will not live to eat the fruit from these trees, but others will." He was old at this time but lived for a considerable period after.
Sarah Louisa Gray's mother was Marie Vermilye, before marrying Daniel Workman Gray. Maria Vermilye's family had been early inhabitants of New York City. Her mothers' maiden name was Osborne.
She was mother of Lilly Bell 'Meredith' Taylor and sister of Ephraim Marshall 'Uncle Eph' Gray.
Marriage date Nov 25, 1867
Children of Robert Campbell Meredith and Sarah Louisa Gray
ff) Nora May Meredith
Born Feb. 27, 1869
Died Mar. 24, 1877
Age 8 yrs 23 days
Died of brain fever according to doctor in Arkansas
gg) Carrie Jane Meredith
Born Oct. 30, 1871
Died Mar. 13, 1884
Age 12 ys. 9 mon. 14 days
Died of rheumatic fever and heart disease, described in letter from
Lillie Bell 'Meredith' Taylor Collection
hh) Lillie Bell Meredith
Born Jan. 6, 1874
(see separate biography)
Age 87 in 1961
Living at 1323 Jackson Ave., River Forest, IL
ii) Robert Leroy Meredith
Born Aug. 18, 1877
Died Sept. 20, 1950
Married Laura Guyot
(see supplement re: R. L. Meredith Family)
- Born 1750 Chester County, PA
- Died 1844 Clarion County, PA - age 94
- Enlisted in Revolutionary War Jan. 23, 1776 at age 26
- Married Elinor 'Thomas' Meredith in 1782
- She was born 1754 in Chester County, PA
- Children of the marriage of Thomas and Elinor Meredith
Born Aug. 24, 1786 in Londonderry Township, Guernsey Co., Ohio
Died Feb. 12, 1868
Married Elizabeth Bain
a.) Robert Campbell Meredith
Born Jan. 11, 1829
Died April 9, 1880
Age 51 - short biography under Lillie Bell Meredith Taylor biography
Several other children
First marriage- Robert Campbell Meredith and Sarah Jane Wiley
She was born Nov. 27, 1827
Died Sept. 19, 1866 - age 39
Marriage date March 27, 1851
Children of the marriage of Robert Campbell Meredith and Sarah Jane Wiley
aa) Eleanor Evelyn Meredith
Born Nov. 21, 1851
Died Oct. 19, 1865
Age 13 yrs, 10 mon. 21 days
bb) Mary Alma Meredith
Born Mar. 15, 1855
Died Sept. 21, 1861
Ae 6 yrs, 6 mon. 6 days
cc) Alpheus A. Meredith
Born Jul 17, 159
Died Sept. 19, 1865
Age 6 yrs 2 mon. 2 days
dd) Orlando Ellsworth Meredith
Born Jan. 4 1862
Died April 18, 1880
Age 18 yrs 3 mon. 14 days
He was called Wort. Died 9 days after his father. Cause was pneumonia contracted after fishing in the Little Rd River. Sarah Louisa 'Gray' Meredith
was worn out and sick from caring for Robert Campbell Meredith at the time
of his death. Wort died at the neighbors house where they were taking care
of him to relieve his step mother.
ee) James Ross Meredith
Born Oct. 9, 1865
Died Oct. 15, 1865
Age 6 days
2nd Marriage - Robert Campbell Meredith married Sarah Louisa Gray
married Nov. 25, 1867
She was born Mar. 4, 1847
Died March 23, 1894
Age 47 yrs 19 days
Buried Greenhill
Sara Louisa Gray was born in Ohio. Her father was Daniel Workman Gray from Ohio. Sarah came to Illinois with her family. Daniel Workman Gray had a forge and blacksmith shop. He made a pair of tongs at the forge. Ephraim Gray at age 4, sat and watched them made. These tongs were given to Ephraim Gray later, then given to his son Orley Ephraim Gray and later given to Dr. M. N. Taylor about 1957 and are now in his trophy case in River Forest, Illinois. Lilly Belle Meredith Taylor says she followed Daniel Workman Gray about when she was about 10 years old while he grafted and planted fruit trees. He said "I will not live to eat the fruit from these trees, but others will." He was old at this time but lived for a considerable period after.
Sarah Louisa Gray's mother was Marie Vermilye, before marrying Daniel Workman Gray. Maria Vermilye's family had been early inhabitants of New York City. Her mothers' maiden name was Osborne.
She was mother of Lilly Bell 'Meredith' Taylor and sister of Ephraim Marshall 'Uncle Eph' Gray.
Marriage date Nov 25, 1867
Children of Robert Campbell Meredith and Sarah Louisa Gray
ff) Nora May Meredith
Born Feb. 27, 1869
Died Mar. 24, 1877
Age 8 yrs 23 days
Died of brain fever according to doctor in Arkansas
gg) Carrie Jane Meredith
Born Oct. 30, 1871
Died Mar. 13, 1884
Age 12 ys. 9 mon. 14 days
Died of rheumatic fever and heart disease, described in letter from
Lillie Bell 'Meredith' Taylor Collection
hh) Lillie Bell Meredith
Born Jan. 6, 1874
(see separate biography)
Age 87 in 1961
Living at 1323 Jackson Ave., River Forest, IL
ii) Robert Leroy Meredith
Born Aug. 18, 1877
Died Sept. 20, 1950
Married Laura Guyot
(see supplement re: R. L. Meredith Family)
Saturday 18 January 2014
Meredith History by Professor William Meredith, University of Pennsylvania
This speech was given at a Meredith reunion in Antrim, Ohio
With the coming of William Penn and the establishment of the province of Pennsylvania many from the British Isles, among them were Welsh, come to this country and settled at or near Philadelphia. They were Quakers. Quite early in the province we learn of the name of the Merediths. The first mention of the name is associated with Benjamin Franklin, mentioned in the life of Franklin as published in the Encyclopedia Britanica. Franklin returned to Philadelphia in 1726 as follows:
"Only a few months after Franklin returned to Philadelphia the death of Mr. Dunjam put an end to his career as a merchant. While waiting for some thing more favorable, he was induced by large wages to return to his old employer Keiner. This led to his making the acquaintance of a young man by the name of Meredith, whom he afterward described as a "Welsh-Pennsylvanian", thirty years of age, bred in, country work, honest, sensible, who had a great deal of solid observation and was something of a reader, but given to drink." He was learning the printers trade and art, and offered to furnish the capital to establish a new printing office, his father being a man of some means, if Franklin would join him and direct his business. This proposal was accepted, the types sent for, a house was rented at $120.00 a year, part of which was sublet to a glazier who was to board with them, and before the expiration of a year from his return to Philadelphia, Franklin, for the first time in his life was in business for himself.
The story is that they operated the printing press and office in one end of the room and the still in the other end, and that Meredith refused to have anything to do with the printing end of the business.
The Meredith money gave the world the wisdom of Franklin thru the press made possible by our progenitor, for the Pennsylvania Gazette, and Poor Richard's Almanac then and since have scattered wisdom thru the generations which have come and gone.
