James Alfred Moses Meek
was born July 4, 1882 in Atascosa, Texas to Martha Favors Meek and Francis Marion Meek. He was my Great Grandpa from my Dad's side.
James married Martha Leona Baze on October 11, 1902, in Durant, Oklahoma, when he was 20 years old. They had one son and five daughters together. See below, marriage photo of James and Martha. When I first saw this photo, I saw my Father's (Lawrence Johnson, aka John) eyes, My Dad looked very much like his Grandfather Meek with the same coloring. Unfortunately, My Dad, John never got to meet his Grandpa because he passed away before he was born.
Their son, Martin Henry "Wesley" was born on January 7, 1904. Their daughter daughter Avis was born in 1905 and passed away in 1906. Their daughter, Anna Mae "Annie" was born on October 17, 1905. Their daughter Cora Lee (my Grandmother) was born on June 13, 1910. Their daughter Martha Emily "Janie" was born on April 22, 1914. Their daughter Lucille "Lucy" was born on July 2, 1918. All of the children were born in Greer County, Oklahoma.
As you can see, James and his family lived in Greer County, Oklahoma for many years. I found a couple of newspaper articles to indicate that he was active in his community and that the family received visitors from out of town.
Sometime after Sept 1918 when James submitted his registration for the military and the end of 1919, the family moved to Lawton, Oklahoma.
Please see copy of military registration below and another photo of him sitting down. It provides a physical description of him. He was of medium height and weight with brown eyes and black hair.
The Faver Family
The surname Faver has undergone many changes in spelling. The most common spelling in France seems to have been Favre or Faure, which are used interchangeably.
Dionne, in his "Origins des Familles," says that the family name was adopted because of residence in Faure or Favre, a commune of Ardennes. Many particularly ancient surnames developed in a similar manner, since it was almost inevitable that an individual or family, particularly of the property owning class, would be known by the area in which he or they lived. And the surname Faure or Favre (now Faver) belongs in this category. It is as well, one of the most ancient of French surnames.
The Faver Clan's contributions to our country have been numerous, spanning more than two hundred fifty years since our Faver ancestors left France to come to a new land filled with challenges, hardships, and opportunities. Our heritage has been one of which its descendants can be proud, and one which needs to be recorded for future generations.
The above is from the book "Favor and Kindred 1748-1990" written by Alma Yarbrough Carroll
John Faver
participated in the "Battle of Kettle Creek." The battle either took place on John's property or was very near it. John
Favor was my 5th Great Grandfather on my Father's side. He was born in
Virginia in 1748 and married Mary Bolton in Virginia. He came to Wilkes
County, Georgia from South Carolina, with a wife and a 2 year old son.
He most likely traveled the Colonial Roads from Virginia to South
Carolina to Georgia. According to early maps and records, John settled
in the Derbyshire District of Wilkes County about 8 miles west of
Washington, Georgia.
John was a patriot in the Revolutionary War.
"Although the fighting of British and Patriots at Kettle Creek, February, 1779, was hardly more than a desperate hand-to-hand skirmish, its importance in determining the outcome of the American Revolution has been long overlooked. It was in this Skirmish that Georgia was saved from complete capitulation to the British. Savannah had been taken and Augusta, also. Original Wilkes was the only part of Georgia which stood free. The victory at Kettle Creek turned the tide in favor of the Patriots, rescuing Georgia and the South from British domination." -- (The Importance of the Battle of Kettle Creek by Janet H. Standard)Page 193, Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers in Georgia, compiled by Mrs. Howrd H. McCall, 1942, states "John Faver of Virginia served at the Battle of Kettle Creek and was granted land for his service in 1784. He married in Virginia, Mary Bolton."
In the Soldiers at Kettle Creek -- Wilkes Dracoons listing compiled by Robert M. Willingham, Fr., John Faver, Christopher Irvine, Capt., and Laurence Bankston are included. Kettle Creek Heroes, listed by Miss Eliza Frances Andrews and her sister, Met Andrews (Mrs. T. M.) Green, for the "Washington Forum" include John Faver. (pages 48,50)The map pictured below was found in the estate papers of John Faver, Jr. The map shows Kettle Creek land granted to John Faver, Sr. in Wilkes Coounty, Georgia in 1785. This is where John Faver Sr.'s plantation was located
I will write more later on John Faver and other Faver family members. Many of them are well documented and there is a lot of history.
