ELBERT, MADISON, OGLETHORPE, WILKES COUNTY. VIRGINIA

MATHEWS FAMILY

Deeds and Timeline William Mathews

Notes About Research Methodology

This summary covers the Mathews/Matthews families of Elbert, Oglethorpe and Madison Counties of the State of Georgia, specifically targeting William Mathews of Oglethorpe County. Most of this work was done in the late 1970's before the advent of computers. At that time I did not fully appreciate the value of researching by surname and including research on settlers known to be unrelated or distantly related. Hence, there are a few "holes" in this summary that should be filled. For example, in researching the early Oglethorpe County tax digests, I only checked the two or three districts along the Broad River and South Broad River and not the rest of Oglethorpe County.

1. The first name of William Mathews wife is Mary. Although I do not know who has the bible, I have a copy of the Family Record pages from the bible of Presley Mathews that was passed on to me many years ago. The entry reads "Mary Mathews departed this Life in October the 16th -1822 She was the Mother of Presley Mathews". The bible was once in the possession of William Presley Mathews of Kansas City, Missouri.

2. Joel Miller and William Miller appeared in Wilkes County in 1790, the same time that William Mathews appeared. They lived just across the South Broad River in the Fork District of present day Madison County, Georgia.

3. Preston Miller married Anna Simmons 16 March, 1795 in Oglethorpe County. In 1799 Adam Simmons sold 100 acres on Tillet's Creek to Preston Miller. In 1800 Preston Miller lost the land to foreclosure to pay a judgement. From 1803 through 1811 William Mathews lived on 100 acres originally granted Adam Simmons! In 1817, Hezekiah W. Posey deeded 100 acres to William Mathews, Jr. This is all the same tract or another part of the original grant. Tillets Creek is a very short creek that is not shown on many maps. It lies in Oglethorpe County northwest of Millstone Creek and southeast of Little Beaverdam (Beaver) Creek. The mouth of Tillets Creek is just southeast of the fork in the Broad River forming the intersection of Elbert, Oglethorpe and Madison Counties. The head of Tillet's Creek is at the Point Peter Community.

Bk/Pg

Date

From

To

Acres

Location

William Mathews

1787. Adam Simmons was granted 400 acres then in Wilkes County. Georgia Surveyor General Book NNN, Page 597. Note: Adam Simmons was from Wake Co., NC.

GA Oglethorpe DB C.367

15 Nov

1799

Adam Simmons

Preston Miller

100

Tillets Creek

For a slave given to his daughter Betsy Miller. Part of tract where Adam Simmons then lived, adjacent Samuel Shannon, Jacob Everhart and Nathan Johnson. Witnessed by Asa Simmons, Janey Simmons and Samuel Shannon, J. P. Recorded on 13 March, 1800. See Michal Martin Farmer, Oglethorpe County, Georgia Deed Books A-E 1794-1809, page 135.

GA Oglethorpe DB C.463

5 Aug

1800

John Gresham, Sheriff

Joseph Bradbury

100

Broad River

$20.25. Adjacent Samuel Shannon and Adam Simmons. Witnessed by William Lumpkin. Recorded on 14 August, 1800. Description: To satisfy a Fieri Facias (Judgement) against Preston Miller dated 27 February, 1800. See Michal Martin Farmer, Oglethorpe County, Georgia Deed Books A-E 1794-1809, page 146.

GA Oglethorpe DB L.218

8 Jan 1817

Hezekiah W. Posey of Franklin County, Georgia in right of his wife Betsey, formerly Betsey Miller

William Mathews, Jr.

