MATTHEWS

Ralph Mathew was among 95 settlers for whom William Drummond was granted 4750 acres of land in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on 20 Sep 1661 (1)  A grant was made to someone who paid the passage for a "person" to Virginia.  There was no age, gender, or race requirement.  Nor was there a time limit.  Proof of payment of the passage had to be presented, but the 95 people were probably not imported all at the same time.  And the location of the grant was not necessarily the location where any of the immigrants settled.  A common misuse of the process was to obtain land for multiple crossings of the same settler.  But the King received one shilling "Quit Rent" per year for each 50 acres granted, and nothing for unoccupied land, so this practice was allowed to continue.  So then, the best date for Ralph's immigration to Virginia is "before September 1661." See Bob's Genealogy Filing Cabinet for more on headright land patents.

There was a Hugh Matthews who bought 850 acres of land in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, 17 June 1667 from William Cook. (2) No record has been found revealing the disposition of his land, or Hugh's relation, if any, to Ralph.

But Ralph and Hugh apparently returned to England and were re-imported "before May 1679." Perhaps they could have been brothers, but there is no evidence to support that idea.  No wives' names were mentioned on 10 May 1679 (3) when Lt Col. Arthur Smith received 2271 acres of land in Isle of Wight County, 1500 acres in right of his father Arthur Smith, deceased, and 775 acres for transporting 16 persons, including Hugh Mathews and "Ra. Mathews."  Only 2 of the 16 names listed were female, and neither of them connected to a male in the group, so it is unclear whether Hugh and Ralph had wives at the time, but apparently not.  But Ralph maintained a relationship of some kind with Col. Arthur Smith.  When he died about August, 1687, his nuncupative (oral) will was recorded 13 Aug 1687 (4) by Boaz Gwin and Robert Block, mentioning, but not naming a wife and three children, and asking Col. Smith or his son Arthur Smith to oversee the inheritance.  His wife Alice was named executrix the same day. (5)  No further record of Alice or the children has been located.  They may have returned to England.

Hugh Mathews, supposed (but unproven) son of Ralph, may have returned to England with his mother, or the older Hugh may have gone back, but one of them was brought to Virginia again "before April 1698" by Richard Covington, who was granted land in Essex County on April 26th of that year for importing 23 persons, including a Hugh Mathews.(6) But it was most likely our Hugh who was granted 100 acres of land himself on 23 March 1715, for importing Timothy and Elizabeth Tines.(7)  He purchased 200 acres from William West on 23 July 1720 (8), and was granted another 20 acres on 24 March 1725.(9) His land was in Isle of Wight County, on the south side of the Nottoway River, on both sides of Angelica Swamp, beginning at the line of the Nottaway Indians' land. This land fell into Southampton County, Virginia, when it was formed in 1749. 

Hugh Matthews (c1680-1751) married between 1704 and 1715 Martha Johnson (c1688-after 1738), daughter of John Johnson (c1659-1707). She was listed as Martha Johnson in John's will, dated 7 Jan 1703/4, proved 9 Aug 1707 (10) and as Martha Mathews (or Mathis) in the deed selling her inherited land to her brother 16 Mar 1715, though the deed was not recorded until 27 Jul 1719, and the land sold in 1735. (11) So they were married some time between those dates, and not necessarily in 1715, as usually given.  It would appear that at first Hugh and Martha lived on her inherited 50 acres, on the Blackwater River adjoining her brother, until Hugh received his grant on the Nottoway River in 1715.  They then sold her land to her brother, and moved to the 100 acre grant, purchasing the adjacent 200 acres in 1720.  Various deeds listed Hugh's wife as Martha, including one in 1738, so she was still living then.  But in 1747, Hugh's will listed a wife Ann. The will of Hugh Matthewes of County Southampton, Nottoway Parish, was dated 7 November 1747, and recorded 12 September 1751.(12) His estate appraised 12 Oct 1752 by Newit Drew, Timothy Thorp, and James Jones (13) and the estate settled 8 Mar 1753 by J Ridley, James Jones, and Timothy Thorp. (14) Hugh's children, in no particular order: 

