Welcome to the Research section of our Matthews Website
Let me introduce you to Jane Harlan, our very accomplished family researcher. She digs through our Matthews and related families legal histories like a miner digging for gold. In this area you will find much of the information she has uncovered. She is our ‘resident’ researcher for our Matthews family, dating back to Stephen James Matthews, Sr. She is always looking for that ‘link’ to SJ Matthew’s father and his ancestors. She is a very careful and thorough researcher, verifying her data; citing not only dates, but places, publications, pages numbers, etc. Her searches are as correct as the information they come from. Many old records do have mistakes – we all make them. But a researcher’s goal is to get the best information available and Jane does that. And if she is uncertain, but believes the data correct, she will say so.
Sometimes you will see the name Matthews spelled in different way - and often first names will be misspelled also. Please understand - this is the way the names were spelled on the official document.
We want to add to our family information, so if you are into Matthews Genealogy and doing the research that bring us closer to our ancestors, please contact us. You can send your information via email to jansails3rdcoast@gmail.com or if it is already in a written format you can send copies or originals (we will always return valuable information) to Jan McCormack at 1110 NE Parvin Road - Apartment 207 - Kansas City, MO 64116
We would like, again, to ask you to send special stories you would like to share with the family and its future generations. We have many examples here on the website; just click on the Stories Drop Down menu and you will find many stories, poetry, news (from actual newspapers), and other useful and interesting family information.
THIS IS YOUR WEBSITE
There are many ways you can participate
1. Send us your old family recipes (with name and picture of the person who first introduced you to that special food)
2. Sign our guest book
3. Send us your funny or endearing stories along with pictures if you have them
4. Use our form to fill out your family genealogy information
5. Contact us and make useful suggestion for the website
6. Send us copies of your deceased ancestors legal documents (Birth, Death, Marriage, Military Service records, etc)
We hope you enjoy learning about your family, and we hope to keep the information and fun coming; so please come back often.
Sometimes you will see the name Matthews spelled in different way - and often first names will be misspelled also. Please understand - this is the way the names were spelled on the official document.
We want to add to our family information, so if you are into Matthews Genealogy and doing the research that bring us closer to our ancestors, please contact us. You can send your information via email to jansails3rdcoast@gmail.com or if it is already in a written format you can send copies or originals (we will always return valuable information) to Jan McCormack at 1110 NE Parvin Road - Apartment 207 - Kansas City, MO 64116
We would like, again, to ask you to send special stories you would like to share with the family and its future generations. We have many examples here on the website; just click on the Stories Drop Down menu and you will find many stories, poetry, news (from actual newspapers), and other useful and interesting family information.
THIS IS YOUR WEBSITE
There are many ways you can participate
1. Send us your old family recipes (with name and picture of the person who first introduced you to that special food)
2. Sign our guest book
3. Send us your funny or endearing stories along with pictures if you have them
4. Use our form to fill out your family genealogy information
5. Contact us and make useful suggestion for the website
6. Send us copies of your deceased ancestors legal documents (Birth, Death, Marriage, Military Service records, etc)
We hope you enjoy learning about your family, and we hope to keep the information and fun coming; so please come back often.
January 2011
RESEARCH:
I located young MATTHEWS in the 1800 Limestone AL census in the household of his widowed maternal grandmother Jinsey Riggs ARTHUR. He (SJM, III) is listed as “James L. MATHES” age 2; and without his mother Rebecca. Was she deceased? Had she remarried? What happened to James, did he died young? Irma Plott thought that Jensey took her grandson James west with her, so did he die along the way or what?
Jensey ARTHUR was in Conejos Colorado in 1900, living with her daughter Mary & (husband) Joseph Holman. They have traveled across the country with most of her children, their families, and other members of the Mormon faith.
The little Mormon community they lived in is across the state line from Utah. The (Conejos CO) Mormon's Book of Names has Jennie ARTHUR died November 8, 1918 from flu. The La Jara Cemetery, Conejos CO has Jennie ARTHUR with the dates: 1824 – 1907. But no sign of James.
The ARTHUR'S trip may have taken them through Texas, because the daughter of Jinsey's son Henry and his wife Julia, was buried in Kaufman TX, December 5, 1885.
