William A. Mathews facts for kids
William A. Mathews (born 1800, died 1856) was an important person in Texas history. He helped settle Texas, served as a soldier, and worked as a messenger and supply manager during the Texas Revolution.
Early Life and Family
William A. Mathews was born in Vermont in 1800. When he was 17, he met Green DeWitt in Missouri. In 1824, William helped DeWitt bring families to Texas. They settled near a town called Gonzales.
William married Naomi DeWitt, who was Green DeWitt's daughter. They had one son together. William became a respected citizen in Gonzales. He often helped new settlers in the area. After Naomi died, William married Nancy King in 1838. Nancy was the daughter of John G. King. William and Nancy had two children.
Helping Settle Texas
William Mathews played a big part in the DeWitt Colony. Green DeWitt had promised the Mexican government to bring 400 families to Texas. But he was having trouble meeting this goal.
So, William Mathews made a deal with DeWitt. William agreed to bring 20 families from Tennessee to the DeWitt Colony. He guided these families to Texas, making sure they had supplies. Once they arrived, he helped them get their land grants. William also gained a lot of land for himself. He became a farmer and raised cattle in the region.
Role in the Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution was a fight for Texas's independence. On February 4, 1836, William A. Mathews was chosen for an important job. He, along with Mathew Caldwell and Byrd Lockhart, had to gather volunteers in Gonzales. Their goal was to form a special group called a ranging company.
On February 23, a group of 23 volunteers from Gonzales joined this company. During the Texas Revolution, William served in several roles. He was a volunteer soldier, a courier (messenger), and a quartermaster (someone who manages supplies).
From 1837 to 1838, William continued to serve Texas. He worked with Byrd Lockhart's company. His job was to be a scout for the new Republic of Texas. William A. Mathews passed away in 1856. He was buried in the Masonic cemetery in Gonzales.
Legacy
In 1962, a special historical marker was placed at his grave. This marker is in the Gonzales Masonic Cemetery. It honors William A. Mathews for his important service to Texas.
