| [BMeek.ged]On August 11, 1862, R.B. went to White Hall and enlisted as aprivate in Capt. Roodhouse's Company, later Co. G., in the91st Illinois Infantry.R.B. signed up for three years as amusician, a fifer.As a young man of twenty-one, this wasthefirst time he had been out of Greene County.In Sept. 8,1862, he was at Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois.Thecompany was sent to New Albany, Indiana, shortly after that.Like many of the soldiers, he had little natural resistancetodisease (sickness killed more soldiers during the Civil Warthan bullets), and the crowded living conditions and poorsanitation no doubt contributed to the spread of disease.R.B. spent most of Sept. and Oct. in hospital No. 6 with afever.He had recovered by December when his outfit wasmovedto the theater of war in Kentucky.On Dec. 28, 1862, he wascaptured at Rolling Fork near Colesburg (Galesburg?),Kentucky, but he was paroled sometime before Jan. 10. 1863,and reported at B. Barracks, Mo. on Feb. 25, 1863.As you can imagine, R.B. didn't find war what he imagined itto be.Shortly after April 1, 1863, R.B. gave up being asoldier and went A.W.O.L.I believe he returned home, whereafriend persuaded him to return to the army.He returnedvoluntarily to his outfit by June 17, 1863.In July, he wasfined $13.00 by order of Court Martial for being absentwithoutleave.He may have regretted his decision, for fromSeptemberthrough December, he was again sick in the Convalescent CampatCarrollton, Lea. (?)By January 1864, he was again back incamp.In March or April 1864 he was apparently fined $1.85 fordamageto camp and garrison stores.Perhaps this was the result ofthe loss of his knapsack (see below).His outfit was movedtoMobile, Alabama, to a fort that was part of the coastaldefenses,and that was where he was mustered out on July 12, 1865.About 1961, Grace Meek commented on the military career ofherfather.She mentioned that he was sick much of the time andmissed a lot of the action the 91st saw.He particpated in afew minor skirmishes and was under fire from a gunboat whilehe was at the fort at Alabama.Later he took his family tothat fort and proudly pointed out the damage from the shellsthat hit, though he honestly pointed out that he had not beenin much danger from the attack.The outstanding incident ofhis army career occurred one Sunday morning when he was sentforaging on a nearby plantation.(The Yankees called it"foraging;" the Rebels called it "chicken stealing.")Hegrabbed a couple of healthy-looking chickens about the timethe owner saw him and started taking pot shots at him.AsR.B. hightailed it back to camp, he decided his heavyknapsackwas hampering him.He swung it off and threw it to a Negrowoman sitting in a rocking chair on the porch of a shanty."Take this, Mammy," he called to her."I'll be back for it."He left without the knapsack or the chickens, and, of course,he never took the trouble to go back for either of them.Thatwas about the closest time R.B. was under fire during thewar.R.B. returned home in the summer of 1865.Rufus Meek, thenalmost four years old, remembered his homecoming.He camewalking down the lane and was spotted by his jubilant family.He built a home for himself at Cedar Hill, a lovely placenearan artesian well that always caught the cool breezes blowingthrough the woods.The country was still not completely tamed, though.Onenighthe heard what he thought was a woman screaming in acottonwoodby the nearby stream.He took a lantern and headed down tothe tree.When he looked up, he saw two yellow eyes and shotbetween them.A mountain lion fell dead at his feet.(The early settlers in the county didn't have doors on theircabins but put tables in front of the door operings at nightto keep mountain lions out.The dogs were terrified of them,and it was many years before they ceased to be a problem.)___________________________________________________________________The Following are Civil war letters: Two are from R.B. to hisfamily and one is from his parents (Thomas and Hannah) to R.B.:Fort MontgomeryBrownsville TexasFeb the 22ndDear BrotherI take my pen up this evening to inform you that I am well atpresent and hope these lines will find you the same.I received twoletters from you the day I arrived here which was the 11th and wasglad to hear you was all well and am much oblidged to you for theStamp you sent me for there is no such thing here as stamps.Yourletter was dated the 27 of Jan and the one I got from Father the 26thwhich I answerd two days since.Well Brother the news we get here about the war is nothing ofinterest and you need not expect a very interesting letter but I willtry and give you a description of the town and surrounding country.The town of Brownsville is a small place of about six hundredinhabitants which are chiefly mexicans or so called greasers and theyare very indolent and are not very enterprising.And the houses theylive in are mostly made of mud and raw hide or straw roofs on them.So you can judge this place don't look like our little villages in oldIll.We are camped on the bank of the riogrande river which is some largerstream than the Sangamo in Ill. but the water is some better