John Meads, born January 3, 1777 in Polesworth, England, was the son of Elias and Sarah Alsop Meads. He learned the trade of cabinet-maker and carpenter and later immigrated to the United States to New York City. In 1802, he settled in Albany and partnered with William Alvord until around 1847. At that time, he continued his successful business either alone or with his son John, Jr. Many households in Albany still have furniture made by Meads.

John Meads married Louisa Crane of Albany, who was the daughter of Daniel Crane of Crane, Wilson and Company, lumber dealers in Albany. In 1829, Meads built a house at 99 Columbia Street, which he designed, and built a beautiful concave front doorway which is now the property of the Albany Institute of History and Art. John Meads was a director of the Great Western Turnpike Company and the Albany Water Works Company. He designed the decorations at the City Hall for the one hundredth birthday celebration of George Washington, for which the city presented him with a silver pitcher. Meads died in 1869.

John Meads and Louisa Crane had six children: Orlando (1806-1884), who became an attorney; Charlotte; Louisa (-1847), who married Stephen Alexander of Princeton, New Jersey; James (1820-1849); John Jr., who became a cabinet maker and upholsterer; and Sarah Ruth.

Thomas Wayte also appears often in the early correspondence. Wayte was a cousin of John Meads and wrote the letters for Sarah Meads (John’s mother), who apparently was unable to write.

Orlando Meads (1806-1884), attended Albany Academy and graduated from Union College in the Class of 1826. He studied law for three years and became a successful attorney in Albany, a warden of St. Peter’s Church, Vice Chancellor of the Albany Episcopal Diocese, and President of the Albany Institute. He was a close friend of Dr. Thomas Hun and of Professor Joseph Henry, as well as Martin Van Buren. Orlando Meads married, in April 1835, Elizabeth Brant Wilson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Wilson of Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Much of the correspondence in the papers is between members of the Wilson family and their sister, Elizabeth Wilson Meads, in Albany. The Wilson family consisted of: Nicholas, who became a clergyman; Henrietta, who married William Fondey; Anne, who married Reverend Oliver Magie; Elizabeth B., who married Orlando Meads; Mary, who married Charles Davis; James, who served as a Colonel during the Civil War; Eleanor; Andrew; and Hugh N. who became a clergyman.