Find A Grave contributor Lora Tatum has made a suggestion to you regarding your Find A Grave memorial for Judith Meriwether.
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Father: Captain Hardin Burnley, son of John Burnley

Siblings:
(1) Richard, d about 1782
(2) John, d 1779
(3) Zachariah, b about 1730, d 1800
(4) Hardin, Jr., b 1741, d 1823
(5) Ann, m Thomas Littlepage. Mentioned as desceased in 1823
(6) Keziah, m 1st Mr. Duke, 2nd Samuel Redd
(7) Elizabeth, d 1816 m John Duke

Children:
(1) David, b. April 10, 1755, d near Athens, Georgia, May 16, 1822
(2) James
(3) William

It is believed that David, James and William all moved to Georgia after the Revolution. They were all Revolutionary soldiers.

It has been said that William died in Tennessee at the home of his son. According to Whites' HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS, p. 503, Capt. James Meriwether, born in Virginia, moved to Georgia 1782, died in Jefferson County, Ga., 25 Oct. 1817. He had daughters Sally Meriwether and Mrs. Elizabeth Booker.

David Meriwether was an ensign in 1776 and at Louisa court Apr. 13, 1779, he was recommended to the Governor as first lieutenant. (Pp. 149, 235, Louisa County O.B. 1774-1782. He served in the 14th Continental Regiment.

Sherwood's GAZETEER OF GEORGIA published 1829, p.219, gives a biographical sketch of Gen. David Meriwether in which it was stated that "he was with Washington's Army during its maneuvers in New Jersey." Was in the battles of Trenton, Brandywine, Monmouth, and was at the Siege of Savannah, Georgia, in 1779, and was taken prisoner by the British.

A Copy of his parole dated 18 May 1780, also his commission as lieutenant in Washington's Army and his commission as Brigadier General in the Georgia militia have been preserved. In 1785, he moved to Wilkes County, Georgia, where he became a valued citizen and was Brigadier General in the Georgia State militia in 1797.

A land warrant dated Jan. 24, 1803, was issued to him by the state of Virginia for his seven years' service as a Revolutionary soldier. (Am. Monthly Mag. June 1912, published by D.A.R. Society)
He was a member of the Georgia State Legislature and Speaker of the House from 1797 to 1800. From 1802 to 1809 he represented his District in the U.S. Congress. Was a commissioner to treat with the Indian, also served as a Presidential Elector in 1817 and 1821. Meriwether County was named for him. He was a loyal member of the Methodist church and a leader in its work. He moved from Wilkes County, Ga., to Clark County in 1804 and settled near Athens.

Gen. David Meriwether was married 1782; we believe in Hanover County, Va., to Frances Wingfield, b. Feb. 20, 1763, daughter of John Wingfield, a Revolutionary soldier, b in Hanover 1793, and his wif Frances Buck, b May 22, 1726, d in Ga. Feb. 25, 1795. The Wingfields moved to Georgia about 1783 or 1784...

Source:
Our Burnley Ancestors And Allied Families, COMPILED BY EMMA DICKEN, 1946, THE HOBSON BOOK PRESS, 52 VANDERBILT AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.

He married in 1753 in Louisa County, Virginia, as his first wife, Judith Hardenia Burnley. She was born between 1731 and 1735 in Hanover County and died in 1760 in Louisa County. Judith was the daughter of Captain Hardin Burnley, Sr., whose wife may have been Ann Terrell. Captain Burnley was the owner of the plantation called “To Ink.” He was the son of John Burnley, the emigrant, by his wife, a Miss Hardin. In 1771 Judith’s brother, John Burnley, formerly a merchant of Hanover County, who was living at the time in England, left bequests in his will to her sons, including David above. 86

James Meriwether
© The Meriwether Society, Inc.

James Meriwether was born in Hanover County, Virginia on 21 June 1729, seventh child of David Meriwether and Anne Holmes. His early life and educational experiences are not known, and by 1753 he has removed to Louisa County.

From Looking Back: “James held several positions in both colonial and Revolutionary era America. In November 1761, he was a Captain in the Louisa County militia. At this time he also acted as surveyor of the Doctor's Road in the same county. He served as a gentleman Justice in colonial Louisa, from 1763 to 8 July 1776, after which time he continued service as a Justice of the commonwealth for Louisa County until 1785. In 1785, he held the position of First Justice.”

During the post war era James became First Justice of Louisa County and also served as sheriff of the county, retiring in 1790.

James married twice, first to Judith Hardenia Burnley in 1753; they were the parents of three sons, David, James and William. After the death of Judith, he married Elizabeth Pollard, a ½ first cousin, in 1762 (as recorded in the Douglas Register); they were the parents of five children: Anne, Joseph, Thomas, John and Robert.

James died in Louisa County in Jun 1801, shortly after updating his Will. His burial location is not known.

Military Service, American Revolution
In November 1761 James was a Captain in the Louisa County militia.

