The search for Zadock and coming to the conclusion that he is indeed the father of my William Mears born 1770 and who married Christina Melton in 1796 in Guilford Co., NC has been a very long one when you consider that I started this back in 1968 when I was 16. It was about 3-4 years ago that I first heard of Cindy through another contact. It was at this time that the Bible record was mentioned, but due to circumstances at this time, we lost contact with Cindy and the actual information in the Bible record of Goldsborough Mears (gs/o Zadock Mears) was put on the back burner. During this time, I would eventually lose contact with the Miller/Mears descendant of Goldsborough that I was writing to. In the meantime, about 2-3 years ago, I did hear from V. Brian Anderson who sent some information that he had found on the Mears in Guilford Co., NC. By the way, Brian is seeking information on the Nancy Anderson who lived next door to Elizabeth Mears, the widow of Zadock in the early 1800's. This information was put in a file for future use should anything came forward to help it make sense where it would remain for over 2 1/2 years while I continued to work on my other lines. Then about a month ago, I saw Cindy's address and a mention of that 'mystery Bible record' again on Genforum so crossed my fingers and decided to write her. Sure enough to my surprise she answered and now I had a few pertient details to go on - details that would soon become very important and tie much of this together. So I started posting queries and,lo and behold, Brian Anderson wrote me back and put me in contact with his very knowledgable group which consisted of Marsha McWilliams,Vern and several others. The more we searched and worked together - the information suddenly just flowed. Then while searching common names, neighbors, etc, I came across a will which mentioned a Mears in it so I carboned the submitter, Dr. Parker Todd Preston. Much to my surprise, he writes me back the next morning and sends the Sharp will, see details below. This will helps to prove what I had already suspected, though didn't have the maiden name of Zadock's wife at the time, but this information even tied in with the Bible record that Cindy had copied in 1980's. Finally, the pieces fit. As a result, Cindy and I pooled our resources, put our gedcoms on World Connect, and have developed these web pages on the Mears family. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE what others who are researching the same area might have or know and DON'T FORGET to keep a close watch on those neighbors and witnesses! They have a habit of popping up again!
Caroline County, Maryland Wills Lib. JR#B fol. 25 & 26
Will of William Sharpe, of Caroline Co., MD
dated 22 Oct. 1784 probated 27 Aug 1785
- son, John Sharpe, 5 shillings
- daughter, Elizabeth MEARS, 5 shillings
- son, James Sharpe, 5 shillings
- grandson, William MEARS, son of Elizabeth, 40 shillings
- daughter, Ann Clark, 3 pounds
- son, Horatio Sharpe, 10 pounds
- wife, Ann Sharpe, Executrix and son Horatio Sharpe
- Executor: William "X" Sharpe
- Wit: Joseph Mullikin, Macc(abeus) Alford
On 27 August 1785, Ann Sharpe, Executrix of William Sharpe...did renounce her executorship.
MD Probate records 1777-1789
On 27 August 1785 Zadock Mears and James Waddle are listed as sureties for Horatia Sharpe
Caroline County, Maryland Administration Bonds, Lib. JR#A fol. 128
Zadock Mears - "one of the executors of William Sharpe, dec'd."
- Zadock signed his name while the other two signed with their marks
- Only other Mears listed in this period are William & Elizabeth Mears in the Sharpe Will
- Appears that at least the Sharpe family was living in the area around Hog Creek in southern Caroline Co., MD - between the present villages of Harmony and Bethlehem
- 1783 - Zadock is on Caroline Co., MD Tax list, only Mears listed
same vicinity as where Sharpe family lived!
Revolutionary Patriots of Caroline Co., MD, 1775-1783 by Henry C. Peden, Jr.
(Westminister, MD: Family Line Publications, 1998), p. 112MEARS, Zadock (Zedok)
- Private, Militia, 14th Battalion, Capt. Joseph Richardson's Company, by August 13, 1777
[Ref: M-154]- Ensign Militia, Capt Vincent Price's Company, July 24, 1780
[Ref: M-103, F-230, G-27]
- 1770 - Zadock Mears, with Solomon Camplin (Camper), security for estate of Stephen Sherwin
(Preg Court of Maryland records)
Insight:
After death of Stephen Sherwin, Stephen's wife, Philadelphia married Solomon Camper who died in 1774. Stephen Sherwin's land was located in Dorchester Co., MD. Philadelphia's maiden name was Frazier and she was d/o Benony Frazier and Cecelia Chipley. Stephen Sherwin was s/o Robert Sherwin and Mary James of Dorchester Co., MD. Now the Sherwin family connects with the Edgell and also the Cromean family. (Zadock would have a daughter who married into the Cromean family)(Also on theh 1840 Cannon Co., TN census, there are 3 James families within 10 families of my William F. Mears)
- 1777-1780 - Military Records, See Above
- 1778 - Zadock Mears buys land in 1778 from Henry Webster (Caroline Co., MD Deed Index - Book A, page 296)
- 1778 - "Zadock MEARS, Choptank 100" takes Oath of Fidelity, Caroline Co., MD
- 1783 - Caroline Co., MD Tax List
"Zadoc Mears. Gravelly Ridge, 50 acres. CA Lower Choptank District Hundred
p. 51. MSA S 1161-3-6 Location: 1/4/5/46 "
Insight:
Property called "Gravelly Ridge" of 50 acres was originally sold to Henry Webster.
