Individual Details
Joseph Abraham Meredith
(1760 - 24 Oct 1840)
Joseph Abraham Meredith, born 1760 in Bear Creek, Louisa County, Virginia; died October 24, 1840 in Grayson Springs, Grayson County, Kentucky. He was the son of Capt William Meredith and Elizabeth Henry. He married Nancy Skaggs 1780 in Bear Creek, Russell, Virginia Joseph Abraham Meredith:
Joseph Abraham Meredith married the daughter of Charles Skaggs and Lucinda Thompson. When the Skaggs' moved to Kentucky in the 1790's Joseph and his wife moved with her family. He eventually settled on Rock Creek in 1809 in southeastern Grayson County and established the first flour and grist mill in that area.
Source Richard Meredith, Wales.
Joe's wife, Nancy, was the daughter of Charles SKAGGS, a Longhunter in early
pioneer KY.
Joseph A. "Old Joe" Meredith aka: "Old Joe" Meredith b: 1761 Pittsylvania Co., Va. d: Oct 24, 1840 Rock Creek, Grayson Co., Ky.Burial: Hwy 1214 west of Rock Creek, Grayson Co., Ky.Note 1: He owned about 395 acres on Rock Creek when he died.
(Extract from "Sank Meredith" by Mikel Meredith)
As to the parents of Joseph Meredith, tradition tells us that he was a son of William Meredith. Some say that it was Captain William and Elizabeth Henry Meredith, who settled in Warren County, Kentucky about 1790, or at least William settled there. According to records from the Patrick Henry Museum in Virginia, Elizabeth Henry was married two times: 1) Cornel William Campbell, who was killed in the Revolutionary War, and 2) Cornel William Russell. She and Col. Russell both died in Russell County, Virginia. The county was named for Col. Russell. Also, Edmonson court records and Equity Suit #1246 Warren County, Kentucky records make no mention of Joseph as a son of Captain William Meredith.
In Pittsylvania County, Virginia, in 1767, Charles Skaggs was living near three Meredith males, William, Bradley and James. William was a Constable. I have contacted descendants of Bradley and James Meredith and know that both men had sons named Joseph Meredith, for which they can account. This would leave William Merdith, the Constable, as the possible father of "Old Joe" Meredith. At this time, there is no proof of this; however, there is a feeling that the close tie to the Charles Skaggs family indicates the relation -- M. Meredith
"Old Joe" Meredith moved his family to Kentucky, from Virginia, accompanied by his father-in-law, Charles Skaggs. The Skaggs brothers: Charles, Richard, Henry, James, John, Jacob and Moses and other "Long Hunters" had travelled, hunted and trapped in "Kaintuck" for many years prior to the move by "Old Joe" and his family. The Merediths arrived here some time around 1792, the same year that Kentucky became the 15th State of the Union.
From "Kentucky Skaggs Notes" -- Pages 424 - 425
"Know all men by these presents that I Jesse Gray (#5966) and Mary, my wife, reposing special trust and confidence in the honesty and integrity of my good and faithful friend, JOSEPH MEREDITH, do hereby order and constitute and appoint the said JOSEPH MEREDITH our lawful attorney in fact to 115 acres of land laying in RUSSELL COUNTY in the state of VIRGINIA on French Ridge upon the south fork of the Clinch River for which I have a patient in my name as to him may feel fit and proper. In testimony who we here unto set our hands and seals this 8th day of July 1794. Jesse Gray & Mary Gray.'
This property along with the property of Joe and Nancy Meredith on Maiden Spring Creek was located in what was Washington County, which later became Russell County and is now Tazwell County, Virginia.
Joseph Abraham Meredith married the daughter of Charles Skaggs and Lucinda Thompson. When the Skaggs' moved to Kentucky in the 1790's Joseph and his wife moved with her family. He eventually settled on Rock Creek in 1809 in southeastern Grayson County and established the first flour and grist mill in that area.
Source Richard Meredith, Wales.
Joe's wife, Nancy, was the daughter of Charles SKAGGS, a Longhunter in early
pioneer KY.
Joseph A. "Old Joe" Meredith aka: "Old Joe" Meredith b: 1761 Pittsylvania Co., Va. d: Oct 24, 1840 Rock Creek, Grayson Co., Ky.Burial: Hwy 1214 west of Rock Creek, Grayson Co., Ky.Note 1: He owned about 395 acres on Rock Creek when he died.
(Extract from "Sank Meredith" by Mikel Meredith)
As to the parents of Joseph Meredith, tradition tells us that he was a son of William Meredith. Some say that it was Captain William and Elizabeth Henry Meredith, who settled in Warren County, Kentucky about 1790, or at least William settled there. According to records from the Patrick Henry Museum in Virginia, Elizabeth Henry was married two times: 1) Cornel William Campbell, who was killed in the Revolutionary War, and 2) Cornel William Russell. She and Col. Russell both died in Russell County, Virginia. The county was named for Col. Russell. Also, Edmonson court records and Equity Suit #1246 Warren County, Kentucky records make no mention of Joseph as a son of Captain William Meredith.
In Pittsylvania County, Virginia, in 1767, Charles Skaggs was living near three Meredith males, William, Bradley and James. William was a Constable. I have contacted descendants of Bradley and James Meredith and know that both men had sons named Joseph Meredith, for which they can account. This would leave William Merdith, the Constable, as the possible father of "Old Joe" Meredith. At this time, there is no proof of this; however, there is a feeling that the close tie to the Charles Skaggs family indicates the relation -- M. Meredith
"Old Joe" Meredith moved his family to Kentucky, from Virginia, accompanied by his father-in-law, Charles Skaggs. The Skaggs brothers: Charles, Richard, Henry, James, John, Jacob and Moses and other "Long Hunters" had travelled, hunted and trapped in "Kaintuck" for many years prior to the move by "Old Joe" and his family. The Merediths arrived here some time around 1792, the same year that Kentucky became the 15th State of the Union.