From the book “Looking Back”:
“James Meriwether received a commission as Lieutenant Colonel of the Louisa Militia on 1 November 1772. He rendered material aid to the cause of Independence, and was probably the Colonel Meriwether who served as Clerk of the Virginia Revolutionary Council. Records also indicate that James might have been at Valley Forge. Further, the Revolutionary pension applications for soldiers Benjamin Alsop and John “Alcey” Apperson show that both men served in a Virginia regiment commanded by Colonel James Meriwether and a Major Hardiman. This regiment was attached to General Lafayette’s army, which maneuvered from Spotsylvania to Raccoon Ford in Orange County, Virginia in 1781 and met up with General Anthony Wayne.”

It is believed he was with Lafayette at the siege and fall of York, Oct 1781.

Although he is an acknowledged DAR Patriot (A077634) the supporting service description only mentions that he was a Justice of the Peace in 1776.

Will of James Meriwether 144

James Meriwether left a Will dated 10 Oct 1800 with a Codicil added 4 Jun 1801 shortly before his death. The Will was proved in a Louisa County court on 13 Jul 1801.

Wife: Elizabeth
Sons: David, James, William, Thomas, John, Robert.
Daughter: Ann
Granddaughter: Salley (dau of Thomas)
Others:
Trustees: Launcelot Minor, Harwood Goodwin, David Bullock
Executors: James Winston, Captn John Poindexter
Witnesses: John Garth, Thomas Jackson, Major Ryan, Charles Minor, William Thomkins, Gerard Banks, Lancelot Minor

Not named:
Son: Joseph (died as child? Father. of Richard Dorsey Meriwether and died about 1799?)
Children of sons David, James and William
Granddaughter: Ann b. Jun 1800, dau of Robert.
All other grandchildren born after date will signed.

BIRTH: Robert Lewis Baader claims to have the Bible of James as handed down from generation to generation. It has the birth date as 21 June 1729.

DEATH WP 14 Jul 1801? (not likely if he died Sep 1801...)

Patriot: JAMES MERIWETHER (A077634)

James Meriwether was one of four brothers in the Continental service. He rose to the rank of lieutenant and served throughout the war.

The DAR description of his service only mentions him serving as a Justice of the Peace in 1776. No mention of his military service:

MERIWETHER, JAMES

Ancestor #: A077634
Service:  VIRGINIA    Rank(s): CIVIL SERVICE
Birth:  6-1-1729    VIRGINIA
Death:  ANTE 7-13-1801     LOUISA CO VIRGINIA
Service Source:  HARRIS, A HISTORY OF LOUISA CO VA, P 21
Service Description:
1) JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, 7-8-1776


Patriot: JAMES MERIWETHER (A077634)

James Meriwether lived through the period of colonial government by Great Britain, and the Revolutionary period of our history and well into the foundation of the United States of America. All of his descendants are entitled by his service, both to Colonial America and the United States, to membership in the various patriotic societies. James Meriwether was one of the many grandchildren left bequests in the will of his grandfather Nicholas Meriwether (1667-1744). (NHM)

James Meriwether 145

James Meriwether was born in Hanover County, Virginia on 21 June 1729. The Meriwethers and Their Connections states he died in 1792. Yet, Our Burnley Ancestors and Allied Families, says he died in 1801. The 1801 date is correct. James Meriwether’s will and a codicil dated 4 June 1801 bear his signature. Since the will was proved on 13 July 1801, it seems probable that James died in Louisa about June 1801.

He married in 1753 in Louisa County, Virginia, as his first wife, Judith Hardenia Burnley. She was born between 1731 and 1735 in Hanover County and died in 1760 in Louisa County. Judith was the daughter of Captain Hardin Burnley, Sr., whose wife may have been Ann Terrell.

James Meriwether held several positions in both colonial and Revolution era America. In November 1761 he was a Captain in the Louisa County militia. At this time he also acted as surveyor of the Doctor’s Road in the same county. He served as a gentleman Justice in colonial Louisa, from 1763 to 8 July 1776, after which time he continued service as a Justice of the Commonwealth for Louisa County until 1785. In 1785 he held the position of First Justice. Louisa County historian, Malcolm Harris, also suggests that Meriwether was a member of the Louisa County committee of safety in 1775, stating clearly that the Meriwethers were “for the change” in government.

James Meriwether received a commission as Lieutenant Colonel of the Louisa Militia on 1 November 1772. He rendered material aid to the cause of Independence, and was probably the Colonel Meriwether who served as Clerk of the Virginia Revolutionary Council. Records also indicate that James might have been at Valley Forge. Further, the Revolutionary pension applications for soldiers Benjamin Alsop and John “Alcey” Apperson show that both men served in a Virginia regiment commanded by Colonel James Meriwether and a Major Hardiman. This regiment was attached to General Lafayette’s army, which maneuvered from Spotsylvania to Raccoon Ford in Orange County, Virginia in 1781 and met up with General Anthony Wayne. During the post war era James became First Justice of Louisa County, as mentioned above, and also served as sheriff of the county, retiring in 1790.

Lieutenant Colonel James Meriwether and his first wife, Judith Hardenia Burnley, were the parents of three children, including: General David, General James, and Major William.