The patriarch of this family, Jinsey's husband Henry was born in SC. He emigrated from South Carolina to Giles TN where he started his family then moved on to Limestone AL. Henry died prior to 1880 and was probably buried in the old Arthur Cemetery.
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THE YEAR 2010 IN REVIEW
The search for my great-grandmother Margaret Elizabeth VENABLE Continues in LAWCOTN and Lauderdale, AL. I don't know when she died nor where she was buried.
Until a few years ago, Margaret's last name was thought to be either VANDIVER or VENABLE. I now have proved information on Margaret's siblings, her MALONE grandparents, aunts and uncles.
Actually, after months of searching, a cousin disclosed that he knew our great-great-grandmother was Mary (Malone Venable) POWELL! It was all downhill from there. Turns out that the 1870 census of LAWCOTN listed the POWELL household with Margaret Elizabeth (without her last name) beneath her half-sisters. Ordinarily that would make her a POWELL, so this record was discarded many times by researchers. (Mary VENABLES' second husband was Richard Benjamin POWELL.)
I think I have the given name of MARGARET VENABLE'S father but not his ancestry.
SJM's Daughters
I think I resolved the issues with the youngest child of SJM & Catherine. The names and ages of this child in census records lead me to believe I was looking for two different children but am now satisfied that it was only one child; Evalyn Catherine MATTHEWS. She married Samuel WILLIAMS. They lived in Limestone AL before heading west to AR-OK-TX. They died in TX and we have copies of their death certificates and other documents.
The DVD made of Uncle Floyd MATTHEWS helped so much! He told how he and his father Huston went to visit “Uncle Sam WILLIAMS in Texas”. The family really needs more DVDs like that to validate facts...or in this case; reveal facts that can be researched.
Correction of a prior chart: Anna Elizabeth was not born in McNatt AR but she did live with Evalyn and Sam WILLIAMS in AR prior to her death.
Correction to an earlier story: Frances Rosine was not b. in Birmingham. The history of SJM's other daughters was fairly well documented by Irma, but new stories have not been submitted.
SONS OF SJM & Catherine
They had two, possibly three sons in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. We learned about Dr. SJM's war history from Ima Plott many years ago. The research of her grandfather William Marion MATTHEWS was very thorough, more or less concluding that he died in the Alton IL Prison Camp, buried en mass.
It is unknown if Judge S.J. MATTHEWS' son Thomas Lindsey was in the military and died in battle or not. Several Thomas L. MATTHEWS in the Confederacy died in battle, but I cannot prove he was one of them. Perhaps he died at home in Lauderdale; or maybe he relocated.
Lafayette MATTHEWS' death information has not surfaced either. One rumor stated that he got into trouble in Alabama and relocated to Illinois.
Did you know that when Alabama's land north of the TN River was organized into counties in 1785 by the Georgia Legislature that it was named “HOUSTOUN COUNTY” in honor of the governor of Georgia, John HOUSTOUN?
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JOHN HUSTON MATTHEWS family
NANNIE FARRIS
For years we did not have any information on Huston's' second wife Nancy FARRIS except that she died in 1912. Almost three years ago I came across six apparently orphaned siblings living in the households of various relatives in Giles County. Being reluctant to disclose this breakthrough without further proof, I consulted her grandsons. During a conversation with Bud SLAGLE, he suddenly remembered an old photograph of his uncle; one of the siblings. Great! Now I had something solid to work with. This information lead to the FARRIS, KELLY, AND HUNTER ancestors of Nannie and her children.
SOLON MATTHEWS
The tombstone of Huston's fifth son, Solon, has August 1890 as his birth date; leading us to believe he was born seven months after the twins.
His death record on-line states he was born in 1888. Most of the census records have 1886/1887 or 1888. In a case like this, I use these records as opposed to family stories passed down. That's what I have to do.
The main reasons I'm writing this newsletter is to provide an update on our research; and to request that all of you who have stories and information about your ancestors and/or descendants, - and all of you do – please, write up a few notes and forward them to me. Current obituaries and copies of old obituaries; marriage & death certificates are really appreciated. Email or snail mail is fine; or call me. You may think you have nothing much to tell or contribute, but even the slightest tidbit can lead me on the path to discovery. Okay, that sounds corny, but I am serious.
