Franklin County GaArchives Biographies.....Meeks, Littleton M. February 8, 1766 - September 22, 1852 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Beverly Meeks Daly lookilu@comcast.net September 1, 2016, 10:16 am Source: Personal Research Author: Beverly Meeks Daly Littleton* M. Meeks Sex:Male Father:John* Meeks Mother: Birth:08 Feb 1766 in Allen's Creek, Hanover, VA Death:22 Sep 1852 in Near Homer, Banks(Franklin), GA Title:Rev. Shared Facts:Elizabeth* M Ivie Marriage:Abt. 1786 Children: John Meeks Susan Meeks Martha Patsy Meeks Mark* Meeks Jesse Meeks William Sheldon Meeks Nacy Meeks Littleton Meeks Elizabeth Meeks Littleton M. Meeks. In the 1840 census he gives his name as L.M. Meeks. Littleton Meeks was born February 8, 1766 on Allen's Creek, Hanover County Virginia. Allen's Creek flows into the South Anna River, which flows into the Pamunkey River. We had believed that he could have been the son of John Meeks and nephew of William Meeks II. John Douglas Meeks II, took the DNA test as did Bob Meeks of Mo. and another desc. from FL. Results show Littleton was NOT the son of William. Also shows John & William were NOT brothers. Probably cousins. John and William had a common ancestor in an earlier generation. They are from a line that comes from Scotland. John Meeks was of St. Paul's Parish in Hanover County and willed land to Littleton, Martin, and John on Allen's Creek, Hanover Co. VA An affadavit in the Georgia State Archives says that in October 1781 Littleton Meeks was with the troops when Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. From a paper sent to me by Nancy McGinty, which seems to be a DAR message: " I wish to mention also, the fact that the Revolutionary Services of a man named Littleton Meeks, born 1760 died 1853, has been filed and cataloged with the State Historian, Miss Ruth Blair, in the Historical Archives of the Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia. The State records being incomplete, four sworn affadavits together with a Certified Sketch of the life of Littleton Meeks was recorded. This is the result of Research by Mrs Robert Goodloe Harper, who is one of our members, and through whose efforts the Colonel William Candler Chapter was founded in 1914." (This affadavit is shown at the end of this article.) In the period of 1783 - 1788 there are land records regarding property in Allen's Creek, Hanover County, Virginia involving some land willed by John Meeks. Littleton Meeks of Surry County, North Carolina, and his wife Elizabeth, along with Martin Meeks and his wife Margaret, John Meeks and his wife Elizabeth, are involved in various of these transactions. In 1788 Littleton sold his land to Fred Bartlett. One researcher noted that Littleton could not have owned land until he was 21, which would have been 1787. He probably married Elizabeth Ivie in 1786. Their daughter Susan was born Feb 11, 1787 and son John was also born in 1787. John is listed as the oldest in family records, so they were probably twins. Moses Saunders, Baptist minister, baptized Littleton in the Dan River, possibly where it loops down in to North Carolina, or in Danville, Pittsylvania Co., VA as one record states. (record below) Moses Saunders left Pittsylvania County for Georgia in the late 1700s. At some time in the 1780s South Carolina made land grants to Littleton, & his brother Nacy He moved to Ninety Six District (Pendleton County) South Carolina and is shown there in the 1790 census with Elizabeth and two male children under 16. Jesse is in Laurens County, with 2 male children under 16 and 5 females. Athe is in Greenville with 4 other males over 16, 1 male under 16 and 5 females. None of these men held slaves. The Ninty-Six District (before counties were formed) lay in a wilderness paradise. The climate was mild. In the Uplands the soil was a dark red clay, porous and rich. Abundant trees included oaks, poplars, locusts, and cedars. Springs were scattered across the land and the valleys were crossed by streams and rivers. Wildlife was plentiful. An Indian hunter often killed as many as two hundred deer in one year. One of the first settlers made the remark that a man could stand in the doorway of his house and kill enough game to feed two families. July 16, 1795, Littleton Meeks paid John Hardin 20 pounds for 120 acres, part of 415 acres, including the plantation where Littleton lived, located on the Little Beaverdam and branches of the Coneross. As the settlements grew, churches were founded, an important part of Littleton's life. Littleton was ordained Minister in May 1800 by the Sarepta Association of the Baptist Church in South Carolina. The