The next we hear the name of Reese Meredith, a Welshman to whom in 1776 William Penn granted a patent for the lands in the province of Pennsylvania. One of which is located in what is now known as Liskiminas Township, Armstrong County, PA.
Then comes Samuel Meredith, first Treasurer of the United States under the Constitution, having been appointed by George Washington the President. He is buried in Pleasant Mount Township, Montgomery County, which county was formed in the Province of Pennsylvania. He was devoted patriot and gave liberally in his fortune, which was large, to the cause of his country. The following from an article from Hownsdale, the county seat of Wayne County dated June 7, 1877.
'In a wild spot, on the southern slope of the Moosic Mountain, in the northwestern part of this country, neglected and sunken, hiddenly rank growth of underbrush and briars the grave of Samuel Meredit the first treasurer of the United States, and that of his wife Margaret Read. Mr. Meredith was appointed Treasurer by General Washington, when he became President in 1789. Meredith was the son of Reese Meredith, a wealthy Welsh nobleman, who aided the American cause with both counsel and treasure. One occasion presenting the Continental Government with $25,000 to ameliorate the condition of the then suffering army. The elder Meredith and Washington had bee intimate friends before the breaking out of the war. Samuel Meredith served as the treasurer under Washington eight and under Adams for four years. In the meantime, he became interested in extensive real estate speculations both in Wayne and Susquehanna County, having purchased 30,000 acres of land. His idea was to found a town near the Susquehanna County line, and he obtained a charter for one. It was called Belmont.
When Jefferson came to office in 1801, Meredith resigned his position, against the wishes of the new President. He erected a pretentious residence in the wilderness he purchased, and removed thither with his family. His land did not sell and other speculations in which he engaged resulted disasterously sweeping away his ample fortune. Belmont, as he called his residence in the wilderness he purchased and removed thither with his family. His land did not sell and other speculations in which he engaged resulted disastrously sweeping away his ample fortune. Belmont, as he called his residence in the wilderness he had purchased was all that ever came of this town. It was visited at times by Robert Morris, Dr. Benjamin Rush, and other famous American History personages. But Meredith and his wife were forced to resign the highs of social life and position they had occupied in Philadelphia which is still a popular one. They lived in isolation the rest of their days. Mrs. Meredith was member of the Read family of Philadelphia, which is still a prominent one. John Meredith Read present United States Chare Affairs of Athens, is a representative of it. She was a famous and accomplished belle of the Revolutionary days. The residence of the Merediths was the resort of the wit and fashion of Mount Pleasant Township, was a page in the Meredith family when they took up residence at Belmont. Although in the midst of a wilderness and reduced in circumstances they maintained all their aristocratic customs, keeping liveried servants and carriage, and insisting on a strict observance of all the conventionalities of the circles in which they were reared. Samuel Meredith died in 1817, aged 67 years. His wife died three years later. The spot in which they are buried is a small enclosure a few rods from Belmont. Two crumbling stones mark the grave. The inscription upon them are nearly defaced. Belmont, the residence is still standing, but the property has long since passed out of the hands of the family. The people of Mount Pleasant village near which the Meredith graves lie intend to erect a monument over them, unless the relatives of the once illustrious couples of the government rescue them from neglect and desolation now surrounding them.
In 1903, the legislature of Pennsylvania appropriated three thousand dollars to the trustees of the Meredith Monument Association to aid in the erection of the monument over the grave of Samuel Meredith. We last refer to William Meredith of Philadelphia, he was born in 1798 and died in 1873. Was Secretary of the Treasury under President Taylor serving until the death of Taylor and a portion of the term of Tyler. Served as Attorney General of Pennsylvania during the greater portion of the term of office of Andrew G. Curtin, Pennsylvania famous war governor of 1872. He was elected a delegate at large on the Republican ticket to the Constitutional Convention. He was one of the most distinguished attorneys of his age in which he lived. His face adorns the last three issues of postal currency.
Professor A. J. Davis former County Superintendent of Clarion County Pennsylvania writes as follows:
"Prior to that year of 1800 Limestone Township was one vast forest, along the streams and over the hills of which deer roamed the bear and other wild animals. Since that time a steady transformation has been going on. The vast forest has given away before the woodman's axe and settlements, well improved farms have been established. In the year mentioned, the first white man that set foot upon the soil of this precinct, together with his family, made a settlement, the premises now owned and occupied by J. M. Speics family in the extreme southwestern part of the township. These people come from Chester County Pennsylvania bringing all their affects with them and all their household goods on horseback. This energetic pioneers name was Thomas Meredith. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and fought bravely for national independence. Soon after the old man rode back to his native Chester County, procured some young apple trees, returned and planted near his cabin home, and afterwards had the satisfaction of seeing them nearly all grown. This was among the first orchards established in Clarion County.
From the deeds and records of Armstrong County Deed Book #1, pages 376 and 377 by deed dated the 21st of March 1809, John Sloan of Darry Township, Westmereland County, conveyed to Thomas Meredith of Red Bank, Township Armstrong County, a farm in Red Bank Township containing 207 acres and an allowance of six per cent for consideration of 302 L. 7a. 3d. (the receipt of which shows that the payment was short 1 d. which we presume is still owed by his descendants) The deed was acknowledged by James Brown, Associate Judge, March 21, 1809 and recorded Sept. 23, 1809.
The statements I have given to you are from my own knowledge combined with that of the relatives, friends and public records.
************
Information gleaned while attending the centennial reunion of the building of the George Meredith home at Antrim, Ohio.
George Meredith was influential in building a Presbyterian church in Antrim, Ohio. Because the original Presbyterian church had closed communion for the Mason's and Democrats in Antrim. It was a log cabin in the corner of the Cemetery. The log cabin was used a number of years, abandoned for 14 years and then built the present church in 1857. It has now been abandoned for a number of years. The furnishings are still in it, with the horse hair settee, hand pumped organ, straight low backed benches.
A first cousin of my father, John Carpenter, who settled in the vicinity of the Stubenville Pike was clearing his land. The Indians attacked and shot him, just injuring him. His wife, Mary Carpenter, used a hoe and frightened the Indian away.
The farm home of George Meredith was a home for the distressed. Along with a large family they assisted any and all that could not care for themselves. It took all the crops to feed the household.
The Merediths were always interested in music. They owned the first organ west of the Alleghany Mountains. They would load the organ in the sled and take it to the neighbors to hold the singing school. He was accompanied into Ohio with the first minister to preach west of the Alleghenies. He was a very religious man. He expected every one to be ready to go to church at the same time he was. If you were not ready you got left at home and he took all that were ready and went on to church.
I, Mariam's father, was glad to take my father and mother to Ohio to see the place where his people originated.
