The Meador Story in Colonial Virginia (And Untangling Some Webs)

The research on the Meador family came after correcting my lineage on the Lewis Hale family (which was previously published on this blog), and discovering that his mother was a Meador. These Meadors link to the Meador family which populated south-central and southwest Virginia throughout the 19th Century, and points westward. Early on, though, the Meador history gets fairly interesting, at least in tracing their ancestry to the date of immigration. It has been difficult to trace beyond the progenitor of the Meadors in Virginia, back to England, but what is known is a fairly detailed and comprehensive story of land ownership and migration across the Virginia tidewaters. Nonetheless, as typical early and colonial records from the 17th Century can be, there are also complications in creating a definitive family tree on the family. At least three successive generations had sons of the same names, and therefore linking them comes with detailed research and analysis on the available deeds, migration patterns, and court orders. Thankfully, Old Rappahannock (now Essex) County records have enough genealogical data within them to get the facts right.

Ambrose is undoubtedly one of the first, if not the first, Meadors in the colonies in the 17th Century, at least in Virginia. As of 1636 tax lists, the list of Meadors in Virginia included Ambrose Meador, Ambrose Mader, Thomas Meades, and John Mead(es). At this point, it appears that the two Ambroses were the same, based on multiple land tracts and ownership. Meador probably came to Virginia by a system of headrights, where every immigrant to Virginia (during that time) was granted 50 acres as a “headright” to start off their lives in the New World. Sometimes, these headrights were assigned to benefactors who paid for their passage from England. On 1 June 1636, Ambrose first appears as having surrendered 150 acres of headright land due for Meador’s immigration, his wife, and a servant, to Peter Johnson in Warrisquicke (the former Warrosquyoake) County; this shire would become Isle of Wight County in 1637. Although this would probably assume Meador came to Virginia in that year, with the likely delay in having the records recorded in the clerks’ offices, Meador was probably in Virginia earlier.

Soon after the previous headright was recorded, on 18 July 1636, Thomas Davis deeded 50 acres to Ambrose Meader in Isle of Wight County (per VA Magazine, Vol 5, p 403):

“Thomas Davis of Warwicksquacyk to Ambrose Meador and John White of the Pagan Shore, 50 acres of land lying in Warwicksqueake, beginning at upper Red Point and extending easterly down the said Creek, was given said Davis by patent 6 day of March 1633, the land abutting northerly upon said creek and southerly into the main woods, 18 July 1636.”

Meador is next mentioned in a 2 March 1639 patent in Isle of Wight County, when Richard Bennett purchased land adjoining Meador: “…butting upon the baye nehind Ambrose Meders point & 150 acres at the miles end & upon the W side of Thomas Davis his land. Transp 6 pers by John Myles: John Myles, Tho Whitlock, Silvester Fitcherud, Robert Willey, William Harrison, Andrew Blackwell.” (Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol 1, Nugent, p 105). Meador later purchased 300 acres of land from Ambrose Bennett on the south side of the “Pajan” River. All of this land is in the vicinity of present-day Smithfield, Virginia.

During the 1640s, despite the lack of thorough records for Isle of Wight County, it can be assumed that Meador had a connection with the Puritan Church through his neighbors the Bennetts. Richard Bennett owned a total of 900 acres around Meador, while Ambrose Bennett owned some 1100 acres. For whatever the reason, though, Meador did not live the rest of his days in Isle of Wight County. On 9 April 1649, Meador sold land to Ralph Warrener in that county, though it is not known if the acreage was the total sum of his land holdings there. This is the last record of him in that county.

Apparently following the original Puritan colony that had settled in the former Warrosquyoake shire, he appeared in Lancaster County thereafter, and settled along the Rappahannock River. The first mention of Meador there is a list of tithers taken 24 October 1653. On 3 September 1656, Meador purchased the “lower” 1,000 acres of an 1,800 acre grant on the former Willing Creek, later renamed Totuskey Creek; today, this land is in central Richmond County. His neighbors included a Bryer, William Underwood, Abraham Moore, Thomas Robinson, and William Denby, most of whom were also from Isle of Wight County. The land included the point known as “Accokeek Point,” along the Rappahannock River, at the mouth of the Totuskey south of present day Warsaw.

