Frances Meadows, Sr. is my 7th great-grandfather, and my shared common ancestor with singer Patsy Cline. He was born 1734 in Virginia. {Note: There has been much confusion among persons of the same name in the Meadows line. Most frequently, researchers confuse/merge Frances & Josiah Meadows, who were two separate individuals.}

At age 24, in 1758, he married Mary Kesiah Bell (b. 1736). He later married Lavinia Moody, who died in 1798, when Frances was 64 years old.

On the 1820 Census, Frances is age 86 and living in Peterstown, Monroe County, Virginia. He died shortly thereafter.

Francis, as he was known, came to the Blue Ridge Mountains in March 1770 and settled at the head of Hawksbill Creek in Augusta County, Virginia. Marriage records in Orange County show that he married Mary Keziah Bell in 1758, Francis lived on top of the mountain where Big Meadows is located. The county line dividing Rockingham and Orange counties runs through his property; the house in Orange County, the barn in Rockingham County. He paid taxes in Orange County.

There is a cemetery on the mountain called the Thomas Meadows graveyard located about a mile down the west side of the Blue Ridge from Lewis Mountain. It is located near the old Meadows Schoolhouse. 

Francis bought this land from the Peter Nichols patent, 1,708 acres and it is now in Page County, Virginia.

Memorandum 

To: Meadows Family Genealogists 

From: Curt Sytsma 

Date: September 8, 1999 

Re: Proof that the Francis Meadows who fought in Lord Dunmore’s War was Francis Meadows Sr. 

As we now know, a Francis Meadows of Augusta County, Virginia, served under Capt. Alexander McClannehan in Lord Dunmore’s War. 

1774 DUNMORE’S WAR RECORD. “Francis Meadowes” served as a private under Captain Alexander McClannehan during Lord Dunmore’s War, which was fought on the Virginia frontier in 1774. He served for a total of 122 days, and he received 9 pounds and 3 shillings in pay. SOURCE: Library of Virginia, Digital Library Program, Payrolls and Muster Rolls from Dunmore’s War, part of the Records of the Executive Branch, Auditor of Public Accounts (Record Group 48) at page 106. Curt Sytsma notes: (1) A digital copy of the original pay record was downloaded from the following site on September 5, 1999: http://198.17.62.51/cgi-bin/drawer/disk19/CC150/0328/M0045?44. (2) The Index Card at the above site indicates that Captain McClannehan’s Company was from Augusta County, Virginia. 

The question presented is whether the man who served under Captain Alexander McClannehan was Francis Meadows of Hawksbill Creek in what became Rockingham County (sometimes known as Francis Meadows Sr.) or whether, instead, it was his son, Francis Meadows Jr. (b. 1754)? Both men would have been of suitable age for participation in the military campaign. 

I propose that the man who served in Lord Dunmore’s War was Francis Meadows Sr., and I base this conclusion upon the following analysis: 

First, the term of 122 days was the entire duration of the War, and Capt. McClannehan was wounded during the famous Battle of Point Pleasant. This means that the Francis Meadows who served in Lord Dunmore’s War was one of approximately one thousand men who fought in that famous hand-to-hand combat that is frequently regarding as the first major battle of the Revolutionary War. 

Second, on November 15, 1790, Francis Meadows Jr. petitioned the House of Delegates of Virginia for a certificate “for pay and land” for his services in the Revolutionary War. The full text of the documents relating to this petition are set forth in John W. Wayland, Virginia Valley Records: Genealogical and Historical Materials of Rockingham County, Virginia (originally published in Strasburg, Virginia in 1930 and reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co.: Baltimore 1985) at pages 88-89. On June 16, 1818, he petitioned for a Revolutionary War pension, emphasizing the full details of his service and the fact that he was “in reduced circumstances in life.” On August 15, 1820, he again petitioned for relief, emphasizing his military service for “three years and three months” during the Revolutionary War, starting with his enlistment in February of 1777. He listed his limited property, he emphasized that he was “not able to work owing to a severe rupture, and he stated that his wife was “also verry frail & not able to work.” He also called attention to his “sixteen children (12 of them sons) who have all left me but six all of Whom are under the age of 14 years.” These documents are part of Revolutionary Pension File Number W 5367 in the National Archives. 