Ernest L. Meredith
With the coming of William Penn and the establishment of the province of Pennsylvania many from the British Isles, among them were Welsh, come to this country and settled at or near Philadelphia. They were Quakers. Quite early in the province we learn of the name of the Merediths. The first mention of the name is associated with Benjamin Franklin, mentioned in the life of Franklin as published in the Encyclopedia Britanica. Franklin returned to Philadelphia in 1726 as follows:
"Only a few months after Franklin returned to Philadelphia the death of Mr. Dunjam put an end to his career as a merchant. While waiting for some thing more favorable, he was induced by large wages to return to his old employer Keiner. This led to his making the acquaintance of a young man by the name of Meredith, whom he afterward described as a "Welsh-Pennsylvanian", thirty years of age, bred in, country work, honest, sensible, who had a great deal of solid observation and was something of a reader, but given to drink." He was learning the printers trade and art, and offered to furnish the capital to establish a new printing office, his father being a man of some means, if Franklin would join him and direct his business. This proposal was accepted, the types sent for, a house was rented at $120.00 a year, part of which was sublet to a glazier who was to board with them, and before the expiration of a year from his return to Philadelphia, Franklin, for the first time in his life was in business for himself.
The story is that they operated the printing press and office in one end of the room and the still in the other end, and that Meredith refused to have anything to do with the printing end of the business.
The Meredith money gave the world the wisdom of Franklin thru the press made possible by our progenitor, for the Pennsylvania Gazette, and Poor Richard's Almanac then and since have scattered wisdom thru the generations which have come and gone.
The next we hear the name of Reese Meredith, a Welshman to whom in 1776 William Penn granted a patent for the lands in the province of Pennsylvania. One of which is located in what is now known as Liskiminas Township, Armstrong County, PA.
Then comes Samuel Meredith, first Treasurer of the United States under the Constitution, having been appointed by George Washington the President. He is buried in Pleasant Mount Township, Montgomery County, which county was formed in the Province of Pennsylvania. He was devoted patriot and gave liberally in his fortune, which was large, to the cause of his country. The following from an article from Hownsdale, the county seat of Wayne County dated June 7, 1877.
'In a wild spot, on the southern slope of the Moosic Mountain, in the northwestern part of this country, neglected and sunken, hiddenly rank growth of underbrush and briars the grave of Samuel Meredit the first treasurer of the United States, and that of his wife Margaret Read. Mr. Meredith was appointed Treasurer by General Washington, when he became President in 1789. Meredith was the son of Reese Meredith, a wealthy Welsh nobleman, who aided the American cause with both counsel and treasure. One occasion presenting the Continental Government with $25,000 to ameliorate the condition of the then suffering army. The elder Meredith and Washington had bee intimate friends before the breaking out of the war. Samuel Meredith served as the treasurer under Washington eight and under Adams for four years. In the meantime, he became interested in extensive real estate speculations both in Wayne and Susquehanna County, having purchased 30,000 acres of land. His idea was to found a town near the Susquehanna County line, and he obtained a charter for one. It was called Belmont.
When Jefferson came to office in 1801, Meredith resigned his position, against the wishes of the new President. He erected a pretentious residence in the wilderness he purchased, and removed thither with his family. His land did not sell and other speculations in which he engaged resulted disasterously sweeping away his ample fortune. Belmont, as he called his residence in the wilderness he purchased and removed thither with his family. His land did not sell and other speculations in which he engaged resulted disastrously sweeping away his ample fortune. Belmont, as he called his residence in the wilderness he had purchased was all that ever came of this town. It was visited at times by Robert Morris, Dr. Benjamin Rush, and other famous American History personages. But Meredith and his wife were forced to resign the highs of social life and position they had occupied in Philadelphia which is still a popular one. They lived in isolation the rest of their days. Mrs. Meredith was member of the Read family of Philadelphia, which is still a prominent one. John Meredith Read present United States Chare Affairs of Athens, is a representative of it. She was a famous and accomplished belle of the Revolutionary days. The residence of the Merediths was the resort of the wit and fashion of Mount Pleasant Township, was a page in the Meredith family when they took up residence at Belmont. Although in the midst of a wilderness and reduced in circumstances they maintained all their aristocratic customs, keeping liveried servants and carriage, and insisting on a strict observance of all the conventionalities of the circles in which they were reared. Samuel Meredith died in 1817, aged 67 years. His wife died three years later. The spot in which they are buried is a small enclosure a few rods from Belmont. Two crumbling stones mark the grave. The inscription upon them are nearly defaced. Belmont, the residence is still standing, but the property has long since passed out of the hands of the family. The people of Mount Pleasant village near which the Meredith graves lie intend to erect a monument over them, unless the relatives of the once illustrious couples of the government rescue them from neglect and desolation now surrounding them.
In 1903, the legislature of Pennsylvania appropriated three thousand dollars to the trustees of the Meredith Monument Association to aid in the erection of the monument over the grave of Samuel Meredith. We last refer to William Meredith of Philadelphia, he was born in 1798 and died in 1873. Was Secretary of the Treasury under President Taylor serving until the death of Taylor and a portion of the term of Tyler. Served as Attorney General of Pennsylvania during the greater portion of the term of office of Andrew G. Curtin, Pennsylvania famous war governor of 1872. He was elected a delegate at large on the Republican ticket to the Constitutional Convention. He was one of the most distinguished attorneys of his age in which he lived. His face adorns the last three issues of postal currency.
Professor A. J. Davis former County Superintendent of Clarion County Pennsylvania writes as follows:
"Prior to that year of 1800 Limestone Township was one vast forest, along the streams and over the hills of which deer roamed the bear and other wild animals. Since that time a steady transformation has been going on. The vast forest has given away before the woodman's axe and settlements, well improved farms have been established. In the year mentioned, the first white man that set foot upon the soil of this precinct, together with his family, made a settlement, the premises now owned and occupied by J. M. Speics family in the extreme southwestern part of the township. These people come from Chester County Pennsylvania bringing all their affects with them and all their household goods on horseback. This energetic pioneers name was Thomas Meredith. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary War and fought bravely for national independence. Soon after the old man rode back to his native Chester County, procured some young apple trees, returned and planted near his cabin home, and afterwards had the satisfaction of seeing them nearly all grown. This was among the first orchards established in Clarion County.
From the deeds and records of Armstrong County Deed Book #1, pages 376 and 377 by deed dated the 21st of March 1809, John Sloan of Darry Township, Westmereland County, conveyed to Thomas Meredith of Red Bank, Township Armstrong County, a farm in Red Bank Township containing 207 acres and an allowance of six per cent for consideration of 302 L. 7a. 3d. (the receipt of which shows that the payment was short 1 d. which we presume is still owed by his descendants) The deed was acknowledged by James Brown, Associate Judge, March 21, 1809 and recorded Sept. 23, 1809.
The statements I have given to you are from my own knowledge combined with that of the relatives, friends and public records.
************
Information gleaned while attending the centennial reunion of the building of the George Meredith home at Antrim, Ohio.
