His grandfather was David Meade of Nansemond County and his paternal grandmother Susana Everard was the daughter of North Carolina's governor.
His brother William Meade remained in Frederick county and became the Episcopal bishop of Virginia.
When Congressman Dromgoole died, Meade was elected as a Democrat to the Thirtieth Congress to fill the vacancy.
He became a strong supporter of President James Buchanan, who rewarded him by appointing him Minister to Brazil.
Upon the election of President Abraham Lincoln, Meade returned to Virginia and devoted himself to the cause of the Confederacy.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress