Re: Family of James Meacham/Lucy Rugg in Williamstown, Mass.
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In reply to:
Family of James Meacham/Lucy Rugg in Williamstown, Mass.
valerie mcintosh 12/13/04
Not directly connected to James Meacham/Lucy Rugg, but the following might be helpful:
New York Genealogical and Biographical Record
October, 1934
Pages 391 and 392
The Meacham Family of Early Colonial Times (by)James W. Greene
125.James 5 Meacham (Jeremiah4/John3/Jeremiah2/Jeremiah1)
was baptized in Salem, Mass., March 18, 1733.His youth was spent in New Salem, Mass., where his parents were the first settlers in 1737.In September, 1755 he held a commission as "centinel" in the Company of Capt. Nathaniel Dwight which was raised in New Salem and went to the relief of Col. William immediately after the battle of Lake George.It is recorded that the route followed by this expedition led the troops through West Hoosic, Mass., not far from the site of Williamstown where James subsequently made his home for nearly 50 years.
He married Lucy Rugg at Hadley, Mass., on Jan. 23, 1756, and lived thereafter in New Salem until August, 1762 when he established his home upon a tract of 100 acres of land that he had purchased the previous year, in Williamstown.It is written that soon after his arrival he was fortunate enough to kill a bear which furnished his family with a welcome supply of "pork".This anecdote with many others is recited in his "Origins of Williamstown" (Chas. Scribner's Sons, 1894)by Prof. Arthur Latham Perry, from whom we also learn that James Meacham was one of the two original Deacons of the Church, a prominent land owner and a man of great public spirit and influence.
His military record in the Revolution consisted only of two brief periods of local service in 1779 and 1780.But he was an ardent supporter of Shay's Rebellion in 1789.
Children: 11 (Meacham) - (Williamstown Vital Records)
303.i. Hawkins b. March 24, 1757, at New Salem,died young
304.ii. Rhoda, b. Nov 13, 1758, at New Salem
305. iii. Annas, b. Aug 29, 1760, at New Salem
306.iv. Lucy, b. Sept 26m 1762, at New Salem
307.v. Elizabeth, b. April 22, 1764, at Williamstown
308.vi. Rebekah, b. Jan 2, 1766, at Williamstown
309. vii. Thankfull, b. March 2, 1768, at Williamstown
310. viii.James Hawkins, b.Dec 25, 1769,at Williamstown
311.ix. Jacob, b. Sept 22, 1771, at Williamstown
312.x.Jeremiah, b. Dec. 22, 1772, at Williamstown
313. xi.Israel, b. August 13, 1774, at Williamstown
This information written in 1934 certainly needs further research.My Meacham line, also published in the Record by Mr. Greene contains large errors.All of the children listed for my ancestor are wrong, per the family Bible which still exists and Mr. Greene, apparently, did not have access to........
Mary R M Nunneley
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Re: Family of James Meacham/Lucy Rugg in Williamstown, Mass.
valerie mcintosh 5/11/06