Coneross Church was a branch of the Shoal Creek Church which had been in existence before 1796. These churches were located in what is now Oconee County, S.C. John Ivey also had land on the Coneross. This could be John, father of Elizabeth or could it be John, son of Lott Ivey?? Need to ascertain the age of John, Lott's son, to see if he was of age at this time. The 1800 census shows Littleton in South Carolina, with 2 males under 10, 1 10-16, 1 26-45,1 45 and over; 1 female under 10 and 1 26-45 and no slaves. We do not know who the man 45 years and older is. It could be John Ivie or William Meeks. There was a John Meek in Laurens Co SC 1800 census, but, he is said to have been born in Ireland. (Dr. Melton Meek) In 1802 in Pendleton County he witnessed the sale of land by his brother Nacy. He witnessed this deed by making his mark. His mark was the letter M, and some have taken that to mean his middle initial was M. Most signatures by illiterate people were recorded thus: John X Smith, the X being his mark. Often people could make the first letter of their name and used it for their mark. It is said that his wife Elizabeth taught him to write. He did learn to write as proven by letters handwritten and signed by Littleton. Littleton's letters, regarding church matters, are archived at Mercer University, Macon, GA.. We know that his brother Nacy could at least sign his name. Sometime in 1802 he moved to Franklin County, Georgia, where his sixth child Littleton, Jr. was born. 1806 Apr 24, Franklin Co. Deed (pg 66) John Williams to James R. Wyly wit. by Litt. Meeks, Nase Meeks. GA GEN MAGAZINE pg 1653 He is shown in the Franklin Co Tax records for 1806, 1807, 1808. John Meeks is shown in 1807 and Nacy in 1803, 1806,1807,1808. (GenLib.com) However, the 1820 Habersham census shows Littleton and family there. 100100 201000 -1 The land on which he settled is located on top of a hill overlooking the Grove River, about 4.5 miles from Homer, GA, in present day Banks County. The foundation of the house is still there. The remains of the house burned down in the 1980's. The house was unusual in that it had a living area with bedrooms and a parlor, and a big fireplace. The kitchen was not in the house. The kitchen was built near the spring, and was accessed through a breezeway connected to the main house. The spring still flows. The Meeks Family Graveyard is there. Most of the tombstones are badly worn, but an inventory of the burials and a map of the graves is preserved. The deed to the graveyard assures that it will forever remain in the Meeks family. The site was visited by John Douglas Meeks II in 1997 and by Robert L. Meeks in 1999. In 1818 the Tugalo Association of the Baptist Church in Georgia was established by pastors from the Nails Creek, the Line, and Leatherwood Churches. The History of Georgia Baptists reported that pastors like Littleton Meeks and his misssionary work among the Indians contributed greatly to the growth of the Baptist Church in Georgia. A flourishing church, situated on the Hightower River, was constituted and kept up the Reverends Dozier Thornton, Littleton Meeks, and Thomas Johnson, who endured great deprivations and hardships in this service. Littleton was pastor of the Grove Level Baptist Church 1838-1841. The original cornerstone and a plaque in his honor are located in the basement of the present building. Littleton preached many times at the Line Baptist Church (founded September 13, 1802 by Moses Saunders) in Franklin County. According to records of the Line Baptist Church he was pastor from 1810 for "the next thirty-five years. This may be in error. The same history says "The family of Littleton Meeks traveled from Perth, Scotland to England to Virginia. He was baptized in the Danville River, in Danville, Virginia. He came to Flat Rock (near Union Hill Church) in Banks County, via the Carolinas. He is buried between Maysville and Homer." When the Line Church celebrated 150 years of service, C.A. (Columbus A.) Meeks, Littleton's great-great grandson, spoke. The 'Line' was the line that separated the settlers from the Indian lands. He had to be out of the area before dark or the Indians would have killed him. Littleton preached the last sermon at the Tinswattse Mission Church before the Cherokee left on the "Trail of Tears". The Latter Day Luminary, an early Baptist Journal, quoted its editor as saying, "Our brethern in Georgia, particularly of the Sarepta Mission Society, are directing their attention also towards the Cherokees, and we are happy to hear favorable accounts from their labours." These sentiments were repeated in the 1818 report of the