1. Joseph Matthews (d.1791) m.1753 Elizabeth Stephenson; Edgecomb Co, NC; after 1772
. . Cumberland Co, NC
2. Edward Matthews (d.1762) Southampton Co, VA
3. William Matthews (1710-1788) m. Frances Grewe (1704) Edgecomb Co, NC, until 1772,
. . then Cumberland Co, NC
4. Benjamin Matthews (bef.1718-1762), Edgecomb Co, NC., of whom later
5. John Matthews (d.1738) married Martha, Isle of Wight Co, VA; son Jonas
6. Ralph Matthews, died before 1747, son Ralph
7. Mary Matthews married John Thorp (1710-1772) Southampton Co VA
8. Sarah Matthews m. Gilbert McKenny (1714?-1746) m.1750 Solomon Stephenson (c1715-1794)
9. Martha Matthews m. Solomon Newsom (c1715-c1780) Granville Co, SC, 1752; St Pauls Pr.
. . Georgia, 1774; Wilkes Co. GA, 1777
0. Hester (Ester) Matthews married William Johnston, son of Benjamin; sold land in Va 1752, and
. . was in Wilkes Co, GA, before 1787.
1. Patience Matthews married Henry Johnson, son of James Johnston,Jr and Rebecca Darden;
. . grandson of James Johnston, son of John Johnson of Isle of Wight, grandfather of Patience.
2. Unknown Matthews m. Solomon Stephenson, and died before 1750; son Solomon (c1742-1781)
3. Unknown Matthews (may be one of the above) had son Aaron Matthews
4. Unknown Matthews (probably one of the above) married Mary Stephenson

Benjamin Matthews was granted land in Craven County, North Carolina, in 1739,(15) Since he had to be 21 years old to own land, he had to have been born before 1718.  He purchased additional land in 1746 (16) and 1760 (17) on the North Swift Creek where it joined the mouth of Rocky River. This land was in the area that was Craven County until it fell into Edgecomb County in 1741 and became Nash County in 1777. His neighbors included William Matthews, Joseph Matthews and Abraham Sauls.(18) His children:

1. Phebe Matthews
2. Joel Matthews moved to Warren Co, GA, by 1800
3. Daughter Matthews
4. Benjamin Matthews (1748-1818) m. Mary Sauls; of whom later

Benjamin Matthews, son of Hugh, died shortly before 4 September 1762, at which time, the administration of the estate was granted to his daughter Pheba Matthews, his widow (not named) being unable to serve.(19) The inventory was made in September, sale in October,(20) and report in January, 1763.(21) On 25 October 1763, William Matthews (uncle?) was appointed guardian to the orphan Benjamin Matthews,(22) indicating that young Benjamin had turned 14, and could choose his guardian.  It might also have meant that his mother had died, but not necessarily.  Neighbors Abram Sauls and John Pace were sureties for the guardian.  Benjamin witnessed a deed in Edgecomb County on 16 October 1774,(23) showing that he was at least 21 years old by that date - and that he stayed in Edgecomb after his uncle (and guardian) moved to Cumberland County, NC.  So he was born between 1742 and 1753, and if the guardian was appointed the month he turned 14, then in 1749.  This is consistent with a reported date of 1748.(24)

The exact nature of Benjamin Jr's Revolutionary War service has not been established, but the State of North Carolina paid him at least £207/5 in 1783 out of the Revolutionary Army Accounts.(25) This may have been for military service or for furnishing a considerable amount of supplies for the use of the army.