You may not be interested in knowing more about your genealogy but your children may someday. Your relatives want to see your pictures and hear your story. With your input, Jan and I can produce charts, booklets, slide shows, presentations and more at the reunions. These help jog memories and hopefully create more stories to share. We're looking at ways to improve sharing our history. We need your input.
How can we get you interested? Forward questions and corrections that we would not otherwise know about. If you don't use computers have someone who does, scan your photos and documents then email them to me.
If you have a different version of a story or article on this website, please tell us.
SJH/01JAN2011
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NEWS
Sheldon McNeese shot and instantly killed the 17 year old son of Dr. Matthews, of Loretto, Saturday night last. The trouble occurred, we learned, at a dance near West Point.
McNeese came to town Sunday and surrendered to sheriff Comer, claiming he did the shooting in self-defense.
The sheriff is now at West Point investigating the matter.
Note: This article varies slightly from the story told by Irma Plott, about the death of Dr. (SJM Jr.)Peg's son, Lafayette Matthews
McNeese came to town Sunday and surrendered to sheriff Comer, claiming he did the shooting in self-defense.
The sheriff is now at West Point investigating the matter.
Note: This article varies slightly from the story told by Irma Plott, about the death of Dr. (SJM Jr.)Peg's son, Lafayette Matthews
LAWRENCE COUNTY, TN – MATTHEWS – EARLY 1800’S
The 1818 Voters List [collected by David Crockett] has the following Matthews:
Daniel
Lewis
Jacob
Tax list of 1826 for LAWRENCE COUNTY TN:
MATTHEWS:
William – 184
Jacob – 404
Thomas J. - 74
PRICE:
Lindsey 149
Samuel 344
Wm. 410
Wm Jr. 164
Wm, Sr. 104
LAWRENCE COUNTY TN Index of wills, etc. 1829 – 1847 Book B:
Elizabeth Matthews
Thomas Matthews
William W. Matthews
NOTE:
The will for a William Matthews in Maury Co TN is very lengthy, took years to settle, but needs to be reviewed; his widow is named Elizabeth.
The 1830 LAWCOTN Head of Households were:
MATTHEWS,
Elizabeth MATTHEWS,
John MATTHEWS,
Thomas Matthews
PRICE, Ezekiel
PRICE, Samuel
PRICE, Solomon
PRICE, Thomas
PRICE, William
The 1840 U. S. Federal Census of Lawrence Co TN:
Household of: Stephen James MATTHEWS, Sr.
1 male under 5 years old
2 males ages 20-30
1 female age 20-30
1 female age 60-70
The young male is probably William Marion Matthews; born 1838.
The older males are probably Stephen James and his brother Thomas [J. or O.?] Matthews.
The female [20-30] would be Stephen's wife Catherine Price. The older female must be the mother of Stephen & Thomas. Irma Plott stated that Catherine's mother married Mr. John Grimes in 1835. Catherine's father died in 1833.
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Note:
This Census was enumerated by THOMAS J. MATTHEWS. SJ Matthews was the first household on his schedule and Thomas is not found elsewhere.
In the 1880 Lauderdale AL census; S. J. Matthews was the enumerator, and his was the first household on that list.
There are no Matthews in the 1850 LAWCOTN Census. [unless it was an incomplete listing]
The 1850 Mortality Schedule has:
Silas A. Mathews, age 12, born in TN, died Feb 1850, from Typhoid.
MATTHEWS IN LAUDERDALE, ALABAMA
The 1850 U.S. Federal Census of Lauderdale, AL
2nd Division East of The Military Road,
Enumerated November 5, 1850
Sheet #324A; Reel No: M432-7; pg # 646:
Household of: S. J. MATTHIS [Matthews]:
S. J. 36 TN Tax Assessor
Catherine 30 NC
William 12 TN
James 10 TN
Mary 8 TN
Thomas 5 TN
Elizabeth 2 AL
NOTE:
These records show that SJM moved to Lauderdale, Alabama between 1840- 1850. This is the first census documenting the ages and birth locations of the children.
