S Butler and S Hibbs Family History Our Family's Journey Through Time

Samuel Meade, Sr

Male 1708 - Bef 1784  (< 76 years)

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  • Name Samuel Meade
    Suffix Sr
    Birth 1708  Bucks Co, PA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male
    Marriage Record 10 Mar 1746  Bucks Co, PA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    - married Margaret (???) 1715 
    Death Bef 17 Jun 1784  Pittsgrove, Salem Co, NJ Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Person ID I930  Butler Family Tree
    Last Modified 6 Jun 2026

    Father William Meade, Sr,   b. 08 Jan 1658, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Oct 1716, Loudoun Co, VA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 58 years)
    Relationship natural
    Mother Elizabeth ???,   b. Bef 1685   d. Aft 1747 (Age > 64 years)
    Relationship natural
    Marriage 1700  Cecil Co, MD Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F123  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Mary Downey,   b. 17 May 1716, Bucks Co, PA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1758, Bucks Co, PA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 41 years)
    Marriage 25 Aug 1737  Fallsington, Bucks Co, PA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    Notes 


    • -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      found at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2WF-R2SK

      Event Type: Marriage
      Event Date: 25 Aug 1737 ****
      Event Place: Fallsington, Bucks, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America
      Event Place (Original): Fallsington, Bucks, Pennsylvania, United States
      Name: Samuel Mead
      Sex: Male
      Spouse's Name: Mary Downey ****
      Spouse's Sex: Female

      Source Details: P 245
      Digital Folder Number: 004034497
      Microfilm Number: 823996
      Image Number: 00562
      Originating System: EASY
      Indexing Batch: M01624-7

      Citing this Record
      "Pennsylvania Marriages, 1709-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2WF-R2SK : 6 February 2020), Samuel Mead, 1737.
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    Children 
     1. Elizabeth Meade,   b. Between 1735 and 1740   d. Between 1804 and 1810 (Age 69 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     2. Samuel Meade,   b. 1738   d. 1791 (Age 53 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     3. Benjamin Meade,   b. 1740   d. Mar 1810 (Age 70 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     4. Sarah Meade,   b. 1741   d. 1809 (Age 68 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     5. Rachel Meade,   b. Between 1742 and 1744, VA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1828, Bedford Co, VA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 86 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    Family ID F344  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 6 Jun 2026

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 1708 - Bucks Co, PA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 25 Aug 1737 - Fallsington, Bucks Co, PA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage Record - - married Margaret (???) 1715 - 10 Mar 1746 - Bucks Co, PA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - Bef 17 Jun 1784 - Pittsgrove, Salem Co, NJ Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Notes 
    • - on 3/10/1746 in Bucks Co, PA married Margaret (???) 1715

      ---- 1st wife Mary Downey died in 1758 - apparently they were divorced -- See Below

      dau Ruth Meade 7/20/1758 - 8/17/1822 NJ
      - on 4/25/1780 in Salem Co, NJ married Joshura Coombs 1757 - 1835
      - ** See their findagrave.com pages **
      dau Margaret Meade
      son Samuel Meade, Jr 1749 Loudopn Co, VA - 1791 Salem Co, NJ
      - on 9/2/1779 in Pittsgrove, Salem Co, NJ married Elizabeth Coombs 1761
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      found at found at http://yeahpot.com/gedcom/meaderichard/pafn05.htm#7002

      51. Samuel MEADE , Jr.
      In 1803 Quaker records, Samuel MEADE was reported guilty of fornication and disowned.
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
      son Richard Meade 1751 NJ - 5/13/1837 Ontario, Canada
      - married Parnell Sutton 1749
      - ** See his findagrave.com page **

      - Richard was disowned by the Soceity of Friends for serving as a Loyalist soldier with the West Jersey Volunteers during the Revolutionary War. His estate in Salem New Jersey was confiscated and sold on May 1779. In 1787 He was a grantee on a town plot at Beaver Harbour in New Brunswick, Lot #39 which was 10 acres. From there he travelled to Ontario. -- ** See Misc Docs **