Meador sold 300 acres of his 1,000 acre holdings to Thomas Robinson in 1656, and another 300 acres he gave to his son, Thomas Meador. The deed to his son was abstracted as follows:

“Know All Men by these presents that I Ambrose Meader of the county of Rappa in Virginia consideraun to me paid by Thomas Meador my son of the county aforesaid (missing) heirs Exes Amrs and assignes five grant bargain sell and assigns ever unto the said Thomas Meader a parcell of land conteyning three hundred acres being part of one thousand acres of land sold and conveyed unto me Ambrose Meader by James Williamson as by a deed of sale under the hand and seal of the said Willimson plainly appeareth situatle lying and being on the north side of Rappa River the said three hundred acres of land edjoying unto the upon the land Thomas Robinson which land ther said Robyson purchased of me Ambrose Meador likewise being part of the one thousand acres or land unto him the said Thomas Meader his heirs Exrs Admirs and assignes for Ever with all rights and priviledges thereunto belong and appertaining I the said Ambrose Meader do for me my heirs Exrs and Admirs hereby promise to warrant and defend the said three hundred acres of land from all persons claiming by Witnes whre of I the said Thomas Meader his heirs Exrs Admrs or assignes. In witness whereof I the said Ambrose have hereunto put my hand and seal this 30th day of August anno dam 1658.
Ambrose (his mark) Meador
in presence of Clement Herbert and
John (his mark) Meador.”

“Know all Men by these presents that I Ambrose Meadr of the County of Rappa, Planter, do constituet & appoint my well beloved Sonn Thomas Meador my true & lawfull Attorney for me & in my place & stead to acknowledge in Court three hundred acres of land at this Court as by my deed of [missing] appear & I do also by these presents give & grant unto my said Attorney full power to make other Attorny or Attorneys as my said Attorny shall find cause & in Witness to all & every the premises I Ambrose Meader have here unto sett my hand this 2d of September 1658.

Testee Clement Herbert    John Meader.”

His son Thomas acknowledged the deed given to him by his father:

“Know All men by these presents that I Thomas Meader of the countie of Rappa in Virginia for a Vallubale consideersaon to me in paid by Richard Tomlynson of the same County Planter have given granted bargained and sold and coafirmed and do by these presents for me my heirs and assignes give grant bargined and sell unto the said Richard Tomlynson. One hundred and fifty acres lately given granted and [missing] said Thomas Meader by Ambrose Meader, my father, to have and to hold the said one hundred and fifty acres of land with all the houses, orchards &c, thereunton belonging and appertaning [missing] priviledges thereunto belonging [missing] according to the tennour and [missing] by the rents and services [missing] unto ther said Richard Tomlynson his heirs and assignes forever against all persons claiming by from or under me the said Thomas Meader [missing] Ambrose Meader my father or his heirs and have hereunto put my hand and seal date this [missing] ammo 1657.
Thomas Meader
in the presence of George Bryer, Christopher Brummrigge
and Robert Sison.”

The deed to Robinson was the last time Ambrose’s wife was referenced, though she was not named. She was probably deceased sometime shortly after. Ambrose’s homestead apparently stood by what is now the community of Wellford, and was then known as Accokeek Plantation. After his death, this plantation was inherited by his son John Meador, who later traded the land to Robert Tomlin on 3 May 1665 for 500 acres of land on Peumansend Creek in Caroline County. We know that Ambrose was assuredly deceased by 1663. Ambrose was last mentioned on 24 December 1661 when he shared a purchase of land with his son, Thomas. However, there does not appear to have been a surviving will, probate record, administration, or estate settlement that would have defined when Ambrose died, or the extent of his estate at death. Because of this, the only two children known to be Ambrose’s are his sons Thomas and John.

Of these sons, let’s start off with Thomas, who may be the eldest of the known children of Ambrose.

Many genealogists have been working on the puzzle on the Thomas Meadors of Lancaster County, Virginia, and which records belong to whom. We know that the immigrant Meador, Ambrose, had at least a son named Thomas. However, the deaths of the Thomas Meadors create a puzzle that leaves many eyes confused.

To start, the first Thomas Meador, referred to as “Thomas of Ambrose” from here forth, should not be confused with the Thomas who died in 1655 in Lancaster County. It should be shown that the Thomas who died in 1655 was the son of Thomas of Ambrose. This is because deeds in Lancaster County continue to show Thomas of Ambrose making deeds with his father:

“”Know All Men by these presents that I Ambrose Meader of the county of Rappa in Virginia consideraun to me paid by Thomas Meador my son of the county aforesaid (missing) heirs Exes Amrs and assignes five grant bargain sell and assigns ever unto the said Thomas Meader a parcell of land conteyning three hundred acres being part of one thousand acres of land sold and conveyed unto me Ambrose Meader by James Williamson as by a deed of sale under the hand and seal of the said Willimson plainly appeareth situatle lying and being on the north side of Rappa River the said three hundred acres of land edjoying unto the upon the land Thomas Robinson which land ther said Robyson purchased of me Ambrose Meador likewise being part of the one thousand acres or land unto him the said Thomas Meader his heirs Exrs Admirs and assignes for Ever with all rights and priviledges thereunto belong and appertaining I the said Ambrose Meader do for me my heirs Exrs and Admirs hereby promise to warrant and defend the said three hundred acres of land from all persons claiming by Witnes where of I the said Thomas Meader his heirs Exrs Admrs or assignes. In witness whereof I the said Ambrose have hereunto put my hand and seal this 30th day of August anno dam 1658.
Ambrose (his mark) Meador
in presence of Clement Herbert and
John (his mark) Meador.”