to useand drink than the Sangamon.There is a small town over the riverright opposite from where we are camped called Hrotomora and themexicans keep up a noise all night long dancing and with music whichis very nice to hear of an evening when all is still.I must tell youthere was a general review of the troops here to day by Gen. Heron inremembrance of the day of Gen. Washingtons death.There was only onedivision of troops on parade and our Brigade was not full on accountof some of the Regts going home who have reenlisted.We are in thefirst Brigade and I expect we will remain in it as long as we stayhere.To inform you I found the boys all in tolerable good health andthe most of them think the war will end in six months but I cant seeit yet but I hope so.I saw a letter from H. Turner to Joe Milnes andhe said he had heard that Lieut. Meek was coming home you can tell himthat he is ahead of times that I had not heard any thing of it myselfand expect to stay my time out if the war lasts that long.Well Imust bring my letter to a close for the boys want to go to bed. TellFather and Mother I am well and send my love to them and wish them towrite and you must write as often as you can and tell Webster to giveme all the news.Give my best wishes to all the family and acceptthis from your affct. Brother R.B. MeekDirect to Brownsville Texas.Please write soon1863Brownsville TexasMarch the 28Dear SisterI received your kind letter and was very glad to hear from you thatyou were all well and these lines leave me in good health at presentfor which I am very thankful.Sister there is no news of any interest and therefore you will notexpect a full letter. To inform you the boys are all well and are ingood spirit about the war the general opinion is that peace will bemade in six months and I hope it will. I was much surprised to hear ofJimmy enlisting but I hope he will have good health and live to returnhome to the dear ones left behind. To inform you I wrote to Cj abouttwo weeks since and told him all that was going on here and I am gladto hear of him getting good wages there was two of the boys startedhome on furloughs a few days since one was Al Heaton and I did not seehim start for I was out on guard. Lieut Pierce arrived here last nightfrom bicks and he thinks that the war will not last long. Well sisterI can't think of much to write you must tell Allice I Send her a kissand wish I was there to give it to her and also Little kate I oftenthink of them and Belle too and all the children. Tell them all to beobedient to their ever kind parents and theirs shall be the betterpart give my love to sisters and also to mother and father who are sodear to me please write to me often for letters are always acceptabletell Carrie to write and accept this letter from your affect......(Note: the letter is incomplete part of the last page is torn away andmissing)(Reverse side)In Camp Near two Mile CreekMobile Ala, July 7th 1865New Providence Greene Co Illinois.(Letter side)March 11 Carrollton 1865D.rHon Robert B. Meek.your last kind letter we only received and was glad to hear you waswell: we all at preasent are in tollerable health. Thank God for it.it is our bounden Duty to serve him and keep his Commandments, whichare not grievious but pleasant: and the End their of is eternal life:as Joseph T.R. has wrote to you I shall conclude by saying we stillremain your affectianate parents.Th.s Meek. Hannah Meek.time hurries on your period of Service will soon be out.you aremuch needed at HomeTaken from "Preliminary Report" Document National Tribune Form No.22for Beneficiary for veteran pension. (Civil War Veteran)National Tribune Form No.22.The Solemn Duty of Married Soldiers.IT does not follow as a matter of course, if a man was a soldier, evenif he is a pensioner, that it will be an easy matter for his widow toget a pension.As a matter of fact widows' claims are unnecessarilydelayed, and in some cases never allowed for lack of evidence, whichthe husband, usually, could have supplied during his lifetime.This important matter has been discussed, from time to time, in thecolumns of The National Tribune, and has been made the subject oforders by Commanders-in-Chief of the Grand Army, but every appealheretofore was deficient in one essential particular:no safe andpermanent place was suggested for the custody of the information.The National Tribune Co., in a practical way, proposes to supplythis deficiency.In a fire-proof room, in its own building, and underlock and key to ,insure privacy, it will care for such papers andinformation until such time as they may be needed, even if such timeis many years distant. The National Tribune Co. is incorporated.Having a perpetual existence, the death of the present managers of theCompany will not disturb the business or change the custody of thepapers.No safer place in the world can be found for the purpose.But The National Tribune will go further in this commendable work. Itwill assist in getting in shape the proofs and information required.The first step for every comrade is to answer the few simple questionsthat are printed below under the heading " Preliminary Report."Thisreport will