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187. George Meek: (Married: Rachel Herron (#188) in 1767 in 1770 in Maryland, according to LDS)

Born: 1741 in Maryland Robert Meek (#373) and Elizabeth Alexander (#374); (Source of his father's name is American Revolutionary soldiers of Franklin County, Pennsylvania compiled by Virginia Shannon Fendrick for the Franklin County Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Chambersburg, PENNA.) (Source: Centre County, PA...AMERICAN REVOLUTION SOLDIERS AND PATRIOTS, Compiled by Nancy Lee Stover.)

Died: 10 January 1802 (10 January 1801) in Centre County, Ferguson Township, Pennsylvania (Source: Christopher A. Meek in posted online family history September 14, 2017) [Note: 1802 must be the correct year of death since his will was dated in November 1801.]

 

[His siblings, have not been confirmed, but LDS sources say they were the following:

a) John Meek: Born: about 1759 in Shirte, Pennsylvania; Died: ? Miscellaneous: He served in the Revolutionary War, was made a prisoner along with his brother William, and fed lime bread and died. He stood six feet seven inches tall.

b) Albert Meek: Born: about 1761 in Shirte, Pennsylvania; Died: ?

c) Jane Meek: Born: about 1786 in Shirte, Pennsylvania; Died: ?

d) Robert Meek: Born: about 1788 in Pennsylvania; Died:?; Miscellaneous: He served in the Revolutionary War and was killed in action.

e) Elizabeth Meek: Born: about 1788 in Shirte, Pennsylvania; Died: ?

f) Rachel Meek: Born: about 1790 in Shirte, Pennsylvania; Died: ?

g) Margaret Meek: Born: about 1792 in Shirte, Pennsylvania; Died: ?

h) Samuel Meek: Born: 1757 in Maryland, another sources says Brooks, Summers, Virginia; Died: 1838 in Brooks, Virginia, Buried at Buffalo Village, Washington County, Pennsylvania

i) William Meek: (Married: Elizabeth Johnson) Born: 2 April 1784 in Shirte, Pennsylvania; Died: 9 August 1853 in Bonaparte, Van Buren, Iowa, Buried at Bonaparte Cemetery in Bonapart, Van Buren, lowa. Miscellaneous: He served in the Revolutionary War, was made a prisoner along with his brother John, and fed lime bread and died. William stood six feet four inches tall. [Note: His birth and death dates are wrong or he never served in the Revolutionary War and died as a prisoner]

j) Adam Meek: Born: 2 April 1784 in Pennsylvania; Died: ?]

 

[Note: Four Meek men are listed as serving in the Revolutionary War in the American Revolutionary soldiers of Franklin County, Pennsylvania compiled by Virginia Shannon Fendrick for the Franklin County Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Chambersburg, PENNA; besides George. This information appears on pp. 134 & 135. The names include: George, Hugh, James, John, and Thomas. Note that the only name that appears in the red list above as one of George's brothers and in the "Meek men" document is "John". So, either the red names are incorrect or the "Meek men" who are listed in the Revolutionary soldiers of Franklin County document were not George's brothers. Hugh and John are also the names of George's uncles]

Miscellaneous:

“They said the Meeks originally came from Edinburgh, Scotland, and settled down in Maryland as far as we are able to tell and I don’t know whether they enlisted from there or not. Five brothers of them fought in the Revolutionary War. I don’t know the names of any of them except Captain George Meek. He was the one who came up into Centre County way back in 1778 with Mr. Harris on the first surveying expedition. He had his body-servant, Jonathan Wales, with him, and this body-servant was buried near him. Captain George Meek took up one thousand acres of virgin timber land in Ferguson Township. He was married to Rachael Herron and it was supposed they were buried in the old cemetery at Spruce Creek."(Source: Notes from Elizabeth Breckenridge Meek, great-great-great granddaughter of Captain George Meek and Rachael Heron. Information was in a Commemorable article titled "Four Soldiers of 1776 Memorialized by D.A.R", printed in the May 1, 1931 issue of Democratic Watchman, and published by Elizabeth's brother, George R. Meek).