The Battle of Point Pleasant was famous, and the 1000 men who fought in that battle were greatly honored, especially in Virginia. Given his desire to present the strongest possible case for assistance, if Francis Meadows Jr. had served the full duration of Lord Dunmore’s War and had fought in the Battle of Point Pleasant, we can be sure that he would have mentioned this service when he petitioned the Virginia Legislature in 1790-and when he applied for a Revolutionary War Pension in 1818 and 1820. The fact that he did not do so is strong and compelling proof that it was not he who fought in Lord Dunmore’s War. Therefore, the man who fought in that campaign was Francis Meadows Sr., father of Francis Meadows Jr. 

Additional Proofs: 

To reinforce the conclusion set forth above, I have located the applications for assistance by other men who fought in Lord Dunmore’s War. Those applications reveal that service in Lord Dunmore’s War would not only be mentioned, but emphasized, if it had taken place. Consider, for example, the service cited by Alexander McFarlane in petitioning the Governor of Virginia for relief: 

Order Book 2, Page 430; February Court 1798 

A Certificate was produced in Court signed by James Wood Esqu., Governor of this Commonwealth purporting the pension of Alexander McFarlane, allowing him ten pounds annually in consequence of wounds received by him at the Battle of Point Pleasant, in the year 1774, commencing the first day of January, 1795. 

Law Order Book 2, Page 540; March Court 1799 

Ordered that the Sheriff pay Alexander McFarlane ten pounds his pension allowed him in consequence of wounds he received at the Battle of Point Pleasant in the year 1774, out of the revenue of the year 1798. 

Law Order Book 3, Page 45; January Court 1800 

Ordered that the Sheriff of this county pay unto Alexander McFarlane ten pounds a pension allowed him for wounds he received at the Battle of Point Pleasant. 

SOURCE: Revolutionary War Pensioners of Russell County, Virginia, submitted by Michael A. Dye, m.a.d.man@worldnet.att.net, and downloaded from the following site on September 8, 1999: http://www.rootsweb.com/~varussel/other/mcfarlane.html. 

Consider, as a second example, the Greenbrier County, West Virginia Pension Application of John Jones on January 15, 1833: 

At a Circuit Supreme Court of Law of Chancery held for Kanawha County the 15th day of January 1833. Present Lewis Summers, Esqr. one of the Judges of the General Court and Judge of the 19th Circuit in the 10th Judicial District. Virginia Kanawha County to wit~ On this 15th day of January 1833 personally appeared in the open court before Lewis Summers Judge of the circuit superior court of Law and Chancery for the County of Kanawha aforesd John Jones a resident of the said County aged seventy-seven years eleven months and thirteen days who being duly sworn to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7[?] 1832. That . . . afterwards in the fall of the year 1774 he volunteered under the same Capt. Arbuckle who raised a company to march against the western Indians in Lord Dunmore’s campaign. That Capt. Arbuckle’s company joined the division of the army under the command of General Lewis and marched with that division of the army to the mouth of the Great Kanawha River at Point Pleasant where a severe engagement ensued between a part of the army of Genl Andrew Lewis and a large body of Indians and this applicant entered into the battle at its commencement and continued without interuption in the midst of the engagement until its termination fighting from sunrise until late in the evening before the Virginia forces succeded in routing their savage adversaries. This bloody and hard fought battle took placeon the 10th of October 1774. This applicant further states that about the middle of September 1776 he enlisted as a regular soldier under Capt. Mathew Arbuckle . . . . Signed: John Jones 

SOURCE: Transcript submitted by Adina Dyer, adyer@nfe.com, and downloaded from the following site on September 8, 1999: ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/wv/greenbrier/military/revwar/jonespen.t xt 

One: 

Francis MEADOR Sr. (Thomas MEADOR, Thomas MEADOR, John MEADOR, Thomas MEADOR, Thomas MEADS, Ambrose MEADS, Daniel) was born in 1738 in Essex Co, VA. He died in 1818.Francis married Mary Kesiah BELL in 1758 in Essex Co, VA. Mary was born in 1736. 

They had the following children: 

1. Francis Jr. MEADOR Meadows was born in Feb 1754 and died on 20 Nov 1836. 2. Mary MEADOR Meadows was born in 1764/1768. Mary married Aaron BUSH, son of John BUSH and Kisiah NSN, on 11 Nov 1804 in Rockingham Co., VA. Aaron was born in 1776 in Rockingham Co., VA. He died in 1857/1872 in Greenup Co., KY. 

