Lt. Colonel Richard Kidder Meade

Lt. Colonel Richard Kidder Meade

A Patriot of the American Revolution for VIRGINIA with the rank of LIEUTENANT COLONEL. DAR Ancestor # A076777

Richard Kidder Meade was an American army officer from Nansemond County, Virginia. His grandfather had been Sir Richard Everard, 4th Baronet, the last Governor of North Carolina under proprietary rule. His great-great-grandfather was Richard Kidder, a noted theologian who was the Bishop of Bath and Wells.

Meade was educated at Harrow, England, one of the oldest and most respected schools in England. In October 1775, he was commissioned captain of the 2nd Virginia Regiment. He led a company at the Battle of Great Bridge near Chesapeake, Virginia, arguably the first Revolutionary War battle in the state of Virginia. In March 1777, Meade was appointed as one of Washington's aides-de-camps. He was frequently used to deliver important dispatches and orders. Alexander Hamilton did the "head work" for Washington while he did the riding. Meade was given the rank of colonel, or possibly lieutenant colonel. He was with Washington during all of his major battles. Meade supervised the execution of Major Andre.

In 1780, he left Washington's staff to get married for the second time in Virginia. He was originally married to Elizabeth Randolph, a daughter of Richard Randolph. His second wife was the widow of William Randolph of Chatsworth. While in Virginia he aided General von Steuben in repelling an attack of British forces under Benedict Arnold. He owned Meadea at White Post, Virginia and built Lucky Hit about 1791. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

He died in 1805 apparently from the effects of gout and years of military life.

In "The Petersburg Intelligencer" (Petersburg, Virginia), Friday, March 15, 1805, page 3, column 4: "Died On the 9th ult. at the seat of Matthew Page, Esq., in Frederick County, Colonel Richard K. Meade, formerly aid de camp to general Washington."