Joel Meador Sr performed Patriotic Service in the American Revolution.
Joel Meador Sr is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A076849.
Joel Meador was born ca. 1720 – 1725 in Essex County, Virginia, just prior to the formation of Caroline Co. He was the son of Jonas Meador. Joel and his brother Jonas apparently lead the family's migration into Goochland and Cumberland Co. by 1747/48. Jonas, Sr. made the same move shortly thereafter.
Some researchers have reported Joel with a middle initial "W". Since none of the available records mention any middle name, that has been removed from this profile.
Joel was married prior to 25 November 1751, when he and wife Susannah sold 200 acres of land to one Robert Smith. This land bounded among others, Peter Holland, Jr., husband of Mary Meador, the sister of Joel. It is also interesting to note that several months prior, in the same year, Jonas and Frances, father and mother of Joel Meador sold 200 acres to Peter Holland, Jr., probably about the time daughter Mary and Peter were married.
Indications are that about time of sale, 1751, Joel and Susannah were planning a move to Lunenburg County as the list of tithes for 1752 show Joel (with 1 tithe) on the list of John Phelps whose territory would later include parts of Bedford County, formed in 1754. When Joel left Cumberland Co., he retained some of his land holdings. Apparently relatives lived on that land until Joel sold it some 16-17 years later. Once in Bedford Co., Joel made a number of land transactions but it seems his primary base of operation was on the south side of Staunton River near where Indian Creek empties into the river. This was just upriver from Hales Ford (where today's US Route 122 crosses the river) and became Franklin Co. in 1786.
He became a large land owner, owned slaves, and was an influential citizen. In 1767 he was named Justice of the Peace. As a Patriot, he furnished at least three sons to fight in the Revolution and he provided provisions to support the militia in 1782. His will disposed of 1698 acres between his eight sons. His will was initially executed 30 November 1788 but Joel added a codicil in 1793, to prevent William Martin's ownership of the slave, Esther, who was a gift to William's wife, Susanna Meador. The will was proven in court in October 1798 so we must assume Joel had died shortly before that date. Tax records indicate Joel was deceased by 25 August 1798. The county clerk added a second witness to the record in 1804. Susannah the widow of Joel, died Jan/Feb 1818. Her will was executed 20 January 1818 and proved 2 February, 1818.
It will be noted that Joel and Susannah followed the practice of his grandfather and father, of using the Biblical “J” for the naming of sons, except for Isham. In order named in the will of Joel, sons are:
1. Jesse born 1750, died prior 1818.
2. John
3. Jonas (RWS) born 2/3/1758
4. Joel, Jr. (RWS) born Bedford County 3/8/1760, married 6/16/1780 Sally; he died Smith Co., TN. 4/7/1834.
5. Isham born in Bedford County near Lynchburg, VA, 3/20/1762; married 1st 11/25/1782 Biddy or Betty Bradshaw in Bedford (Bedford Co. DB 7, p. 342); 2nd 5/9/1817 Mrs. Martha Sullivan in Smith Co., TN. He died in Smith Co., TN 3/2/1840. Isham was also RWS.
6. Job born in Bedford Co., 1764, married 11/17/1785, Patty Wood of Franklin.
7. James born in Bedford Co., 1774, married 10/10/1797, Mary Divers of Bedford. He died 10/11/1854.
8. Joseph married 4/23/1794, Sally Divers sister of Mary and daughter of John Divers who died Franklin Co., 1800. Joseph died Franklin 1833.
The daughters of Joel are:
1. Mary prior to 1788 married John Herd (Hurd). She died before 1818
2. Frances married a Simmons
3. Susannah married William Martin of Bedford 12/8/1782 (Bedford Co. DB 7, p. 343)
4. Anna (Hannah) married Thomas Simmons 2/3/1785
5. Rhoda married Hezekiah Blankenship 2/28/1791
6. Milla married Claiborn (Cleburne, Clyborn)
Research Notes
The marriage took place before 25 Nov 1751, based on a deed executed by Joel and wife Susannah to Robert Smith on that date.
WikiTree profile Meador-94 created through the import of FISCUS Family Tree.ged on Jun 6, 2011 by Liisa Small.
WikiTree profile Meador-186 created through the import of Clayton Burton_2009-10-26.ged on Jul 4, 2011 by Clayton Burton. * Vonda Stafford, firsthand knowledge.
WikiTree profile Meador-532 created through the import of Tracy S. Miller.ged on Dec 2, 2011 by Tracy Miller.