From "Kentucky Skaggs Notes" -- Pages 424 - 425
"Know all men by these presents that I Jesse Gray (#5966) and Mary, my wife, reposing special trust and confidence in the honesty and integrity of my good and faithful friend, JOSEPH MEREDITH, do hereby order and constitute and appoint the said JOSEPH MEREDITH our lawful attorney in fact to 115 acres of land laying in RUSSELL COUNTY in the state of VIRGINIA on French Ridge upon the south fork of the Clinch River for which I have a patient in my name as to him may feel fit and proper. In testimony who we here unto set our hands and seals this 8th day of July 1794. Jesse Gray & Mary Gray.'
This property along with the property of Joe and Nancy Meredith on Maiden Spring Creek was located in what was Washington County, which later became Russell County and is now Tazwell County, Virginia.
Events
| Birth | 1760 | Pittsylvania, Virginia, British America | |||
| Marriage | Abt 1780 | Kentucky, United States - Nancy Melba Skaggs | |||
| Death | 24 Oct 1840 | Rock Creek, Grayson, Kentucky, United States | |||
| Burial | Rock Creek, Grayson, Kentucky, United States | ||||
| Probate |  |
Families
| Spouse | Nancy Melba Skaggs (1763 - 1840) |
| Child | Nancy Meredith (1792 - 1862) |
Notes
Probate
The children of "Old Joe" Meredith can be established by Equity Suit #209, Edmonson County, Kentucky:EDMONSON COUNTY COURT RECORDS
SURETY SUIT #209
(The Children & Heirs of Joseph "Old Joe" Meredith)
Chas. Meredith
Bill Chanc
Thos. Meredith & John Meredith
Filed 2 Febry 1841
Before Surity No. 209
"The Commonwealth of Kentucky to the Sheriff of Edmonson County greeting: We command you to summons Thomas Meredith & John Meredith Executor of Joseph Meredith Sr. Estate and to appear before the Judge of our Edmonson County Court at the Courthouse in Brownsville on the first day of May Term ment to answer a Bill in Chancery executed against them by Frederick Meredith, Smith Brooks, others and have them here. This writ: Witness A.M. Barrt Clerk of our Circuit Court an the Clerks Office in Brownsville this 2nd day of February 1841 and in the 49th year of the Commonwealth." A.M. Bartt
"To the honorable Judge of the Edmonson County Circuit Court in Chauncery sitting humbly complaining your orators Charles Meredith, Frederick Meredith, Joseph Meredith, Alexander Meredith, William Meredith, Aaron Skaags and Susannah Skaggs his wife late Meredith, Smith Brooks and Betsy (Elizabeth) Brooks his wife late Meredith, Nathan Van Meter and Nancy Van Meter his wife late Meredith, Siller Skaggs, Susahhah Skaggs, Amanda Skaggs, Archibald Skaggs, Nathan Skaggs, and James Skaggs, children of Linsey Skaggs late Linsey Meredith the last six being infant children by William Skaggs their next of kin. I would respectfully stat to you honor that Joseph Meredith Sr., the father of your executors and plaintiffs and the grandfather of the last six, children of Linsey Skaggs which has departed this life leaving them with Thomas Meredith and John Meredith, as his only children & Heirs at law after making & publishing his last Will and Testament which Will warrant proven and admitted to record in the Grayson County Court, a copy of which is in here with file; a part here of marked A, by which Will Thomas Meredith and John Meredith were appointed Executors who qualified and took upon themselves the intention of said Will. The said Joseph Meredith Sr. died and leaving a large estate of personal estate and a tract of land of about 395 acres which tract of land has since in for with a water grist mill and by the intent of this will of their father, his estate was to be equally divided and among his children and that the personal estate was sold by the executors and that said land cannot be divided amongst the hairs of Joseph Sr. which you orator and orators would further state and charge that the said Thomas and John Meredith Executors of the estate attempted to sell said land and that said Thomas as executor arranged purchase or pretended to purchase said land in for the heirs at only the sum of $395, which is not half, not one fourth, of its value and the said Thomas Meredith is now fraudulently sitting up his pretended purchase and claiming said land & mill as his own & has it now in his possession and that the yearly trust of said land & mill in his possession appropriating them to his own used & benefit and in as much as your orator and oratoricals is impelled at law & can only be relieved in Equity where land is properly cognizable they make Thomas Meredith & John Meredith defendants to this bill and prays the Commonwealth writ of summons directing & commanding & compelling both of them to appear & answer on oath, all & singular, the allegations of this bill as fully as if a writ represented and compelled the said Thomas Meredith which has stated distinctly how long he advertised said land for sale who was present at the sale and if he did not purchase in said land for the sum. Your orator & orators passed stated and charge that the executors had no right or authority under the will a fore to sell said land. They therefore pray you Honor in a final hearing to order and demand the sale & purchase of said land by the said Thomas Merdith to set aside articles & held for naught and grant them a claim against him for yearly rents and profits of said mill and land and compel said executors to file in Court a true & perfect account of their actings & doings as Executors and order and direct that the proceeds of the personal estate be also divided according to said will & grant them all such allowances as is equitable and best and as I duty bound will we pray.