Individual Details
John Raven Mathewes "the Elder"
(Sep 1788 - 12 Feb 1867)
John Raven, Louisa's brother, owned most of what is called Bear Island. I think that they call these places "islands" because they are surrounded by water, even if it's not ocean on all sides. You can actually go down there because all of his land was given and purchased by the Nature Conservancy and Ducks Unlimited. It's administered now by the SC Dept of Wild Life and they have a small museum there, and you can see the dikes they used to controll the water and the Mathews Canal that he with his slaves built.
John Raven appears to have been a very good businessman. I guess, in those days, real estate was one's primary investment. JRM owned not only all that property on Bear Island but about 10000 in Georgia, where he built a home and started an Episcopal Church. It was near Clarksville, Toccoa Falls, Tallulah Falls, some minor ruby and gold mines. The Yankees didn't even touch that area because it was remote at that time.
(Lemon)
Apr.1 1806- Married on Saturday evening last by the Rev. Dr. Hollinshall, John R.Mathewes, Esq. to Mrs. Elizabeth Whaley. (N&C Apr.1,1806)
May 9,1807 - Letter from brother-in-law Wm.Ioor requesting visit to 2
sisters at Ioorville. ( Who was the other sister?)
Feb.23,1810- Bought from M.E. Chapman's Isl (?)-St. Bartholomew Parish
for $3600,about 400 to 500 acres McO Bk-9 pg 96
Colleton Co. bks pg 54, Rec. Nov. 26,1849 (?)
1814 -Received $400 from George Mathewes on note for $430 with interest (mss. CPM)
May 30,1814 -Promissary demand note from Joseph R. Carr (mes. CPM)
June 9,1815- Qualified as executor of father's will (Chas W 32-947
1807-1818)
Jan.24,1817 -Received letter from Wm. Mathewes (Johns Island) re negroes
sent to Edisto
1823 -Appointed guardian (with Benjamin Seabrook) of estate of
Thomas Warren (Charleston Courier Feb. 28,1823)
1827 -President Agricultural Society, St. Johns, Colleton, SC (News & Courier, Jan.1951, Beulah Glover) (?) Jan.28,1828- Mentioned in Southern Agriculturist, for marsh reclaimation
methods used.(pg. 29)
Nov 29,1830 -Due bill from William for 16 days work of boy Thomas,
belonging to J.R. Mathewes (miss(?).C.P.M.)
Sept.1,1830 -Paid $10 to J. Ducher for gold filling in daughter's teeth (Edingsville mss. CPM)
prior to
October 1832-visited England (C.P.M. notes Coffin letter dated October 10, 1832 from Bath)
1832-appointed magistrate for St. Johns Colleton (City Gazette
February 26,1832)
June 8, 1835 (postmarked June 17, 1834 Charleston, addressed to JRM Clarksville, GA)- Letter from his mother, Mary Salters Mathewes( See Mathewes Letters)
Mar.31,1835 -JRM Ravenswood Edisto, 330 acres to Wm. G. Baynard
Nov. 24 1835-bought from M.E. Youngs Island on Ashepoo,two acres for
$7,000 (Han (?) MC Bk K pg.35 Colleton Co. Bks pg 234
Charleston -Bk L H(?)20 pg. 204
1837-1842 received letter from J.C. Calhoun (Library of Congress
Mss. Div.)
1850 - granted 630 acres marsh in Ashepoo (Colleton Co. Bk 9 pg
(425).
May 30,1850- Bought from son J. Fraser Mathewes for $13,600 Springfield
Block Island (M.C. bk 4 pg 380) (Hanaham)
prior 1851 - Litigation with Morris or Elliott re northern boundary on
Chapmans on Bear Island (Hanahan)
1851 - Dug Mathewes Canal connecting Mathewes Creek on Edisto with Ashepoo (north line Chapman or Bear Island Plantation(Hanahan)
Jan 11,1853- from his son George Mathewes, easement for canal and road
(Hanahan, M.C. Colleton, Bk Tm pg.398, also Bk G. pg 304
Jan.31,1853 -Bought strip from son Wm. R. (Coll. Box X pg.407)
Jan 30,1855- Bought Long Point Tract (just east of Meggett) from John A.
Seabrook and Martha, his wife for $5,108, also 3 acres,
Eagle Island (Hananhan).