“Know all Men by these presents that I Ambrose Meadr of the County of Rappa, Planter, do constituet & appoint my well beloved Sonn Thomas Meador my true & lawfull Attorney for me & in my place & stead to acknowledge in Court three hundred acres of land at this Court as by my deed of [missing] appear & I do also by these presents give & grant unto my said Attorney full power to make other Attorny or Attorneys as my said Attorny shall find cause & in Witness to all & every the premises I Ambrose Meader have here unto sett my hand this 2d of September 1658.

Testee Clement Herbert    John Meader.”

His son Thomas acknowledged the deed given to him by his father:

“Know All men by these presents that I Thomas Meader of the countie of Rappa in Virginia for a Vallubale consideersaon to me in paid by Richard Tomlynson of the same County Planter have given granted bargained and sold and coafirmed and do by these presents for me my heirs and assignes give grant bargined and sell unto the said Richard Tomlynson. One hundred and fifty acres lately given granted and [missing] said Thomas Meader by Ambrose Meader, my father, to have and to hold the said one hundred and fifty acres of land with all the houses, orchards &c, thereunton belonging and appertaning [missing] priviledges thereunto belonging [missing] according to the tennour and [missing] by the rents and services [missing] unto ther said Richard Tomlynson his heirs and assignes forever against all persons claiming by from or under me the said Thomas Meader [missing] Ambrose Meader my father or his heirs and have hereunto put my hand and seal date this [missing] ammo 1657.
Thomas Meader
in the presence of George Bryer, Christopher Brummrigge
and Robert Sison.”

One of the last grants known to be made to the first Thomas Meader was a land grant from the Virginia governor in 1663:

“To all etc. Whereas now know ye that I the said Sir William Berkeley, Knight, Governor of Viginia, give and grant unto Thomas Meador, three hundred and twenty acres of land, situated on the south side of Hoskins Creek towards the head thereof in the County of Rappahannock, and extended itself from a marked red oak standing in a small neck by the main run side of creek aforesaid and nigh unto the plantation of John Gillet, thence by the said run side thirty two poles unto a marked oak on the westernmost point of the said neck thence along the northernmost side at Beaver Dam until you meet with a line of marked trees that leadeth unto a poplar by the edge of the said Dam forty-eight poles, thence with the said line South by West. Two hundred and seventy-two poles to marked pine on fallowing Ground. Thence East by South one hundred and twenty-five poles to meet with the Westermost line of marked trees belonging to John Gregory, which divides this and the land of the said Gregory, thence Northeast down to Hoskins Creek aforesaid and so finally parallel with the said Creek, one hundred eighty-one poles unto the marked Red Oak first above mentioned. The said land being due unto the said Meador for Transportation of Seven person etc. To have and To Hold & Held Yeilding Pay & provided & dated the second June, one thousand, six hundred and sixty-three.”

Previously, genealogists had linked this deed to Thomas “Orphan” Meador, grandson of the first Thomas. However, a later deed made by Henry Awbrey, second husband of Sarah, widow of “Orphan Thomas” shows that a division was made to the 320 acres of land that was originally from the purchase of Ambrose Meador originally James Williamson’s, of which was later sold to Ambrose’s son, the first Thomas.

The [known] other son of Ambrose “Immigrant” Meador was John Meador. As confusing as it is to sort the Thomas Meaders in the Virginia low country, the John Meader’s can be equally confusing. We do know, however, that the eldest John Meador, son of Ambrose, was a large landowner and fairly well-to-do, as were most of his descendants and relatives. He inherited the 400-acre Accokeek Plantation in modern Richmond County (then Lancaster County) from his father, located at and around the mouth of Totuskey Creek into the Rappahannock River. He inherited this plantation in about 1661, but he traded the plantation on 3 May 1665 to Robert Tomlin for 500 acres of land near Peumansend Creek in Sittenbourne Parish, in what is now Caroline County (per Old Rappahannock Co. Deed Book 1656-64 (Pt 2), pp 345-46):