Sources
↑ Source: #S00003 Page: Database online. Data: Text: Record for Joel Meador
Goochland County, Virginia Deed Book 5, p. 375-376; 19 January 1747, John Merryman [and Elizabeth his wife] of St. James Southam Parish in Goochland Co. to Joel Meador of St. Margaret’s Parish in Caroline Co., 200 acres, being part of a greater quantity granted to John Maddox 1 December 1740. Wit: Samuel Scott, Charles Bates.
Goochland County, Virginia Deed Book 5, p. 414-415, 5 May 1748, William Allen of St. Ann’s Parish in Albemarle County to Peter Holland of Caroline County, 600 acres of land in Southam Parish adj. Joel Meadows line.
Vestry Book of Southam Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia, 1745-1792, by Ann K. Blomquist, 2002; p. 22-23, Processioners returns 21 May 1748, The Church Wardens of Southam Parish make the returns of the processioners which are as follows. In Goochland County and Southam Parish We the Subscribers have procission’d the Several Lands and renew’d and mark’t the Respective lines in our precincts Beginning at Muddy Creek... part of Peter Hollands Land mark’t Samson Fleming present, part of Joel Meadows Land mark’t Sampson Fleming present, part of Wm Bond’s Land mark’t himself Joel Meadow & Peter Holland present, part of John Merrimans Land mark’t himself Wm Bond & Joel Fain present...
Cumberland County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 73-74; 25 November 1749, Peter Holland of Cumberland Co. to Jonas Meador, 234 acres bounded northerly and Easterly by Peter Holland, Southerly by James Holland and William May and Westerly by Samuel Allen and William Holland. Mary Holland, wife, relinquished dower. Wit: Joel Meador, John Hudgens, Tommas Holland.
Abstracts of Cumberland County, Virginia Court Order Books from June 1749 to May 1756, by Shela S. Fretwell, 1987; p. 60, 30 January 1750, [OB p. 225], On the motion of Peter Holland, a Witness for Joel Meador agt. William Holland, it is ordered that he pay him twenty five pounds of Nett Tobacco for one day’s Attendance.
Abstracts of Cumberland County, Virginia Court Order Books from June 1749 to May 1756, by Shela S. Fretwell, 1987; p. 65, 20 March 1751, [OB p. 247], Ordered that John Merryman, Peter Holland, Joel Meador, and Jacob Winfrey value the improvements on Joseph Butler’s land on Soak Arse Creek.
Cumberland County, Virginia Deeds, 1749-1752, by TLC Genealogy, 1990; p. 35, 25 November 1751, Deed Book 1, p. 395, Joel Meador of the Parish of Southam and C, to Robert Smith, for 45 £, one certain parcel of about 200 acres of land bounded by the land of Peter Holland, Samson Fleming, William Bond, and Benjamin Mosby. Signed – Joel Meador. Wit – Peter Holland, Jr., William Clemmons, Edward Clemmons. Susannah, wife of the said Joel, personally appeared in court and relinquished her right of dower to the conveyed lands.
Sunlight on the Southside, List of Tithes, Lunenburg County, Virginia, 1748-1783, by Landon C. Bell, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1931, p. 207; Joel Meador on 1752 list of John Phelps with 1 tithe. Same list includes Joel's uncle, Jason, and Jason's sons Lewis and Job Meador.
Bedford County Surveyor’s Book 1, p. 11-12; 2 April 1755, Surveyed for Joel Meador 403 acres on south side of Staunton River including the mouth of Indian Creek, adj. his own line, one the river. Includes plat.
Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 147-149; 26 September 1757, Matthew Talbot Junr. and Mary his wife to Joel Meador, 320 acres on the south side of Staunton River, on the river.
Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 286-288; 25 May 1760, Joel Meador to Matthew Talbot, 395 acres on both sides of the south fork of Little Otter River, adj. Eckols and Randolph, on the river.
Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 2, p. 105-106; 19 November 1762, Joel Meador to William Holloway, 118 acres on south side of Staunton river. Wit: John Meador, Joab Meador, Ambrose Meador.
Library of Virginia Land Office Patents No. 35, p. 378; 30 August 1763, Bedford County, Joel Meador land grant for 403 acres on south side of Staunton River, on the river and adj. his own line.
Bedford County, Virginia Will Book 1, page 12, Peter Holland, Joel Meador and John Meador performed the estate inventory of Thomas Wright in November 1763. The appraisal was recorded 22 May 1764.
Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 3, p. 5-6; 22 July 1766, Matthew Talbot and wife Mary to Joel Meador, 378 acres on both sides of Indian Creek adj. Robert Walton.