SJ Matthews purchased land, in 1859, record in Huntsville, Alabama.
The 1866 tax list has SJ Matthews as a Lawyer
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The 1818 Voters List [collected by David Crockett] has the following Matthews:
Daniel
Lewis
Jacob
Tax list of 1826 for LAWRENCE COUNTY TN:
MATTHEWS:
William – 184
Jacob – 404
Thomas J. - 74
PRICE:
Lindsey 149
Samuel 344
Wm. 410
Wm Jr. 164
Wm, Sr. 104
LAWRENCE COUNTY TN Index of wills, etc. 1829 – 1847 Book B:
Elizabeth Matthews
Thomas Matthews
William W. Matthews
NOTE:
The will for a William Matthews in Maury Co TN is very lengthy, took years to settle, but needs to be reviewed; his widow is named Elizabeth.
The 1830 LAWCOTN Head of Households were:
MATTHEWS,
Elizabeth MATTHEWS,
John MATTHEWS,
Thomas Matthews
PRICE, Ezekiel
PRICE, Samuel
PRICE, Solomon
PRICE, Thomas
PRICE, William
The 1840 U. S. Federal Census of Lawrence Co TN:
Household of: Stephen James MATTHEWS, Sr.
1 male under 5 years old
2 males ages 20-30
1 female age 20-30
1 female age 60-70
The young male is probably William Marion Matthews; born 1838.
The older males are probably Stephen James and his brother Thomas [J. or O.?] Matthews.
The female [20-30] would be Stephen's wife Catherine Price. The older female must be the mother of Stephen & Thomas. Irma Plott stated that Catherine's mother married Mr. John Grimes in 1835. Catherine's father died in 1833.
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Note:
This Census was enumerated by THOMAS J. MATTHEWS. SJ Matthews was the first household on his schedule and Thomas is not found elsewhere.
In the 1880 Lauderdale AL census; S. J. Matthews was the enumerator, and his was the first household on that list.
There are no Matthews in the 1850 LAWCOTN Census. [unless it was an incomplete listing]
The 1850 Mortality Schedule has:
Silas A. Mathews, age 12, born in TN, died Feb 1850, from Typhoid.
MATTHEWS IN LAUDERDALE, ALABAMA
The 1850 U.S. Federal Census of Lauderdale, AL
2nd Division East of The Military Road,
Enumerated November 5, 1850
Sheet #324A; Reel No: M432-7; pg # 646:
Household of: S. J. MATTHIS [Matthews]:
S. J. 36 TN Tax Assessor
Catherine 30 NC
William 12 TN
James 10 TN
Mary 8 TN
Thomas 5 TN
Elizabeth 2 AL
NOTE:
These records show that SJM moved to Lauderdale, Alabama between 1840- 1850. This is the first census documenting the ages and birth locations of the children.
SJ Matthews purchased land, in 1859, record in Huntsville, Alabama.
The 1866 tax list has SJ Matthews as a Lawyer
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Children of Stephen James MATTHEWS, Sr. & Catherine E. PRICE
Evaline “Eva” Catherine MATTHEWS WILLIAMS (1859 - 1927)
Evaline “Eva” MATTHEWS was the tenth child of Stephen James and Catherine MATTHEWS. Evaline is listed on the 1860 Lauderdale AL Census as three years old, thirteen on the 1870 Census, and then “Eva” is twenty years old on the 1880 Census (enumerated by her father). So I'm confused, was she born in 1857 or 1860? (Irma Matthews PLOTT had 1857, as indicated in the first two records.) From 1880 on, the documents I've seen - including her death certificate - have July 24, 1859 as Eva's birth date. For years I thought these were two different children because of the name and age difference on the census records. My thinking was, the first Evaline died then the next child Eva was named for the deceased sibling, as was the custom. But that didn't add up either. I suppose, in 1880 if a woman was twenty-three and unmarried she was considered a “spinster”. Therefore, it would be okay for a lady to shave off a couple years? Yes!