Jan.25,l856 -Bought or deeded from Geo. A. Mathewes (son) Village Tract,
previously paid for by J. R. M and given to Geo A Mathewes (Hanahan)
1859 -Residing at 29 East Bay (Charleston Directory)
Dec. 1861 -Burned rice at Bear Island. "And Mr. Mathewes has burned his rice, and between the destruction by fire, and by the enemy there is little or no difference to the owner: though a great deal to the other party ." (Easterby pg. 185)
(see also Red Lanterns on St. Michaels)
1866 -Received certificate #23 from Freedmen's Bureau for
restoration Springfield Plantation (Hanahan)
1867 -Impaired health-at present in Charleston, makes will and
to son George, lot 84 Habersham; to son Fraser,house and lots on East Bay; already conveyed to son Wm. R homeplace in Habersham County( Georgia),also wine saved by him during the war,
also 1/9 part of (?), also library Habersham-1/9 part of
estate- all furniture and personal effects not be sold, but
shared between Wm. and Fraser) Remainder to be divided between J. Fraser, Wm. R. and children of other children,
taking by representation and not per capita any protesters shares
have to go to Orphan House-body of estate to be divided equal part.
Feb.14, 1867-Funeral, St. Michaels Church (Charleston Courier of date)
"The relatives and Friends and Acquaintances of Mr. John Raven Mathewes Sr etc. to attend funeral at St. Michaels Church at eleven o'clock February 14."
References Ch Courier 02/28/1823
City Gazette 7/26/1836
Charleston W (wills?) 32=947-32a
Deeds etc. Bear Island (possession W,O, Hanahan
NOTES - See CPM notes for visit to grandfathers house 43 East Battery in Descendants of Anthony Mathewes by Betty Brenner, p 49
March 14,1827-Address of Mr. Whitemarsh Seabrook, read before St. Johns Colleton Agricultural Society, published by order of the Society-
viz success is due to management, well directed experiments and accurate observation...Mr
One of the plantations is of Mr. Mathewes consisting it may be said principally of reclaimed marsh land* (*Bear Island, St. Batholomew Parish).
At Edisto Island from his judicious system of mudding, his land has recently undergone a radical change. Under its former proprietor it was an unproductive estate. Through the perserverance and scientific management of Mr. Mathewes, luxuriance of herbage now exists where every indication of sterility once predominated.(Southern Agriculturist January 1828. pg 29)
Mr. William Seabrook Jr., from a few seed from Mr. Freeman etc. produced 800 pounds per acre. Mr. John R. Mathewes also reared a few plants from Mr. Freeman's seed. The quantity of fruit gathered by him equalled Seabrook Ibid (pg 31)
An entire letter from Mr. Mathewes is reprinted on pgs. 173-177 of the Southern Agriculturist, 1828 and pertains to the planting of cotton.
This can be referred to in the Letters section and the Bear Island section of the BLB files.
RMC- p 10, p 483 and 1-p256- John Raven Mathewes to William G. Baynard, March 31st, 1835 for $18000 "Ravenswood" 300 acres bounded N public road S and SW lately to estate Dr. Robert Chisolm and parly on a creek W - Edward Whaley E Parsonage lands.
RMC - Book M-8, p 64
Spring Farm - John R. Mathewes to Andrew B. Ash, $4000 June 6, 1815-July 12, 1815
RMC - Book M-8, p 62 Spring Farm March 31, 1814 441 acres- William Hasell Gibbes - Master in Equity- Joseph Whaley, John R. Mathewes & Eliza
March 6, 1810 Bill of Complaint against Richard Jenkins executor of Will of Thomas Whaley, May 1, 1805 seized real property east side of Ashley River in St. George's Parish
RMC Book M-9, p4 $3000- J.R. Mathewes to Vestrymen of the Episcopal Church of Edisto, Edward Bailey, Whitemarsh B. Seabrook, Robert S. Jenkins - plat of land executed by Deamonds May 5th, 1818 - November 4th, 1818, recorded December 21st, 1822 bounded N on public road W - Dr. Edward Mitchell, South and East Benj. Seabrook -30 acres part of 87 acres. [From Descendants of Anthony Mathewes by Betty Brenner]
" William Chapman received a grant from the Lords Proprietors in 1696 for 500 acres in Colleton County with the privilege of 'hunting, hawking,fishing, and fouling'. What originated as an incidental privilege eventually would become the principal use of the Bear Island property. William Chapman left no record as to whether or not he was interested in hunting and fishing. He was a tanner by trade, and in his will proved in 1711, he bequeathed to his nephew Thomas Chapman of New England one half of all his stock of 'neet cattle & swine belonging to my plantation to ye Southward'. A condition of the legacy was that Thomas would take charge of 'locking in,killing, salting, barelling and selling' the beef until William's son and namesake should reach an age of seventeen or marry. At that tiome, Thomas and William, Jr. would divide the stock equally, and William would take over the land. William Chapman III had a survey made in 1767. It showed the land bordering the Edisto River on the east, Mosquito Creek and lands of Gibbs on the south, the Ashepoo River and lands of Hutson on the west, and William Elliott's land to the north. Known as Chapman's Island, the land was part of the estate of Eliza Godfrey when John Raven Mathewes purchased it from the master in equity in 1810."