“This Indenture made the third day of May 1665 & in the Seaventeenth year of the reigne of our Sovereign Charles the Second &c Between John Meaders of the County of Rappa in Virga Planter & Robert Tomlin of the same County also Planter Witnesseth that the sd John Meaders as well for three Servts & four thousand four hundred pounds of Merchantable Tobo paid by sd Robt Tomlin whereof the sd John Meader is very shortly to assure & convey unto John Meaders & his heirs give hundred acres of land in Virga aforesd doth for him & his heirs grant unto the sd Robert Tomlin Four hundred acres of land begining & measuring from a marked Pocickery which standeth on a point at the mouth of a Creek called Willing Creek & runeth for breadth by or neer the River of Rappa & for leanth into the woods according to the bounds mencioned in the Pattent granted unto one James Williamson of Rappa Gent by which the sd four hundred acres of land is (amongst much more) held & enjoyed & all & singular the houses buildings gardens orchards Libertyes of Fishing Hunting Fowling & all advantages whatsoever to the sd Land belonging & the reversion of the same premises & all the Estate rihgt of the sd John Meaders his heirs or assignes of or out of the sd granted premises To have & to hold withall advantages to the only use of the sd Robert Tomlin his heirs & assignes for ever & the sd John Meaders for him self will for ever defend in the manner following (Vizt) that the sd John Meaders & Joane his Wife will before the end of Six months next comeing after the date hereof before Worpsh his Matys Justices of the peace for the County of Rappa personally appear & then & there acknowledge their right to the premises to be vested in sd Robert Tomlin his heirs & assignes that the sd acknowledgement shall be taken according to the Statutes of England & further that the sd John Meaders & his heirs will at all time hereafter during the space of five years next ensuing date hereof at reasonable request & of the sd Robert Tomlin in all such releases assurances & other conveyances in the Law unto the sd Robert Tomlin his heirs to be taken for the only proper use & behoof the sd Robert Tomlin his heirs & assignes
In Witness the sd John Meader hath set his hands & seale
in presence of us    Tho Pattison                John Meaders
Tho Button
Be it Known to all men that I Joane Meader doth make Thomas Freshwater my just & lawfull Attorney in any cause whatsoever whereunto I have set my hand this last day of February 1664.
Witness    Joseph Oakar                    Joane (X) Meader
Henry (tt) Peeters

Recogntt in Cur Rappa 3 die Maii 1665.”

Meador’s deed of Accokeek Plantation was recorded as follows, on the same date:

“Know All Men that I Robert Tomlin do hereby make over and fir ever alienate the full contents of this Pattent withall priviledges therein are expressed from me & my heirs for ever unto John Meaders his heirs & admrs for ever in consideracion of another plantation commonly called Ackokeek Four hundred acres or thereabouts already delivered into my possession to be enjoyed by me & my heirs for ever & for Five hundred acres of the sd Pattent I do here for me my heirs and admrs bind us & either of us to make good against all [missing] from any person whatsoever unto the abovesd John Meaders & his heirs for ever & I do promise that Rebecca Tomlin my Wife shall acknowledge her consent unto the same when demanded
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seale this third day of May 1665
in presence of us    Thomas Pattison                Robert (T) Tomlin
Thomas Button

Know all Men that I Rebecca Tomlin do hereby appoint Robert Goodyear my trye & lawfull Attorney to acknowledge for me & in my steed my consent to the absolute sale of a tract of land in the Freshes of Rappa commonly known by the name of Mattum Larkins from me & my heirs unto John Meaders & his heirs for ever according to a conveyance made on the back of the Originall Pattent to that purpose and whatsoever my sd Attorney shall lawfully do in the premises I hereby rattify to be as authentique in Law as I myself in person had done the same as Witness my hand & seale this third day of May One thousand Six hundred Sixty five
in Presence of us Allex Fleming,                Rebecca Tomlin
John Weir
Recognt in Cur Com Rappa  3 die Maii 1665.”

We know that the elder John Meador did own the land in Caroline County he traded with Robert Tomlin, but appears to have continued owning land in Rappahannock (Essex) County until his death. We appear to know that his wife, Jane or “Joan,” was probably surnamed Combs before her marriage. The deed and settlement in Rappahannock County Deed Books that presents us with both an insight in her maiden name and also John’s death was presented and recorded in the county court on 16 October 1683 by Jane’s brother (per Old Rappahannock County Deed Book 1682-86, p 155):

“Whereas Abraham Coombe of the Province of Maryland Gent did formerly put in to the hands & posssesion of my late Brother in Law, John Meador deced, one heifer for the use and Acct of my Godson, John Meador, Son of John Meador the Elder deceased, wch the said John Meador, the Son deceased, in his minority Now Know all men by these prsents that I Abraham Coombe do by these prsents give Mary Meador, Daughter of the said John Meador the Elder deced and sole Sister of the said John Meador, the Son, two cowers and two calves being the produce of the first given heifer To have and to hold the said Cowes and Calves with all future Increase unto the said Mary Meader for ever, And in case of the death of the sd Mary without issue of her body lawfully begotten then I the said Abraham Coombe do hereby give and grant the said Cowes and Calves with all their future Increase unto Richd Meador, Son of John Meador of Rappa County now liveing and to his Exrs and assignes forever. Witness my hand and seale this sixteenth day of October 1683
Signed sealed and delivered in the prsence of us
Henry Aubrey                    Abra Coombe
John Almond
16th 8ber 1683 of Record in Rappa County Decembr. 10th 1684.”

