Joshua Meeks (1731-1818)
Moon Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
A militia captain during the American Revolution and civic leader in the early republic, Meeks was a petitioner to create Allegheny County in 1787. While making his living as a farmer, he took up arms to defend western Pa. during conflict and war. Meeks championed democratic ideals, promoting citizenship and patriotism by opening his home as a fort, a polling place, and a school. The Meeks house, which stood nearby, was razed in 2000.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Joshua Meeks took up arms as a militia captain during the American Revolution and stayed to help build the new republic on the western Pennsylvania frontier, petitioning in 1787 to create Allegheny County. A farmer by trade, he opened his home to serve as a fort in times of danger, a polling place for elections, and a schoolhouse for the community. Through these acts he wove the habits of citizenship into the fabric of a frontier settlement.
Why it matters
Meeks represents the citizen-soldiers who defended the frontier and then knit together the civic institutions of the early American republic.
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Related people
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Themes & tags
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