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      found at http://yeahpot.com/gedcom/meaderichard/pafn05.htm#7002

      41. Samuel MEADE , Sr.

      Joined Lawrence Washington's Unit in the War with Spain 1730, which was not in tune with the Quaker peacefulness, making him a "flawed Quaker". Samuel wed Mary Downey at Falls Meeting, Bucks Co. PA and removed to Fairfax Co. VA 1740.
      Samuel MEADE left his wife Mary to go to the war in Spain, according to Falls MM records, and apparently they were divorced but we do not know what happened to her. A major tenet of the Quaker religion was nonviolence, and his participation in war was sufficient for the later accusations that he was not a true Friend.

      Samuel married again, to Margaret MEADE, and they went from Pennsylvania to Virginia in 1747, transferring from Falls Monthly Meeting (MM) to Fairfax Monthly Meeting. The family moved more than once among Cecil Co. Maryland, and Salem Co. New Jersey, all converging closely on the Falls of the Delaware River.

      Falls MM records for 1758 responded to an Inquiry on Samuel from Virginia: "and for some time after marriage behaved himself orderly, found the way too strait for him and gave himself a large liberty in the Follys and vices of the world. He left his wife and went of marriage with another. He enlisted in the service of the King in the last Spanish War." It was signed by Mahlon Kirkbride and James Mason.

      Samuel was disowned for disunity in 1759 at the request of Falls MM, which reported, "though he appeared to some degree a Friend, his conduct has been inconsistent with Friends' Principles."

      A letter directed to William Satterwaite living in Bucks Co. near the Falls of the Delaware, PA., Nov 30 1747/48, was written by William MEADE and signed, "I remain thy affectionate brother," with an addendum by Samuel MEADE: "William Williams is of the mind of selling his land, but David Potts will sell his if he can get a Chap. No more, by my love to thee and thy family and to mother. We are all well at present and I remain thy Loving Brother. Saml MEADE"

      Fairfax Co. Deed Book D, p. 549-52, Aug 1, 1764 "Samuel MEADE and Margaret MEADE his wife" to William Holmes, lease and release deeds of a tract of 180 acres "on and about the Kittockton Mountain on the drain of Secotom Branch, it being part of a larger tract conveyed by Bryan Fairfax Esq. to the above said Samuel MEADE by Good and Sufficient Deed bearing date the thirteenth day of October in the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Sixty one ..." mentions lines of John Hough, Samuel Coombs, and Thomas Gore.

      In 1776 census of Anne Arundel Co. Maryland, listed Samuel MEADE (whether the same or not?) head of household with 1 white woman, 6 white boys, 5 white girls, 1 negro man, 1 negro woman, and 1 negro girl.
      Samuel had 4 children by each wife.

      Society of Friends minutes in Falls, Bucks County, PA., Fairfax, Fairfax County, Va., Goose Creek, Loudoun County, VA., and Salem M.M., in Salem County, NJ., all have records of Samuel MEADE.

      In Falls MM, Salem County, NJ., Samuel witnessed marriage of -
      Rachel MEADE to William Carter in 1729
      Benjamin Brolssford to Martha Neel 3 Oct 1731
      John Ross to Lydia Hollingsworth, dtr of "Stephen on 11th day, 10th month, 1735
      James Neald of Makefield to Rachel Gregory on 3 Jan 1737
      John Headley to Sarah Bidgood 1738 (with wife Mary Downey)

      Marriage to Mary Downey records:
      Falls M.M. Quaker Records, pg 185
      "Whereas Samuel MEADE of Falls Township in the County aforementioned, having declared their intentions before several monthly meetings of the people called Quakers according to the good order ... amongst whose proceedings therein and having consent of parents, relatives, ... were allowed of by the said meeting ... their said intentions of the twenty fifth day of the eighth month 1737 ... taking the said Mary Downey by the hand did in a solomn mannor of only declare that he took her to be his wife and promising through the Lord's ... to be a loving and truthful husband untill death should separate them ... Signed Samuel and Mary MEADE. Witnesses: James Downey, Ann Humphman, William MEADE, Hannah and Elizabeth Warder, Wm. Hawkins, Martha Worrell, Rachel Janney, Hannah and Deborah Watson, Margaret Combe, Jane and Francis Hague, Richard Hough, Joseph White, Joshua Gore, Johnothan Palmer, Mahlon Kirkbride, Henry Paxson and others.