3. Israel MEADOR Meadows was born in 1755 in Essex Co, VA. He died in 1827. Israel married þ Barbara GREEN on 8 Mar 1778 in Botetourt Co., VA. Barbara was born in 1755 in Essex Co, VA. She died in 1845. 

4. Arris Preston MEADOR Meadows. 

5. James MEADOR Meadows36 was born in 1757/1758. 

6. Jacob MEADOR Meadows. 

7. Jeremiah Isaac MEADOR Meadows was born in 1762/1765 and died on 23 Jun 1843. 

8. John MEADOR Meadows. 

9. William MEADOR Meadows. 

10. Ruth Ann MEADOR Meadows.Ruth married þ Jonathon ROACH. Jonathon was born about 1762. 

11.Matthew MEADOR Meadows. 

12. Elijah MEADOR Meadows. 

Francis Meadows I was at least 21 in 1756, when he was taxed as a titheable in Orange County, Virginia. 1756 TAX LIST. “‘To the Worshipful Court of Orange County the petition of the Subscriber Humbly Sheweth that whereas he being Constable have Viewed the Several Tobo fields in my precincts & being Crippled by my horse & not able to Attend Your Worships; prays to be Allowed for the same as followeth (Viz) . . . . Frans Meadus 1 [tithe].’ There were 214 tithes total in the list out of 73 names. The date was November the 23rd 1756 by John Goodal, Constable 

: Identity of Land purchased by Francis Meadows in 1780 and Land sold by Francis & Mary Meadows in 1791 

Francis Meadows of Orange County, Virginia, purchased 50 acres of land crossing the boundary between Orange and Rockingham Counties by means of a Deed from Reuben & Hester Roach dated September 28, 1780. Francis & Mary Meadows sold 50 acres of land crossing the boundary between Orange and Rockingham Counties by means of a Deed to Thomas Barbour dated January 31, 1791. The purpose of this memorandum is to compare the legal descriptions of the two properties and to thereby demonstrate that they were one and the same. The minor variations in description between the two deeds are either stylistic or scrivener’s errors. 

General Description of Land from 1780 Deed: “one certain tract or parcel of land Containing by Estimation fifty acres be the same more or less situate lying and being in the County of Orange and Rock’m and Bounded as followeth.” General Description from 1791 Deed: “all that Tract or Parcel of Land . . . Lying and being in the County of Orange & Rockingham Containing by estimation fifty Acres and bounded as follows” 

Beginning Point from 1780 Deed: “Beginning at two hickorys and a Spanish oak on the Ledge of great mountains on the northeast side of Roaches River by Roaches pass.” Beginning Point from 1791 Deed: “Beginning at two Hickories and a Spanish Oak on the Ridge on the Northeast side of Roaches River.” 

First Line from 1780 Deed: “north thirty five Degrees east sixty six poles to a red Oak and Hickory on a hill.” First Line from 1791 Deed: “North Thirty five degrees east Sixty Six poles to a Red oak and Hickory on A Hill.” 

Second Line from 1780 Deed: “north fifty four Degrees east to two Chesnut Saplins on a hill.” Second Line from 1791 Deed: “North fifty four degrees east to two Chesnut Saplins, on a hill.” 

Third Line from 1780 Deed: “north forty two degrees west thirty four poles to a Chesnut and Spanish oak near the head of a branch of Shannado.” Third Line from 1791 Deed: “North forty two Degrees west thirty four poles to Chesnut and Spanish Oak near the head of a branch of Shannandoah River.” 

Fourth Line from 1780 Deed: “South fifty three & a half Degrees west one hundred and fifty eight poles to two Spanish Oaks and a Chesnut in Roaches pass near the head of a branch of Shanado.” Fourth Line from 1791 Deed: “South fifty three degrees west one Hundred and fifty eight poles to two Spanish Oaks and a Chesnut in Roaches pass near the head of a branch.” 

Fifth Line from 1780 Deed: “South twenty Degrees east Seventy poles to a Commen Hickory & Spanish Oak.” Fifth Line from 1791 Deed: “South twenty degrees east Seventy poles to a Corner Hickory and Spanish Oak.” 

