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.
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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
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