From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
Meredith Myers, son of William Myers and Mary Ann Myers (his parents were first cousins), was born February 21, 1829 in Garrard County, Kentucky. He was reared to farm life. In the fall of 1846 the family moved to Dallas County, Texas and settled on a small tract of land which was located on the north side of what is now Kidd Springs Park. He took a headright in the Peters Colony and was issued Robertson Third Class Certificate No. 2639 on May 7, 1850 for 320 acres which he sold unlocated to William A. Gold for $240.00 on September 12, 1855.
Shortly after his arrival in Dallas County, Meredith learned how to be a surveyor and spent several years surveying the headrights of the colonists.
Returning to farming about 1856 he purchased 320 acres of land bounded by Hampton Road on the east, Clarendon Drive on the north, Pierce Street on the west, and lllinois Avenue on the south where he built his home. The house was located at what is now the northeast corner of Wright Street and Franklin Street, and all that remains to mark the spot is a small grove of trees. All of his eight children were born in this house. Meredith donated the land for the right-of way of the Santa Fe Railroad now paralleling Wright Street which bisected his farm literally in his front yard. The northeast corner of his farm at Hampton Road and Clarendon Drive later became part of the Jimtown Community.
About this time (1856) Meredith married his first wife, Emily M. Eddy, in Dallas County. She was born October 21, 1834 in Illinois and died November 5, 1866 in Dallas County and is buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. To them in Dallas County, Texas were born three daughters:
Lou Ella born January 22, 1858, died January 17, 1917 in Collin County, Texas, buried in Big Spring Cemetery near Plano, Texas; she married Davis Carter.
Effie born 1862, died April 24, 1934 in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas; she married Kit High.
Williann born August 9, 1864, died May 31, 1883 in Dallas County, Texas, buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas; she never married.
On May 14, 1862 in Dallas County, Meredith joined Company G, 31st Confederate Texas Cavalry (Hawpe’s Regiment) as a private.
Meredith married his second wife, Sarah Elizabeth Rogers, on October 20, 1867 in Dallas County, Texas. To them in Dallas County were born two sons and three daughters:
Mary Matilda born April 2, 1869, died March 11, 1953 in Dallas, Texas, buried in Oak Cliff Cemetery on 8th Street, Dallas, Texas; she married Willis R. Carter on September 5, 1886 in Dallas County, Texas.
Robert E. Lee born October 2, 1870, died November 27, 1953 in Munday, Knox County, Texas, buried in the Gillispie Cemetery near Munday, Texas; he was married August 4, 1889 in Dallas County to Sallie E. Ford; she was born in 1870 and died in 1944 in Munday, Texas, buried in the Gillispie Cemetery near Munday, Texas. They were the parents of five sons and four daughters: Robert, Willie, Dewey, Roe, Lee, Fay, Elizabeth, Ruby and Woodrow.
Perdita born March 1, 1873, died February 14, 1939 in Dallas, Texas, buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas; she was married March 11, 1894 in Dallas County to Arthur Leonard Ledbetter born November 9, 1859 in Dallas County, Texas, died January 14, 1922 in Dallas County, Texas, buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. To them in Dallas County, Texas were born six sons and three daughters: Hubert Stanley, Gordon, Lois Elizabeth, Ethel, Elfleda Josephine, and four sons who died in infancy.
Olena Marzee born June 21, 1875, died July 7, 1955 in Dallas, Texas, buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas; she married Birt Britain on September 8, 1895 in Dallas County, Texas.
William born August 28, 1876, died October 6, 1877 in Dallas County, Texas, buried in Five Mile Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.
For over five decades Meredith continued farming in Dallas County. He became a Justice of the Peace with the title of Squire and performed numerous marriages. His children grew up, got married, and left home; however, most of them stayed in Dallas County. Meredith Myers died on April 5, 1905 in Dallas County, Texas; and his wife, Sarah Elizabeth, died on January 13, 1931 in Dallas County, Texas. They are both buried in the Five Mile Cemetery in the 1800 block of W. Kiest Blvd., Dallas, Texas. Many of their descendants are still living in Dallas County.
By Tom Jones, Dallas
