Final answer:
The exact cause of father's death in the context of Tim and Mrs. Meeker is unspecified, but historic factors like disease outbreaks or skirmishes during the Revolutionary War era could provide plausible explanations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cause of father's death, referring to Tim and Mrs. Meeker in the given context, is not directly outlined in the information provided. However, from the provided reference material, several historical hardships can be inferred that might lead to the death of individuals during those times, such as diseases like smallpox, skirmishes during the war for independence, and the harsh conditions faced by colonists like famine and attacks.
Among the options given: natural causes, a British attack, a skirmish with the Patriots, and a disease outbreak, the most common in a historical context would likely be a disease outbreak or involvement in conflicts like skirmishes with the Patriots or British attacks, which were prevalent during the revolutionary period.