100

Tillets Creek and Broad River

$100. Part of tract where Adam Simmons, Sr., deceased formerly lived. Adjacent Richard Floyd, Burwell Tiller (formerly Adam Simmons, Sr.) And Nathan Johnson. Witnessed by Berry Mathews, Jonathan Herring and William P. Culbertson. Recorded 28 January, 1817. See Michal Martin Farmer, Oglethorpe County, Georgia Deed Books F-J 1809-1820, page 246. Note: This shows that Anna Elizabeth (Betsey) Simmons, daughter of Adam Simmons, married Preston Miller; He died and she married the second time to Hezekiah W. Posey. Internet sources indicate that Hezekiah W. Posey was the son of Hezekiah Posey, who married second time to Ruth Miller! The senior Hezekiah was from Charles County, Maryland and lived for some time in South Carolina.

Notes on North Carolina. There are a few clues that point to William Mathews coming from North Carolina. A little basic background research is included at the end of this summary.

Notes on Wilkinson County, Georgia. William Mathews sold his land in Oglethorpe County and dropped off the tax digests for 1812 and 1813. The following information, coupled with his disappearance from the tax digests indicates that William and sons Presly and William, Jr. moved to Wilkinson County in 1812. Littleberry Mathews stayed in Oglethorpe County. Apparently, William Sr and William, Jr. returned to Oglethorpe County, while Presly Mathews migrated on to Alabama. This also shows that William Mathews, Jr. was first married to Dorcas Wright!

1812. The following were early members of Myrtle Springs Baptist Church, organized in 1812 by Charles Culpepper in Wilkinson County:

Tempy Bruner

Dorcas Mathews, nee Wright wife of William

Elizabeth Mathews

Mary Mathews

Presly Mathews

William Mathews

(No Miller's)

See Joseph T. Maddox, Wilkinson County, Georgia, Historical Collections.

21 Oct 1812. Returns of Capt. Wright (G.M.D. 353) Wilkinson County, lists among others the following tax defaulters:

Presly Mathis

Joel Miller.

See Joseph T. Maddox, History of Wilkinson County, Georgia, page 160; and Judge Folks Huxford, Genealogical Materials from Legal Notices in Early Georgia Newspapers, page 205.

Family Group

William Mathews, d. November ___, 1818 m. Mary ________ d. 16 October, 1822.

Littleberry Mathews, b. 27 May, 1786, North Carolina, m. 5 April, 1807 Jerusha Hopper

Karen Mathews, b. 1784-1790, m <1800 ________ Hanron

Mary Mathews, b. 1784-1790, m. ca 1803 to Henry David, widowed by 1809, m. 2nd 1810 to Stephen Mosley

Presley Mathews, b. 5 April, 1791, Wilkes County, Georgia, m. Elizabeth Bruner October, 1812, d.

William Mathews, b. 25 February, 1794, Wilkes County, Georgia

Lucy Mathews, b. 1790-1800

Sara Mathews, d. > 1800, m. 5 August, 1819, Perkins Vaughan

Coleman Mathews, b. 1800-1805, Oglethorpe County, Georgia, m. Sara Ann Griffith 12 March, 1825.

William Mathews, Sr.

Research to do: William Matthews appeared in 1786 Wilkes County Tax Digest in area that became Elbert County. There are 2 land grants in Franklin County to a William Mathews. This should be checked further.

ca 1784-1790. Karen Mathews was born.

ca 1784-1790. Mary Mathews was born.

27 May 1786. Littleberry Mathews was born in North Carolina. See Bible of Littleberry Mathews. For the North Carolina location, see 1880 Census Gwinnett County, Georgia, Page 31, Superviser #1, Enum District #116 (416), 270/276. Sanford Mathews, son of Littleberry Mathews says his father was born in North Carolina.

1790. William Mathews first appears in Wilkes County, Georgia Tax Digest as a defaulter. However, he does pay taxes in 1791, 1792 and 1793.

1790-1800. Lucy Mathews was born.

5 Apr 1791. Presley Mathews was born. See Bible of Presley Mathews. By this time William Mathews was in Wilkes County. However, Presley Mathews reported he was born in North Carolina in a later census.

25 Feb 1794. William Mathews was born. Source is a family Group Sheet with birth dates of William Mathews and all of his children, apparently derived from a family bible. However, no source reference is given. William Mathews died 7 August 1789 in Henderson County, North Carolina.