Sixth Line from 1780 Deed: “South thirty three degrees and twenty four Poles to double Chesnut.” Sixth Line from 1791 Deed: “South thirty three degrees west twenty four poles to a double Chesnut.” 

Seventh Line from 1780 Deed: “South forty one Degrees East twenty Eight Poles to two Hicorys.” Seventh Line from 1791 Deed: “south forty one degrees east twenty eight poles to two hickory’s.” 

Eighth Line from 1780 Deed: “north fifty seven and a half Degrees east Seventy six poles to two hickorys on the northeast side of the head of Roaches River.” Eighth Line from 1791 Deed: “north fifty Seven degrees east seventy Six poles to two Hickories on the northeast Side of the head of Roaches River.” 

Ninth & Final Line from 1780 Deed: “north eighteen Degrees west five poles to the Beginning.” Ninth & Final Line from 1791 Deed: “north eighteen degrees West five poles to the Beginning.” 

JB:1780 Sep 28 – Rockingham Co, Va – Deed Bk Indenture: Between Reuben Roach of the County of Rockingham of the one part and Francis Meadus of the County of Orange of the other part.. Witnesseth that he the said Reuben Roach and Hester his wife for and in consideration of the sum of forty (40) pounds current money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the said Francis Meadus before the ensealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof he the said Reuben Roach doth acknowledge and confess himself fully satisfied and Paid and thereof do clearly Acquit exonerate and discharge the said Francis Meadus his heirs Executors administrators every of them for ever and by these Presents have given granted bargained sold conveyed and confirmed And by these Presents do fully clearly and absolutely bargain seal enfeoff and confirm unto the said Francis Meadus his heirs and assignees forever one certain tract or parcel of land containing by estimation fifty (50) acres be the same more or less situate lying and being in the County of Orange and Rockingham and bounded as followeth (ToWit) Beginning at two hickorys and a Spanish oak on the LEDGE OF the GREAT MOUNTAINS on the northeast side of ROACHES RIVER by ROACHES PASS, N 35 degrees E 66 poles to a red oak and hickory ON A HILL, N 54 degrees East to two chesnut saplines ON A HILL, N 42 degrees W 34 poles to a chesnut and Spanish oak NEAR THE HEAD of a BRANCH of SHANADO, S 53 ½ degrees W 158 poles to two Spanish oaks and a chesnut in ROACHES PASS NEAR the HEAD of a BRANCH of SHANADOS 28 degrees E 70 poles to a corner hickory & Spanish oak S 33 degrees W 24 poles to double chesnut S 41 degrees E 28 poles to two hickorys N 57 ½ degrees E 76 poles to two hickorys ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE of the HEAD of ROACHES RIVER, N 18 degrees W 5 poles to the Beginning Together with all houses outhouses orchards gardens fences woods underwoods waters and watercourses there unto belonging or in any ways appertaining To Have and to hold the said lands and premisses with all and singular the appurtenances whatsoever belonging to him the said Francis Meadows his heirs and assigns forever and he the said Reuben Roach for themselves and their heirs the said Land and premisses with their and every of their appurtenances to the said Francis Meadows his heirs and assignees shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents against any person or persons whatsoever having or lawfully claiming any right or title to the same or any part or parcel thereof and he the said Reuben Roach for himself and his heirs doth grant Covenant and agree to and with the said Francis Meadows his heirs and assigns as followeth, Viz: that he the said Reuben Roach at the time of ensealing and delivery of these presents is and stands seized of an indefeasible estate in fee simple of and in the above mentioned lands and premises and that he hath good right and lawful authority to sell and convey the same in manner aforesaid ad that the same shall forever remain unto him the said Francis Meadows his heirs and assigns freely and clearly exonerated and discharged of all and all manner of the and former bargains sales title of dower and all other rights and estates whatsoever thereunto belonging In witness where of he the said Reuben Roach hath hereunto subscribed his name and seal. /s/ Reuben Roach Received of MR. FRANCIS MEADOWS the full and just sum of forty (40) pounds current money of Virginia in full satisfaction of the consideration mentioned in the within written Deed on the Day and Year within written. In the presence of ___ (no witnesses). I say Received by me /s/ Reuben Roach 

1780 Sep 28 – At a Court held for Orange County on Thursday the 28th of September 1780, This Indenture from Reuben Roach to Francis Meadows was acknowledged by the said Reuben and ordered to be Recorded with Receipt thereon endorsed. Test: James Taylor, C.O.C [Clerk of Orange County]. 

[Note: Please notice the above “Mr. Francis Meadows.” The title of “Mr.” was given to men of distinction]. 

“1790 Dec 25 – Rockingham Co, Va – Surveyors Entry – Bk 02:90 Surveyed for Francis Meadows assignee of Francis Kirtley, 100 acres of land by virtue of an Entry bearing date the 15 March 1770 lying in Rockingham County and known by the Mudhole & JOINING the LANDS of SAID MEADOWS.. Beginning at 2 chesnut Saplings in his OLD LINE and running thence N17E26 poles crossing EAST BRANCH of the HAWKSBILL to a maple & white oak on BOUGHANS line and S85E100 poles to a white oak on __ SIDE OF A HILL S40E21 poles on a Ridge & S3 ½ E154 poles crossing a branch of the HAWKSBILL on ROACHS CORNER & with his line S23E74 poles to a chesnut oak in sd line & S31W18 poles to a white oak and S88W26 poles to Chesnut in FRANCIS MEADOWS LINE and down the same N25W290 poles to ye Beginning /s/ Ralph Loftus agt. Surveyor of Rockingham County.” 

1792 Oct 22 – Rockingham Co, Va – Judgments & Orders (1792-1795), No.4:2 *A Deed of Bargain & Sale from Francis Meadows & wife of the one part to Reuben Roach of the other part was presented in Court and acknowledged by the said Francis (the wife being first privily examined) as the Law Directs and is ordered to be Recorded. 

*A Deed of Bargain & Sale from Francis Meadows & wife of the one part to John Maggart of the other part was presented in Court and acknowledged by the said Francis (the wife being first privily examined) as the Law Directs and is ordered to be Recorded. 

*A Deed of Bargain & Sale from Francis Meadows & wife of the one part to James Medows of the other part was presented in Court and acknowledged by the said Francis (the wife being first privily examined) as the Law Directs and is ordered to be Recorded. 

*A Deed of Bargain & Sale from Francis Meadows & wife of the one part to Daniel Boughan of the other part was presented in Court and acknowledged by the said Francis (the wife being first privily examined) as the Law Directs and is ordered to be Recorded. 

*A Deed of Bargain & Sale from Francis Meadows & wife of the one part to Samuel Roach of the other part was presented in Court and acknowledged by the said Francis (the wife being first privily examined) as the Law Directs and is ordered to be Recorded. 

1792 Oct 23 – Rockingham Co, Va – Deed Bk ___; Recorded: 23 oct 1792 Francis Meadows and Mary his wife of Rockingham County, Va to Thomas Barbour of Orange.. ___ [illegible] pounds for 50 acres lately in the occupation of Richard Morris lying in County of Orange and Rockingham.. Beginning at 2 hickories & a Spanish oak on the RIDGE on NE side of Roaches River.. /s/ Francis (M) Meadow.. /s/ Mary (M) Meadow. Wit: Thomas Davis, James Early, Nathan Mallory 

[Note: Was this the same land that Francis Meadows purchased from Reuben Roach on 28 Sep 1780? 

and The second one Francis Jr. MEADOR Meadows (Francis MEADOR, Thomas MEADOR, Thomas MEADOR, John MEADOR, Thomas MEADOR, Thomas MEADS, Ambrose MEADS, Daniel) was born in Feb 1754 in Essex/Orange Co., VA. He died on 20 Nov 1836 in Monroe, Co., VA. Francis married Frances BUSH, daughter of John BUSH and Kisiah NSN, on 18 Sep 1797 in Rockingham Co., VA. Frances was born in 1772 in Rockingham Co., VA. She died on 8 Feb 1853 in Monroe Co., VA and was buried in Monroe, , VA. 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS – Selected Records from Revolutionary War Pension found on MeadorII page. 

They had the following children: 

1. Melinda MEADOR was born on 16 Sep 1795 and died in 1860. 

2. William MEADOR was born in 1793/1798 in Rockingham Co., VA. William married Esther ROACH on 20 Sep 1817 in Monroe, Co., VA. 

3. Mathew MEADOR was born in 1798/1802 in VA. 

4. Francis MEADOR III was born in 1799 in Rockingham Co., VA. He died in 1872 in Monroe, Co., VA. Francis married (1)Nancy WOODRUM on 15 Feb 1820 in Monroe, Co., VA. Francis also married (2) Hannah BRAGG on 22 Sep 1864 in Monroe, Co., VA. 