Triennial Convention's board. Thomas Johnson and three others were appointed by the Sarepta Mission Society to preach to the Cherokees for twelve months in 1818-19. Although the 'three others" are not named, it is virtually certain that they were Littleton Meeks, Dozier Thornton, and John Sandidge. Littleton Meeks and Benjamin Cleveland were "officers of the meeting" of the Tugalo River Association held at Double Branches in Franklin county in 1821. Briefly in 1825, Littleton was a missionary to the Creeks. in the same year, he was appointed as superintendent of the Tinsawattee station, with instruction to visit Duncan O'Bryant once each quarter. He was to be renumerated eight dollars per trip. The federal government set aside $250 annually for the Tinsawatte school. It is said that the station cost $282. annually, including the quarterly visits of the superintendent. A hundred- mile round trip consuming the better part of a week would surely have cost eight dollars in the mid-1820s. During the spring of 1825, the Tinsawatte school was moved, according to Meeks, "about eight miles down the High- tower (Etowah) river, "by consent of council" , but its name was not changed. [see Letters of Littleton Meeks to Jesse Mercer] Littleton was pastor of the Nails Creek Baptist Church (the oldest church in Tugalo Associatian) in 1836, and perhaps earlier. Their history relates that Littleton was always referred to as "Daddy Meeks", never as "Brother Meeks". In 1840, Liddleton Meeks is shown in the census of Franklin County (pg 339). males 000000001: females 0010000001 Littleton's brother Nacy (Ignatius) was also a Baptist preacher in the area. He was minister of the Estanolle Primitive Baptist Church. Nacy removed to Tennessee and later to Tippah County Mississippi. In the 1850 census of Habersham County GA he is shown as L.M. Meeks age 84 b. SC and Elizabeth is shown age 82 b. SC. I would suggest the census enumerator asked them where they were from, instead of where were they born. Littleton was a member of the Masonic Temple. Littleton was physically unable to preach for several years prior to his death. The minutes of the Camp Creek Church state: " February 8, 1851, at night, Littleton and Elizabeth Meeks were received by letter". Littleton died September 22, 1852, aged 86 years, at the home of his son Nacy, in Franklin County. He is buried in the Meeks Family Graveyard. The inscription of his tombstone can still be made out, but is worn and rough. Elizabeth Ivey Meeks, his wife, died November 22 1857 at the home of her son, William Sheldon Meeks in Habersham County. Due to the winter weather, her body could not be taken back to the old family plot to lie alongside her husband. She is buried in the Davis Family Cemetery in Habersham County. There is no marker for her grave. from Sarepta BA (Baptist Association?) 1852 21st. (pg 5) "The Committee on Decease of Ministers report, viz: ..... "Also the death of our venerable father, Littleton Meeks, who. although not a member of our body, deserves this tribute of respect as one who took deep interest in our prosperity, and in the prosperity of the cause of our Divine Redeemer, in general. He spent about 57 years in the ministry, and his many labors of love, which he preformed in a very humble, zealous and self-denying manner, will doubtless be long remembered by many of those who survive him. He died only a few days ago in the possession of a good hope through grace of a glorious immortality, and has, we trust, gone home in spirit, to reap a righ and eternal reward that will more than make amends of all the losses he sustained. I.H. GOSS, Chairman." Clarkesville BA 1853 Appendix B. pg 5 (August) "The committee on deceased ministers beg to report, That within the last year Bro. Littleton Meeks has been removed by death from his labors below. The subject of this notice was born in Virginia in the year 1766, came to Georgia when young, early in life embraced religion, soon thereafter commenced preaching, he spent about 57 years inthe ministry, and his labors of love was wonderfully blest, he was instrumental in building up many churches in the bound of his labors; his field was principally the upper part of So. Carolina and Georgia; he was a zealous missionary, rode and reached some time among the Cherokee Indians, baptized about thirty happy convicts (ie converts) among them. In recording this short notice, your committee feel impressed with this solemn declaration, "whatsoever we find for our hands to do, let us do it with our might, for the time cometh when no man can work, &c." For several years he was unable to preach, and was much afflicted. He