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Note: r roll dated Oct. 12, 1862 shows he enlisted Sept. 26, 1862 in Sparta, Tenn. by Col. Dibrell with a horse valued $300, and equipment valued $25.00. National Archives.
In 1860 Slave Census, James W. Merideth is shown owning 4 slaves: a 35 yr. old female and three children.
Tax lists in 1863, while the Civil War is on, show James with 200 acres in Dist. 12, and both William and Edward are listed in this district, without land. (this must be what is referred to as Meredith's Mill on Wild Cat Creek in the Civil War skirmish). The land is described as being at the junction of the Calfkiller River and Wildcat Creek. It is adjacent to Barlow Fisk's land and they seem to be good friends with the Fisk family. There are several legal documents that tie the families together, as well as the marriage of William H. Meredith to Kitty Fisk, the widow of Marion Fisk.
In Deed Book U, p. 586, on Jan. 6, 1866, James W. Merideth is selling to Waman Clark his land on the East bank of the Calf Killer River, the Barlow Fisk corner, which includes the grist mill, 200 acres. He is actually borrowing $600 from Clark to pay his debts. If he does not pay it back in the year, then he forfeits this land to Clark. John Lisk, and James Scott are the security for this note. (Waman Clark must have been a good friend, note his eldest son is named for him.) He also sold an oil lease and right to mine for oil on the land that same year, Book U, p. 553.
Vol. Y, p. 598, on Aug. 15, 1877 J.W. Meredith and wife Mary L. Meredith and Lurana G. Leftwich sold to Jesse Martin 5 acres in Dist. 6 for $55.60.
Vol. Z, p. 260-61, on Feb. 12, 1879, J.W. Meredith sold to F.M. Sims for $1100. land previously purchased by John Lisk from G.G. Dibrell.
In Deed records Vol. 31, p. 426 on May 29, 1889, James W. Meredith buys all 1/10th of C.D. Tracey's interest in the estate of mother Ann Tracey for $700. It includes the first house lot in Sparta, fronting the public square, and 435 acres in all.
In Vol. 9 of Civil and Criminal Minutes, p. 218, October, 1875, the Grand Jury presented charges of "Prowling in disguise" to James Merideth Jr., Vance Carrick, D.C. Lowry, J.A. Dibrell, Van Fisk. Also D.C. Lowry, James Dibrell were charged with carrying pistols, and Will Snodgrass with "disturbing public worship."
p. 300, July 1876, the State attorney general dropped the chargeof "prowling in disguise" against James Meredith. I bet that Ed Meredith's contempt of court charge was from his appearance in court on the day that James was appearing for the prowling charge.
In 1875, James M. Merideth is listed with 403 acres in Dist. 6. This is where he stays till his death. He is in the same district as John Crook, so I assume this is the Old Zion community. The last tax list I have found is for 1896, and he is still on this land in Dist. 6, although he has sold parcels and owns a total of 195 acres worth $1000.
James Meredith's middle name would be nice! It is mostly shown as what appears to be a W, but occasionally looks like an M. In the 1875 "prowling" charge, he is listed as "Jr." This would seem that his father's full name would be James Martin Meredith, and the father went by Martin.
After J.W. Meredith died, on December 29, 1900, a public sale of his effects were made, recorded on page 249, Vol. 1, of the Inventory Books, FHL #507883. His belongings consisted of a 2 horse Jersey, 65 bushells corn, tolls, plows, rifle, ect. Purchasers include A.J. Beavers, and Jernigans. I am not sure who his land went to, although I assume his minor children.
Note: Archival records for the Civil War show James Meredith first enrolling in Colms' Battalion, Company D with his brother Ed. Later he is in Company D, 8 Reg't Tennessee Cavalry (13th Tenn. Cav.) muste
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