John Spicer Meadows (son of Bryant and Charity Harrell Meadows of Onslow Co, NC) was born 1835 in Angola, New Hanover Co, NC (this area later became Pender Co, NC) very near the small community of "Shaken" where the Pierces lived just west of Maple Hill.  His family was originally from Onslow Co, NC* and it appears that he moved back there for a time (Onslow Co. was only a few miles to the east and was really all part of the same area as the Pierces and Meadows saw it.)  Just off of Hwy 53, on a hill to the south is a cemetery with a marker in memory of  "Spicer" Meadows.  It is not likely that he was buried there, but rather in a group grave in Gettysburg, PA where he died on the last day of the famous battle there on 3 Jul 1863.  He was a member of Co. H, 55th NC Infantry, Capt. Satterfield's outfit.  In the Confederate Veteran magazine, there's an article discussing what unit made the closest approach to the Union line during the campaign.  It was decided that "a portion of Co. H" came within 9 yards of the Union line, making the closest approach in a surprise attack from behind Benner's barn.  When viewing the records of casualties from that eventful day, Co. H, 55th NC received an alarming number of losses - 48 dead!  Compare this to an average of about 7 or 8 for other companies!  They did, indeed make a surprise, suicide attack against the Union line.

John Spicer Meadows met Sarah Pierce, a daughter of Snowden and Sarah Pierce while living in New Hanover Co, NC (later Pender Co, NC).  She was born 15 Aug 1832 in Sloan, Duplin Co, NC.  Sarah would remain in Maple Hill until her death on 25 Nov 1916.

Children of John Spicer and Sarah Pierce Meadows: 

Gabreal E. (Sabra) Meadows b. 1857

     m. Hill Pittman b. 1856

John Meadows b. 1856 Stump Sound, Onslow Co, NC

Bryant Henry Meadows b. 13 Mar 1859 Stump Sound, Onslow Co, NC d. 9 Dec 1932 Maple Hill, Pender Co, NC - m. Sarah McKoy (daughter of Frederick McKoy and neice of Mary E. McKoy (see Redden McCoy) who married Archibald "Archey" Pierce) 23 Aug 1879 Pender Co, NC.  Sarah McKoy was born 25 Aug 1863 Craven Co, NC and died 1 Apr 1932 Shaken, Holly Shelter T.S, Pender Co, NC

NOTE: wounded in leg by shotgun on hunting trip

NOTE: stone missing in cemetery (Stevie Malpass stated it was there in 1988)

Mary Ann Meadows b. 28 Apr 1862 Maple Hill, New Hanover (Pender) Co, NC d. 3 Oct 1927 Maple Hill, Pender Co, NC - m. George W. Foy (son of Morris Foy) b. 20 Mar 1841 Maple Hill, New Hanover (Pender) Co, NC d. 17 May 1926 Pender Co, NC

*  John Spicer Meadows was the son of Bryant Meadows and grandson of John Meadows, Sr. (son of Abraham Meadows and grandson of Jobe Meadows of Carteret Co, NC).  Bryant's brother, Abraham was known for his Bear Island plantation in Onslow Co, NC on the site of present-day Camp Lejuene, a Marine Base near Jacksonville, NC.  Much of the cemetery information was lost when the base was formed.  The cemeteries were moved, but not all the tombstones made the move.  The Meadows lived along the White Oak river on both sides in Jones, Onslow and Carteret Co's, NC.  There are numerous early references to Meadows all along this river, where many old plantation homes can still be found.