References: BC14/251: BC 16/306. - Peter Wilson Coldham, Settlers of Maryland, 1751-1765, (Baltimore: Genealogical publishing Co., 1996), p.286.
"Henry Webster: Dorchester Gravelly Ridge 50 acres 31 March 1761" Important for two reasons:
- places Zadock's property originally in Dorchester Co., MD
- Henry Webster was married to Susanna Creemen, d/o John Creemen and Elizabeth Beuchamp. After Henry's death, Susanna married John Webster - probably a brother to Henry. Now Susanna (Creemen) Webster had a brother Elijah Creemen who m/1 Sarah Blades and m/2 Ann Dawson. Their son, Andrew Josiah Cromeans/Creemen would later marry Nancy Mears - a gd/o Zadock Mears in 1800 in Guilford Co., NC and migrate with some of the Mears family to middle Tn and later with some more of Zadock's family to MS.
- 1784/1785 - Caroline Co., MC; see Sharpe Will above
- 1786 - Zadock Mears sells land to Henry Rumbly, (Caroline Co., MD Deed Index - Book B, p. 111) and Lydia Rumbly, (Caroline Co., MD Deed Index - Book B, p.112) in 1786
Zadock Mears was also found living next door to Joseph Rumbley in Guilford Co., NC and Nancy Anderson purchased her Guilford Co. property from Joseph Rumbley.
- 1789, Nov 16 - Guilford Co., NC; will of Zadock MARES is written
The will is brief and makes no mention of children other than leaving what he had to his wife and children. The reverse side of the will refers to Zadock's wife as Elizabeth Mears not Mares. Witnesses by a James Mills.
- 1790, Feb - Guilford Co., NC; Zadock's will is recorded
Important for three reasons:
- Proves Zadock's wife is named Elizabeth and that he did have children
- Shows that last name should indeed be MEARS and not MARES as recorded
- James Mills, witness, also appears on 1778 Choptank Hundred in Caroline Co., MD, which proves they knew each other in MD before coming to Guilford Co., NC. (additional info on James which may prove useful at a future date:
- witness on the Ezekiel Pritchett Will in 1796
- executor on the James Weatherly Will of 1816
- 1784 -Oct 22, Caroline Co., MD
-William Sharpe will lists her as daughter, Elizabeth MEARS with son William Mears
- 1789 -Nov, Guilford Co.,NC
-mentioned in will of husband, Zadock MARES
- 1789 -Feb, Guilford Co., NC
-name on Zadock's will is corrected to read MEARS
- 1792 - Guilford Co., NC Deeds
-1st record of Elizabeth Mears in county
-300 acres on the waters of Alamance and the Middle Fork off Rock Creek
- 1800 - April 1, Guilford Co., N. C., Deed Book G, page 243
-mentions Jos. Rumpley to Nancy Anderson who lives next to Betty Mears and a William Mears as witness
- 1800 - Guilford Co., NC Census
-listed as Elizabeth MARES (b. bef 1755) with a William MARES, nearby
- 1808 - Guilford Co., NC Map
-list a Mears Fork Creek which is located in the northern part of the county, near Rockingham Co line. Near the head of Mears Fork Creek and to the northwest is Mears Fork Road which is about one mile long.
- 1810 - Guilford Co., NC Census
-a woman, age of Elizabeth, is listed with William MIARS (1765-1784)
-another woman the right age for Christina Melton (?)(1765-1784)
-nearby is an E. MIARS, who I believe is Elijah, Elizabeth's son
- 1811 - Feb, Deeds of Guilford Co., N.C., Vol. 10, p. 199
-deed of Andrew Bala to William Mears mentions land on Buffalo Creek next to Betty Mears line
-test. were Hez Wheeler and John Barnes
- 1816 - Oct 8, Deeds of Guilford Co., N. C., Volume 12, page 381
-Indenture between Wiliam Mears, Esq.; Elizabeth Mears, and Elijah Mears to Robert Gleming(sp)
-mentions corner to James Mears
-test: Jos Gibson
Insight:
Oct 8, 1816 is the last date that I have been able to trace this Elizabeth Mears. About this time, I'm of the opinion that the family moved to TN. Though some of William's children would show up in Warren Co., TN about 1826-1828, we do know from the Bible record that William Mears (b. 1770) arrived on what was called the 'Old Home Place', the land that his son, Goldsborough, would inherit in 1831. Now this does not tell us exactly when he came to Warren Co., TN, just when he moved to the final place that would become the Mears farm for years, nor does it tell us where William went when William left Guilford Co., NC or exactly where he went. It is evident that Elizabeth, his mother, was living with him on 1810 census and probably in 1816. Did she die about this time or did she move to TN with William?. Right now, this is something to ponder and still to research!