We now exit the second generation of Meador’s in Tidewater Virginia and move onto the third generation. My lineage descends through the elder Thomas Meador, therefore that of his brother, John Meador, will only be mentioned. Of what I have traced, John’s wife was Jane or “Joan” Combs, and they had four children: John “Junior”, Mary, Thomas, and Richard. John “Junior” married Susannah Wyatt by 1672 and had at least one son, Thomas Meador.

Going back to Thomas “of Ambrose” Meador, very little is known on his wife or children, beyond the fact he had a son of the same name, Thomas. Quite confusing in the history of the Meador family is sorting the records of the Thomas Meador’s of this lineage. Although it is known that the records show a Thomas left his land to his son Thomas, the death records show a muddled map of estate settlements, deeds, and court orders that signify three Thomas Meador’s that possibly all married women named Sarah; only the eldest Thomas Meador’s wife’s name is not fully proven at this time, therefore his wife being a Sarah is just a theory.

Known to be the son of Thomas Meador and grandson of Ambrose Meador, the second Thomas is yet just another part of the confusing puzzle of Thomas’s in Lancaster County records. It is believed that he died before his father of that name, and left an orphaned son (and other children) that inherited land he had not yet completed transactions for.

The second Thomas Meador may be the one that purchased 700 acres from James Williamson in Lancaster County in September 1653 from William Underwood. This is probably because the 300 acres of land that was owned by a Thomas Meador on the Rappahannock River was that of the Thomas of Ambrose. The following year, a court order shows that Meador’s servant, Bour Harison, was “to serve exta time for running away,” on 7 August 1654. He was living on 5 February 1655 when he paid levies “on tytheables to Mr Ja Williams” (Lancaster Co Court Order Book, p 174).

We are certain that he is the Thomas Meador who next appears in Lancaster County records through the probate date for his will in the same year, as brought forth by George Bryer on 6 June 1655. The will of this Thomas Meador was written in March 1654, and was probated on or by 12 June 1655, as follows:

“The last will and testament of Thos Meads made the 5th day of March (1654) Impnt. I do bequeath my body to the Earth & my Soul to God that gave it. I do make my wife my sole & absolute Excr.
I do give to my wife & Daughter Mary this plantation that I now live upon and all the land on this side of the Creek, and the ad. plantation not to be my Daughters till after my wife she is decease.
I do give to my two sons, Tho & John Meads all the land that is on the west side of the Creek provided that they pay unto my two daughters Margaret & Joyce out of s. land two thousand pounds of tob. Cask at their marriage and in case either of the (missing) die that the sd Tob. to belong to the survivor.
I do give unto my wife & sons & my Daughters above mentioned all my goods and chattels after my debts are paid and that they shall be equally divided amongst them.
I do give to my Daughter Anna all the cattle that belonged to her which is about five head of cattle, and likewise I do unto her one shilling in money. This is my last will and testament as witness my hand the day & year above written.

Thomas Mead
12 da Juny 1655

Witness
Rawleigh Travers    Edward (his mark) Bradshaw
Phat 6 da Junt 1655.”

Colonial Abstracts from Lancaster County Court orders (Lancaster Co Court Order Book 1652-55, p 178) show that Thomas Meador was deceased by 6 June 1655, when “Geo Byer Probate to hm of Thomas Meads, deceased, the estate to be appraised by Ambr’ Meader, Fran Gower, Toby Hurst qne Tho Robinson, Mr Wm Underwood to adm the Oath 6 June 1667.” Ambrose Meador was appointed to appraise the estate of “Tho Meador dec 6 June 1655” (Lancaster Co Court Order Book, p 197). Toby Hurst, who was previously mentioned, was “to appraise est of Tho Meads decd 7 June 1655” and “to pay levy on 2 tytheables to Mr Wm Underwood” on 7 December 1655 (Order Book, p 234).

