John Meader, son of John Meader (c.1625-c.1715) [0001] and Abigail Tuttle (1628-1674), was probably born in 1660 [other sources give birth dates as early as 1654 and as late as 1667] at Oyster River, NH. That he died in 1736 is presumed from his will, signed November 2nd of that year. He was certainly a farmer, as was his father, and possibly a weaver as well. He occupied some of the paternal acres in Oyster River.

He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery, now the oldest military company in America. This celebrated corps was formed in 1637 during the Pequot War and modeled after the plan of a similar group in London. Composed of only the best citizens, it was meant more for home defense and for the training of young soldiers than for active service. As it was the special bulwark of the State, great pains were taken to maintain a high standard of discipline. From this it would appear that John Meader [0002] was not a member of the Society of Friends.

He was first taxed in 1681. On February 20, 1690 he and Joseph his brother joined with others in a petition directed to the Massachusetts authorities requesting authority to muster and train soldiers of New Hampshire and asking that they be taken under the government and protection of Massachusetts. In 1695 he and his brothers Nathaniel [0004] and Joseph petitioned the General Court of New Hampshire asking that Oyster River be made a township, but this was again not accomplished.

John went to the Durham area in 1676, but he returned to Oyster River when he inherited the Meader lands there [probably about 1715, then]. These lands have been located, with some hesitation, about half a mile from Piscataqua Bridge on the west side of the river and on the southwest side of the old Turnpike road that leads to the bridge. The remains of the old house have been tentatively located on the summit of a hill, but a new house has been erected there. Southwest of the old house is an old burying ground that was included in the Meader lands.

On November 18, 1686 John Meader [0002] deeded to his eldest son Joseph [0005] all the plantations where he lived near the Oyster River and those bought of Valentine Hill, as well as twenty acres adjoining the plantation which were part of eighty acres granted to him by the town of Dover. In his will, John Meader [0002] gave his son Nicholas [0007] his teams, horses and harness only.

[Note: See the will of John Meader. It states, in part: “I do give unto my son Nicolous Meder my lumes and sleas and harness.” According to Raymond F. Meader, this was weaving equipment, not horses.]

To his grandsons, John and Jeremiah Tibbetts, sons of his daughter Sarah [0009], he gave twenty shillings to be divided equally between them. To his daughter Elizabeth Hanson [0008] and Abigail Davis [0006] he bequeathed all his remaining movable estate. The will is signed and dated November 2, 1736.

The Reverend Hugh Adams baptized John Meader [0002], "aged brother of Joseph," on "Zif 23," or May 3, 1728.