      Listed in colonial soldiers of the South under Major Lawrence Washington's District copy of poll records June 13, 1748 and is listed under Virginia Militia. Quaker
      Records from various meetings:
      Falls Quaker Men's minutes 4/10/1758

      Letter to Friends in Virginia states Samuel MEADE, while with Falls MM lost his wife and soon went out in marriage with another; enlisted in the service of the King in the last spanish war and continued a series of folly and vice.

      Falls MM 1758 pg 288-289, "The Friends appointed to write to Friends in Virginia respecting Samuel MEADE report they have done so. and sent their letter by a Friend of the Meeting within the company of which he resides... a copy of which letter being produced was read and is as follows,viz. ... Whereas Friends of Virginia have desired some comment of the behaviour and conduct of Samuel MEADE whilst among us ... these may inform you that he served his ... a Friend and during his apprenticeship and some ... behaved ... our religious Meetings and was admitted to marry among Friends and for some small time after marriage behaved orderly but soon found the way of Truth to strait for him and gave himself a large liberty in the follys and vices of the world. he left his wife and soon went out in marriage with another. He enlisted in the service of the King in the last spanish War and his whole conduct after seemed to be a continued series of folly and vice. Altogether inconsistent with the profession he made for which he deserved the censure of Friends but with his speedy removal from one place to another, prevented their dealing with him in a regular manner ... therefore, as he is settled amongst you, if he continues the same disorderly practice, I will not reform to make proper ... for his misconduct and since he came amongst you it is the mind of Friends that he be testified against, and not returned as one of our religious society ... signed by order in behalf of our Monthly Meeting at the Falls the 6th day of 1758 Mahlon Kirkbride and James Mason".

      31st of 3rd month 1759. "Samuel MEADE having resigned within the verge of this meeting for many years past and in some degree appeared as a Friend, though his common conduct and conversation have been inconsistant with Friends' principles, both here and in their part as well as in Pennsylvania which has been signified by Friends of the Falls MM, PA. By letter to this, in which they request that we should testify against him, which advice has been signified to him, by Friends here, and he had nothing to object against the same, but allowed it reasonable. Therefore this meeting appoints Francis Hoge and John Hough to draw a testimony against him".

      28 April 1759. "Samuel MEADE was disowned from the Society of Friends ...formerly of Falls but now of Goose Creek for disunity".

      30th of 6th month 1759. "Friends appointed have produced a testimony against Samuel MEADE which was read here and signed. Israel Thompson and Jacob Janney are appointed to show Samuel MEADE a testimony against him, report they have, which he had no objection against. The same is ordered to be read at the close of some public meeting of worship at Goose Creek by Jacob Janney".

      24th of 9th month 1759. "The testimony against Samuel MEADE was read. Samuel's wife, Margaret, and his children: Sarah, Richard, Samuel, Ruth, Margaret Jr., continued to be members of the Society and his son, Benjamin MEADE, left and re-entered the Society of Firends in Loudoun County, VA.