George Meredith was influential in building a Presbyterian church in Antrim, Ohio. Because the original Presbyterian church had closed communion for the Mason's and Democrats in Antrim. It was a log cabin in the corner of the Cemetery. The log cabin was used a number of years, abandoned for 14 years and then built the present church in 1857. It has now been abandoned for a number of years. The furnishings are still in it, with the horse hair settee, hand pumped organ, straight low backed benches.
A first cousin of my father, John Carpenter, who settled in the vicinity of the Stubenville Pike was clearing his land. The Indians attacked and shot him, just injuring him. His wife, Mary Carpenter, used a hoe and frightened the Indian away.
The farm home of George Meredith was a home for the distressed. Along with a large family they assisted any and all that could not care for themselves. It took all the crops to feed the household.
The Merediths were always interested in music. They owned the first organ west of the Alleghany Mountains. They would load the organ in the sled and take it to the neighbors to hold the singing school. He was accompanied into Ohio with the first minister to preach west of the Alleghenies. He was a very religious man. He expected every one to be ready to go to church at the same time he was. If you were not ready you got left at home and he took all that were ready and went on to church.
I, Mariam's father, was glad to take my father and mother to Ohio to see the place where his people originated.
Ernest L. Meredith
Thursday 16 January 2014
Pioneer Families - Meredith
Guernsey County Merediths date back to 1819 when George Meredith came here from Virginia to which he had moved from Pennsylvania, and entered a quarter section of land in Londonderry Township. He bought it at the government land office in Stubenville, and the deed given him was signed by President James Monroe. The quarter section he bought at probably two dollars an acre was the northwest one-fourth of Section 24, Twp. 10, Range 7.
The Merediths originated in Wales and went over into England to live. They were in sympathy with the Quaker movement which started in England about the middle of the 17th Century and when William Penn founded a colony in America, they came to America and settled in Pennsylvania.
Here in this country, according to their family traditions, some of the Merediths became distinguished. In his autobiography Benjamin Franklin mentions a Meredith (a member of this particular branch) who furnished him money to enable him to get started in the printing business. A Meredith was Attorney General of Pennsylvania, and another was the first Treasurer of the United States under the Constitution.
The first of the Guernsey County branch of Merediths of whom we have authentic record was Thomas. Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1750, he was twenty-five years old when the Revolutionary War began. On January 23, 1776, he enlisted and served as a private under Captain John Reese and Colonel Arthur St. Clair. (This Colonel St. Clair afterwards became the first Governor of the Northwest Territory.
In 1782, the war being over, Thomas Meredith married Eleanor Thomas, born in 1754. This couple became the parents of six children all born in Pennsylvania, as follows: Thomas, Owen, George, Jonathon, Sarah and Lettice. All six children married and reared families.
The records in the pension office at Washington show that Thomas Meredith applied for and granted a pension in 1818. He died in 1844, aged ninety-four.
As stated above, George, the third son of Thomas and Eleanor Meredith, came to Guernsey County with his family in 1819. Until his death which occurred in 1868, he continued to live on the Londonderry Township quarter section of land which he entered. His 7 children were Thomas, George W., John, Robert, Isabella, Eleanor and William, who died at the age of twenty-five. As was the custom in early days, the Merediths seemed to hold to family names.
The Merediths originated in Wales and went over into England to live. They were in sympathy with the Quaker movement which started in England about the middle of the 17th Century and when William Penn founded a colony in America, they came to America and settled in Pennsylvania.
Here in this country, according to their family traditions, some of the Merediths became distinguished. In his autobiography Benjamin Franklin mentions a Meredith (a member of this particular branch) who furnished him money to enable him to get started in the printing business. A Meredith was Attorney General of Pennsylvania, and another was the first Treasurer of the United States under the Constitution.
The first of the Guernsey County branch of Merediths of whom we have authentic record was Thomas. Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1750, he was twenty-five years old when the Revolutionary War began. On January 23, 1776, he enlisted and served as a private under Captain John Reese and Colonel Arthur St. Clair. (This Colonel St. Clair afterwards became the first Governor of the Northwest Territory.
In 1782, the war being over, Thomas Meredith married Eleanor Thomas, born in 1754. This couple became the parents of six children all born in Pennsylvania, as follows: Thomas, Owen, George, Jonathon, Sarah and Lettice. All six children married and reared families.
The records in the pension office at Washington show that Thomas Meredith applied for and granted a pension in 1818. He died in 1844, aged ninety-four.
As stated above, George, the third son of Thomas and Eleanor Meredith, came to Guernsey County with his family in 1819. Until his death which occurred in 1868, he continued to live on the Londonderry Township quarter section of land which he entered. His 7 children were Thomas, George W., John, Robert, Isabella, Eleanor and William, who died at the age of twenty-five. As was the custom in early days, the Merediths seemed to hold to family names.
Sunday 12 January 2014
Letter from Ethel Meredith to her parents re: Meredith Genealogy trip to Ohio, PA and Washington, D.C.
Dear Folks:
On July 17th Ernest and I started east for a two weeks trip. We were going to see Washington, D.C. and to try to find more of the Merediths. We seemed to be in the right place at the right time several times.
We ate lunch with our daughter Mariam and Charles in Crawfordsville, IN and then drove to just outside Cambridge, OH. Monday morning we visited with George Meredith's, tried to see Georgia an Francis Meredith, but they were not home.
George Meredith lives on his father's farm, L.D. Meredith, son of George Washington Meredith, son of George Meredith, and son of Thomas Meredith. He had purchased his father's farm. He has also purchased the share of the George Meredith farm at Antrim that his Grandfather, George Washington Meredith inherited from his father. We asked about the will that George Meredith giving the land to his sons Thomas and George Meredith. He said he had to get a Court Deed, because George Washington Meredith lost it because of debts. So if old George Meredith did will his property to his descendants in case it was sold, we won't get any inheritance from the sale of this land. Perhaps it would amount to about $50 anyway. We found out that land was selling for $50 or more in that area.
On the farm were George Meredith now lives the cabin which his family was raised now stands. It is about 20' x 30'. There were eleven children in the family. He said if they all took a breath at the same time, the walls just bulged out. He had quite a wit.
Tuesday we left Interstate 70 and took the Old National Trail thru the Cumberland Narrows. We stopped at Mt. Washington Tavern. It is being restored and next year will be furnished in the same manner that it was during George Washington's day. Just back of the tavern is Fort Necessity where the first Battle of the French and Indian War was fought. This was the first major event in the career of George Washington.
Just a short distance to the east is General Braddock's grave and monument. He was the British Commander that fought the French. There is a portion of the Braddock Road that was cut through the Cumberland Mountains that has been restored. It was a miracle how they cut the road 12' wide through those mountains.
On Wednesday we drove to Gettysburg and took a tour of the Battlefield on a bus. Shortly after we started we came upon Meredith Avenue. Then moments later we saw a plaque with the following inscription:
Meredith Avenue wound around through that part of the Battle Field.
Wednesday evening we stayed outside of Washington in Silver Spring. Thursday morning we took a tour of the city. First stop was Smithsonian Institution and the dresses of the Inaugural Ball. The highlight of the morning was the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery and a visit to President Kennedy's grave. Canvas covered the wood walks to the grave so there was a muffled sound.