Benjamin Matthews (c1748-1818) married about 1775 Mary Sauls, granddaughter of Abraham Sauls who lived next door.  The Census of 1790, Nash County, North Carolina, lists Benjamin Matthews' family as consisting of one male over age 16, 3 males under age 16, 4 females including his wife, and one slave.(28) Benjamin's brother Joel Matthews lived nearby, and witnessed the deed of the sale of a negro boy from James Blackwell to Benjamin Matthews on 30 March 1797, in Nash County.(29) Benjamin and his wife Mary sold their land in Nash County 13 Nov 1797,(30) and his brother Joel sold his land in May, 1798.(31) A Benjamin Matthews certified Harry G. Caldwell as a good citizen of Burke County, Georgia, April 16, 1795. (32)

Many of the descendants of Hugh Matthews, including Tharp, Johnson, McKinney, and Newsom families, joined the migration to Georgia, settling in Wilkinson, Wilkes, and Warren counties. An Arthur Matthews held land in Warren County in 1794, adjoining lands owned by Tharp and Newsom.(33) Benjamin Matthews witnessed the deed when Joel bought land in Warren County, Georgia, on 3 Dec 1800.(34) Benjamin Matthews drew land in Warren County in the Land Lottery of 1805 and again in 1814.(35) This land appears to have fallen into Twiggs County, as Benjamin is listed as owning 153 acres on Pine Creek in the Tax Digest of 1818.(36) Mary Sauls Matthews died in Warren County, Georgia in 1806. Benjamin then married Rebecca Pierson Brown (12 Dec 1772-13 Dec 1846) on 6 Dec 1806.(37) She was the daughter of Jeremiah Pierson, born about 1735 in New Jersey, died after October, 1829, in Monroe County, Georgia.(38) Benjamin and Rebecca joined Stone Creek Baptist Church in Twiggs County on 24 Narch 1810. (39) The pastor was Rev. Vincent A. Tharp (Vincent T. Allentharp 1760VA-1825), who moved to Georgia in 1784, and who had married Rebecca's sister Sarah Pierson, in 1787.   Rebecca removed her membership 25 Oct 1823, and joined Emmaus Primitive Baptist Church in Upson County in 1838.

Benjamin died between March and October, 1818.(40) and reportedly on October 17, 1818.(24) "Rebecca Matthews, widow" drew land in the 1821 Land Lottery.(41) This land was in the portion of Monroe County which fell into Upson County when it was formed in 1824. The land was located east of Thomaston. Rebecca died 13 Dec 1846.(42)

Benjamin Matthews and Mary Sauls had nine children: (43,24)

1. John Matthews (1776-after 1860) m.7 Aug 1808 Mary (Polly) Rogers in Warren Co, GA.
. . m(2) Mary (b.1796SC) Washington Co, GA 1826-1833, moved to Scott Co, MS before 1844.
. . He purchased land in Greene County, MS, in November 1818.
. . 11. Benajah Matthews (1810-after1870) m.1841 Mary Ann Stewart, lived in Jones Co, MS
. . 12. Benjamin Lodowick Mathews (1816-1878) m.1842 Nancy Susan Williams; Cass Co, TX
. . 13. John Mathews (1817-1864) m.1841 Tabitha Gilson m(2) Martha; lived in Jones Co, MS
. . 14. Elizabeth Mathews (1824) married A J Stewart, lived in Scott Co, MS
. . 15. Mary Mathews (1826)
. . 16. William L Mathews (1828-1894) m(1) Joan Bryant; m(2) Annie Bean, lived in Jones Co, MS
. . 17. Lazarus Mathews (1832-1909) m.1858 Sabra Emeline Welch, lived in Jones Co, MS