Bedford County, Virginia Court Order Book 3, p. 323; 26 February 1767, Jno. Pate, Joel Meadow, Fran. Thorpe are recomd as Justices & it is Ordered that Guy Smith Gent. note on his Hon. with the sd Recd.
Cumberland County, Virginia Deed Book 4, p. 310-311; 29 October 1768, Joel Meador of Bedford Co. to Frances Meador [his mother] of Cumberland Co., 230 acres on head of Muddy Creek adj. William Tabor, John Robinson, William Bradley, William May. Wit: Jonas Meador, James Holland, John Bradley, William Bradley.
Cumberland County, Virginia Deed Book 4, p. 365-366; 28 August 1769, Joel Meador of Bedford County, to Jesse Meador of Cumberland Co., 200 acres on north side of Deep Creek adj. Charles Hutcherson, Francis Meador, Edward Walton and Edward Robertson, being the land Jesse Meador now lives on. Wit: James Hudgens, Stephen Robinson, Edward Robinson, William Hodge, Josiah Robinson.
Bedford Co. Deed Book C-3, by Ann Chilton, page 37; DB page 385-386; 24 October 1769, George Holland to Peter Holland, 320 acres on the south side of Staunton River, granted to George Holland 7 July 1763. Wit. Joel Meador, Anthony Apperson, John Bradshaw, Wm. Bradham.
Bedford County, Virginia Surveyor’s Book No. 2, p. 253; 13 March 1774, Surveyed for Joel Meador, 60 acres on Staunton River, adj. his own line, on the river. Includes plat.
Cumberland County, Virginia Will Book 2, page 266; Will of Frances Meador, written 17 August 1774, proven 25 September 1780; Includes: ...Item, the rest of my estate both real and personal to be equally divided between my children as follows: Joel Meador, Mary Holland, Frances Holloway, John Meador, Josiah Meador, Jehu Meador, Joab Meador, Jesse Meador, and my desire is that Joel Meador, Jehu Meador & Jesse Mardor do act as executors for the estate....
Bedford County, Virginia Surveyor’s Book No. 2, p. 263; 5 March 1775, Surveyed for Joel Meador by assignment from Peter Holland, 140 acres adj. Holland, his own line, Mead, Callaway and Bradshaw.
Library of Virginia Reel 67, Bedford County, Virginia Surveyor’s Record No. 2, p. 290; April 4, 1778, Surveyd for Peter Holland 200 Acres of Land Situate in Bedford County on Little Indian Run adj. Walton & [Joel] Meadors Co. pointers...
Source: Abstracts of Cumberland County, Virginia, Will Books 1 & 2, 1749 – 1782, Abstracted by Katherine Reynolds, Pg. 68: (pg. 257): Account of administration of estate of Jonas Meador. By: Jehu Meador, admin....Wm. Hix for Jonas Meador bond on Joel Meador...
Library of Virginia Land Office Grants A, p. 581; 6 July 1780, Bedford County, land grant to Joel Meador for 140 acres surveyed 5 March 1774 adj. Mead, Talbot, Meador, Holland, Callaway and Bradshaw.
Library of Virginia Land Office Grants A, p. 599; 7 July 1780, Bedford County, land grant to Joel Meador for 400 acres surveyed 10 December 17__ on Indian Run.
Library of Virginia Land Office Patents E, p. 582; 1 September 1780, Bedford County, land grant to Joel Meador for 60 acres surveyed 13 March 1774 on Staunton River, on the river.
Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 7, p. 110; 12 November 1781, Peter Holland, Sr. to Asa Holland, 350 acres being part of two surveys on Little Indian Run adj. Hailes old corner hickory, on north side of road, Hales old line, the corner of my survey of 31 March 1772, Joel Meador. Wit: Anthony Apperson, William Watts, Thos. Arthur, John Talbot.
Bedford County, Virginia Court Order Book 6, p. 351; 27 May 1782, Joel Meador pvd that he furnished ye sd Comr [Commissary] 355 lb Beef for which he is alld 16/8 & 6.
Bedford County, Virginia Court Order Book 6, p. 353; 27 May 1782, Joel Meador pvd that he furnished ye sd Comr [Commissary] 250 lbs Beef for which he is ald 10/6 &6.