The rest of the day was spent in viewing public buildings. Then with an hour boat ride down the Potomac to Mt. Vernon and an hour tour of the grounds. It was the end of a perfect but grueling day.
On Friday we visited the Capitol Building, went to the Senators Cafeteria for lunch. When inquiring how to get there a lady asked us to eat lunch with her in that portion of the cafeteria reserved for the Senators and personnel. Ernest had the famous Senatorial Bean Soup.
We stood in line for 1-1/2 hours to get into the Senate gallery. We were allowed only 15 or 20 minutes and told to move on. As we were going out I asked a guide if there was anyway we could get to stay longer, there were plenty of empty seats. He said to get a pass from our senator and then we could get into the family galleries. Senator Douglass was on the floor. So after passing many guards we finally got our permit. We were very proud of both of our Senators that day. Douglass was on the floor about 90%of the time and Dirksen about 75% of the time. They were debating the one man, one vote measure.
We left Washington Saturday morning and started for Pleasant Mountain, PA., home of Samuel Meredith, first Treasurer of the United States. We found his grave and monument at the intersection of Routes 670 and 371 in Pleasant Mountain, PA. The small park was triangular. A bronze plaque stated:
The monument was about 24 feet tall, base about 8 feet square and the figure 5'8".
On the North side was Samuel Meredith, with crossed keys right below, next below First Treas. of U.S. appointed by Washington Sept. 11, 1781 to 1801. On another side was Continental Congress, and the battles he seemed to be in: Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Germantown. On a third side was Gen. Samuel Meredith, 1741-11817, his wife Margaret Cadwalder, 1752-1820. On the fourth side was Erected by the State of Pennsylvania 1904. We were able to get pictures of the land that Samuel Meredith owned. Very hilly, just why he and Washington passed thru Lancaster Co. and came to such a wilderness as it must have been at that time Ernest couldn't understand.
The Breman sister of Mount Pleasant have a picture of Belmont but we could not wait to try to take a picture of it. So if any one should go back there again I would love to try to get a picture of it. These sisters are grand daughters of the man that caused the monument to be built.
Next we drove to Clarion County Court House to get the exact location of the land that Thomas Meredith (Rev. War) owned. I have a copy of this Deed if any one should want it, but is quite lengthy so I'll not copy it now. We drove to Limestone PA. We asked a lady working a garden and she directed us to the grand daughter of the man that bought the farm from Thomas Meredith or his heirs. She went with us to the farm now owned by a descendant of John Sloan, the buyer.
Of course, there was only a low place where the house had stood. She said her grandmother said there were 2 babies buried on the farm. We could not find his grave in any of the old cemeteries. But we did find Sarah Meredith Rea's grave. I had gotten the exact location from her great grand daughter, Mrs. Robert M. Sherwin, Clairtin, VA (near Pittsburgh,) Rehoboth Church Cemetery, Greenville, PA. We knew Thomas Jr. ad Owen, the twins, were buried near there but could not find them.
We seemed to be at dead end so we gave up and started on our trip. We went to Niagara Falls, Old Fort Niagara, where the only French Castle is located in U.S., the dungeon, wood bin to make the bread in, about as big as a small bath tub, a moat with a draw bridge. Any one that loves history could spend more than a day there, but we only had a few hours.
We came back near Pittsburg and called Mrs. Sherwin but her mother and husband were both passed away and she was having to nurse.
Ernest went with me because I wanted him to, but as we were coming home he said he thoroughly enjoyed it and felt like he could tackle any problems that could face him when he got home.
On July 17th Ernest and I started east for a two weeks trip. We were going to see Washington, D.C. and to try to find more of the Merediths. We seemed to be in the right place at the right time several times.
We ate lunch with our daughter Mariam and Charles in Crawfordsville, IN and then drove to just outside Cambridge, OH. Monday morning we visited with George Meredith's, tried to see Georgia an Francis Meredith, but they were not home.
George Meredith lives on his father's farm, L.D. Meredith, son of George Washington Meredith, son of George Meredith, and son of Thomas Meredith. He had purchased his father's farm. He has also purchased the share of the George Meredith farm at Antrim that his Grandfather, George Washington Meredith inherited from his father. We asked about the will that George Meredith giving the land to his sons Thomas and George Meredith. He said he had to get a Court Deed, because George Washington Meredith lost it because of debts. So if old George Meredith did will his property to his descendants in case it was sold, we won't get any inheritance from the sale of this land. Perhaps it would amount to about $50 anyway. We found out that land was selling for $50 or more in that area.
On the farm were George Meredith now lives the cabin which his family was raised now stands. It is about 20' x 30'. There were eleven children in the family. He said if they all took a breath at the same time, the walls just bulged out. He had quite a wit.
Tuesday we left Interstate 70 and took the Old National Trail thru the Cumberland Narrows. We stopped at Mt. Washington Tavern. It is being restored and next year will be furnished in the same manner that it was during George Washington's day. Just back of the tavern is Fort Necessity where the first Battle of the French and Indian War was fought. This was the first major event in the career of George Washington.
Just a short distance to the east is General Braddock's grave and monument. He was the British Commander that fought the French. There is a portion of the Braddock Road that was cut through the Cumberland Mountains that has been restored. It was a miracle how they cut the road 12' wide through those mountains.
On Wednesday we drove to Gettysburg and took a tour of the Battlefield on a bus. Shortly after we started we came upon Meredith Avenue. Then moments later we saw a plaque with the following inscription:
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
First Corpe - First Division - First Brigade
Brigade General Solomon Meredith
Col. William W. Robison
19 Indiana 24th Michigan
2nd 6th and 7th Wisconsin Infantry
July 1st - Arrived 10:00 am went into position and charged Brig. Gen. Archers Brigade in Reynolds Woods, forced confederate lines across Willoughby Run capturing Brig. Gen. Archer and many prisoners. The 19th Indiana, 24th Michigan and the 2nd and 7th Wisconsin retired and formed line in Reynolds Woods, the 6th Wisconsin having gone to support of 2nd Brigade against Brigade Gen. Davis Brigade. Major Gen. ????? at 4pm being outflanked and hard pressed the Brig. retired under heavy fire of Infantry and artillery to Seminary Ridge and thence to Cemetery Ridge and to the North slope of Culp's Hill and entrenched.
July 2nd replused without a loss a sharp attack at night about sunset the 6th Wisconsin went to support of the 3rd Brigade, Second Division, 12th Corp and assisted in the morning without loss.
Casualty - Killed 33 officers
158 men - wounded 54 officers
666 men captured or missing
13 officers 249 men
Total 1,133
Meredith Avenue wound around through that part of the Battle Field.
Wednesday evening we stayed outside of Washington in Silver Spring. Thursday morning we took a tour of the city. First stop was Smithsonian Institution and the dresses of the Inaugural Ball. The highlight of the morning was the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery and a visit to President Kennedy's grave. Canvas covered the wood walks to the grave so there was a muffled sound.