William Mears
--(June 5, 1770 probably Dorchester Co., MD -1849 Cannon Co., TN)
--m. Christinia MELTON
--October 18, 1796 Guilford Co., NC
----(1774/78 - April 12, 1863 Cannon Co., TN)
--*This is MY DIRECT ANCESTOR
Daughter ?(Mears) Cartwright
-- (1771/75MD - 1820/27 IN
--m. John CARTWRIGHT
--bef 1800 probably Guilford Co., NC
----(abt 1770 - January 22, 1843 Union Co., Indiana)
James B. Mears
--(1780/90 Caroline Co., MD - aft 1845 probably Cannon Co.,TN)
--m. Unknwon
Nancy (Mears) Cromeans
--(abt 1782 Caroline/Dorchester Co., MD - bef 1850 Itawamba Co., MS)
----buried Duke Flats Cemetery, Itawamba Co., MS
--m. Andrew Josiah CROMEANS
--abt November 9, 1800 Guilford Co. NC
----(September 2, 1783 Caroline Co. MD - aft 1850 Itawamba Co. MS)
------buried Duke Flats Cemetery, Itawamba Co. MS
------s/o Elijah CREEMEN and Sarah BLADES
--------gs/o John Creemen, Jr. and Elizabeth BEAUCHAMP
--------gs/o James Blades and Mary EATON
Elijah Mears
--(abt 1784 Caroline Co., MD - aft 1840)
--m. Martha MONTGOMERY
--May 23, 1811 Guilford Co. NC
----(abt 1780 - aft 1840)
INSIGHT:
At this time, I'm quite certain that this list of children is incomplete! There were probably children born between 1771 and 1780 who either died young or married before the 1800 census. We know that William married in 1796. It is very likely that one of these 'missing' daughters married John Cartwright in the 1790's and went to Indiana. This John Cartwright did name a son, Mears Cartwright and had family connections, Pritchetts for example, with Guilford Co., NC and also in Caroline Co., MD. Should you have information on the Mears-Cartwright connection, please drop a line to Lee Bain as he would love to hear from you!The 1800 census for Elizabeth does take into consideration the 3 children which I do list -1) James, 2) Nancy, and 3) Elijah - all of which can be proven to have been in Guilford Co., NC at this time and all who have proven connections with Elizabeth or Zadock in one way or another! We DO KNOW that Zadock Mears and Elizabeth Sharpe were married and already had a son, William, by 1784 when her father wrote will in Guilford Co., NC.
The child, Nancy Mears, married Andrew Josiah Cromeans Nov 9, 1800 Guilford Co., NC. Josiah Cromeans was s/o Elijah Creemen and Sarah Blades. Sarah Blades was d/o James Blades and Mary Eaton. Elijah Creemen was s/o John Creemen, Jr. and Elizabeth Beuchamp. The Cromeans/ Carmeen, Carmens, Cromeans/Creemen family, as I have already shown was connected with the Zadock Mears family back in Caroline Co., MD and did know each other. Let's not forget that Elijah had a sister named Susanna who married Henry Webster - the previous owner of Gravelly Ridge - the land that Zadock Mears bought in Caroline Co., MD. To add to this, her family went to Itawamba Co., MS and descendants of George W. Mears, a s/o William Mears (child above and her brother) went to Pontotoc Co., MS, very near by. To add to the piece of puzzle, Nancy (Mears) Cromeans has grandchildren named 1( Nancy CLARK Pearce - lets not forget that Nancy had an aunt Ann Sharp who married a Clark)and 2) Goldsborough Cromeans (remember Goldsborough 'Goldsbury' is a very common first name in descendants of Zadock).
The child, Elijah Mears, above, married Martha Montgomery May 23, 1811 in Guilford Co., NC. On 1810 Guilford Co., NC census, he was living very near brother William and his mother. This may have been a 2nd marriage for him. He appears on deeds with William Mears and the widow, Elizabeth Mears. He also appears on 1830 Warren Co., TN census and 1840 Cannon Co., TN census before we lose him again. He is mentioned on records also in Cannon Co., TN with William and James.
The child, James B. Mears, is the most mysterious of all of them. We do know that there is a James in Guilford Co., NC who lives near William and the widow Elizabeth. He doesn't appear until the 1800's. Also in Warren Co., TN, he is mentioned in deeds with the Mears familly - one in particuliar with my ancestor, William F. Mears. (Note: There are several James Mears in the area at the same time so very hard to distinguish between them).
As more information is discovered on Zadock's children, they will be continued on their own page. Please remember to check my gedcom on World Connect as much more information is listed there and the lines are carried forward to the living! Also check back often as the file is updated very regularly!