John Mathews (American pioneer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Mathews
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|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Died | 1757 Augusta County, Virginia |
| Nationality | British-American |
| Spouse | Ann Archer |
| Children |
Eleven, including:
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| Relatives | Mathews family |
| Occupation |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Great Britain |
| Branch/service | Virginia provincial militia |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | French and Indian War • Braddock expedition |
John Mathews (died 1757) was an important early American pioneer in Augusta County, Virginia. He played many roles in his community. He was an officer in the local army, called the militia. He also helped manage the church and served as a judge.
John Mathews was the start of a very important political family in Virginia and the American South. His sons, George Mathews and Sampson Mathews, became well-known. Many other family members also became important leaders.
Contents
Who Was John Mathews?
John Mathews was a key figure in the early days of Virginia. He helped shape the new settlements. He was a farmer, a military officer, and a public servant. His work helped build the community in Augusta County.
Where Did John Mathews Come From?
No one is completely sure where John Mathews was born. He arrived in the Valley of Virginia around 1737. This was before Augusta County was even officially created. Many people believe he was Scotch-Irish. This means his family came from Scotland but lived in Ireland for a time. Others think he might have been of Welsh background.
Most early settlers in Augusta County were Scotch-Irish. They often came from Pennsylvania. A historian named Joseph A. Waddell said that almost everyone in the county before the American Revolutionary War was Scotch-Irish.
Settling the Frontier in Virginia
John Mathews settled in Augusta County, Virginia, around 1737. This area is now called Rockbridge County. At that time, Augusta County was a wild frontier area. It had no clear western border. The government of Colonial Virginia wanted to create "buffer settlements." These were like protective shields made of European settlers. They would help guard the colony from conflicts with Native Americans. They also aimed to stop French expansion.
The government gave large amounts of land to early settlers. These settlers became powerful leaders. They created a society much like the older parts of Virginia.
Becoming a Landowner
Mathews first settled on a large piece of land. This land was given by the Virginia Governor's Council to Benjamin Borden. Borden encouraged Scotch-Irish immigrants to settle there. Later, new land opened up further south. Mathews quickly claimed some of this land. In 1739, he received a grant for 1,600 acres. This made him one of the biggest landowners in the county.
In 1745, only thirteen men owned more than 1,000 acres. At the same time, about two-thirds of white men owned no land at all. Mathews' land was in the valley of Mill Creek. This creek flows into Buffalo Creek. He built a log "Manor House" there for his family. He lived there for the rest of his life. He also bought and sold other lands over the years. By 1750, he was known as a "gentleman." This meant he was a member of the wealthy landowning class.
John Mathews: A Military Leader
In 1742, John Mathews became a captain in the Augusta County militia. The militia was like a local army. At this time, Native American groups, like the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy, were fighting settlers. They felt the settlers were breaking treaties. These conflicts caused many deaths and property losses for settlers. Mathews himself reported "losses by Indians" in 1745.
Fighting in the French and Indian War
The French and Indian War began in 1755. Up to five of Mathews' sons joined Braddock's Expedition. This expedition tried to capture the French Fort Duquesne. It aimed to stop French and Native American advances. John Mathews helped by providing supplies for the expedition.
However, the British suffered a major defeat. Out of about 1,300 men, 456 were killed and 422 were wounded. General Braddock was among the dead. This loss left the Augusta County frontier open to attacks. In 1756, Mathews continued to serve as a captain in the Augusta County militia.
John Mathews' Role in the Church
In 1746, John Mathews was elected to the vestry of the Anglican Church. This was for Augusta Parish. In Virginia, vestrymen were church officials. But they also acted as local government leaders. They managed many community needs.
Mathews and his sons were Anglican. However, most of the elected vestrymen were Presbyterian. Despite this, the Anglican group worked with the Presbyterians. The vestry was in charge of land records and collecting taxes. They also helped the poor and managed other local issues. Vestrymen also served as churchwardens. In this role, they helped keep public morals in check. Mathews even used his home for Anglican church services. In his will, he left money to help the poor of Augusta Parish.
John Mathews: A Judge and Road Builder
John Mathews was recommended as a justice of the peace for Augusta County in 1746. He officially took the role by 1751. This was the most powerful position in the county. It was usually held by the largest landowners. As a justice of the peace, he issued warrants and reviewed arrests. He helped keep law and order.
Building Roads
Mathews also helped build roads in the county. In 1753, he oversaw a road project in the North Forks of the James River. Forty-five workers were employed on this road. In 1754, he started another road project. Three men worked on this smaller road. These roads were important for connecting the growing settlements.
The Mathews Family Legacy
John Mathews married Ann Archer. She was also a Scotch-Irish immigrant. They had eleven children together. Their children were John, Joshua, Richard, Sampson, George, William, Archer, Jane, Anna, Rachel, and Elizabeth.
Sadly, John, their eldest son, was killed with his family in 1763. Later, some of his family's land was given to the Falling Springs Presbyterian Church. The church now stands on that site.
John Mathews' Children
Four of John Mathews' sons became public officials in Virginia:
- Sampson Mathews, George Mathews, and Archer Mathews were elected to the Virginia General Assembly. This was Virginia's main law-making body.
- William Mathews was a justice of the peace in his area.
- George Mathews also became a governor of Georgia. He was also a US Representative in the First Congress.
Other Important Family Members
Many of John Mathews' descendants also became important leaders. Here are a few:
- George Mathews Jr. (1774–1836); a top judge in Louisiana.
- John Mathews (1768–1849); a Virginia House Delegate (a representative).
- James W. Mathews (d. 1825); also a Virginia House Delegate.
- Mason Mathews (1803–1878); another Virginia House Delegate.
- Henry M. Mathews (1834–1884); the 5th Governor of West Virginia.
- Alexander F. Mathews (1838–1906); a leader at West Virginia University.
- William G. Mathews (1877–1923); a Federal Judge.
- Mason Mathews Patrick (1863–1942); the Chief of the U.S. Army Air Service/Corps.
- George Mathews Edgar (1837-1913); President of the University of Arkansas.
Images for kids
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A map of Borden's Tract in Augusta County, Virginia, around 1757. John Mathews owned land in and around this area.
