Immigration Records for Persons Named Meeks

Previous Post: William Meeks Born in Cliburn England in 1699

There are a number of records of people named Meeks immigrating to the new world before the Revolutionary War. According to meekdna.com there were at least seven un-related families with the surname Meek(s) prior to the Revolutionary War. So we can't assume that we are related to all, or any of them. I have made an attempt to consolidate all of the records of persons named Meeks who immigrated to Virginia, in chronological order. I will add to this list as the I find more records.

Updated 8/11/2017
In total, we find 14 people by the name of John Meeks who immigrated to Virginia between 1642 and 1718.

John Meakes, 1642
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 1
Page 132-133
John Meakes, 200 acs. in Mobjacke Bay, on the S. side of the southern br. of Severne, Aug. 20, 1642, Page 809. Trans. of himself, and 3 servts: Richard Carter, Robert Peircifull, Matthew Chapman. 

John Meekes, 1652, [Indentured Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 1
Page 258
Lawrence Dameron, 340 acs. Northumberland Co., p. 92. No. date. Butting S. E. upon the head of Tanx Yeococomico Riv., & c. Trans. 7 servants: Johne Meekes, Thomas Clarke, Edward Maddox, 3 tymes, Elizabeth Coringe, Barth. Wethersby, Dan. Piggin. 

John Meekes, 1654 [Indenture Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 1
Page 304
Toby Smith, 1600 acs. Lancaster Co., on N. side of Rappa. Riv., 6 Sept. 1654. p. 328. Along head of land of Walter Dickenson & William Yarrett, and opposite Colemans Marsh. Trans. of 32 pers: Henry Hawkins, John Colebourne, Phill. Wadingham, John Dixson, John Dear, James Williams, Sarah Willett, Mary Fox, John Redd, Gyles Joyce, George Johnson, Willm. France, Kath. Ham, James Cade, Jno. Dellony, William James, Tho. Langlin, James Boner, Thomas Richard, William Rowsen, James North, John Lepord, Richard Bryon, Thomas Jones, William Kedd, Jno. Serjant, Tho. Symons, John Meekes, John Harper.

Jno. Meekes, 1665 [Indenture Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 1
Page 468
Vincent Cox, 400 acs. W'moreland Co., 20 May 1665. p. 229 (141). Beg. at white oak dividing this & land of Robt. Selfe, thence N.W. & to nigh a branch of Nomeny, S.E. to the head of a br. of Yeoacomico Riv. & Trans. of 8 pers: Jno. Serviant, Thomas Symons, Jno. Meekes, Thomas Watson, James jnoson, Thomas Barwick, Tho. Bauldwin, Martha Dell. 

Jno. Meeke, 1667 [Indentured Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 2
Page 13
ROBT. WHITEHAIRE. JOHN BOWLER & CHARLES EDMONDS 3000 acs. New Kent Co., upon N. side of Riv., 25 Apr, 1667, p. 45. Trans. of 60 pers: ...James Fargeson, Jno. Meeke, Jno. Fargeson (note, out of the 60 persons on this list there are a number of boarder names such as Armstron and Hamilton. Also there is a Watson. Our John Meeks shows up in New Kent County living in the same precinct as a Watson family in the year 1711).

Robert Meakes, 1667 [Indentured Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 2
Page 23
COLL. EDMOND SCARBURGH, 3000 acs. Accomack Co., at Pockomoke Riv., 9 Oct. 1667, p. 78. Beg. below Hogg Quanter, up sd. river & including all necks & branches to the uppermost extent of this devdt, .S'ly. to severall extents as by the swamp & unhabitable parts admitts this. Trans. of 60 pers: ...

SAME Co., acreage, date & page the same as above. Bounded by his own severall devidents ont he seaside, bet. Gr. & Likttle Matomkin Crks. & the great white marsh, for trans. of 60 pers: ... John Radnock, Robert Meakes, Morris Curwethy.

John Meeke, 1668 [Indenture Servitude]
From The Bristol Registers of Servants
Page 244
John Meeke to Thomas Jarvis, 6 yrs Virginia

John Meeks, 1668 [Indencture Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 2
Page 158
Mr. Hugh Yeo, 2050 acs,. Accomack Co. at Machapongo Cr.  River; 5 oct. 1674 p. 540. Beg. at a cr. partin gthis from Nevell's Neck; big Machapongo Cr. parting this from land of Major Jno. Tilne; over the Back Cr... sold to sd. Yeo, 16 June 1668; 350 acs. for trans. of 7 pers: Richd. Chambers, Jno. Meekes, Antho. Hardy, Eliz. Michell, Laurence Atkins, Jno. Beare, Tho. Colwell.