The Court Orders also show that the orphans of Thomas Meador were addressed by petition on 6 August 1655 (p 207), and granted on 7 December 1655 (p 231). Meador’s estate was “now in the hands of Geo Bries” by the latter date of December 7th, and was “to be delivered to Mr Underwood” (p 233). It was Thomas’s son of the same name that petitioned for guardianship, for he “petitions the court that he may Choose a guardian, being of sufficient age. Order that according to his desire, he remain in the guardinship of Mr Wm Underwood.” The delivery of the estate from Bryer to Underwood was made to protect the younger Thomas’ estate inheritance until he became of age. Meador’s estate was later appraised by both Ambrose Meador and Francis Gower, with the returned recorded on 10 December 1655. The appraisal valued the estate at 17,502 pounds of tobacco (about 109 pounds Sterling), which was a respectable size for an estate at the time.

Thomas’s son, Thomas, was quite possibly the oldest child of the family, but at the time of his father’s death in 1655, he was still underage, if he petitioned the court for guardianship. The Lancaster County Court in January 1656, however, found that Meador’s estate had still not been divided and possessed by George Bryer, and ordered Ambrose Meador, Francis Gower, and two other men, to divide the estate per Thomas’s will. The land in question was likely the 700 acres of land that he had purchased from William Underwood in 1653. Although it is not implied by name, the creek that Meador’s land rested on is the modern-day Juggs Creek. The land that was inherited by his sons Thomas (the younger) and John laid on the west side of the creek, while that of his daughter Mary (which was in her mother’s hands until her death) was on the east side, both sides an approximate even split of 350 acres. All of this land was just to the northwest, and a short distance, from the Accokeek Plantation of Ambrose Meador, their grandfather.

In 1658, however, the division of the estate appears to have been altered. The tract was not divided among the heirs by December 1658, became the younger Thomas Meador contracted to sell 25 acres of his portion to James Haire “that was given to me by my father Thomas Meades, deceased, and to my brother [name not mentioned] in case that part of the land…shall fall to my lot at the dividing of the said land.” Deed records do not show that Thomas’ share was ever divided to him, and it appears that his sister, Mary, received the full 700-acre share of the Meador estate. The younger Thomas appears to have exchanged his rights of the Meador estate for a grant on Hoskins Creek (all in modern day Richmond County), which appears to have also belonged to his father. The elder Thomas, however, does not make reference to this land in his will or any court record, however (or one that survives to this day, at the least). They may have not been finalized by the time of his 1655 death. See his son’s biography regarding the estate on Hoskins Creek.

For what we know, the second Thomas Meador (son of the first Thomas) and his wife Sarah had six children: Thomas “Orphan” Meador, John, Mary, Margaret, Joyce, and Anne. Besides “Orphan Thomas,” who will be discussed shortly, the only other child with known information is daughter Mary Meador, who married Richard Hobbs (who died in Lancaster County, 1683).

Then comes “Orphan Thomas,” whom he is referred as in legal records, both because he was an orphan and because of the multiple Thomas Meador’s in that part of the colony. We know that Thomas “the orphan” Meador was the youngest of the three Thomas Meador’s of Lancaster County, for he appeared before the Lancaster County Court in 1655 for declaring a guardianship. Although the English Law declared a man underage until he was 21, a boy aged 14 to 17 years old could still legally declare him able to make a deed, or declare a guardian. Thusly, though this confuses the time frame of this Thomas’ birth date, he likely declared a guardian in order to protect his interests and rights to the inheritances his father left him in his will. Especially since the Meador estate was not divided for a year, and with the Lancaster County Court pushing for the division of the second Thomas Meador’s estate, he may have had incentive.

Though he was left a share of the Meador estate along modern Juggs Creek in modern Richmond County, deeds show that the orphan Thomas never received his division, and it was likely because he exchanged his rights to the land in order to receive a grant of land on Hoskins Creek, nearby to the west up the Rappahannock River, that was also purportedly his father’s. The Hoskins Creek land grant is never referred to in his father’s will, but a deed shows that the second Thomas Meador was certainly the Thomas who held the land there. It is most probable that the second Thomas had begun the purchase of the land at the time of his death, and the transaction was never completed. For this reason, the orphan Thomas was likely the man who finished it.

The youngest Thomas Meador, often referred to in genealogy as the “Orphan,” was referred to as such by Sir William Berkeley in a land grant to his family in 1663:

“To all etc. now know ye, that I the said Sir William Berkeley, Knight, Governor of Virginia, give and grant unto Thomas Meador Orphan, four hundred and fifty acres of land in Lancaster County (Rappahannock??) on the South side of the head of Hoskins Creek, beginning at a poplar standing by the side of a Beaver Dam near the Indian path and running South by West two hundred and fifty poles. Thence parallel to the dam West by North four hundred and fifty poles to the dam to the first mentioned tree. The said land being first granted to Thomas Browning by patent dated the thirteenth of November, one thousand, six-hundred and fifty-seven and by him assigned to John Cooke and by Cooke assigned to Thomas Meador.