In 1761 he was living in the Juniata area of Cumberland County.

As documented below, George served in the Continental Line as a private and in the Militia of Comb. Co. It appears from family records that he was from Cumb. Valley and later in Centre County. (Source: American Revolutionary soldiers of Franklin County, Pennsylvania compiled by Virginia Shannon Fendrick for the Franklin County Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Chambersburg, PENNA.)

“It is said the Meek brothers were taken on a British ship of war and were fed lime bread to kill them, and when old Jonathan Wales, body servant, saw them carrying any one out he knew it was of the brothers because they were all over six feet. George was the only one who came up here."

REVOLUTIONARY WAR SERVICE: Private, Captain Thomas Alexander's Company, 5th Battalion, Cumberland County Militia - 1778; Private, Lt. James McClure's Company, 7th Battalion, Col. James Purdy, Cumberland County Militia - 1780; Private, Captain. John Adams Company, 5th Battalion, Cumberland County Militia-1778.

Assessed in Armagh, Cumberland County in February 1782.

"In 1784 he came into Centre county with James Harris in his early surveying expeditions. On January 21, 1790 he took up a tract of land, surveyed June 5, 1790, in Ferguson township, part of which still belongs to his descendants, the George W. Meek farm and now owned by George W. Meek's grandchildren." [Note this information was described in 1931].

He settled in Ferguson Township soon after the Revolutionary War. His land survey dated June 5, 1790, but he had taken residence January 21, 1790. He took up 1,000 acres under a grant from the Continental Congress. He had come to what is now Centre County at an earlier time as part of one of James Harris' survey expeditions.

George Meek's name appears on the D.A.R. monument that was dedicated in 1931. George Meek served in the Fifth Pennsylvania Battalion under Captain Thomas Alexander, March 1778 to 1781. In 1780 he was sent to Potters Fort, Penns Valley under Lieutenant James McClure to aid in suppressing the Indians. He served also in the militia of Cumberland county in 1780-1782 and his name is on the list of those receiving Depreciation Pay. He has always been called Captain George Meek and to distinguish him from the other George Meeks named in this record, this title will be used to designate him whenever necessary. [Note: this George Meek had the rank of private during the war so it is unclear why he was called Captain.]

In the 1790 Heads of Families First Census of the United States, George is listed on page 125 as being head of his family and living in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania (see map). In the household there are 4 Free white males of 16 years and upward including heads of family, 2 Free white males under 16 years, and 4 Free white females including heads of families. Listed on page 154 and living in the adjacent county, Mifflin were Urick, Jacob, Henry, and Gabriel Steely (#93). Gabriel was married to George's daughter, Mary. In Gabriel's house were 1 Free white males of 16 years and upward including heads of family, 2 Free white males under 16 years, and 2 Free white females including heads of families.

Captain George Meek and Rachel Herron had four sons and four daughters. David was the oldest, then John, Robert and William. Mary (#94) was the oldest girl. Jane came next, and then Isabella and Sarah.

George's will was made November 23,1801, proven January 19, 1802. George's will begins, "'In the name of God, Amen, I George Meek of the township of Ferguson, Centre county and State of Pennsylvania, farmer, being very sick and weak in ody but of sound mind, memory and understanding (Blessed be God for the same.) But considering the transitoriness of life, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following, to witness: Principally first of all I commend my immortal soul iinto the hands of God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent christian-like manner at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named, and as to such worldly estate wherein it hath pleased God to bless me in the life I give and dispose of the same in the following manner:'"

He says," ' give and bequeath unto my dear wife, Rachael, the farm that I now live on, dwelling house and buildings erected on same with all the clear land, orchard and meadow on said premises' and various other belongings. The will further states, 'I nominate, constitute and appoint my said wife and my well beloved friend, Thomas Ferguson, Esq., of the Township of Ferguson, to be executors of this my last will and testament.'

George is buried at Marker along Rt. 45

Contact person for this website is Susan Snyder: susanleachsnyder@gmail.com