2. Elizabeth "Betsy" Matthews (1777-16 Dec 1865) m.1801 in Georgia to Peter Jarrett Goza
. . (Gosey) (1774-1840) and moved to SC. In 1818, moved to Mississippi, Missouri, and back to
. . Chester Co, SC by 1820. He died just before the Census of 1840, and Elizabeth moved to Hot
. . Springs Co, Arkansas, where her son Mark lived.
. . 21. Matthew Goza (1802-1853) married Mary McCounts and lived in Greensville, Florida
. . 22. Mark Goza (1804-1896) m1829 Sarah Walker 1834 Nancy L Diggins; Hot Springs Co, AR
. . 23. Saul Sumus Goza (1807-1862) m.1837 Lucinda Dunn, lived in Union Co, AR, in 1850
. . 24. Nancy Goza (1810) married a McMillan
. . 24. Joshua Bethel Goza (1812-1898) m Elinor Phelan, lived in Gibson Co, TN
. . 25. Benjamin Goza (1824-1898) m.1853 Sarah E Brown, lived in Union Co, AR

3. Benjamin Matthews (1787-after 1850) m.4 Jul 1805 Mary Jones, daughter of Thomas Jones
. . married in Warren Co, lived in Wilkinson Co, Ga, in 1835, and in Marion Co, Georgia, in 1850,
. . with wife Sarah. Census of 1820 indicates 6 children

4. Allen Matthews (25 Mar 1789-after 1870) married Sity Riley (1789-1854) moved to Perry
. . County, Mississippi, in 1817, then to Lawrence Co, Mississippi, in 1828; in 1855 moved in
. . with his oldest son in Simpson Co, Mississippi.
. . 41. Harmon P. Matthews (1813-1897) m.1834 Mary Gates, m.1866 Adeline Holcomb
. . . . . .Miller, widow of Samuel Miller, lived in Simpson County, Mississippi.
. . 42. Emmaline Malisey Matthews (1815) m.1838 James Peters. Lived Navarro County, Texas.
. . 43. Seaborn Caswell Matthews (1817-1897) m.1843 Jane Newsom. Lived in Copiah Co, MS
. . 44. Allen Matthews (1819) died before 1830
. . 45. Elizabeth Ellen Matthews (1821) m. Alexander Harper. Lived at Florence, Miss.
. . 46. Mary Ann Matthews (1822) m.1839 James G Howell.  Lived in Van Zandt County, Texas.
. . 47. Arthur Tillman Matthews (1827-1898) m.1854 Martha Sample, m.1866 Lucy Pierce
. . . . . Slay, widow of Elijah Slay, lived in Copiah County, Mississippi

5. Mary "Polly" Matthews (1792-after 1870) married Thomas Jones (d. before 1850) and lived
. ...in Twiggs County, Georgia. Apparently seven children (census) including one son:
. . 51. Thomas H Jones (1810or19) m. Martha A Tharp; his son Lodrick Mathews Jones (b.1850)

6. Loderick Matthews (1 Nov 1794-25 Apr 1855) m.1818 Mary Harrell (1798-1874) moved to
. . Russell Co, AL, in 1833, then to Union Co, AR, 1845, then to Jackson Co, TX, in 1851.
. . 61. Lucinda Matthews (1819) married Stephen Weathers and moved to Texas.
. . 62. Benjamin Rush Matthews (1821-1894) m.1852 Sarah E Wright, lived in El Dorado, AR
. . 63. Madison Jefferson Matthews (1823-1839)
. . 64. Louisiana Suphrena Matthews (1825-1847) m.1841 William Lewis, lived in Texas
. . 65. Missouri Elizabeth Matthews (1827) married Dudley Cochran, lived in Mineral Springs, AR
. . 66. Loderick William Matthews (1830-1915) m.1850 Sarah Moore Goodwin; Ouachita Co, AR
. . 67. Mary Sauls Matthews (1832-1883) m.1849 Jesse M."Dennis" Pumpfrey; Jackson Co, TX
. . 68. John R Matthews (1834) m.1858 Ellen M Elliott; Jackson Co, TX
. . 69. Erastus Allen Matthews (1837-1910) m.1856 Emily Ophelia Garrett, m.1868 Lenora Helena
. . . . . Breckenridge; lived in Jackson Co, TX
. . 60. Dade Lewis Matthews (1839-1868) m.1859 Felicia H Chivers, lived in Texas

