John Meres was the second son (but main devisee) of Sir Thomas Meres, a Lincolnshire gentleman and for many years Member of Parliament for Lincoln and Anne de la Fontaine daughter and heiress of Erasmus de la Fontaine of Kirby Bellars, Leicestershire.
Elizabeth married John Tharp in 1766 and on December 31, 1766, Articles of Agreement were signed "granting to John Tharp, husband of Elizabeth joint devisee with her sister under the Will of Thomas Partridge her brother to Potosi and Flamstead Estates, management of same until said devisees are both of age".