5. Fielding MEADOR was born on 14 Apr 1800 in Rockingham Co., VA. He died on 27 Jun 1858 in Monroe, Co., VA and was buried in Peterstown Cemetary, Giles, , VA. Fielding married Tempy BALL on 17 Apr 1825 in Monroe, Co., VA. 

6. Phillip MEADOR was born about 1807. 

7. Anthony MEADOR was born about 1808 in Rockingham Co., VA. He died after 1872 in Hinton, Summers Co., WV and was buried in Mt. Zion Cemetary, Hinton, Summers Co., WV. Anthony married Mary SHUMATE “Polly” on 16 Sep 1825 in Monroe, Co., VA. Polly was buried in Mt. Zion Cemetary, Hinton, Summers Co., WV. 

8. Mary MEADOR was born in 1809 in Rockingham Co., VA. 

9. Thomas MEADOR was born about 1810 in Monroe, Co., VA. He died on 15 Feb 1883. Thomas married Sarah BARGER on 9 Jan 1828 in Monroe, Co., VA. 

10. NGN MEADOR was born in 1811 in Rockingham Co., VA. NGN died in 1811. 

11. Nathan MEADOR was born in 1811 and died on 3 Oct 1876. 

12. St. Clair MEADOR was born on 5 Sep 1814 in Monroe Co., VA. He died on 2 May 1890 in Summers Co., WV. St. married Elizabeth GARTEN on 18 Sep 1837 in Monroe Co., VA. 

13. Robert Henry MEADOR was born in 1816/1817 in Monroe Co., VA. He died on 8 Sep 1888 in WV. Robert married Isabella CALES on 11 Nov 1839 in Monroe Co., VA. 

14. Elizabeth MEADOR was born in 1819 in Monroe Co., VA. 

15. James MEADOR was born before 1820 in Monroe Co., VA. James married Lucy/Elizabeth ROBINSON. 

16. Madison MEADOR was born before 1820 in Monroe Co., VA. 

Francis Meadows II was born about 1754, as proven by several documents, including his 1820 pension declaration. “Virginia, At a Court of Quarter Session held for the County of Monroe the 15th day of August 1820 – On This 15th day of August 1820 personally appeared in Open Court being a Court of Record for said County Francis Meadows aged about 66 years & Resident in the said County, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war . . . .” SOURCE: The foregoing document was transcribed verbatim from a photocopy from microfilm obtained at the National Archives in July of 1999. The document was one of a number of documents following a cover sheet for service in Virginia by Francis Meadows or Medows (the alternatives are expressly set forth on the cover sheet) and Frances (set forth below, as if to identify the wife of Francis Meadows), File Number W 5367. 

In the early days of our country, the designation “Jr.” was most frequently used in tax records or legal documents to distinguish a son from his father, and then only when both men were of legal or contracting age. It is therefore highly significant that Francis Meadows II of Rockingham County, Virginia was twice identified as “Jr.” in records where he could have been confused with his father. 

In a 1787 personal property tax list for Rockingham County, Virginia, two men named Francis Meadows are identified in the tax District of Reubin Moore, Commissioner. One of the two is identified as Francis Meadows Jr., a designation that is most usually used to distinguish a father from his adult son. The list identified (1) Francis Meadows, over 21 years of age, who had two white males above 16 and under 21 in his household, and who also had one horse and two head of cattle. The list also identified (2) Francis Meadows, Jr., over 21 years of age, who had one horse and three head of cattle. SOURCE: Netti Schriener-Yanties & Florene Speakman Love, Compilers, The 1787 Census of Virginia (Genealogical Books in Print: Springfield, Virginia 19xx), Volume I, at page 646 (citing Rockingham County, Virginia, Tax List “A”, District of Reubin Moore, Commissioner). 

In a 1788 Militia Vouchers List, Francis Meadows II is again designated as “Jr.” to distinguish him from his father. “VOCHERS IN THE SEVERAL MILITIA COMPANIES OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY IN 1788 . . . CAPTAIN JOHN PETERSES COMPANY, No. 16. . . . Francis Meadows, 1 tithable, 1 horse; Francis Meadows, Jr., 1 tithable, 2 horses.” SOURCE: John W. Wayland, Virginia Valley Records: Genealogical and Historical Materials of Rockingham County, Virginia and Related Regions (originally published in Strasburg, Virginia, in 1930 and reprinted by the Genealogical Publishing Co.: Baltimore 1985) at pages 115-116. 