1795. William Mathews first appears in Oglethorpe County, Georgia Tax Digest. He does not appear again until 1801.

2 Jun 1795. William Mathews witnessed a Sheriff's Deed for land on Buffalo Fork of Long Creek. The deed was proved by William Mathews on 28 March, 1798. Oglethorpe County, Georgia Deed Book B, Page 302. See Michal Martin Farmer, Oglethorpe County, Georgia Deed Books A-E, 1794-1809, page 83.

1800. Census Oglethorpe County, Georgia, Capt. Hardman's District

William Mathews >45

Male10-16

Male 0-10

Female 26-45

Female10-16

Female 0-10

ca 1800-1805. Coleman Mathews was born.

ca 1800-1805. Sara Mathews was born.

ca 1802. William Mathews bought 100 acres originally granted Adam Simmons. No deed recorded. See Oglethorpe County Tax Digests for 1803 and 1804.

24 Oct 1803. Marriage license issued to Henry David and Polley Mathews in Oglethorpe Co. License not returned. Marriages Vol. 1, 1794-1832 p. 141.

28 Dec 1803. William Mathews witnessed a deed for land on Long Creek. Oglethorpe County, Georgia Deed Book D, Page 324. See Michal Martin Farmer, Oglethorpe County, Georgia Deed Books A-E, 1794-1809, page 240.

1805. William Mathews drew Land Lot 301 of the 1st District of Baldwin County in the 1805 Land Lottery.

27 Nov 1805. The State of Georgia granted Land Lot 301 of the 1st District of Baldwin County to William Mathews.

ca 1807-1809. Henry David dies. No estate record in Elbert or Oglethorpe Co.

5 Apr 1807. Littleberry Mathews married Jerusha Hopper in Oglethorpe County, Georgia.

GA Oglethorpe DB E.349

26 Dec

1807

John Griffith, Sr.

Nathan Johnson

100

Broad River

$300. Part of an old survey granted to William Sewell, adjacent Johnson's, William Mathews, Adam Simmons, Jr., Thompson, Augusta Road and Curry. Witnessed by Abel Howard, Jacob Reed and Clement Glenn, J. P. Recorded on 6 July, 1808. See Michal Martin Farmer, Oglethorpe County, Georgia Deed Books A-E, 1794-1809, page 384.

5 Jan 1810. Marriage license issued to Stephen Mosley and Polley Davis (sic) in Oglethorpe Co. License was not returned. Marriages Vol. 1 1794-1832 p. 168.

GA Oglethorpe DB I.223

26 Nov

1811

William Mathews

Malcolm Curry

100

Broad River

$250. Witnessed by Wyatt Hewell, John Cook, Jr. and William Glenn, J.P. Recorded on 3 February, 1817.

ca 1812. William Mathews (Jr) married Dorcas Wright. See church records in Joseph T. Maddox, Wilkinson County, Georgia, Historical Collections.

Oct 1812. Presley Mathews married Elizabeth Bruner. See Bible of Presley Mathews.

GA Oglethorpe DB M.202

16 Sep

1814

James Brabben

William Mathews, Sr.

50

Tillets Creek

$130. Adjoining Nathan Johnson, and Larkin Johnson, being part of original grant to Thomas Hendon and to William Sewell? Hewell? Witnessed by Luke Johnson, G. W. Johnson and Nathan Johnson, J.P. Recorded on 20 February, 1823.

12 Aug 1818. William Mathews (Jr.) married Polly Hering.

25 Nov 1818. William Mathews willed his land (50 acres) to his son William Mathews. Oglethorpe County, Georgia Will Book B, Page 178.

In his will he named his wife (not identified by name) and his children in the following (apparently birth) order:

Littleberry Mathews

Caron (Karen?) Hanron

Mary Mofley (Mosely)

Presley Mathews

William Mathews

Lucy Mathews

Sara Mathews

Coalman (Coleman) Mathews

The will was witnessed by John A. Bradley, D. H. Griffith and John Johnston and admitted to probate on 8 January, 1820.

1820. Census Oglethorpe County, Georgia

Polly Mathews>45

Male10-16

16 Oct 1822. Mary Mathews, widow of William Mathews died. See Bible of Presley Mathews.

12 Apr 1825. Coleman Mathews married Sarah Ann Griffith.

1830. Census. Stephen B. Mosley Madison Co. 117

1830- 1840. Mary Mosley dies. 1840 census not have wife for Stephen Mosley. One male child born between 1830-1835.

Littleberry Mathews

27 May 1786. Littleberry Mathews was born in North Carolina. See Bible of Littleberry Mathews. For the North Carolina location, see 1880 Census Gwinnett County, Georgia, Page 31, Superviser #1, Enum District #116 (416), 270/276. Sanford Mathews, son of Littleberry Mathews says his father was born in North Carolina.

ca 1807. Littleberry Mathews bought 100 acres on Broad River. He returned this land as having 100, 110, or 140 acres in various tax digests. See Oglethorpe County Tax Digests 1808-1820.

5 Apr 1807. Littleberry Mathews married Jerusha Hopper in Oglethorpe County, Georgia.

GA Oglethorpe DB L.271

9 Jul

1823

William Mathews

Berry Mathews

70

Tillets Creek

$167. Adjacent Larkin Johnson, David H. Griffeths, Augusta Road and Johnson. Witnessed by Thomas D. Griffeth and Mial Smith, J.P. Recorded on 9 June, 1825.

1830. Census Oglethorpe County, Georgia

Berry Mathews 40-50

1840. Census Oglethorpe County, Georgia

Berry Mathews 50-60

Rolley H. Mathews 20-30

Sanford Mathews 20-30

Presley Mathews

5 Apr 1791. Presley Mathews was born. See Bible of Presley Mathews. In the 1850 Census of Tuscaloosa, Alabama PRESLEY reported he was 60 years old and born in North Carolina!

Oct 1812. Presley Mathews married Elizabeth Bruner. See Bible of Presley Mathews.

1812. The following were early members of Myrtle Springs Baptist Church, organized in 1812 by Charles Culpepper in Wilkinson County:

Tempy Bruner

Dorcas Mathews, nee Wright wife of William

Elizabeth Mathews

Mary Mathews

Presly Mathews

William Mathews

(No Miller's)

See Joseph T. Maddox, Wilkinson County, Georgia, Historical Collections.

21 Oct 1812. Returns of Capt. Wright (G.M.D. 353) Wilkinson County, lists among others the following tax defaulters:

Presly Mathis

Joel Miller.

See Joseph T. Maddox, History of Wilkinson County, Georgia, page 160; and Judge Folks Huxford, Genealogical Materials from Legal Notices in Early Georgia Newspapers, page 205.

William Mathews, Jr.

25 Feb 1794. William Mathews was born. Source is a family Group Sheet with birth dates of William Mathews and all of his children, apparently derived from a family bible. However, no source reference is given. William Mathews died 7 August 1789 in Henderson County, North Carolina.

ca 1812. William Mathews (Jr.) married Dorcas Wright. See church records in Joseph T. Maddox, Wilkinson County, Georgia, Historical Collections.

22 Oct 1814. Larkin Johnson sold to William Mathews 106 acres on Tillets Creek. Deed not recorded. See Oglethorpe County, Georgia Deed Book K, Page 390.

GA Oglethorpe DB I.218

8 Jan

1817

Hezekiah W. Posey of Franklin County, Georgia in right of his wife Betsey, formerly Betsey Miller

William Mathews, Jr.