The rest of the day was spent in viewing public buildings. Then with an hour boat ride down the Potomac to Mt. Vernon and an hour tour of the grounds. It was the end of a perfect but grueling day.
On Friday we visited the Capitol Building, went to the Senators Cafeteria for lunch. When inquiring how to get there a lady asked us to eat lunch with her in that portion of the cafeteria reserved for the Senators and personnel. Ernest had the famous Senatorial Bean Soup.
We stood in line for 1-1/2 hours to get into the Senate gallery. We were allowed only 15 or 20 minutes and told to move on. As we were going out I asked a guide if there was anyway we could get to stay longer, there were plenty of empty seats. He said to get a pass from our senator and then we could get into the family galleries. Senator Douglass was on the floor. So after passing many guards we finally got our permit. We were very proud of both of our Senators that day. Douglass was on the floor about 90%of the time and Dirksen about 75% of the time. They were debating the one man, one vote measure.
We left Washington Saturday morning and started for Pleasant Mountain, PA., home of Samuel Meredith, first Treasurer of the United States. We found his grave and monument at the intersection of Routes 670 and 371 in Pleasant Mountain, PA. The small park was triangular. A bronze plaque stated:
Samuel Meredith
This memorial is in tribute to the financier patriot of the Revolutionary War who was first Treasurer of the United States 1789-1801. George Clymer and Meredith were large land owners in this area. Meredith died at his estate Belmont in 1817
The monument was about 24 feet tall, base about 8 feet square and the figure 5'8".
On the North side was Samuel Meredith, with crossed keys right below, next below First Treas. of U.S. appointed by Washington Sept. 11, 1781 to 1801. On another side was Continental Congress, and the battles he seemed to be in: Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Germantown. On a third side was Gen. Samuel Meredith, 1741-11817, his wife Margaret Cadwalder, 1752-1820. On the fourth side was Erected by the State of Pennsylvania 1904. We were able to get pictures of the land that Samuel Meredith owned. Very hilly, just why he and Washington passed thru Lancaster Co. and came to such a wilderness as it must have been at that time Ernest couldn't understand.
The Breman sister of Mount Pleasant have a picture of Belmont but we could not wait to try to take a picture of it. So if any one should go back there again I would love to try to get a picture of it. These sisters are grand daughters of the man that caused the monument to be built.
Next we drove to Clarion County Court House to get the exact location of the land that Thomas Meredith (Rev. War) owned. I have a copy of this Deed if any one should want it, but is quite lengthy so I'll not copy it now. We drove to Limestone PA. We asked a lady working a garden and she directed us to the grand daughter of the man that bought the farm from Thomas Meredith or his heirs. She went with us to the farm now owned by a descendant of John Sloan, the buyer.
Of course, there was only a low place where the house had stood. She said her grandmother said there were 2 babies buried on the farm. We could not find his grave in any of the old cemeteries. But we did find Sarah Meredith Rea's grave. I had gotten the exact location from her great grand daughter, Mrs. Robert M. Sherwin, Clairtin, VA (near Pittsburgh,) Rehoboth Church Cemetery, Greenville, PA. We knew Thomas Jr. ad Owen, the twins, were buried near there but could not find them.
We seemed to be at dead end so we gave up and started on our trip. We went to Niagara Falls, Old Fort Niagara, where the only French Castle is located in U.S., the dungeon, wood bin to make the bread in, about as big as a small bath tub, a moat with a draw bridge. Any one that loves history could spend more than a day there, but we only had a few hours.
We came back near Pittsburg and called Mrs. Sherwin but her mother and husband were both passed away and she was having to nurse.
Ernest went with me because I wanted him to, but as we were coming home he said he thoroughly enjoyed it and felt like he could tackle any problems that could face him when he got home.
Tuesday 7 January 2014
Extract from Matthews History of Wayne, Pike and Monroe -- 1886 Goodrichs History of Wayne County
Reese Meredith, the father of Samuel Meredith, was born in Herfordshire, England. He graduated at Baliol College, Oxford, in 1728, and emigrated to Philadelphia in 1730, and entered the counting house of John Carpenter, a prominent merchant, married Martha, the youngest daughter of his employer, and was taken in as a partner, and succeeded his father-in-law in business.
In 1766, Reese Meredith took in partnership his son, Samuel, and his son-in-law, George Clymer. He was one of the three hundred and fifty merchants and citizens of Philadelphia, who in October 1765, signed the celebrated Non-Importation Resolutions. His son and son-in-law were also signers. During the darkest hours of the Revolution, his faith never wavered in the righteous cause of the colonies.
When the patriots were starving at Valley Forge, Reese Meredith gave $25,000 in silver, to buy food and clothing for the sufferers. He devoted his time to business, and it is not known that he ever held any public office. He died Nov. 17, 1778, aged seventy-one years, leaving three children, as follows: Anne, wife of Henry Hill; Samuel, (subject of this sketch); Elizabeth, wife of George Clymer, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Samuel Meredith was born in Philadelphia, in 1741, and was educated at the academy at Chester. His fellow-student was Philemon Dickinson, afterwards his brother-in-law, as they married sisters. He married in 1771, Margaret, youngest daughter of Dr. Thomas Cadwalader, of Philadelphia. Samuel Meredith several times represented Philadephia county in the Colonial Assembly. In June 1775, he was commissioned mayor of the 3rd Battalion on Pennsylvania Militia, and was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. Upon the occupation of Philadelphia by the British in 1777, he and his family were exiled. In October of that year he received the commission of brigadier-general of Pennsylvania Militia. In June 1780, Gen. Meredith and George Clymer each pledged his property and credit that each would pay to procure provisions for the army of the United States the sum of $25,000. From 1783 to 1786 Gen. Meredith was in the State Legislature, and from 1786 to 1788 in the Continental Congress, upon the organization of the government under the Constitution of the United States, adopted the 17th day of September 1787.
President George Washington, on the 11th of September, 1789, nominated Samuel Meredith as treasurer of the United States, which nomination was readily confirmed by the Senate. He held the office through the administration of George Washington and John Adams, for twelve years, when he resigned. Upon his accession to the office he was warmly congratulated by Alexander Hamilton, secretary of the treasury, and upon his retirement, Thomas Jefferson complimented him for his integrity and ability. In or about 1774, Meredith an Clymer purchased a large amount of wild lands in Western Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, in Delaware and Sullivan counties, NY and in all the north-eastern counties of Pennsylvania, aggregation about 1,969,000 acres, worth about ten cents per acre. The payment of taxes on said lands drew heavily on their resources. Owning a large amount of land in Wayne and Susquehanna counties, Mr. Meredith, about 1786, commenced making improvements at a place in the township of Mount Pleasant, which place he afterwards named Belmont.