      Surviving Cameron parish records:
      Tithable list of 1765, pg 16, Samuel MEADE 4 tithables.
      Loudoun County, VA Deeds:
      1762 August 5 and 6 witnessed deed of John Patterson and Joseph Teel, pg 107 (P 302, 307) corner to Samuel MEADE and Samuel Combs line in Deed of John Hough and Samuel Hoge, Secolons Creek, Kittocktan Mountains.
      1768 April 8 - Samuel MEADE witnessed deed of John Patterson and David Foval
      Loudoun County Tax Rolls 1761, 1769, 1771, 1772
      Pennsylvania Gazette, March 21, 1765, item 35424: "A large and valuable plantation, containing about 2000 acres of land, well watered, situated about 12 miles from Leesburg. Also another plantation where on I reside, situated about 4 miles from Leesburg, containing about 180 acres, 50 of which is winter grain; there are sundry other improvements on said place, besides a good well, accustomed Tanyard, to be sold at reasonable rates,for ready money or short credit. By Samuel MEADE, on the last mentioned premises in Loudoun County, VA.
      Pennsylvania Gazette, Sept 25, 1782, "To be sold in the township of Pittsgrove and county of Salem in the western division of the state of New Jersey, a tract of land, containing 147 acres with good improvement on it and tanyard, in a good part for getting bark with good meadow made, considerable more may be made. Any person inclinable to purchase may know the terms by applying to Samuel MEADE on the premises. If the said tract is not sold before the 29th of October next, it will that day be put up for public sale".

      Court Records of New Jersey and Virginia
      6 Apr 1730 Hunterdon County, NJ - Samuel was witness for Timothy Baker's will as was his sister, Hannah Carter.
      17 Sep 1742 Fairfax County, VA Book A pp. 11-15, witnessed deeds of John MEADE
      17 May 1744 Book A pp 198-200, Samuel MEADE to John Poultney, sold cattle.
      15 Oct 1745 Book A, George Griffith to Samuel MEADE, tanner, ... cattle and farm equipment.
      7 Oct 1747 Book B p 280, Samuel witnessed indenture between John Colville and John Hough.
      Fairfax C.O. B. 1749:163 dated
      15 Apr 1751 pp 512-2, Bill of Sale of estate of Richard Shore by Frances Hogue, John Jough, Francis Hague and Samuel MEADE
      9 Sept 1751, Samuel appointed overseer of the roads from Thompsons according to the Act of the Assemby
      17Jun 1752, Book C. p 329-333, between Edward Hardin and Mahlon Kirkbride
      1 Apr 1752 Truro Parish, Va., p503-4. witnessed Thomas Evan's inventory, signed by Thomas McGeach, Sam. Mobley and Samuel MEADE.
      1752 Lawrence Washington's accounts pp 113-122 - Samuel MEADE
      19 Aug 1755 Book D. pp 128-130, An indenture between Francis Wilks, father, and John Wilks, son, land bought of Thomas Clowes. wit. Samuel MEADE
      13 Sep 1757 Loudoun County, VA., Book A, p 15, Listed as a tanner.
      1761 Trustees of the town of Alexandria, VA sold one lot formerly conveyed to Samuel MEADE on 20 Mar 1753, he not building according to Acts, reverted back to Trustees.
      12 Nov 1761, Loudoun Co. VA., Book A, p 538 - Samuel MEADE, Solomon Hoge, William Wildman, William Hatcher, Francis and Samuel Wilks, et al ...petition for a road to be opened "from Jacob Janney's to Andrew Adams' mill on Sekolon.
      13 Dec 1763, Loudoun Co. VA, Book D. pp 95-96, Indenture made between Samuel MEADE of county of Loudoun, Tanner, and Francis Wilks, Jacob Janney, Thomas Clows, Thomas Gore, Soloman Hoge, Samuel Coombs etc. witnesseth that Samuel MEADE in consideration for the esteem he bears for a school and good will to his neighbors hath granted one acre of land beginning at a Poplar in Edmond Phillips' line corner to said MEADE and Coombs land bought of Bryan Fairfax
      14 Feb 1764, Book B, p 271, Samuel MEADE acknowledges a deed of trust wherein he conveys lands to the use of Quaker Meeting, with Francis Wilks, Jacob Janney, Thomas Clews, Thomas Gore, Solomon Hoge, William Moreland, Samuel Coombs, Richard White, William Holmes and JeremiahFairhurst as the Trustees of the property.
      7-8th Aug 1765, Loudoun Co. Book D. part II pg 548-552, Indenture made between Samuel MEADE and Margaret, his wife, of one part and William Holmes ... part of a larger tract of land conveyed by Byran Fairfax...deed bearing date of 13 Oct 1761 and recorded in County clerk's office sale of 180 acres of land.
      24 Aug 1765 - Samuel MEADE of Loudoun Co. 195 acres on Kittockton Mountain and Secolin Branch in said county
      11 Apr 1764, Loudoun Co. VA, Bookk B. p 339 - Samuel and Francis Wilks "of Fairfax County, VA"
      1753-1754 - License as Ferry operator/owner
      1753-1754 - For tending the Goose creek Ferry and for being Keeper of an Ordinary at the public ferry crossing area.
      He was licensed in Fairfax County, VA as Administrator of Estates, Bailsmans and Juror
      16 Dec 1766 - Loudoun Co. VA., Book E pp 283-284 - Samuel MEADE, residing in New Jersey, gives Power of Attorney to John Wilks and William Baker to ask, demand, and receive all debts due and demands that shall be due to me.
      6 Mar 1770 - He identifies Benjamin MEADE as his son in a Loudoun Co. VA deed MEADE to MEADE Gift - between Samuel MEADE, Sr. of Salem Co. Province of West New Jersey, farmer, and Benjamin MEADE for the love and affection of my son and for the better support and maintenance"
      Sep 1768 - Salem Co. NJ - Samuel excused from Grand Jury
      New Jersey Rateables listed Samuel MEADE as having 125 acres and 3 horses in 1775.
      2 Nov 1776, Salem Co., NJ John Murphey of Pittsgrove, will inventory by Samuel MEADE, Sr.
      30 Nov 1782 William Loper's will inventoried by Samuel MEADE