100

Tillets Creek and Broad River

$100. Part of tract where Adam Simmons, Sr., deceased formerly lived. Adjacent Richard Floyd, Burwell Tiller (formerly Adam Simmons, Sr.) And Nathan Johnson. Witnessed by Berry Mathews, Jonathan Herring and William P. Culbertson. Recorded 28 January, 1817. See Michal Martin Farmer, Oglethorpe County, Georgia Deed Books F-J 1809-1820, page 246.

ca 1817. William Mathews bought 70 acres on Tillets Creek. No deed recorded. See Oglethorpe County Tax Digests for 1818

12 Aug 1818. William Mathews, Jr. married Polly Herring. Oglethorpe County, Georgia.

25 Nov 1818. William Mathews willed his land (50 acres) to his son William Mathews. Oglethorpe County, Georgia Will Book B, Page 178.

GA Oglethorpe DB J.090

24 Nov

1818

William Mathews, Jr.

His Mother Mary Mathews

50

Gift for life with a remainder to his brother Coleman Mathews. Adjacent Nathan Johnston. Witnessed by J. A. Bradley, D. H. Griffeth, John Johnston and J. Davenport. Recorded on 15 January, 1819.

1820. Census Oglethorpe County, Georgia

William Mathies18-26

Female16-26

Female0-10

GA Oglethorpe DB K.390

5 Apr

1823

William Mathews

Edward Coxe

106

Tillets Creek

Mortgaged for $125. Land bought from Larkin Johnson 22 October, 1814. Witnessed by none. Recorded on 6 May, 1823.

GA Oglethorpe DB L.158

9 Apr

1823

William Mathews

William L. Griffeth

75

Tillets Creek.

Mortgaged Adjacent Larkin Johnson, David Griffeths, George Johnson and said William Mathews. Witnessed by Jefferson Culbertson and Robert Eberhart. Recorded on13 July, 1824.

GA Oglethorpe DB L.271

9 Jul

1823

William Mathews

Berry Mathews

70

Tillets Creek

$167. Adjacent Larkin Johnson, David H. Griffeths, Augusta Road and Johnson. Witnessed by Thomas D. Griffeth and Mial Smith, J.P. Recorded on 9 June, 1825.

GA Oglethorpe DB M.203

8 Sep

1823

William Mathews

Coleman Mathews

106

Tillets Creek.

Witnessed by William Latemer and John Landrum, J.P. Recorded on 20 February, 1828.

GA Oglethorpe DB L.183

15 May

1823

William Mathews

Thornton B. Goolsby

100

Broad River

$300. Adjacent Richard Floyd, Cluff Martin, Nathan Johnson and Hanner Curey. Witnessed by Alexander Johnson and Nathan Johnson, J.P. Recorded on 6 October, 1824. Note: There is no deed on record for the purchase of this land by William Mathews.

Coleman Mathews

ca 1800-1805. Coleman Mathews was born.

GA Oglethorpe DB J.090

24 Nov

1818

William Mathews, Jr.

His Mother Mary Mathews

50

—

Gift for life with a remainder to his brother Coleman Mathews. Adjacent Nathan Johnston. Witnessed by J. A. Bradley, D. H. Griffeth, John Johnston and J. Davenport. Recorded on 15 January, 1819.

GA Oglethorpe DB M.203

8 Sep

1823

William Mathews

Coleman Mathews

106

Tillets Creek.

Witnessed by William Latemer and John Landrum, J.P. Recorded on 20 February, 1828.

12 Apr 1825. Coleman Mathews married Sarah Ann Griffith.

GA Oglethorpe DB M.207

18 Feb

1828

Coleman Mathews

Edward Coxe

156

Tillets Creek

106 acres and 50 acres. Part of grants to Thomas Hendon and William Suell. Also references deed dated 16 Sep 1814 from James Brabbins to William Mathews Sr. Recorded on 22 February, 1828. Note: The sale of the 50 acres indicates that Mary Mathews, mother of Coleman Mathews had died, as she had a life estate.

Compiled By: David H. Robertson, 159 Hickory St., Roswell, GA 30075 davidhr@hushmail.com