To make the Frances even hard to tell who is Frances II had son Frances III 

JB: Somewhere back in the unkept files of my mind, I recollect this Francis may be Francis Meadows III (?), son of Francis II (?), son of Francis I. If so, I have an old note that says “Francis III was born about 1790 in Monroe Co Va; married 15 Feb 1820 in Monroe Co to Nancy Woodrum, b. 1804. 

1872 Jul 23 – Monroe Co, West Va – Estate Sales – page 25 Appraisement of Estate of Francis Meadows by John Buckland, Lafayette Balinger, and Allen Meadows 

We, John Buckland, L. Balinger and Allen Meadows appraisers to Value the personal property of Francis Meadows Deceased after first being duly Sworn proceeded and Valued the following property to wit: 

INVENTORY: 1 metal clock – 8.00 

1 bed consisting of 1 straw tick 1 feather tick, 1 sheet 1 Blanket 2 Coverlits 1 quilt & 2 pillows, 14.00 

1 beadstead & Bead consisting of 2 feather ticks 1 linen sheet 1 blanket and pillow – 14.00 

one old blanket of wool – 5.00 1 Baker and lid -1.00 1 kettle & lid -1.25 1 little spinning wheel -1.00 2 coffee pots 3 coolers one sive -.90 

1 churn 1 pail & 1 coffee mill, 8 plates 4 cups & saucers 2 tin cups 1 tin bucket 4 knives 6 forks 1 spoon & 1 cream pitcher -1.00 

1 pot rack & 1 pair of pot hooks -1.50 1 pair stilliards -.65 3 chairs -.75 1 big kettle -1.50 1 bedstead -1.50 1 table -.40 1 sythe, 1.25 1 big kettle -1.25 1 Jack Plain -1.25 1 cooler -.25 Cash -$10.00 

We the subscribers do hereby certify that the above is a true statement of the property belonging to the estate of Francis Meadows deceased Value by us with its Valuation annexed these to Given our hands this 23rd day of July 1872 /s/ John Buckland, /s/ Lafayette Balinger, Allen Meadows 

ESTATE SALE: {some paid by cash or bartering and others by their Note] 

A List of the personal property belonging to Francis Meadows deceased Sold on the 24th day of July 1872 by Griffin Meadows, Administrator of Francis Meadows decd: 

Luverna Meadows, 1 metal clock -5.00 same, 1 bed and bedding -10.00 Griffith, 1 beadstead & bed & bedding, 1 old blanket of wool -20.00 Luverna Meadows, 1 old blanket of wool, Note: 3.25 Francis Meadows, 1 baker & lid -.85 Luverna Meadows, kettle & lid, .65 Richard Meadows, 1 little spinning wheel, 1.00 Luverna Meadows, 3 cooler, coffe pot &c. Note: .45 same, a lot of dishes knives &c. Note: .65 same, 1 little tin bucket, Note: .30 same, 1 pot rack, 1 pair pot hooks, Note: .30 same, 1 stilliard, Note: .35 same, 3 chairs, Note: .75 Lewis G. Meadows, 1 big kettle, 5.00 Francis Meadows, 1 bedstead, Note: .10 Magdala Seirs, 1 table, Note: .25 Richard Meadows, 1 Brier Sythe, .85 Francis Meadow, 1 big wheel, Note: 10.00 Lewis G. Meadows, 1 big kettle, .80 Jesse Siers, 1 Jack plain, .40 Lewis G. Meadows, 1 cooler, .30 

The subscriber hereby certify that the above is a true list of the property sold at the sale of Francis Meadows decd by Griffith Meadows admr. of Francis Meadows deceased. Given under my hand this 24th day of July 1872. /s/ John Buckland, Clerk of said Sale. 

It would appear that this was the estate of Francis Meadows III b 1799 and d ?. The son of Francis III, who might be dubbed Francis IV, b 1835-39 m Luverne Wheeler 12 Feb 1867. One of the buyers of items in the sale was Luverne Meadows, likely the wife of Francis IV, who had been married for about five years and no doubt still interested in accumulating household goods. Other buyers, Richard Meadows, Griffith Meadows, and Lewis G Meadows, might well have been brothers of Francis Meadows IV and sons of Francis Meadows III. If this was the estate of Francis Meadows III, his death must have occurred about 1872.