In 1802, he was assessed as having sixty acres of improved land and a dwelling house valued at twenty dollars, but as a non-resident. Soon after this he moved to Belmont and built a dwelling house which cost six thousand dollars. To this place he retired from the turmoil of public life, and spent the evening of his days in quietude and seclusion, and there died, February10, 1817 in the seventy-sixth year of his age. He had seven children. Noted among them were: Martha, mother of the late John M. Read, Chief Justice of PA; Anna, ,mother of Philemon Dickinson, Esq., (who was 45 years President of the Trenton Banking Co.) and also of the late Col. Samuel Dickinson; Thomas; Maria, who died in 1854.
Thomas Meredith was born in Philadelphia in 1779, and educated in the University of Pennsylvania, upon leaving which he made a voyage to India and China. He was admitted to the Philadelphia bar in 1805, to the Wayne County bar in 1810, and to the Luzerne County bar in 1816. He was prothonotary and register and recorder of Wayne County, from 1818 to 1821, and held other important positions . In 1824, he opened the first coal mines below Carondale, to which place he moved his family about 1830. He died in Trenton, NJ in March 1855, leaving one son, Samuel Reese Meredith, who was born in Wayne County in 1823. In or about the year 1855, the latter was active in the formation of a company called the Lackawanna Coal and Iron Co. The enterprise failed and he lost all his property, and broken down and disheartened he died in the Pennsylvania Hospital, at Philadelphia in the year of 1865.
Samuel Meredith, the first treasurer of the United States, was buried at Belmont, in Mount Pleasant, and it has been, if it is not yet, a matter of doubt as to the exact place of his interment. It is strange that his wealthy children neglected to erect a monument to the memory of their patriotic father. Would it not become the United States to appropriate a few thousand dollars to perpetuate the memory of a man who, in our early days, gave $25,000 to feed and clothe our suffering soldiers, and whose father gave alike sum for the like purpose?
History of Wayne County by Goodrich
Meredith was also a share-holder of a company formed in Philadelphia, 18th of Sept. 1792, "to be called the Union Society, for promoting the manufacture of sugar from the maple tree and furthering the interests of agriculture in PA. The Society's attention to be primarily and principally confined to that purpose and to the manufacturing of pot and pearl ashes." The business was discontinued in 1796. Afterwards Samuel Meredith understood the manufacture of pot ash near Belmont a could not make it pay.
History of Wayne County by Goodrich
Not finding a ready sale for his tract of land in Pleasant Mount, he built a well finished house there -- during the year 1812, on this property at a cost of about $6,000. He named it Belmont. The house was destroyed by fire in fall of 1890. Buried in the family cemetery by the side of Mrs. Meredith, his accomplished wife. This cemetery was located about a quarter of a mile east of his residence. It was enclosed by a stone wall, graves marked by a plain marble slab and through the years this plot was overgrown with sapling and bushes until the year 1904 when the remains of Mr. and Mrs. Meredith were placed in a triangular park at the intersection of the Bethany and Newburg Turnpike in the village of Pleasant Mount.
On June 8 1904 a beautiful monument that had been placed on their last resting place was unveiled by a relative of Mr. Meredith. People came from far and near to take part in the great event and to pay long delayed tribute to a man who was a credit to his country.
by David A. Byron
In 1903 the Samuel Meredith Monument Association was organized with J.H. Kennedy, president, and J.E. Tiffany, secretary of the board of Trustees. Contract was entered into with Martin Caufield of Honesdale to erect a Barre, Vermont, granite monument with statue from westerly Rhode Island granite for $3,000. The statue was designed by the late Miss Clara Keen of Honesdale.
Permission to remove bodies of General and Mrs. Meredith from Belmont to the triangular square in Pleasant Mount village by descendants and dedicatory celebration was held June 8, 1904.
In 1766, Reese Meredith took in partnership his son, Samuel, and his son-in-law, George Clymer. He was one of the three hundred and fifty merchants and citizens of Philadelphia, who in October 1765, signed the celebrated Non-Importation Resolutions. His son and son-in-law were also signers. During the darkest hours of the Revolution, his faith never wavered in the righteous cause of the colonies.
When the patriots were starving at Valley Forge, Reese Meredith gave $25,000 in silver, to buy food and clothing for the sufferers. He devoted his time to business, and it is not known that he ever held any public office. He died Nov. 17, 1778, aged seventy-one years, leaving three children, as follows: Anne, wife of Henry Hill; Samuel, (subject of this sketch); Elizabeth, wife of George Clymer, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Samuel Meredith was born in Philadelphia, in 1741, and was educated at the academy at Chester. His fellow-student was Philemon Dickinson, afterwards his brother-in-law, as they married sisters. He married in 1771, Margaret, youngest daughter of Dr. Thomas Cadwalader, of Philadelphia. Samuel Meredith several times represented Philadephia county in the Colonial Assembly. In June 1775, he was commissioned mayor of the 3rd Battalion on Pennsylvania Militia, and was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. Upon the occupation of Philadelphia by the British in 1777, he and his family were exiled. In October of that year he received the commission of brigadier-general of Pennsylvania Militia. In June 1780, Gen. Meredith and George Clymer each pledged his property and credit that each would pay to procure provisions for the army of the United States the sum of $25,000. From 1783 to 1786 Gen. Meredith was in the State Legislature, and from 1786 to 1788 in the Continental Congress, upon the organization of the government under the Constitution of the United States, adopted the 17th day of September 1787.
President George Washington, on the 11th of September, 1789, nominated Samuel Meredith as treasurer of the United States, which nomination was readily confirmed by the Senate. He held the office through the administration of George Washington and John Adams, for twelve years, when he resigned. Upon his accession to the office he was warmly congratulated by Alexander Hamilton, secretary of the treasury, and upon his retirement, Thomas Jefferson complimented him for his integrity and ability. In or about 1774, Meredith an Clymer purchased a large amount of wild lands in Western Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, in Delaware and Sullivan counties, NY and in all the north-eastern counties of Pennsylvania, aggregation about 1,969,000 acres, worth about ten cents per acre. The payment of taxes on said lands drew heavily on their resources. Owning a large amount of land in Wayne and Susquehanna counties, Mr. Meredith, about 1786, commenced making improvements at a place in the township of Mount Pleasant, which place he afterwards named Belmont.
In 1802, he was assessed as having sixty acres of improved land and a dwelling house valued at twenty dollars, but as a non-resident. Soon after this he moved to Belmont and built a dwelling house which cost six thousand dollars. To this place he retired from the turmoil of public life, and spent the evening of his days in quietude and seclusion, and there died, February10, 1817 in the seventy-sixth year of his age. He had seven children. Noted among them were: Martha, mother of the late John M. Read, Chief Justice of PA; Anna, ,mother of Philemon Dickinson, Esq., (who was 45 years President of the Trenton Banking Co.) and also of the late Col. Samuel Dickinson; Thomas; Maria, who died in 1854.