Deceased by his will given to the said Thomas Meader etc. To Have and To Hold etc. To be Held etc. Yielding etc Paying etc. Provided etc Date the ninth of April one thousand, six hundred, sixty-four.”

It appears that it was this land grant, by “Orphan” Thomas, that was made for the transport of 7 persons into the Virginia colony. The land is also in what is now Essex County, which was the old Rappahannock County at the time. The contents of the deed shows that the stretch of Hoskins Creek flowed southeasterly in the deed for roughly 181 poles (roughly 2986 feet), though most of the creek flows easterly. Because of this, this plot of land was located in what is now the Rexburg community, west of the town of Tappahannock and near the present Cheatwood Millpond. Interestingly, however, the deed made to Orphan Thomas that was recorded in 1664 was made AFTER the Orphan Thomas died.

We do not know exactly when “Orphan Thomas” died, but he died at a fairly young age, and was certainly deceased by the time of the recording of the deed above. He is known to have had one son and two daughters, per a division of the land made by Thomas’ widow, Sarah. The confusion of the three Thomas Meador’s also leads more to the confusion of exactly when he died.

On 12 July 1662, his widow, Sarah, petitioned for the sole guardianship of their orphaned children before the Rappahannock County court (per the Rappahannock Co. Order Book, pp 187-188):

“These Presents Witnesseth that I Sarah Meader Widdow Wife of Thomas Meader the Younger lately deced in the County of Rappahanock I Sarah Meader do bind & oblige myself my Exrs or Admrs to confirme unto my Son John Meader Sone unto Thomas Meader lately deced one yoak of Oxen & one gun Seaven foot by the barrell to be delivered unto my Son John Meader when he comes of age & furthermore I give as my full act & deed unto my Eldest Daughter Susanna Meader one red Cow called Cherry & her Cow Calf & increase to my aforesaid Daughter only excepting the male of the catle to fall unto me the abovesaid Sarah Meader untill my Daughter be full Eleven years of age & after the expiracon of the aforesaid years male & female to fall unto my Eldest Daughter Susanna Meader.
Item I give unto my youngest Daughter Mary Meader Daughter of the abovesaid Thoams Meader one Black heaffer named Slippey she & her increase to my youngest only the male Excepted to fall unto I the said Sarah Meader untill my youngest Daughter be fully nine of years of age & after the Expiracon of the aforesaid nine years male & female to fall unto Mary Meader & if it shall please God that my Eldest Daughter shall dye in her minority that all her Catle & their increase shall fall unto her Sister Mary Meader and likewise in case it should please God that my youngest Daughter Mary Meader should dye in her minority that her Catle unto my Eldest Daughter Susanna Meader & furthermore in case that my youngest Daughter Mary Meader her heiffer should miscarry before she comes to perfeccon that there shall another heiffer or Cow of the same age & her increase to be made good  as aforesaid to my Daughter Mary Meader these premises to be recorded in Court the first or second Courte ensuing the date hereof by any person that I the said Sarah Meader shall appoint always provided that there be severall marks nominate & recorded for the abovesaid Childrens Catle them & their increase.
In confirmacon I Sarah Meader bind my self my heirs for the performance this above menconed & no other act nor deed as Witness my hand this Thirteenth day of Aprill 1662
in presence of Abraham Coombe
Willm Clawson                    Sarah (T) Meader

These Presents Testifieth that I Sarah Meador late Wife of Thomas Meador decd in County of Rappa oblige my self to give & allowe unto my Children a sufficient & compleat maintenance in every respect as all other ought to do and further more to give them four years a peice Education in learning according as the Country doth aford.

In Confirmacon whereof I Sarah Meadr do bind & oblige myself my heirs or assignes for the performance of this above menconed as witness my hand & seal this 13th day of Aprill 1662 to write read & to cast accompt
in presence of Abraham Combe
Willm Clawson                    Sarah (T) Meader

Recordatr 12 July Ao Dom 1662.            Teste  me WA Granger   Cl Cur Com Rappa.”

Another record in the Order Book appears on p. 193, which appears to identify the property that was heired to daughter Susanna Meador, probably for the impending marriage of her mother, Sarah, to Henry Awbrey:

“Swallow Forked on both ears overkeeled on the right ear pr pr marke of the catle belonging to Susanna Meador daughter of Thomas Meador decd cropt on the right ear and a slitt in the crop and underkeeled in same ear and a hole in the left ear is the ppr mark of the catle belonging to Mary Meador daughter of Thomas Meador decd. A flower de Luce on the right ear and cropt on the left ear is the proper mark of catle belonging to John Meador Son of Thomas Meador decd…”

And such is the case, as second marriages by colonial Law often required a marriage contract which cited the inheritances of any heirs of a previous marriage, and ensured their entitlement to what they were to receive. Whatever the date, we know widow, Sarah, married after the death of Orphan Thomas, to Henry Awbrey. Awbrey was a very influential resident of the Old Rappahannock County, serving as the Burgess of the County Court, and also was a trustee in the formation of a portion of “New Plymouth” in 1682, of which would later become the county seat of Tappahannock. He also appears to have served as Sheriff before his death in about 1694.

