Notes for Thomas Meeks

Notes for Thomas Meeks Our Merged Meeks Families

Notes for Thomas Meeks

1829 Sherriff Census shows Thomas in Ruddell Township, IndependenceCo., AR

1830 Census- Thomas Meeks with 5 people in household.

Census Yr: 1840 Clark Co., AR Missouri Township
Thomas Meeks, 1 Female, 20-30: 1 Female, 5-10: 2 Females, 0-5: 1 Male, 30-40, 1 Male, 16-20 : 3 Males, 10-15: 1 Male, 5-10

Census Yr: 1850 Clark Co., AR Division: Terre Noir
Thomas, 35, M , Missouri, Farmer
Polly, 30, F, South Carolina
William 20, M, Arkansas, Farmer
Abner, 29, M, Arkansas, Farmer (should be 19)
Ellen, 15, F, Arkansas
Elizabeth, 12, F, Arkansas
Mary, 9, F, Arkansas
Marian, 8, M, Arkansas
McDonald, 7, M, Arkansas
Louisa, 4, M, Arkansas (should be female)
Zachary, 2, M, Arkansas

Source: Meeks Etchieson

The Goodspeed (1890:333) history indicates that Thomas married MaryDodd in 1828; Mary Dodd Me eks died in 1833 leaving a family of twosons and one daughter. The marriage of Thomas and Ma ry Dodd and herdeath in 1833 has not been documented by means other than Goodspeed.Thomas an d his family continued living in Independence County until1838. He is shown in the 1838 ta x records of Independence County.These records are dated 6 July 1838 (Independence County Rec ords n.d.).

From Independence County, Thomas Meeks' family moved to Hot SpringCounty, Arkansas, apparentl y between July, 1838 and November, 1839.Thomas Meeks is listed in tax records for this count y in 1839 (dated12 November 1839) with taxable property valued at $370 (Hot SpringCounty Reco rds n. d.). He is also listed in the tax records for 1840(dated 13 May 1840) with taxable pro perty valued at $500.

In 1840. Thomas Meeks is listed in the federal census records (dated28 October 1840) as livin g in Clark County. Ten people are listed inhis household in this 1840 census. It appears th at he moved hisfamily from Hot Spring to western Clark County sometime between May(the mont h shown on the Hot Spring County tax records) and October(the month of the 1840 Clark Count y census).

It is recorded that "In the early days he did considerable teamingbetween Little Rock and Was hington, and became a man of considerablemeans, and owned a large number of slaves" (Goodspee d 1890:153).Thomas Meeks also had a sizeable farming operation in the western partof Clark Co unty during much of his life. Table 1 provides dataregarding Thomas' farming operation as pr ovided in the 1850, 1860,1870, and 1880 Agricultural Schedules. This table shows that the si zeand value of his farming operation increased substantially from 1850to 1860, but then decre ases in 1870 and 1880. This is likely due tothe hardships endured during and following the C ivil War. Inaddition, in 1850 and 1860 Thomas Meeks owned a number of slaves whohelped wor k the farm. Of course, following the Civil War he didn'thave this labor. Table 2 provides t he numbers, sex, and ages of theslaves.

Thomas Meeks (b. March, 1803, d. 14 December 1889) was apparentlymarried either three or fou r times. His first wife was Mary Dodd whomhe married in 1828; Mary Dodd Meeks died in 1833 ( Goodspeed 1890:333).Thomas then married Pollie Goalden by whom he had ten children(Goodspee d 1890:333). He the married Mary Golden on 28 March 1853(Clark County n. d. a: 350). Goodspee d (1890:333) indicates that Mrs.Meeks died in 1860. Thomas then married Martha Berlison (Ber ison ?)on January 20, 1867 (Meeks Bible n. d.). Martha had been born onAugust 29, 1831 in th e Edgefield District, South Carolina (Meeks Biblen.d.). Thomas and Martha had one son, Lee . Marriage records have notbeen located for Mary Dodd, Pollie Goalden, or Martha Berlison. O nlythe marriage record for Thomas and Mary Golden has been located. Isit possible that Polli e Goalden and Mary Golden are the same person?or sisters? or totally unrelated? In July, 185 5, Thomas petitionedfor a guardian for Mary Meeks, "whereby it appears that said MaryMeeks i s a lunatic, and after hearing testimony of witnesses it isdeclared that said Mary Meeks i s a lunatic within the meaning andspirit of the law" (Clark County n.d. b:326). Thomas was a ppointedher guardian and that the sum of five dollars per month for six monthsbe allowed th e guardian for the support and maintenance of Mary. Noadditional information was located reg arding this case, and it is notknown for certain the relationship of Mary and Thomas, but i t islikely that she was his wife.

Thomas appeared in court in July, 1848, and was appointed guardian of"Abner D. Meeks aged abo ut fifteen years, William Meeks aged abouteighteen years, and Ellener Meeks aged about thirte en years and itappearing from the facts set forth in said petition that said minors(have) ar e heirs to an estate and that they have no guardian" (ClarkCounty n.d.d:143). This is confus ing in that Thomas was their fatherand by this time, he had long remarried following the deat h of hiswife, Mary Dodd. It may be that this was merely a formality in orderthat these thre e minors might receive the inheritance. No additionalinformation has yet been located as t o the nature of the estate thatthey inherited.

Thomas Meeks had joined the Missionary Baptist Church in June, 1886, where he remained a membe r until his death.

Thomas Meeks died on 14 December 1889 in Clear Springs, Clark County, Arkansas, at "3 1/2 oclo ck p. m." The funeral was preached by G. M.Shaw. His wife, Martha Meeks, died on June 21, 1 917, in ClearSprings.

Table I - Agricultural Productivity of Thomas Meeks

Farm/Porducts 1850 1860 1870 1880

Improved aces 60 150 40 41
Woodland - - 2211 20
Unimproved acres - 450 21120
Cash value of farm 350 1500 2000 700
Value of farm implements/
machinery 150 200 100 60
Horses 2 3 8
Mules 4 6 - -
Milch cows 6 10 8 4
Working oxen 2 6 2 2
Other cattle 6 10 10 10
Sheep - 12 - -
Swine 60 40 30 50
Poultry - - -60
Eggs produced 300
Value of livestock 400 819 1200200
Wheat (bushels) - 25 - -
Oats - - - 20
Indian corn (bushels) 800 1000300 500
Ginned cotton (400 lb bales) 3 16 - 10
Value of Orchard produce in $ 2 - --
Butter (lbs) 20 12 -350
Peas/beans (bushels) - 75 - -
Irish Potatoes (bushels) - 75 - -

Table 2 List of slaves owned by Thomas Meeks (data from US CensusSlave Schedules)

Year No. Age Sex
1840 - - -
1850 1 1 f
1 4 f
2 11 f
1 24 f
1 30 f
1860 1 1 f
1 2 m
1 5 f 1 7 f 1 8 m
1 10 f
1 13 f
1 19 f
1 21 f
1 45 m
1 61 m