died in November last in possession of a good hope through grace, of a glorious immortality; and we trust has gone home to reap a rich and eternal reward for all his labors in this world of trouble. Our loss is his eternal g gain. G.J. Rogers, Ch'n." compiled by Beverly Meeks Daly with thanks to John Douglas Meeks II, San Jose, Ca; Homer D Meeks, Dothan, Ala; Clema North, Bixby, Ok.; Nancy McGinty , Ga.; Lyn Fowler, North Augusta, SC; Robert L. Meeks, Carthage, Mo. ``````````````````` August 28, 1999 Fresno, Ca. Marjorie Perine says that Littleton's tombstone was inscribed by his grandson. ``````````````````` Document located in File II in the Preliminary Descriptive Inventory, Department of Archives and History, 330 Capitol Ave., S.E., Atlanta, GA 30334: "At the time of the end of the Revolutionary War, Littleton was sixteen years of age. He could neither read nor wirte and was taught by his wife, Elizabeth Ivey, after their marriage. He was very smart and very ingenious, regardless of "book learning. His grandson states that he remembers often of hearing his grandfather speak of being with a company of soldiers at the time of CORNWALLIS'S SURRENDER. He considered it an OUTSTANDING EVENT IN HIS LIFE. He was not enlisted with the Continental Army, however, but aided the cause in every possible way. He considered it a DUTY, and expected and asked for no remuneration (sic). This is a family trait-to be modest and unassuming. His grandson, John Wellborn Meeks, who is a resident of New Holland, and very much interested in the affairs of today, though ninety-four years of age, stated stated that he had held many offices, (and records show this to be a fact), but had never asked for a nomination, never asked for a vote and never been defeated. He thought this was nothing unusual and was thoroughly modest in the statement. This is in reference to himself and not his grandfather Li Littleton Meeks, but only shows the family characteristic. Littleton owned 190 acres of land in what was called Franklin County, - after his death, same was divided between his two sons Nacy and Jesse, who bought it from the estate. LITTLETON bought this land in 1803. After Littleton's marriage to Elizabeth Ivey, he learned to read and write, then studied "physics" and Theology, becoming a very well known preacher and doctor of that time. He often did Missionary work among the Indians. His record as a preacher is recorded in the "Georgia Baptist Convention Minutes" after 1847. Previous to this time, the records are kept with the Samuel Colgate Historical Association, Hamilton, New York. The fact that Littleton Meeks could neither read nor write is mentioned because, it could have been a factor in not making a claim to Revolutionary Services Bounty Land, although it is doubted. DUTY was his GOVERNING PRINCIPLE, and should not be rewarded. Living in the mountainous country also, could have been a factor in not making a claim, but this is also doubted. HE MOST CERTAINLY HAD A REVOLUTIONARY WAR SERVICE RECORD, according to John W. Meeks, whose word is to be accepted as true and correct: regardless of the fact that his name is not listed in the Washington files, which are very incomplete. William Sheldon Meeks, son of Littleton Meeks, married Rebecca Davis, daughter of Henry Davis and Peggy Stone. Henry Davis was a Baptist Preacher who made his home in Franklin County for many years, and is buried in the Davis Graveyard about three miles from Cornelia, Ga JOHN WELLBORN MEEKS, son of William Sheldon Meeks and his wife, Rebecca Davis Meeks, was born in 1833, married (1) Miss Carter, (2) married Lula Hollingsworth, daughter of John Hollingsworth, and was reared at the foot of YONAH MOUNTAIN. JESSE LITTLETON MEEKS, son of John Wellborn Meeks and LULA Hollingsworth Meeks was born ___ . married Ione Tumlin of Gainesville, Ga. MARION LITTLETON MEEKS, son of JESSE LITTLETON MEEKS AND IONE TUMLIN MEEKS. Aged five years. " - - - - - AFFADAVIT GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA I hereby certify that the mention of LITTLETON MEEK'S REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORD is TRUE AND CORRECT, SAME HAVING BEEN TOLD ME MANY TIMES BY JOHN WELLBORN MEEKS. (signed) Louise G_____ Harper (signed) R.G. McConnell - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Notary Public. The foregoing appears to have been written Gainesville, Georgia February 28, 1928. It was typed on an old typewriter and has some typographical errors x-ed out. BD Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/franklin/photos/bios/meeks432bs.jpg This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 19.0 Kb