7. Arthur Matthews (24 June 1798-15 Feb 1881) m.1821 Elizabeth Harrell m.1844 Phebe, 
    widow Youngblood. moved to Russell Co, AL 1833, then to Union Co, AR, 1845
. . 71. Louisa Matthews married 1838 Felix Walter Laney; Ouachita Co, AR
. . 72. Martha Matthews (1826-1851) m.1841 John A Reeves; Arkansas
. . 73. Ann J Matthews (1827-1850?) m.1849 James Simmons
. . 74. Mary J Matthews (1830) m.1855 John A Reeves
. . 75. Augustus Matthews married Molly Barnett, and died in the Civil War.

8. Amasa "Macy" Matthews (1 Jan 1801 - 24 May 1874) m.1818 Levi Jones (1795-after 1870);
. . lived in Twiggs Co, Ga, in 1821. The 1830 Census, Upson Co, GA, indicates three daughters.
. . Bought land in Russell Co, AL, In 1834; Lived at Notasulga, Macon County, Alabama, in 1870.
. . 81. Sarah Jones (1820-after 1880) married a Hodgins

9. Sarah Rachel "Sallie" Matthews (15 May1803-27 Mar 1857) m.1824 John G Hays (6 May
    1803-11 Sep 1887) and moved to Choctaw Co, MS, by 1845, their land fell into Webster Co.
. . 91. Sarah Lucinda Hays (1824-1853) m.1839 Joshua Hightower (1815-1854); Montgomery Co MS
. . 92. Vincent Allen "Jack" Hays (1826-1876) m. Eliza Ann Aldridge (1829-1905), Webster Co, MS
. . 93. Martha Ann Hays (1829-1901) m.1846 William D Dunlap; m.1868 Samuel Parker, Grady, MS
. . 94. Mary Jane Hays (1831-1849) m.1847 James C Middleton
. . 95. Elizabeth D Hays (1836-1858) m.1852 Reding Thompson (1823)
. . 96. Sarah Frances Hays (1839-1904) m.1856 James Aldridge (1833-1861)
. . 97. Nancy M Hays (1841-1860)
. . 98. Louisa Adeline Hays (1843-before 1850)
. . 99. John A Hays (1848-1856)

Benjamin Matthews and Rebecca Pierson had two children: (44)

0. Joel Matthews (18 Apr 1808 - 9 May 1892) m.1829 Mourning Trice (1812-1879) Judge and
. . politician in Upson Co, GA 1850-1865
. . 01. Benjamin F Matthews (1830-1899) m.1853 Elizabeth English
. . 02. Sallie Matthews (1832-1847)
. . 03. James N Matthews (1834-1834)
. . 04. John Matthews (1840-1841)
. . 05 .Martha Matthews (1843-1870)
. . 06 .Frances Matthews (1847-1904) m.1873 James T Reeves
. . 07. Emily Matthews (1850-1851)
. . 08. Charlie Matthews (1857-1925) married Sarah M. Matthews

1. Jeremiah Matthews (1812-1882) m.1833 Nancy H Trice (1816-1851) lived in Upson Co, GA.
. . 11. Melvina Matthews (1834-1906) m.1859 James McAffee
. . 12. William Matthews (1838)
. . 13. Mary Matthews (1840)
. . 14. Elizabeth Matthews (1842-1923) m.1884 Jason Reeves
. . 15. Francis Matthews (1845)
. . 16. Joel R Matthews (1849)