Deeds made thereafter prove the marriage, as it appears that the lands of Thomas Meador were inherited by Henry Awbrey, of which Awbrey later sold. It is this tract of land and how it ended up in Awbrey’s ownership that continues to puzzle genealogists today, as it is this tract that is disputed to have been originally owned by the first Thomas Meador, not the Orphan Thomas. This tract of 300 acres of land lay on the north side of the Rappahannock County, in the original Lancaster County (now Richmond County) where Ambrose Meador settled after moving from Warrosquyoake County (now Isle of Wight County), and it is this location that leads us to believe it was from the original grant bought by Ambrose Meador (which originally was 1000 acres). To recap, 300 acres of this was later given to Ambrose’s son, the first Thomas Meador. This Thomas was divided in half in 1657, with half being sold to Richard Tomlinson that year; the following year (1658), the other 150 acres was sold to Lambert Lambertson. Though Lambertson divided his plot in half (75 acres), the fact that Awbrey’s deed seems to reassemble the 300 acres sold to the first Thomas Meador is what the language of the deed seems to point out, though how this would have happened has remained both a mystery and a controversy. The following records also appear in the Old Rappahannock County Order Books (pp 353-54):

“I, Henry Awberry of Hoskins Creek in County of Rapp. which is in Virginia have made and in my stead my well beloved wife Sarah Awbry my lawful attorney irrevocably for me and in my name and for my use to ask and to receave all debts sums of money or tobo: as shall be due unto me Henry Awbrey by any person whatsoever.
Henry Awbrey.
Witnessed by John Gregory
John Awbrey and Ralph Fletcher.”

“The Mke [mark] of John Meaders Son of Thomas Meaders upon Hodgkins Creek one black heifer – one cow black coloured – one sow pigg this mark is the flower de luce on the left ear and on the right ear a half moon and a slitt this to be recorded for John Meaders with both male and female increase…” (Recorded 22 February 1665, Old Rappahannock Co Court Book (1665-67), p 110).

Once Sarah’s son, John, reached adulthood, he was formally given the land that was his father’s. The deed was recorded on 12 May 1670 (per Old Rappahannock County Deed Book, 1670-72, p 9):

“Know Ye that I, Henry Awbrey and Sarah my wife for valuable consideration to us paid do graint and make over for us or heires all right tytle and interest of 300 acres lying in County of Rapp. on North side of said River of Rappahannock unto Francis Gowre for ever which land was formerly the land of Thomas Medor…to have and to hold 300 acres unto him Francis Goure which the said Gowre is now seated on and possessed with all. . . forever – Signed this 15 April 1670
Henry Aubrey
Sarah (T or F?) Aubry
Witnessed by Thomas (X) Jenkins
John (I) Evans

Witnesseth that I, “SARAH AWBREY the NOW WIFE of Henry Awbrey” of Rapp. do make and appoynt Mr. Thomas Gouldman my true attorney and in my name to acknowledge in County Court of Rapp. all my right and title claim and interest of 300 acres of land unto Francis Gowre.
Sarah (F) Aubrey.”

We do not have much evidence at this time that Henry Awbrey and Sarah had any children from their marriage. A deed in 1690 shows that Henry Awbrey sold 500 acres of his 1050 acre grant on the south side of Hoskins Creek (in Essex County) to his “only son and heir apparent,” Richard Awbrey, who appears to have been a son from Henry’s first marriage (of whom the name of his wife is not known). Henry Awbrey would later serve as godfather to Richard Haile, as Awbrey appears to have had a strong friendship and connection to Richard White and his family. These descendants would later intermarry within a generation later.

Exactly when Sarah, the widow, died is not exactly known either. Henry Awbrey wrote his will on 1 August 1694 and names his wife Mary, who would probably be his third wife. Awbrey’s will, however, makes no mention of any of the Meadors or their heirs. At this point, it appears that the last known record of Sarah is the transfer of land to son John Meador on 15 April 1670, that being his inheritance from his father.

The known family of “Orphan” Thomas and Sarah Meador consists of three children before Thomas’s death (and Sarah’s subsequent second marriage to Henry Awbrey): John Meador, Susanna Meador, and Mary Meador. In order to split up the length of the knowledge of the Meador families, the descendants of these three children will be published in a sequel to this story. Stay tuned!