War Records

Josiah Francis Meadows/Meador – – 1774 Dunmore’s War – Francis Meadows served as a private under Captain Alexander McClannehan during Lord Dunmore’s War, which was fought on the Virginia frontier in 1774. He served for a total of 122 days, and he received 9 pounds and 3 shillings in pay. 

SRC: Library of Virginia, Digital Library Program, Payrolls and Muster Rolls from Dunmore’s War, part of the record of the Executive Branch, Auditor of Public Accounts, (Record Group 48) at page 106. Josiah Francis participated in the Dunmore’s War and he was among the 1,000 men who fought the Battle of Point Pleasant.

In the “Statement of Monroe County, Virginia”, Military Records: Revolutionary War Pension Lists: Pension Roll of 1835, Volume III, Virginia, page 721 – Francis Meadows is shown to be receiving a pension of $96.00 per year beginning 16 Jun 1818 when he was 80 years of age. This indicates his birth year to be 1738. This is our Josiah Francis Meadows using a different name. Also, this is apparently evidence that he was alive after 1818 and most likely he was alive at the time of this publication (1835).

In a similar statement prepared by the State of West Virginia; “The Soldiery of West Virginia, West Virginians Who Were Soldiers & Pensioners in the Revolutionary War, page 80”, the information is exactly as it appears in the above Virginia statement. Francis was alive until at least 16 Jun 1818.

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(Son) Francis Meadows, born 1754; died 20 December 1836. (Reproduced as it appears in the record – West Virginians in the American Revolution, Surnames, M-N, page 193). Enlisted, Augusta County, Virginia, in February 1777, and served until 1781 under Captain Laird and Lamb, Tenth Virginia Regiment, Continental Establishment, commanded by Colonels Green, Wood, and Wheaton. He was married in the fall of 1790 or 1791 in the County of Rockingham to Frances Bush, who was born in 1772. They received pension in Monroe County, in 1819 at which time they had sixteen children, twelve of whom were sons. Six, under the age of 14 years of age, remained at home. Supporting data in their case was filed by Jonathan Roach, Elizabeth Fisher, and Henry Maggart. This is a SON of Josiah Francis Meadows/Meador.
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(Son) Josiah Meadows. (As it appears in West Virginians in the American Revolution, Surnames, M-N, page 193) Enlisted, Bedford County, Virginia, in 1778 under Lieutenants Isaac Hyler and Hiddens, and Captain Joseph Renfroe largely in frontier service against the Indians. He saw service on Wolf Creek in Monroe County and at Fort Donnally near Lewisburg. He also marched through Tennessee to Chickamauga in Georgia, fighting back the Indians from the frontier which was then along the Blue Ridge and Cumberland mountains. After this expedition, he took part in George Rogers Clark’s expedition into Illinois country. In 1781, as a substitute for John Mitchell of Bedford County, he helped convey prisoners to Fredricksburg, Virginia. After his service, he returned to the Bluestone Valley where he married a daughter of Robert Lilly, who had settled there ten years earlier. He received pension in Summers or Mercer County, Virginia in 1832. Supporting data was filed by John Neely and Bannister Meadows. This is another SON of Josiah Francis Meadows.

A Statement of Pension, Giles County, Virginia (Pension Roll of 1835, Volume III, Virginia, page 778) shows Josiah Meadows receiving $76.00 per year beginning 19 November 1832 at age 76 which places his year of birth as 1756. A Census of Pensioners for Virginia – Western District – 1840 Census of the Revolutionary War, State of Virginia-Western District, page 135 shows Josiah Meadows, age 83 living with son Green Meadows.

From Historical Southern Families, Vol IV, Meadors-Meadows of Essex County, Virginia, page 134 – “Josiah Meadows, born 1758, entered service in Bedford County and received a pension; he was a gospel minister.” Son of Josiah Francis Meadows/Meador.
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The Register of Virginians in the Revolution, page 541; includes Francis Meadows, Francis Meadows of Monroe, Israel Meadows, and Josiah Meadows – clearly distinguishing between these four subjects.