REFERENCES:
(1) Cavaliers and Pioneers, Nugent, 1934, v.1 p.403-4 (Patent Book 4, p.326)
(2) Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia, Boddie, 1959 p.549,555
(3) Cavaliers and Pioneers, Nugent, 1934, v.2 p.198 (Patent Book 6, p.683)
(4) Isle of Wight County, Will & Deed Book 2, p.269
(5) Isle of Wight County, Administration & Probate Book p.61
(6) Cavaliers and Pioneers, Nugent, 1934, v.3 p.21 (Patent Book 9, p.150)
(7) Cavaliers and Pioneers, Nugent, 1934, v.3 p.175 (Patent Book 10, p.257)
(8) Isle of Wight County, The Great Book 2, page 370
(9) Cavaliers and Pioneers, Nugent, 1934, v.3 p.305 (Patent Book 12, p.439)
(10) Isle of Wight County, Will & Deed Book 2, p.484
(11) Isle of Wight County, The Great Book 2, p.271
(12) Wills and Administrations of Southampton Co, Va, 1747-1800, Chapman, 1946, p.7
. . . or in the 1980 reprint, page 4 (Will Book 1, page 55)
(13) Wills and Administrations of Southampton Co, Va, 1747-1800, Chapman, 1980, p.6
. . . .(Will Book 1, page 96)
(14) Wills and Administrations of Southampton Co, Va, 1747-1800, Chapman, 1980, p.6
. . . .(Will Book 1, page 108)
(15) Edgecomb Co, NC, Deed Book 2, page 44; in Colonial Records of North Carolina,
. . . Sanders, 1886, v.4, p.344
(16) Edgecomb Co Deed Book 3, page 7
(17) Nash Co Deed Book I, page 446
(18) Edgecomb Co Deed Book C, page 45
(19) Edgecomb Co Court Minute Book I, page 340
(20) Edgecomb Co Court Minute Book I, page 341
(21) Edgecomb Co Court Minute Book II, page 12
(22) Edgecomb Co Court Minute Book II, page 35, 38 (?)
(23) Edgecomb Co Deed Book 3, page 11
(24) Paper prepared by Nettie Lee Matthews Simmons in 1965
(25) Record found in North Carolina State Archives, Revolutionary Army Accounts.
(28) Census of 1790, North Carolina
(29) Nash Co Deed Book 2, page
(30) Nash Co Deed Book 6, page 293
(31) Nash Co Minute Book III, page 37
(32) The Augusta (Ga) Chronicle, 16 Sep 1797, page 4, column 2
(33) Some Early Tax Digests of Georgia, Blair, 1926, p.180
(34) Warren Co. Cemeteries and Genealogy, Crumpton, 1987, p. 216
(35) 1805 Georgia Land Lottery, Wood, 1964, p. 231
(36) Twiggs County Tax Digest of 1818
(37) Warren County Genealogy II, Crumpton, 1990 p.188
(38) Upson County, Ga., Deed Book B, page 7; Jeremiah Pierson deeded land to his grandson
. . . . Joel Matthews, October 28, 1829
(39) History of Stone Creek Baptist Church of Twiggs County, Georgia, 1808-1888; Eleanor
. . . . Davis McSwain, 1959, p.65
(40) The Georgia Journal, April 14, 1818 notice indicated Benjamin was alive on March 18.
. . . . November 17, 1818 notice of sale of his estate. November 25, Lodowick Matthews was
. . . . granted letters of administration and named guardian of sister Sarah Matthews. On
. . . . August 10, 1824, Lodowick was released as guardian.
(41) Twiggs County Georgia Abstracts, Clark, 1987, p.42
(42) History of Upson County, Georgia, Nottingham, 1930, p.428
(43) Record written about 1915 by L'Na Francis, granddaughter of Arthur Matthews, found in
. . . . the Arthur Matthews Family Bible, then in possession of Lillian Francis Henry, about 1975
(44) Same as 43 plus History of Upson County, Georgia, pp.1006,1007

Allen Matthews (1789-after 1870) married Sity Riley (1789-1854)

Arthur Matthews (1827-1898) m.1866 Lucy Pierce (1840-1922)

Carson B Matthews (1874-1948) m.1913 Jeanne Marie Tynes (1878-1958)

Frances Mary Tate Matthews (1917-2010) m.1949 Virgil Raymond Liptrap (1907-1977)

James Matthews Liptrap (1951)