John Meeke, 1670 [Indentured Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 2
Page 81
LT. COL. WILLIAM KENDALL, 10,500 acs, Accomacke Co., from the N. Gr. freshwater br. of Crooked Cr. unto land of Mr. Henry Smyth, adj. John Stokeley,...assigned to sd. Kendall 21 June 1670; 4,370 acs. due for trans. of 86 pers; Robert Hockett... James Forgeson, John Meeke, John Forgeson

John Meeke, 1671 [Indentured Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 2
Page 92
MR. LEONARD CLAYBORNE, 3000 acs., N. sid eof Mattapony Riv., on upper side of Doctor Moody, on 1 Apr. 1671, p. 353. Trans, of 60 pers: James Taylor ...Jno. Branch, John Meeke, Rich. Carter

Roger Mekes, 1671 [Indentured Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 2
Page 98
THOMAS LUDWELL, Espr., 2994 A., 2 R., 35 P., on S. side of Chickahominy Swamp, 7 Apr. 1671, p. 352. 2093 A. 1 R. 24 P. at a run called Co. Wynn's Quarter, to a run above Pomonkey Path, over Cowtayle quarter run, ... for the trans. of 60 Pers: Tho. Moss, Jno. Grout, Jno. Brewer, Jarvis Rogers, Roger Mekes, Jno. Skittlethorpe.

William Meeke, 1674 [Indenture Servitude]
From The Bristol Registers of Servants
Page 305
William Meeke to John Sanders, 6 yrs Virginia

John Meeks, 1674 [Indenture Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 2
Page 150
GEO. PEARCE 2100 acs. Nanzemond Co., by a br. of the Blackwater; adj. Col. Pitts & Col. Brdger; 21 Sept. 1674, p 519. Trans. of 42 pers; ... Peter Kickett, Robt Precivall, Jno. Meeks; 6 Negros

Francis Meeke, 1677 [Indenture Servitude]
From The Bristol Registers of Servants
Page 339
Francis Meeke to Richard Page, 4 yrs Virginia by Francis & Mary

Anthony Meeks, 1680 [Indentured Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 2
Page 205
MR. GILES LIMSCOTT, 1411 acs., Is. of Wight Co., on the maine Black Water, 20 Apr. 1680, p. 20. Adj. Robt Lawrence & John Lawrence. Trans. of 28 pers: Edwd. hill, Symon Wilson, Alice Warkman, pet. Hatcher, Jone Isham, Jno. Branch, Rich. Carter, Edwd Mason, Wm. Chapman, Jno. Hoskins, Antho. Meekes, Jno. Taylor, Tho. Elbury, Ja. Spicer, Wm. Potter, Sym. Buttler, Jno. Green, Hen. Davies, Tho Richards, Wm. Wright, Hen. Cole, An Sanders, O (?) Morgan, Lewis Williams, Ed. Rogers, Jno. Maccall, Wm. Shard, Antho. Bishop.

Daniel Meekes, 1680 [Indentured Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 2
Page 210
Mr. Henry Biggs, 321 acs,. New Kent Co., on head brs. of Assatians Sw; adj. Robert hill; & William Rogers; a Cattaile meadowe, &; 10 July 1680. p. 41. Trans. of 7 pers: Wm. Rowse, Ann Strange, Edwd. Archer, Danll. Meeks, Jno. Alwood (or Atwood), Loud Dennis, Eliz. Davis.

John Meeks, 1680 [Indenture Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 2
Page 215
CAPT. DANIELL JENIFER. 2500 acs. N'ampton Co,. bet Crooked Cr. & Pokomoke Riv. on Mesangoe Cr,. & Chesepiack Bay; 2 Oct. 1680. Adj: John Renny, Willm, Chase; Willia Wallis.. for Trans. of 50 pers: ...Jo. Branch, Jo. Meeks, Benj. Negro

John Meekes, 1683 [Indenture Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 2
Page 257
JOHN STALLENGE & ELIAS STALLENGE, 280 acs., of land & white marish, Up. Par. of Nanzimund Co., 16 Apr. 1683, p. 255 Beg. Adj. Capt Boothe; Robert Reddick; & land o fJohn Ellis, now said Booth's; being overplus within their bounds of a patt. to William Wright, 18 Mar. 1662. Trans. of 6 person: John Serjeant, James Johnson, Tho. Symons, Tho. Busby, Tho. Barwick, Jon. Meekes.

John Meeks, 1700 [Indentured Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 3
Page 40
GIDEON MACON, GENT,. 545 acs,. New Kent Co; in a fork of Chickahomany River where the swamp ends; 7 Nov. 1700, p. 289. Granted to Wm Clayborne, sonn of Wol. Wm . Clayburne, Junr,. dec'd,. & Thomas Clayburne, sonn and heir apparent of Mr.  Thomas Clayburne, 20 Apr. 1682, deserted, & now granted by order, for Imp. of 11 pers: John Lovell, John Meekes, Richd. Elliot, Guy Warwick, Joseph Miller, James Whitmore, Edward. Mash, John Townsend, Ralph Calmore, Edward Miles.