A marriage record exists for Evie C. MATTHEWS and Samuel C. WILLIAMS in Lauderdale AL, dated January 22, 1884. (Book D(7), page 449; performed by F.G. POSEY, MG. There's also a record for Samuel C. WILLIAMS and Jesse PORTER on January 15, 1881; Book D-7, page 2. I haven't determined if these WILLIAMS' are one and the same.
Eva C. (Catherine) appears on the 1900 Limestone AL census with her husband Samuel C. WILLIAMS and three children. It states they've been married ten years and lost one child. Sam enumerated this census. Both born July 1859 (Sam b. 14JUL1859). Eva's widowed mother Catherine MATTHEWS is in this household, age 82, born November 1817. Catherine and her parents were reportedly born in the Carolinas, but I haven't seen those earlier records. This census states too, that Catherine had ten children but only seven living. Catherine died in 1901 in Limestone County.
Eva's older sister Anna Elizabeth WILLIAMS was living nearby in the household of her son Stephen and his family. When Sam and Eva moved their family to Arkansas around 1902, Anna either went with them or perhaps she went to live with them after her only son died in 1908. She was in the WILLIAMS household in 1910 according to the Arkansas Census. It is believed that Anna died there sometime around 1917.
Next, I found the Williams family in Dallas County Texas where they lived for about ten years. That must be where they were living when John Huston MATTHEWS and his son Floyd went by train to visit his “Uncle Sam WILLIAMS in Texas”. Although some of Eva's and Sam's children may have lived in Oklahoma, I'm not certain whether they did or didn't.
The WILLIAMS would relocate again in 1919, this time near Iowa Park in Wichita County TX. Eva passed away May 25, 1927 at the age of 68.
Samuel died February 25, 1935 at the age of 75 in the home of his son Thomas, in Burkburnett TX. According to his obituary, Samuel's sons G.W. lived in Gladewater Texas, and Harrison in Hugo Oklahoma. Daughter Detter (Mrs. J.F. Sims) lived in Waurika, Oklahoma.
Eva and Sam WILLIAMS are buried in the Highland Cemetery, Highway 287, Iowa Park, Wichita, TX. See their obituaries....
08AUG2010/SJH___Sources : U.S. Federal Census Records; Death Certificates, Obituary, Cemetery Transcriptions, Lauderdale AL 1882-1884 Marriages; Floyd Matthews
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Descendants of Catherine & Stephen James MATTHEWS, Sr.
Custom Report for Eva MATTHEWS
Matthews, Eva C.
Birth: 24 Jul 1857 in Alabama, USA
Marriage: 22 Jan 1884 in Lauderdale, AL, USA
Death: 25 May 1927 in Iowa Park, Wichita, Texas, USA
SPOUSE:
Williams, Samuel C
Birth: 14 Jul 1859 in TN, USA
Marriage: 22 Jan 1884 in Lauderdale, AL, USA
Death: 25 Feb 1935 in Burkburnett, Wichita, Texas, USA
CHILDREN:
Williams, Harrison M
Birth: Apr 1888 in Alabama, USA
Williams, Thomas
Birth: Feb 1893 in Alabama, USA
Williams, Beutler (sp?) C
Birth: 1900 in Alabama, USA
Williams, George W
Birth: 1902 in Alabama, USA
Williams, Detter
Birth: Jul 1896 in Alabama, USA
Death: Bef. 1910
FTM/11JAN2011/sjh
Birth: 24 Jul 1857 in Alabama, USA
Marriage: 22 Jan 1884 in Lauderdale, AL, USA
Death: 25 May 1927 in Iowa Park, Wichita, Texas, USA
SPOUSE:
Williams, Samuel C
Birth: 14 Jul 1859 in TN, USA
Marriage: 22 Jan 1884 in Lauderdale, AL, USA
Death: 25 Feb 1935 in Burkburnett, Wichita, Texas, USA
CHILDREN:
Williams, Harrison M
Birth: Apr 1888 in Alabama, USA
Williams, Thomas
Birth: Feb 1893 in Alabama, USA
Williams, Beutler (sp?) C
Birth: 1900 in Alabama, USA
Williams, George W
Birth: 1902 in Alabama, USA
Williams, Detter
Birth: Jul 1896 in Alabama, USA
Death: Bef. 1910
FTM/11JAN2011/sjh