Francis Meader, son of Francis Meader (1746-1832) [0030] and Mary Holly (b.1751), was born at Edgartown July 28, 1774. He left there at the age of 17 on his first whaling voyage with Captain Black of Providence, RI. He fell in with his uncle, John Meader [0028] at Walwich [not in atlas. Woolwich? Warwick?] Bay who took him on board his own ship, put him in office as Boat Steerage Officer, and carried him with him to England.

It is not certain if he ever was married. For five or six years after he left home his friends received letters from him occasionally, then all communications ceased.