John Meeks, 1703 [Indentured Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 3
Page 81
THOMAS BRADLEY, 1087 ACS. New Kent Co., in St. Peter's Par; N. side of Chicahominy Sw; a little bellow the Izeinglass Run; 23 Oct. 1703, p. 583. Trans. of 22 pers: Robt. Keeble, Roger Powell, Mary Bland, Ben. Clark, Hum. Edwards, Rich. Sunderland, Mary Swana, Gideon Macon, Henry Allenson, Stephen Martin, Jno. Meekes, Philemon Adams, Jos. Lane, Robt. Townes, Mary Palmer. Note: 7 rights pad for to Wm. Bryrd, Esqr,. Auditor. 

Thomas Meeks, 1718 [Indentured Servitude]
From Cavaliers and Pioneers; Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1800 vol 3
Page 205
THOMAS CARR, JUNR.,, 600 acs. (N.L.), King Wm. Co; about 3 mi. above the falls of Pamunkey Riv., called Turkey Neck; at mouth of Topping Castle Sw; 12 July, 1718, p. 385. 10 Shill., & Imp. of 10 pers: Benjamin Bulkley, Abraham Alexander, William Jones, Elizabeth Pedley, Richard Darby, Fran. Mackey, Tho. Meaks, Jane Morris, Anne Newton, Mary Blackbeard

Next Post: John Meeks, St. Paul's Parish and Allens Creek

William Meeks Born in Cliburn England in 1699

Previous Post: So Many Williams

By and large the most popular belief for the identity of our immigrant ancestor is William Meeks, who was baptized in Cliburn, Westmorland County, England on  May 21, 1699. A quick google search and you'll find this record on 99% of online pedigrees, including familysearch.org. The internet has done wonders for family history research. But there are caveats, such as people accepting information as truth without question. This is the perfect example on how the internet can also do a disservice for family history research.

I haven't seen a shred of proof that this is our ancestor. From the previous post, I showed 46 records of persons named William Meeks that could possibly be our immigrant ancestor, and so why was this one chosen out of those 46? I can think of three other William Meeks' who have more reasons to be our ancestor, than Mr. William of Cliburn. I'm not saying that this William Meeks isn't our ancestor, I'm just saying we need proof that he is our ancestor before we embrace him. If someone out there has that proof, please share it, and if I concur that it is definite proof, then I will accept it.

According to the record, William Meeks, born in Cliburn England in May 1699, was the son of Isaac Meeks. About 90% of the pedigrees online claim that his father's name was William. To me, this tells me that not only do people cherry pick which records they want to use, but they also cherry pick the information in the record.

The records in Cliburn for this family are quite complete and Isaac had a lot of children. Most of his children however, died in infancy. It seems like this is the only Meeks family to have lived in Cliburn also. For no records of persons named Meeks appear in the Cliburn parish both before the time of Isaac, and after.

From the records, we learn the following about the family:

Father: Isaac Meeks, Buried 13 Feb 1728
Mother: Isabel, Buried 14 February 1710

Leonard: Baptized 26 Mar 1684 - Buried 1 Febraury 1758 (Wife1: Annas, Buried 22 May 1726) (Wife2: Anne, Buried 25 November 1744), (Daughter, Margaret, Baptized 24 August 1710)
Elizabeth: Baptized 7 Nov 1686 - Buried 25 May 1688
Mary: Baptized 12 August 1688
Isaac: Baptized 6 March 1690 - Buried 26 July 1691
Esther: Baptized 23 Oct 1692 - Buried 1 February 1705
Isabel: Baptized 17 March 1694 - Buried 6 April 1782 (age 88)
Christiana: Baptized 2 December 1696 - Buried 5 January 1697
William: Baptized 21 May 1699
Ann: Buried 10 Nov 1723

If anyone has more information about this family, please share.

Next Post: Immigration Records for Persons Named Meeks

So Many Williams

Previous Post: Our Scottish Cousins

Based on the oral tradition Dr. Priddy Meeks gave us, our immigrant ancestor would've been born in England sometime between 1680 and 1710. His name would've been William Meeks. YDNA testing has located two relatives whose ancestors are from Scotland. A search for records on ancestry.com for persons named William Meeks (or variants of that name) reveals 46 people born with that name between the years 1680 and 1710. I have verified that those records are not duplicates of each other. I have created a map that shows the birth locations of all of those Williams. The two yellow dots are the ancestral locations of our two relatives identified by YDNA. As you can see in this map, the heaviest concentrations are Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire in England. And the Lothians in Scotland, which is were are relatives are from.
Note: As mentioned in previous posts, it is entirely possible that Dr. Priddy Meeks skipped a generation(s) identifying the immigrant ancestor. There are another 63 William Meeks born in England between the years 1593 and 1680.

Next Post: William Meeks Born in Cliburn England in 1699