disclose the case and enable The National Tribune tocomplete all the proof required.There will be no charge whatever for this service, but it will beexpected of every comrade that he will call the attention of othermarried comrades to this matter and influence them to do likewise.Noother missionary work among comrades can be productive of more good.Many comrades who are not subscribers to The National Tribune will notlearn of this important service if subscribers do not call theirattention to it.Extra blanks will be sent for distribution uponrequest.All comrades are requested to make the Preliminary Report,including those who have married since June 27, 1890.Comrades who attend to this matter promptly will be taking the bestpossible step toward securing for their widows the higher rate ofpension.Preliminary PeportTo aid my widow, if I leave one, in getting her pension,NOT.-Be sure to write the names and dates clearly and distinctly. Whenreport is ready mail it to THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, Washington, D. C.If uncertain about dates, leave them blank.The report will beuseful if only partially filled out.Dates of marriage, ages, etc.,are absolutely required.Soldier's Name: Robert B. Meek, Present P.O: Carrollton,State: Illinois.I was in the service from 11 day of August, 1862, tothe 12 day of July, 1865, as a Private Co. G 91st Regt,and was honorably discharged at Mobile Alabama, on the 12 day of July,1865.Are you a pensioner? Yes. At what rate? $6 per month.Were you pensioned under the old law or new? Act of June 27, 1890.I was married to Mary J. Crane on the 2 day of September, 1872by J.J. Gardiner, at Carrolton Illionois.I was born on 18 day of January, 1842.She was born 14 day of March,1853.Is there a court or church record of this marriage? Yes, a courtrecordWere either of you previously married? YesIf a prisoner of war, state for how long 24 hoursCarrollton, Illinois, Thursday, October 9, 1913from THE PATRIOTA FARM WITHOUT A TRANSFERFarms that have been owned and tilled by successivegenerations, and handed down from father to son since theywere first put under cultivation, are somewhat rare in GreeneCounty, not withstanding it is less than one hundred yearssince the first settlement was made.In these days much issaid about a "back to the farm" movement, but we hear littleabout the steady-going families who have stuck to the farm--the same farm--from seventy-five to ninety years, and whohave, by their very stick-to-itiveness, done much for thedevelopment, stability and general thrift of the country.Itis the purpose of this article, and of some others that aretofollow from time to time, to tell about such families andtheir farms in Greene County.Cedar Hill farm, three miles north of Carrollton, hasbeenowned and operated by three generations of the Meek family,and is furnishing sustenance to the fourth generation, notyetable to take an active interest in farming operations.Ithasbeen the Meek homestead for more than ninety years, and nodeed has ever been made to it except the original "patent"from the United States Government.Thomas Meek came from Yorkshire, England, toEdwardsville, Illinois, in 1820.In 1821--the same year inwhich Greene county was organized and Carrollton platted--hecame to this country, having arranged at the land office inEdwardsville for the purchase of the southeast quarter ofsection 34-10-12.He made a little clearing in the timberandbuilt a double cabin, one end logs, the other covered inshortclapboards, hewn out from the timber.The following winter Mr. Meek received his patent tothe land.The document was dated June __, 1822 and wassignedby James Monroe, president of the United States.Thatdocument is still preserved, and is the only deed that hasever been executed to the property.It was in that double cabin that Robert B. Meek, thepresent owner of Cedar Hill farm, was born nearly seventy-twoyears ago--in Janury 1842.Mr. Meek grew up on the farm andattended school at the Hopewell school house--then a brickbuilding which stood south of the cemetery, instead of northof it.He recalls many interesting incidents of his boyhood,including his "discovery" of the telegraph line, which wasbuilt in the late '40s or early '50s along the State road.Heand another boy, while going to school one day, noticed abuzzing sound, and began to hunt for a bee tree.Theydecidedthat the bees must be located in those tall poles along theroad, but it was a long time before they learned what reallycaused the buzzing.Mr. Meek says that in his boyhood dayshecould have set out cross country to the Illinois riverwithoutencountering a fence.In August, 1862, the Son Robert, a young man of 20years, enlisted as a private in company G, 91st Illinoisvolunteers, and served to the close of the Civil War,participating in some of the important engagements.Theirwarexperience led many young men into roving.When young RobertMeek came home, he had made up his mind to leave the old homeand strike out for hmself.But his father, who was growingfeeble, begged him to stay on the farm, and he finallyconsented.Both his father and mother died the followingyear--1866.A Patriot scribe visited Cedar