Barzillai MEEK- Speculative lineage

I am still trying to work out the lineage of my Barzillai MEEK. I believe his parents to be Cornelius MEEK and Elizabeth TAYLOR. I am descended from Barzillai’s daughter Ann MEEK born Leigh (Lea) in 1822. Ann had an illegitimate daughter Harriet, and Harriet married twice, her first husband died and her second husband was James GRIFFITHS from Ruardean.

Working from the parish records for Ruardean some of which are now on this site (thank you very much for those) and the IGI I have managed to piece some things together which I hope are correct.

I think the earliest link is with Francis Meek (est birth date 1655) and his wife Margaret LAMB. Marriage from the IGI 15 Sept 1680 Ruardean.

Children:
Elizabeth bap 1681
Walter 1683
Francis 1690
Basil 1694

Basil MEEK bap 1694 married to Susanah WATKINS 22 Jan 1720

Children:
Francis 1721
Basil 1722
Elizabeth 1724
Prudence 1727
James 1729
Pricilla 1731
Amy 1734

James MEEK married Susannah TOLLISBY in 1763 and had the following children.

Bassel MEEK bap 14 Feb 1776 Mitcheldean
Cornelius MEEK bap 17 Oct 1766 Mitcheldean

However, I am wondering if Susannah was James MEEK’s second wife as there is a James MEEK married to Elizabeth having children in Ruardean up until 1755 as follows:

Jeremiah 1745
Joseph 1750
Pricilla 1755

Cornelius MEEK married Elisabeth TAYLOR 22 June 1790 in the Hundreds of St Briavels, Mitcheldean and had the following child:

Brzillai MEEK 1793 Mitcheldean – Barzillai married first wife Elizabeth JONES 12 June 1819 in Hundreds of St Briavels, Mitcheldean and they had the following children:

Ann 1822
Elizabeth 1826
Maria 1829
Charlotte 1831

If anyone can help confirm or otherwise any of the above please let me know

Regards
Jenny

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There are two marriages for a Barzillai Meek 1847 Dec 1/4 vol 11 p754 Westbury on Severn, 1848 Mar 1/4 vol 11 page 523 Westbury on Severn.

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Hi ( me again !)

I can find no further (prior) entries for MEEK or LAMB in ST Johns Ruardean, which I guess means spreading the net to English Bicknor, Herefordshire etc :-)

except there is a hint that Francis' marriage may have been transcribed as Charles Meek (??)

as I have said before your are very much in the "... balance of probability " area without further supporting papers or research.

good luck

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Julie and Slowhands

Thanks again for your contributions in trying to sort out my MEEK bunch.

As my post title suggests, it is speculation as I have no actual proof that Cornelius is Barzillai's father other than that provided by the IGI until I find his birth in parish records. As you say Slowhands I am stuck with "balance of probability".

Julie, I know there were other Barzillai Meeks around in Ruardean at the time but they were younger than mine and I think the other marriage you found is one of these but thank you for taking the time to search for me, it is much appreciated.

From the parish records listed on the site for Ruardean it looks as though most of them are related in some way in any case, the trick is to work out how.

Thanks and regards

Jenny

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.. and me again

Going back to the Bishops Transcripts ( Ruardean) I think I overlooked these MEEK "twigs".

Mar March 1617 Walter MEEK to Ann
Bur May 1617 Francis MEEK son of Walter
Bur March 1662 Walter MEEK

Mar June 30th 1663 William MEEK to Jane SMART
Bur October 15th 1667 Jane MEEK

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I also have a Barzillai Meek connection as follows on this recently obtained Marriage Certificate:
Hope Mansell, Hereford
1839 Jul 30th Abraham Sterrey, 20, Bachelor, Miner, Lea Bailey, Father: Thomas Sterrey, Tailor & Eliza Meek, 19, Spinster, Lea Hill, Father: Barzillai Meek Lime Burner. Wit: William Sleeman, Ann Meek.

The 1851 census gives Eliza's place of birth:

1851 census
East Dean
Abraham Sterry, Head, 31, Coalminer, Mitcheldean Gloucestershire
Eliza Sterry, Wife, 31, Lea, Herefordshire
George Sterry, 10, Scholar, Dean Forest Gloucestershire
Thomas Sterry, 9, At home, East Dean, Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Sterry, 5, At home, East Dean, Gloucestershire
Isaac Sterry, 3, At home, East Dean, Gloucestershire
Henry Meck 59 Ruardean, Gloucestershire, England Lodger unm Quarryman

Anyone got access to Lea, Herefordshire baptisms for this period? They're not in the IGI. All help gratefully received.

Cheers

Robert Sterry
Australia

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Hi Robert

I think my Barzillai Meek could be the same one as yours. My Barzillai was also a lime burner and had a daughter called Ann Meek. I am a descendent of Ann Meek. I see Eliza had an Ann Meek as a witness at her marriage.