      Samuel had no identified will but there is a recorded inventory of his estate in Trenton, NJ archives dated 12 Jun 1784. Wearing apparel, furs,horse, bridle, saddle, silver shoe buckles which totalled 129 pounds. Samuel MEADE, the administrator within named being duly sworn on the Holy Evangalist of Almighty God did dispose and say that Samuel MEADE within named died without a will as far as he knew and this was sworn at Salem, NJ on 17 Jun 1784.
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      found at http://yeahpot.com/gedcom/meaderichard/pafn05.htm#7002

      Margaret MEADE , Sr. ?? Sr. ??

      Margaret MEADE was condemned for marrying contrary to discipline. She must have made some restitution for her offense, for on July 2, 1747, she was granted a certificate to Fairfax MM, VA.
      Society of Friends:
      Falls M.M., PA 1746: Margarret MEADE sent a few lines signifying her sorrow on the account of her disoderly marriage and desired she may befavored with a few lines by way of a certificate to the Fairfax Montly Meeting in Virginia.
      10 March 1746: Margaret reported to have married contrary to discipline.
      2 July 1747: The Friends appointed to make inquiry concerning Margaret MEADE report that they made inquiry and find nothing to hinder her having a certificate and therefore one was drawn and signed.
      30 August 1747: Margaret was received on certificate dated 7 February 1747 from Falls M.M. in Pennsylvania to Fairfax M.M. in Virginia.
      20 April 1758: The Women's Meeting inquired to Margaret MEADE "How she stands clear of her daughter's out going in marriage.
      29 July 1758: The Committee reports Margaret MEADE is "clear on her daughter's marriage out of unity".
      08 August 1765: Margaret MEADE is identified on a deed as the wife of Samuel MEADE.
      26 October 1765 : Margaret MEADE, the wife of Samuel MEADE and three of her minor children, Ruth, Richard, and Margaret Jr. were granted certificates to Salem M.M. in New Jersey
      26 October 1767: Salem M.M. in New Jersey: Margaret MEADE, wife of Samuel MEADE from Fairfax, Loudoun County, Virginia for herself and three children: Richard, Ruth and Margaret
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      55. Margaret MEADE , Jr. ?? Jr. ??

      In Quaker records, 1801, Margaret MEADE was reported guilty of u nchastityand disowned.
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  • Sources 
    1. [S48] See Notes.

    2. [S43] Military documents.