Hill farm recently.Theplace sets back a half mile west from the state road and isapproached by a private lane.People who pass on the mainhighway get no view of it, and would hardly imagine that sucha place of such picturesque beauty is so near.The housestands at the crest of a long ridge that slopes toward aravine.In the picture given here there is a clover field infull bloom in the foreground, while the house over on thehilljust shows its gables through the foliage of trees.Therearegroups of cedars on the hillside, and timber in the distantbackground.Mr. Meek, who has a keen appreciation of thebeauty of the place, has been seeking in vain for some oneable to make a panoramic photograph in the natural colors.Anything short of such a picture, taking in a long stretch ofridge and ravine, with all the delicate shadings of green, isunsatisfactory.Over beyond the house, at the foot of another hill isan unfailing spring of good water.A few years ago Mr. Meekinstalled a water system of his own with that spring as thebasis.He planted an hydraulic ram some yards below thespring, and the water flowing through the ram furnishes thepower that lifts one-seventh of its volume through a pipe, upthe hill and into a small reservoir in the kitchen.That isto say, of every seven gallons flowing from the spring, onegallon is automatically lifted to the house.The balanceflows on down through another pipe to a large cement stocktank, conveniently placed where the farm animals from anyfeedlot or field on the farm can have easy access to water.Theoverflow from the house supply is piped to another cementtankin the barn lot.Everything about the place seems to havebeen planned for convenience and comfort.Mr. Meek has been very successful in growing smallfruits of high quality, and has a small peach and appleorchardof very choice varieties.He declares, however, that nofarmer is justified financially in growing fruit on any landthat will produce corn.Mrs. Meek takes great interest in her flock of finechickens, and the profit in these is unquestioned.A highly prized souvenir of Civil War times wasbroughtout for inspection.It was the silk flag that was presentedto company G, 91st Illinois, at Manchester in 1862.It wasnot taken to the battlefields, but a half century has reducedit to a filmy, silken gauze and toned down its strong colors,just as time has healed the wounds and obliterated the scars.Mr. Meek is proud of that flag.Some years ago a young lawyer ambitious for business,came to Carrollton.While waiting for clients he worked upanabstract business.He tried to convince Mr. Meek that heshould fortify the title to his farm by securing a completeabstract covering all the transfers.Mr. Meek brought outtheoriginal land patent, signed by James Monroe, and suggestedthat if the young lawyer could produce any transfers eitherbefore or since, he would be interested.The abstracterchanged the subject.Mr. Meek is the last survivor of twelve children, allbut one born on the farm.The eldest was born in England.Mr. Meek has now turned the active managment of the placeoverto his son, Mewburn Meek, and he and Mrs. Meek left Tuesdaytospend the winter in the South.When they return in thespringit is probable they will come to town to live.NOTE: R.B. Meek finally did have a panoramic view of CedarHill Farm taken.It is a black and white photograph about 12inches high and almost three feet long.It is in thepossession of Arnold Meek, who still lives on the originalhomestead.Cedar Hill Farm took its name from the long rowofcedar trees that grew along the drive to the house.MarkCarmody, who later owned the property, cut them all down.R.B.'s first wife, Fannie Norton, died in childbirth.Thechilddied as well. They are buried in the same grave in the familycemetery.__________________________________________________________________From the Greenfield Argus--May 27, 1921. . . centennial celebration which was held on Wednesday oflast week on the R. B. Meek homestead in memory of its beingahundred years since Thomas Meek, an early pioneer who camefrom England in 1821 to this country, landing at New Yorkharbor and thence from New York to Philadelphia, travelingpartly by flatboat and horse trains over the mountains andprairies to Edwardsville in Madison county, where he spentthewinter.Mr. Meek entered 160 acres of land from thegovernment and in the spring moved to what is now a portionofGreene county, 4 1/2 miles north of Carrollton.The original160 acres of land entered has not changed hands, being lefttothe only surviving son, R. B. Meek, who is now eighty yearsofage.Several of the old Civil war veterns, of which Mr. Meekwas one, were present.A short program was rendered in theafternoon to which the general public was invited.Also afewold relics were shown, some of which were the following:Aspinning wheel and loom used by Robert Meek's mother, a chestwhich was brought from England, two dishes, the design ofwhich represented the castle to which there is a storyattached, and those who are familiar with antique stories oflong ago possibly remember it.An old fashioned clock withweights, which is over ninety years of age, was alsoexhibited.The gun