Thomas Meredith was born in Philadelphia in 1779, and educated in the University of Pennsylvania, upon leaving which he made a voyage to India and China. He was admitted to the Philadelphia bar in 1805, to the Wayne County bar in 1810, and to the Luzerne County bar in 1816. He was prothonotary and register and recorder of Wayne County, from 1818 to 1821, and held other important positions . In 1824, he opened the first coal mines below Carondale, to which place he moved his family about 1830. He died in Trenton, NJ in March 1855, leaving one son, Samuel Reese Meredith, who was born in Wayne County in 1823. In or about the year 1855, the latter was active in the formation of a company called the Lackawanna Coal and Iron Co. The enterprise failed and he lost all his property, and broken down and disheartened he died in the Pennsylvania Hospital, at Philadelphia in the year of 1865.
Samuel Meredith, the first treasurer of the United States, was buried at Belmont, in Mount Pleasant, and it has been, if it is not yet, a matter of doubt as to the exact place of his interment. It is strange that his wealthy children neglected to erect a monument to the memory of their patriotic father. Would it not become the United States to appropriate a few thousand dollars to perpetuate the memory of a man who, in our early days, gave $25,000 to feed and clothe our suffering soldiers, and whose father gave alike sum for the like purpose?
History of Wayne County by Goodrich
Meredith was also a share-holder of a company formed in Philadelphia, 18th of Sept. 1792, "to be called the Union Society, for promoting the manufacture of sugar from the maple tree and furthering the interests of agriculture in PA. The Society's attention to be primarily and principally confined to that purpose and to the manufacturing of pot and pearl ashes." The business was discontinued in 1796. Afterwards Samuel Meredith understood the manufacture of pot ash near Belmont a could not make it pay.
History of Wayne County by Goodrich
Not finding a ready sale for his tract of land in Pleasant Mount, he built a well finished house there -- during the year 1812, on this property at a cost of about $6,000. He named it Belmont. The house was destroyed by fire in fall of 1890. Buried in the family cemetery by the side of Mrs. Meredith, his accomplished wife. This cemetery was located about a quarter of a mile east of his residence. It was enclosed by a stone wall, graves marked by a plain marble slab and through the years this plot was overgrown with sapling and bushes until the year 1904 when the remains of Mr. and Mrs. Meredith were placed in a triangular park at the intersection of the Bethany and Newburg Turnpike in the village of Pleasant Mount.
On June 8 1904 a beautiful monument that had been placed on their last resting place was unveiled by a relative of Mr. Meredith. People came from far and near to take part in the great event and to pay long delayed tribute to a man who was a credit to his country.
by David A. Byron
In 1903 the Samuel Meredith Monument Association was organized with J.H. Kennedy, president, and J.E. Tiffany, secretary of the board of Trustees. Contract was entered into with Martin Caufield of Honesdale to erect a Barre, Vermont, granite monument with statue from westerly Rhode Island granite for $3,000. The statue was designed by the late Miss Clara Keen of Honesdale.
Permission to remove bodies of General and Mrs. Meredith from Belmont to the triangular square in Pleasant Mount village by descendants and dedicatory celebration was held June 8, 1904.
Monday 6 January 2014
Lilly Bell Meredith - Judsonia, AR
Lilly Bell Meredith Taylor was born in Judsonia in the old house, listed on the map as 'Old Home'. Dr. Eastland attended her birth. She lived in the 'Old Home' until her father died, at her age six on April 9, 1880. She did not go to school from the old home.
Dr. Eastland invited them to live with him, which they did for several weeks until her mothher bought the new house, listed on the map as 'New Home'. This was next to the Harvel Drugstore, where the Baptist Church now stands. The church was not built until after Lilly Meredith left Judsonia.
At the old home, Robert Campbell Meredith was a carpenter and wheelright. He made complete wagons and also coffins. There was one big room for carpentering. There was probably a forge outside, but she does not remember. Sacks of unroasted peanuts were stored in one room and Lilly used to get a few and eat them raw when her mother wasn't watching -- when she was about five or six years of age.
Sara Louisa had a cow and churned at times. Once she sent Lilly to deliver a pound of fresh butter to Mrs. Dunn at the hotel. By mistake she delivered it to Mrs. Harvel, next door and was duly reprimanded.
Judsonia University, so called, was a general school with two floors and a basement. Lilly Meredith went to school in the basement and was afraid of a corner, where a skeleton was hanging. She went to this school at about age six. The grade school was located in the basement. She went here for about three to four years until about the fourth grade. Funerals and other meetings were held before the church was built.
Lilly Bell Meredith left Judsonia at age ten and went to Illinois.
Dr. K.R. Taylor, Ruth Taylor, W.O. Taylor and Lilly Bell Meredith Taylor visited Judsonia about 19??.
Dr. M.M. Taylor, Avis Taylor and M.M. Taylor Jr., visited Judsonia about 19??. This was only a few years after a severe tornado. The ruins of one building was still present in the region of Judsonia University. A repair line was evident where the brick had been torn diagonally across the second story front of the building in the region of the one marked 'Store' on the map, near Nichols Drugstore. We visited the Judsonia Cemetery where some stones that were blown away, had not yet been found. We photographed the plot and gravestone of Robert Campbell Meredith.
We saw the Baptist Church and the Dunn Hotel with its front and side porch in the regions listed on the map.
Dr. Eastland invited them to live with him, which they did for several weeks until her mothher bought the new house, listed on the map as 'New Home'. This was next to the Harvel Drugstore, where the Baptist Church now stands. The church was not built until after Lilly Meredith left Judsonia.
At the old home, Robert Campbell Meredith was a carpenter and wheelright. He made complete wagons and also coffins. There was one big room for carpentering. There was probably a forge outside, but she does not remember. Sacks of unroasted peanuts were stored in one room and Lilly used to get a few and eat them raw when her mother wasn't watching -- when she was about five or six years of age.
Sara Louisa had a cow and churned at times. Once she sent Lilly to deliver a pound of fresh butter to Mrs. Dunn at the hotel. By mistake she delivered it to Mrs. Harvel, next door and was duly reprimanded.
Judsonia University, so called, was a general school with two floors and a basement. Lilly Meredith went to school in the basement and was afraid of a corner, where a skeleton was hanging. She went to this school at about age six. The grade school was located in the basement. She went here for about three to four years until about the fourth grade. Funerals and other meetings were held before the church was built.
Lilly Bell Meredith left Judsonia at age ten and went to Illinois.
Dr. K.R. Taylor, Ruth Taylor, W.O. Taylor and Lilly Bell Meredith Taylor visited Judsonia about 19??.
Dr. M.M. Taylor, Avis Taylor and M.M. Taylor Jr., visited Judsonia about 19??. This was only a few years after a severe tornado. The ruins of one building was still present in the region of Judsonia University. A repair line was evident where the brick had been torn diagonally across the second story front of the building in the region of the one marked 'Store' on the map, near Nichols Drugstore. We visited the Judsonia Cemetery where some stones that were blown away, had not yet been found. We photographed the plot and gravestone of Robert Campbell Meredith.
We saw the Baptist Church and the Dunn Hotel with its front and side porch in the regions listed on the map.
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