I don't have any knowledge of an Eliza Meek but it could be my Ann's older sister. My Ann Meek was born in 1822 in Lea. Her parents were Barzillai Meek and Elizabeth Jones. Details of their marriage from the GFSH marriage index. Barzillai Meek of the Hundreds of St Bravails and Elizabeth Jones of the Hundreds of St Bravails who married 12 June 1819 in Mitcheldean. It is possible that Eliza could be their first child. Barzillai's first wife Elizabeth died in 1837 and Barzillai married again to Hannah Cowmeadow in 1842.

Do you think we have a Barillai Meek in common?

Regards

Jenny

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Hello Jenny,

a belated question on the Meek's of Ruardean. Did you manage to find out any more details on James Meek who married Elizabeth.....? and had 6 children baptised in Ruardean between 1741 and 1759?
I am working one strand of my wife's family tree that takes me back to Proscilla Meek who married John gagg 5 sep 1775 at Ruardean.
Priscilla gagg died in 1822 aged 69, so this sets her dob as approx 1753 - therefore is almost certainly the dau of James & Elizabeth bap 7 Sep 1755. (and not the dau of Basil Meek bap 1731)
The James Meek in question is not the son of Basil either, as he was bap in 1729 and James / Elizabeth' s children started in 1741/2.

Have you managed to find the baptism of this elusive James or his marriage to Elizabeth?

many thanks.....Danny

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Hi Jenny & Danny

I have a Priscilla Meeek baptised 30.9.1753 Ruardean, who married John Gagg 5.9.1775. Priscilla was the daughter of George Meek & Margaret for whom I have not been able to find marriage details. George Meek baptised 15.8.1714 & Margaret had 9 children, the first of whom Lydia was baptised 25.10.1740. My Marfell connection is that their second daughter Lucy baptised 27.3.1743 married John Marfell. George & Margaret are also great grandparents via their son George to Emma Meek who married Thomas Marfell.

John Gagg & Priscilla nee Meek had 6 children including John baptised 15.1.1786 who married Mary :

1851 Census Ruardean Hfd.
Ross - Ruardean page 24
John Gagg 65 Farmer Ruardean
Mary 59 Lydbrook
John 14 Ruardean

I also have a Berzillai Meek born 1823 who married Mary Ann Sterry 23.1.1848 Forest Church Drybrook. Emma married Tom Brain 10.3.1881 also Forest Church Drybrook. Tom being son of Benjamin Brain & Elizabeth Meek. Benjamin being son of James Meek & Ann An interesting thing about Benjamin & Elizabeth's family is that they had a Thomas & a Tom as you can see from the 1871 Census. Tom had married Emma by the 1881 Census :

1851 Census
BRAIN Benjamin 39 Collier Ruardean
Elizabeth 34 East Dean
James 7 Scholar East Dean
Edwin 7 Scholar East Dean
Elizabeth 5 Scholar East Dean
William 4 East Dean
Anne 3 East Dean
Joseph 1 East Dean

1861 Census East Dean RG9 1754 200
Benjamin 50 Coal Miner East Dean
Elizabeth 45 East Dean
James 17 East Dean
Edwin 17 East Dean
Elizabeth 15 East Dean
William 14 East Dean
Anne 13 East Dean
Joseph 11 East Dean
Benjamin 9 East Dean
Mary Ann 7 East Dean
Alice 5 East Dean
Edward 4 East Dean
Thomas 3 East Dean
Clara 1 East Dean

1871 Census East Dean 2597/49
Benjamin Brain 59 Coal Miner Harry Hill
Elizabeth 54 Drybrook
Joseph 21 Coal Miner Harry Hill
Benjamin 18 Coal Miner Harry Hill
John 15 Coal Miner Harry Hill
Tom 13 Harry Hill
Clara 11 Harry Hill
Thomas 4 Harry Hill

1881 Census
Dwelling: 44 House Harry Hill
Census Place: (Westbury On Severn) East Dean, Gloucester, England
Ref RG11 Piece 2521 Folio 101 Page 24
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Benjamin BRAIN M 69 M Ruardean, Gloucester, England
Rel: Head
Occ: No Occupation
Elizabeth BRAIN M 65 F Ruardean, Gloucester, England
Rel: Wife
Joseph BRAIN U 31 M East Dean, Gloucester, England
Rel: Son
Occ: Coal Miner
Benjamin BRAIN U 29 M East Dean, Gloucester, England
Rel: Son
Occ: Coal Miner

1881 Census
Dwelling: 54 House Harry Hill
Census Place: (Westbury On Severn) East Dean, Gloucester, England
Ref RG11 Piece 2521 Folio 102 Page 26
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Tom BRAIN M 28 M East Dean, Gloucester, England
Rel: Head
Occ: Coal Miner
Emma BRAIN M 20 F East Dean, Gloucester, England
Rel: Wife

Jim

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Hello again Jim,

It looks as though the Barzillai Meek born 1823 and married to Mary Ann Sterry is my Ann Meek's brother. He was the son of Barzillai Meek and Elizabeth Jones. Thank you for the extra information on his marriage.

Regards
Jenny

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thanks to both Jim and Jenny for your replies.