and canteen which were used in the Civilwar by Mr. Meek, are unlike the modern firearms and canteenoftoday.There was a gourd about the size of an ordinarycooking kettle, holding about a gallon of water.It wasgrownon the old homestead.The certificate, or deed, which waspresented Mr. Meek by the government and signed by JamesMonroe himself during his presidency, was also shown, andmanyother things of interest.After the program both relativesand friends departed to their respective homes after havingspent a most pleasant time at this very rare anniversary.Carrollton, Ill.MEEK FARM, 1821FAMILY CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL OF SETTLEMENT HEREThomas Meek Received Patent From President Monroe--His Son,Now 80, Host at Celebration.One hundred years ago President James Monroe signed a"patent"conveying to Thos. Meek a certain tract of land in section34,in what is now Carrollton township.That tract became theMeek homestead, and has remained for a full century the homeof the Meek family, "unto the third and fourth generation,"and it is now known as Cedar Hill Farm.That original deedfrom Uncle Sam occupied a place of honor at the centennialcelebration held at the Meek home, three and a half milesnorth of twon, on Wednesday of last week.More than 200 people attended the celebration.R. B. Meek, now 80 years of age, son of the farm'sfirst owner, was host of the occasion, and receivedcongratulations upon having found his home in such a pleasantspot and remained to enjoy it for four-score years.Beside the original deed, a number of family heirloomswere on exhibition, and excited the wonder of the youngergenerations.At the noon hour a picnic dinner was served,cafeteria style, the menu including sandwiches, pickles, icecream and cake.The number of cakes provided suggested theidea that those who prepared the feast had undertaken torepresent the occasion by an even hundred of them.Dr. Christie Galeener delivered an address, sparklingwith wit and full of wisdom.Pointing to the old spinningwheel, in the display of heirlooms, he spoke of the slow andlaborious method by which home-made clothng was produced inpioneer times."And yet," said he, "it seems they wore moreclothes then than many of our very fashionable people wearnow."He referred to some of the very enjoyable socialeventsof those early days, the house and barn raisings, thelyceums,etc.Little Lucy Ruth Frech, welcomed the guests to CedarHill in a pretty little speech.Mrs. Howard Burns gave a reading, "Sunset in theOrchard," that gave an effective touch of pastoral sentimentto the occasion.W. A. Caldwell of Chicago, a nephew of Mr. Meek, hascomposed an original song, "The Centennial of Cedar Hill,"which was sung and proved a great hit.Mr. Caldwell alsoreadan original poem, "Thomas, the Flyer," that carried T. M.Meekof Rockbridge away back to his childhood days.Mrs. L. F. Gimmy gave an appropriate recitation,"EarlyDays."Jno. Lang showed that he had not forgotten how byreciting two humorous selections.Miss Grace Meek gave two guitar solos that fitted intothe old-time program--"Annie Laurie" and "'Till We MeetAgain."The benediction by Rev. G. E. Smock closed theprogram, and an hour or two of social visiting followed, andthen refreshments.During the afternoon a mahogany, gold-lined loving cupwas presented to Mr. and Mrs. Meek by the relatives.Mr. Meek was a member of Company G, 91st Illinoisvolunteers during the Civil War.Of his old comrades therewere present at the celebration, F. F. Clark, W. W. Clark,N. F. Smith, Jesse Alred of Manchester; A. H. Woods ofCarlinville; David Lemon of White Hall.Walter Kelley,another old soldier, but not of the 91st, was also present.Among those present from a distance were Mr. and Mrs.W. A. Caldwell and Mrs. Emma Colby of Chicago; Mrs. JudsonCrane, Mrs. Pearl Bridges, Melbourne and Walter Davis ofGillespie; and Mrs. Jennie Coultas of Virden; and quite anumber of relatives and friends from Manchester, White Halland Rockbridge.NOTE:David Meek was supposed to give the speech with LucyRuth Frech Andrews, but he got something on his white suitandrefused.___________________________________________________________________Taken from article: "The 100th Anniversary" Carrollton Gazette-PatriotDate Unknown.The 100th AnniversaryOf the Meeks' Home Celebrated.On May the 18th at the "Meeks' Home" on "Cedar Hill" three and onehalf miles north of Carrollton was held a very important andhistorical celebration.The event marked the 100th anniversary of the passing of the title ofthe farm from the government to Thomas Meek, father of R.B. Meek.Theoriginal grant signed by President James Monroe, together with aspinning wheel and other heirlooms were on exhibition and were viewedby the large crowd present.Over two hundred people were present tooffer congratulations.At the noon hour a picnic dinner was served, cafeteria style, ofsandwiches, pickles and coffee also ice cream and cake.Some saidthey never saw so many cakes and sandwiches before in their lifetime.In the afternoon a program of speaking and music was given.Rev. Dr.Galeener gave the centennial address which was very much appreciatedby all.He spoke of the 'old spinn |
