29 March 2006

Joseph Alexander Mathews

The following is from HARDEMAN COUNTY TENN - BIOGRAPHIES dated 1887.

Joseph A. Mathews, planter of Hardeman County, is a native of Abbeville County, S.C., born January 15, 1830, the thirteenth of fourteen children born to Joseph C. and Margaret (Brough) Mathews. The father, of Irish descent, was born in Abbeville County, S.C., and his occupation was farming and tanning. He was a Democrat in politics and an elder in the Presbyterian Church for many years. He died in his native county in about 1854. The mother was also .a native of Abbeville County, S.C., and a member of the Presbyterian Church, and her death occurred in 1860. Joseph A. secured by his own efforts a practical education and for several years followed the tanner’s trade in South Carolina, but in 1848 immigrated to Tennessee and settled in Fayette County. He here followed the same business for four years but in 1852 bought four horses and began teaming from West Tennessee and northern Mississippi to Memphis. In the summer of 1860 he took a prospecting tour through Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana, but did not buy and soon returned to Fayette County and gave his attention to farming. In 1865 Mr. Mathews purchased the place where he now lives in Hardeman County, where he moved the next year, and now owns 850 acres of laud in this county. September 15, 1857, he married Miss Ellen Morrow, a lady of highly respected family, born in Greenville County, S.C., June 22, 1822. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and died February 27, 1880, leaving two children:William M., a young lawyer of much promise, and Jennie, a young lady of many accomplishments. December 1, 1881, Mr. Mathews married Miss Fannie Campbell, a most worthy lady, born in Mississippi, May 15, 1800. Mr. Mathews is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. --- end of article ---

Note: Joseph and Ellen's children were Margaret Jane, born in March 1860 and William Morrow, born 13 Nov. 1863. Ellen was the daughter of Col. William Morrow, a veteran of the War of 1812, and the Tennessee State Militia, and Jane Reid originally from Greenville, South Carolina.

Joseph is listed in the Fayette Co TN 1850 census as living with his brother Ezekiel W. Mathews and family in Civil District #12. In the 1860 census he is in Civil District #1(as is Ezekiel). The 1860 census list:
J. A. Mathews, age 31 male, born SC, farmer 1,000 real estate, 4,000 personal property
Helen, age 35 female, born SC
M. J., age 3/12 female, born TN

Since Joseph was in the 'teaming' trade for a period beginning in 1852 (about the time his brother Thomas migrated to Pontotoc, Miss.) in North Miss and West Tenn., did he come into contact with his brother Thomas and his family in North Mississippi? Thomas' son William was in a similar trade of hauling goods. Was this where William got his start?

07 March 2006

When did they arrive?

In attempting to ascertain when John and/or Isaac Mathews first appeared in South Carolina, the following information is available.

An Isaac Matthews and Isaac Edward Matthews (** see bottom of msg) are listed in 96 District Census 1779, as are a Joseph, Victer and two Williams.

Isaac Mathews listed as one of the estate administrators of Joseph Greer's estate dtd 12 Mar 1783 (also listed is John Ewing Calhoun, a 1st cousin of Anne Calhoun).

Isaac Mathews married Anne Calhoun 12 Oct 1784.

Isaac Mathews listed in 96 District SC (in the area that would become Abbeville County) in 1790 Census with (a) 1 male 16>, (b) 1 male less than 16, (c) 3 females. Isaac would be (a), Joseph Calhoun would be (b), and Anne, Mary and Nancy would be (c).

There is a Philip, William, Saml (Samuel), Joseph, Victor and William Mathews also listed in 96 District in 1790 (note: NO John) in the area that would become Abbeville County.

Isaac Mathews is listed in the 1800 US Census in Abbeville County SC (a) 1 male 9<, (b) 1 male 10-15, (c) 1 male 45+, (d) 2 females 10-15, (e) 1 female 45+. Isaac would be (c), John would be (a), Joseph would be (b), Nancy and Mary would be (d) and Anne would be (e).

Isaac Mathews died in 25 March 1801. The 1810 census list Ann Mathews with (a) 2 males 16-25 and (b) 1 female 26-44. John and Lewis would be (a) and Anne would be (b). Joseph Mathews married Margaret Brough 18 Sept 1807 and is listed as Joseph Mathues with (a) 1 male 9<, (b) 1 male 26-44, (c) 1 female 9<, (d) 1 female 16-25. Ezekiel Waddle would be (a), Joseph would be (b), Nancy Ann would be (c) and Margaret would be (d).

Janie Revill’s, a Compilation of the Original lists of Protestant Immigrants to South Carolina 1763-1773, list a John Mathews as a 30 May 1768 petitioner for a warrant of survey on the bounty for 100 acres between Savannah and Saludy Rivers (Council Journal 34, pg 148-151). Also listed as petitioners for 100 acres each were George Farquar, Charles Tais, Patrick Smellie, John Grelling, Robert Briggs, William Weer, Stephen Brown, James Stedman, Gilbert Chalmers, John Allardice and George Thomson. All listed EXCEPT John Mathews arrived from Great Britain in the Snow (type of ship) KINNOUL (Alexander Alexander – master). ? Was John Mathews already in Charleston SC or did he arrive on a different ship?

Bracketing Dec 1767 to May 1768, the 6 months prior to the council meeting in Charleston, David Dobson list 5 ships that arrived from Ireland to Charleston SC during that time period in his book, Ships from Ireland to Early America 1623-1850. They are the EARL OF DONEGAL, arrived Charleston from Belfast, 7 Dec 1767 with 260 passengers, the CHICHESTER, arrived Charleston from Belfast, 25 Dec 1767 with 130 passengers, the JAMES & MARY, arrived Charleston from Larne, 31 Dec 1767 with 150 passengers, the BETTY GREIG, arrived Charleston from N. Ireland, 1 Feb 1768 with 150 passengers, and the LORD DUNGANNON, arrived Charleston from N. Ireland, 1 Feb 1768 with 120 passengers. ? Could John and Isaac Mathews have been aboard one of these ships if in fact the John Mathews listed is ‘our’ John Mathews?

The South Carolina Assembly had passed an act in 1761 to encourage settlers to come to the colony and settle Upper South Carolina, the frontier. A bounty of 4 pounds sterling would be paid “for the passage of every poor Protestant brought to SC from Europe.” The bounty system came to an end on the last day of the General Assembly session in July 1768. Hence, the 30 May 1768 session was one of the last that granted this bounty.

** Isaac Edward Matthews/Mathews b. 1736 VA, d. 25 Mar 1791, 96 Dist, SC. Was the son of Isaac and Mary Mathews. Isaac b. abt 1700 King & Queen Co, VA, d. 1767-69 Old Charles City, SC. Isaac's children were Moses, Thomas, Samuel, Reap, Robert, Peter, Susannah, isaac Edward, Jean, Mary and Sarah. Isaac was the son of Thomas Mathews of VA. This line of Mathews was an old Virginia line originally from England. This is probably the Isaac Edward Matthews referred to in the 1779 Census. His father Isaac would have already died by 1779, so the other Isaac listed could very possibly be 'our' Isaac. Another idea is that the other Isaac could be Isaac Matthews son of Victor Matthews from York County, PA. Victor is listed on a jury list for Abbeville in 1776-77, and on the 1790 Census for Abbeville Co., SC. Victor's will was dated 1796 Abbeville, SC and names his wife Isabell and a Joseph Matthews (thought to be his brother) as executors . Victor's children are listed as John, James, Isaac, Esther, Ann, Elizabeth & Rebecca in the will. Note: the names Joseph, Victer (Victor) and Isaac are all listed in the 1779 Census.