Bedford County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists1782-1805, Binns Genealogy, 2009;
1782 (white tithe >21, slaves, horses, cattle, white tithe >16, Black tithe >16)
Joel Meadors, 1,8,3,20,2,2
1783 (White >21, Black >16, Black <16, Total Black, Horses, Cattle)
Joel Meadors, 1,2,6,8,4,18
1784 (White >21, Black >16, Black <16, Total Black, Horses, Cattle)
Joel and sons not enumerated
1785 (White >21, Black >16, Black <16, Total Black, Horses, Cattle)
Joel Meador, 1,3,6,9,3,12
Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 319; 11 October 1787, Jeremiah Pickett to Job Meador, 20 acres adj. Joel Meador, Senr. Wit: Jonas Meador, Joel Meador.
Franklin County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1786-1803, Binns Genealogy, 2009;
1786, Smith’s District (No. Tithes; White >21; White <21; Slave >16; Slave <16, Horses; Cattle)
Joel Meador Sr., 5,1,0,4,6,3,12
1787, Moses Greer (W>21, W<21, B>16, B<16, Horses, Cattle)
April 17, Joel Meadow Sr., 1,0,4,7,3,15
1788, Moses Greer (W>16, B>16, B<16, Horses)
July 1, Joel Meddow Sr., 1,5,0,3
1789, Moses Greer (W, B>16, B>12, Horses)
Joel Meador, Sr. not enumerated
1790, Moses Greer (W, B>16, B>12, Horses)
September 25, Joel Meador, 1,5,1,3
1791, Moses Greer (W, B>16, B<16, Horses)
July 16, Joel Meddow Sr., 1,0,0,3
1792, Moses Greer (W, B>16, B<16, Horses)
July 21, Joel Meddow Sr., 1,5,1,4
1793, Moses Greer (W, B>16, B<16, Horses)
July 6, Joel Meddow Sr., 3,5,0,4
1794, Moses Greer (W, B>16, B<16, Horses)
April 24, Joel Meador Sr., 3,5,0,4
1795, Moses Greer (W, B>16, B<16, Horses)
May 23, Joel Meador Sn., 2,3,0,0
1796, George Turnbull (White tithe, B>16, B<16, Horses)
August 30, Joel Meadow, Sr., 2,3,0,4
1797, George Turnbull (White tithe, B>16, B<16, Horses)
November 6, Joel Meadow Senr., 2,3,0,4
1798, George Turnbull (White tithe, B>16, B<16, Horses)
August 25, Joel Meador Dec’d, 0,3,1,4
1799, William Turnbull (White tithe, B>16, B<16, Horses)
June 1, Joseph Meador for Susannah, 0,3,0,5
1800, Richard French (White tithe, B>16, B<16, Horses)
April 5, Joseph Meador/Susanna, 0,4,0,4
1800, Richard French (White tithe, B>16, B<16, Horses)
April 5, Joseph Meador/Susanna, 0,4,0,4
1801, Richard French (White tithe, B>16, B<16, Horses)
May 2, Susanna Meador, 0,3,0,4 (+ riding chair)
1802, Richard French (White tithe, B>16, B<16, Horses)
April 10, Susanna Meador, 0,4,0,2
1803, Moses Greer (White tithe, B>16, B<16, Horses)
April 9, Susanna Meador, 0,3,0,2
Franklin County, Virginia Will Book 1, p. 236-238; Will of Joel Meador; I Joel Meador Senr of Franklin County in the name of God amen, being in perfect memory, knowing it is appointed for all men once to die, do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following; Item, I give to my son Jesse Meador two hundred acres of Land the place where he now lives, be the same more or less, to him and his heirs; Item, I give to my son John Meador two hundred acres of Land, the place where he now lives, be the same more or less, to him and his heirs; Item, I give to my son Jonas Meador one hundred and fifty acres of land the place where he now lives, be the same more or less, to him and his heirs; Item, I give to my son Joel Meador two hundred acres of Land with the Plantation he now holds, be the same more or less, to him and his heirs; Item, I give to my son Isham Meador two hundred acres of Land with the Plantation he now holds be the same more or less, to him and his heirs; Item, I give to my son Job Meador two hundred and twenty eight acres of Land, the place where he now lives, be the same more or less, to him and his heirs; Item, I give to my son James Meador one hundred and eighty acres of Land with my Plantation lying on the river, be the same more or less, to him and his heirs; Item, I give to my son Joseph Meador three hundred and forty acres of Land, the place where I now live, his mother to have her part with him her life, to him and his heirs; Item, I give to my Daughter Mary Herd one negro boy named Luke; Item, I give to my Daughter Frances Simmons one negro boy named Dick; Item, I give to my Daughter Susanna Martin one negro Girl named Esther; Item, I give to my Daughter Anna Simmons one negro Girl named Tiller; Item, I give to my Daughter Rhoda Meador one negro boy named Jim, also one feather Bed and furniture, value ten pounds; Item, I give to my Daughter Milla Meador one negro woman named Tabb, also one feather Bed and furniture, value ten pounds; the Lands I have given to my sons are all divided by lines made so that there is no more alteration; Item, I give to my beloved wife Susanna all the rest of my Estate to act & do with it as she thinks fit, provided she pays my debts. I leave my Wife Susanna Meador, my son Jesse Meador and my son John Meador my Executors. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 3rd day of November anno Dom 1788. [Signed] Joel Meador Sr. Signed Sealed and acknowledged in presence of John Hook, William Smith, Thos. Hunt. Franklin County, October 14th 1793, In addition to my Will, I appoint Jesse Meador, John Meador & Job Meador trustees or agents for the following purpose being apprehensive that my son in Law William Martin will make a bad use of the Estate given by this Will to my Daughter Susanna martin, I now recall and revoke the Gift of the negro Girl Esther to Susanna Martin, and do give and invest the said negro Girl Esther in and to my Trustees above named and for the special and express purpose that they shall give the benefit of said negro girl Esther to my daughter Susanna martin so long as she lives and after her death it is my Will that my Trustees above named, do give the said negro Girl Esther to the children of William Martin by my Daughter Susanna. [Signed] Joel Meador. Teste: William Smith, Benjamin Hunt, John Hook, Philip Pankey; At a Court held for Franklin County on the first Monday in October 1798, this last Will and Testament of Joel Meador Sr. deceased was proven by the oaths of John Hook and the codicil hereto annexed was also proved by the oath of said John Hook and Philip Pankey witnesses hereto, and at a Court held for the said County February 6th 1804 the said last Will & Testament was further proved by the oath of William smith another witness hereto and ordered to be recorded. [Signed] James Callaway CFC, FHL film 31486, image available https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P6-9K?i=152&cat=416906
Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 4, p. 154; 2 April 1801, Isham Meador and Biddy his wife to John Saunders, 4 1/2 acres adj. John Meador, Joel Meador Senr., and Isam Meador, it being part of tract whereon Isam now lives.
Source: S00003 Author: Ancestry.com Title: Public Member Trees Publication: Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006; Repository: #R00001 NOTEAncestry.com, Public Member Trees (Provo, UT, USA, The Generations Network, Inc., 2006).
DAR Patriot Ancestor #: A076849
Service: VIRGINIA Rank(s): PATRIOTIC SERVICE
Birth: CIRCA 1725 ESSEX CO VIRGINIA
Death: ANTE 10- -1798 FRANKLIN CO VIRGINIA
Service Source: ABERCROMBIE & SLATTEN, VA REV PUB CLAIMS, VOL 1, PP 102, 104
Service Description: 1) FURNISHED BEEF
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I just want to say thank you to ALL who have contributed to perfecting the profile of Joel Meador,Sr. He is my 6th great-grandfather whom has always been in family discussions while I was growing up. Your work is a gift to us and to all of Joel's descendants!!!
This is such a great profile, you all have done well by my 6th great grandpa. I was just doing some research as I adopted a few profiles of other direct ancestors and I came across direct mention of Joel Meador, wife Susannah, children dates etc and I created the source in Chicago format. Although online in one place it said vol.1 I couldn't find a record of other volumes so I cited the pages where this part of the family is discussed. I didn't want to add it without posting since the page has been done so beautifully!
Meador, Victor P. Essay. In Meador Families of Virginia and Points West, 26–31. Independence, Missouri: V.P. Meador, 1989.
Meador-1668 and Meador-94 appear to represent the same person because: similar birth and death, same father; Meador-94 has sources from original records
Meador-1668 and Meador-94 appear to represent the same person because: similar birth and death, same father; Meador-94 has sources from original records
The biography appears to be cut and paste from the Nunally transcription done by Lambert. The text includes the footnote numbers (10, 13, 15, 40) but not the actual sources listed in the footnotes.
Meador-94 and E-499 appear to represent the same person because: This has the same dates and surname needs corrected because it should be Meador Duplicate
Meador-94 and Meador-559 appear to represent the same person because: same parents, wife and death, ....birth appears to be incorrect on -559 based on all the sources
Meador-316 and Meador-94 appear to represent the same person because: While the birthdates are different, they need to just be documented, as neither profile has a definitive source for the birthdate.
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Meador, Victor P. Essay. In Meador Families of Virginia and Points West, 26–31. Independence, Missouri: V.P. Meador, 1989.
Cheers! Becky E. Simmons