Unfortunately it gives me another of those 'which one was it' questions.

As you know, Priscilla Meek married John Gagg at Ruardean on 5 Sep 1775, witness francis Meek. And, based on death of Priscilla Gagg on 7 Aug 1822 aged 69. This gives two candidates:-
a) Priscilla Meek b 30 sep 1753 to George and Margaret. This is on transcribed parish records but curiously is the only sibling omitted on IGI.
or b) Priscilla Meek b 7 sep 17555 to James and Elizabeth.

I note there were deaths of Priscilla Meek on 28 Jan 1755 and another on 23 Oct 1766, but without age info is not much help.

I have not yet checked the original parish records, but do you have any evidence or clues to help pick the correct Priscilla Meek?

many thanks......Danny

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Hi Danny,

I haven't managed to find any more information on a baptism or marriage for James Meek married to Elizabeth as yet. If you find anything please let me know.

It looks as though the Pricilla in your wife's tree if the one suggested in Jim Ashton's reply born 1753 to George Meek and not the Pricilla born 1755 to James and Elizabeth.

Regards and good luck with your research.

Jenny

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Danny

It is difficult to be 100% accurate with details in this era, but in my Family Tree Priscilla Meek who married John Gagg baptised 25 Aug 1751 on 5 Sep 1775 was the daughter of George Meek 1714 & Margaret Teague 1718 who married 12 Nov 1738 Welsh Bicknor.

Priscilla was baptised as below:

Year: 1753
Month: Sep
Day: 30
Parents_Surname: MEEK
Child_Forenames: Prisila
Fathers_Forenames: George
Mothers_Forenames: Margaret
Mothers_Surname:
Residence:
Occupation:
Officiating_Minister: Edward KIDLEY
Event: Baptism
Memoranda:
Notes: Dual page numbers in PR. Not in BT.
Register_Reference: P275 IN 1/2
Page_Number: 4049
Parish_Chapel: Ruardean

Jim Ashton

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Hello Jim

Thank you for this info - it ties in with where I got to in the end.

As an aside, a while ago I transferred my family tree data from the many charts I had built up, onto an electronic family tree. I took the opportunity to check and verify each item as I entered into the system. One of a number of errors I discovered in my previous work was that Elijah Meek, b. abt 1824, the son of Sarah Tippins and Moses Meek, was in fact Elijah Tippins, the base son of Sarah Tippins and bap 24 Aug 1823 at Drybrook.
Sarah married Moses Meek at the adjacent parish of Hope Mansell on 7 Oct 1823. Elijah was raised as, married as, and buried as, Elijah Meek.
This meant that my Meek thread from Elijah back in time was suspect and I had to break the thread on my previous work.

regards ....Danny

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Thank you Danny

I have just checked my Family Tree and find that I too had made a mistake with Elijah Tippins, but a different mistake, I had him as the son of William Tippins 1773 & Sarah Read 1778, who are of course the parents of Sarah Tippins 1803 who had Elijah as a base child.

I checked the PR and he is quite clearly shown as a Base Child, which caused me to wonder what led me to such a mistake - albeit I am not perfect and make them, like anyone else. There was no Census data to mislead me as Elijah is not shown with William Tippins 1773 in 1841, Sarah was already dead and William 1773 was with his son, also William 1807. William 1773 was dead before 1851. I checked my own PR data, gleaned the hard way in Gloucester Records Office before the advent of this site and I hadn't recorded it there. However, a fellow researcher had given me a file, made up entirely of Tippins Parish records and on there Elijah is shown as the son of William Tippins and Sarah Read, baptised on 24 August 1823.

1841 Census East Dean
Wm Tippins abt 1816 East Dean
Leticia Tippins abt 1816 East Dean
Eliza Tippins abt 1831 East Dean
Francis Tippins abt 1836 East Dean
Jane Tippins abt 1834East Dean
Mary Tippins abt 1837 East Dean
Sarah Tippins abt 1829 East Dean
Wm Tippins abt 1775East Dean (Father)

Luckily my family tree software makes changes easy, so I have just amended it.

Thanks again Danny

Jim Ashton

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The Lea baptisms are on the IGI. The batch number is C029801 and this covers 1705 to 1875. It is confusing because they have spelt Lea as "Leigh" and also because the Lea sometimes had bits in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire and for a long long time was in the Gloucester dioceses although it was in Herefordshire county. These are definitely the right records though as I found all my Bennett and Broadstock ancesters there.

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Many thanks Meg for your reply. Alas however it is only the marriages for Lea that are on the IGI for this time period ie 1820s. It is the baptisms I was after and they are only on the IGI up until 1704.

Robert

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On FreeReg, there are three Meek baptisms, all sons of James and Elizabeth MEEK

William, 2 Jan 1788

Richard, 27 Jan 1793

Thomas, 29 Spet 1795

There are also two daughters, baseborn to Anne MEEK at St. James the Great, Colwall. These are

Mary 1 Feb 1822

Anne 23 Oct 1829

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Herefordshire (Colwall) records

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pinks/index.htm

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