"William Elliott (1696-1766) owned the land just north of Chapman's Island. In the inventory of his estate, it was called 'Bare Island'. The property consisted of a number of islands of high land surrounded by marsh. William Elliott had two daughters, Sabina (called Binkey) and Ann Barnett ( called Nancy). Two of the islands are named Binkey Island and Nancy Hill. The Elliott land was a part of the estate of Ann Elliott, who married Lewis Morris. The Mathewes family purchased large tracts of land from Ann Morris' estate in 1850. J. Fraser Mathewes purchased Springfield, Block Island, and the Cut Tract; his brother, George A. Mathewes purchased the Village and Bear Island, J. Fraser Mathewes then sold his plantations to his father, John R. Mathewes."
"Born in 1788, John Raven Mathewes in 1806 married an eighteen year old widow, Mrs. Eliza Carolina (Jenkins) Whaley, daughter of Christopher Jenkins III. They were the parents of 15 children. Eliza Mathewes lived until 1860, and her husband lived until 1867."
"By 1855, John Raven Mathewes had asssembled about 8000 acres, which he called Bear Island plantation. In addition to Chapman's grant and land from Ann Morris' estate, he bought Young's Island in 1835 at an equity sale from heirs of Daniel E. Huger, and in 1855, he bought Long Point and Eagle Island from John Seabrook. Mathewes lived on Edisto Island, and in 1860, he paid taxes on a total of 15,896 acres in St. Bartholomew Parish. The acreage included 944 acres of prime inland swamp assessed at $13 per acreand 10,102 acres of pine barrens assessed at 20 cents per acre."
"The lower part of Mathewes' land was salt marsh -- unsuitable for growing rice. He grew sea island cotton, and in 1828, he wrote a letter descibing his method of planting for the 'Southern Agriculturist'. He recommended using salt mud in combination with animal manure as a fertilizer."
"To bring in fresh water,Mathewes used a canal more than two miles long from the Edisto River to Bear Island. The record is unclear as to who built the canal, but it has been called 'Mathewes Canal' for more than a century, and John Raven Mathewes recorded an easement of two hundred feet for the canal as early as 1850. It was a feat of engineering, built with hand labor."
"In the agricultural census of 1850, Mathewes reported 2,250,000 pounds of rice, 200 bushels of corn, 629 bushels of oats, 120 pounds of wool, 5000 bushels of sweet potatoes, and 1560 pounds of butter from his land in St. Bartholmew. His herds included 40 milk cows, 1500 other cattle, 120 sheep, and 150 swine. The provisions would help to feed his 298 slaves."
"By 1854, his grandson and namesake was operating the plantation. John R. Mathewes, Sr., wrote to 'Johnny' at Chapman's Island on September 18, 1854, thanking him for sending the duck and rice birds to Charleston and offerring instructions for managing the property. (See Letters from Ancestors) It must have been a challenge to manage more than two hundred slaves in an area far removed from reinforcement. The elder Mathewes said, 'Do not relax, if you do, disorganization and every effort will be made to prevent order. Tell the four drivers, individually, that my orders are that each take his own gang, and if disobedience again occurs I shall look to him for those that are under them."
"In another undated letter, John R. Mathewes, Sr. said 'I send the schooner up in charge of Tom...' On board the schooner 'Magnolia' were 200 bushels of corn, 11 tierces of hogmeat, 1 teirce of molasses, 2 sacks of salt, bales of 'negro summer clothes' (cloth), a roll of writing paper, and quinine for Beck--apparently a slave who had malaria. He asked the grandson to write in more detail about the crop of potatoes, corn, rice and oats---the weather, dry or rain---the river, salt or fresh--the tides, high or low, what squares have been flowed, the cattle, sheep and hogs, and the sick negroes. He cautioned young John to have the okra thinned and to see about the poultry and 'charge Maria not to let them drink bad water.' Finally, he told his grandson,'.....think a little what you and we all need daily and yearly and then you will know what requires your attention.' "
"Because of its proximity to the coast, Bear Island was vulnerable to Union raids in the Civil War. On November 27, 1861, Union boats were bombarding the neighboring plantation at Bennetts' Point. To prevent his property from falling into enemy hands, John R. Mathewes, Sr. and his overseer, James Geoghegan, burned his plantation. Mathewes submitted a claim for 20,000 bushels (900,000 lbs.) of rough rice, 60,000 pounds short cotton 'in the seed', 400 bushels of corn, 300 bushels of rice flour, 3000 bushels of sweet potatoes abandoned in the field, 40,000 bushels of blades (leaves of corn plan used for fodder), 200 bushels of rye, and 200 bushels of peas. Among the buildings burned were two rice barns, a winnowing house, a rice threshing mill, a corn mill, a corn house, a cotton house, a blacksmith shop with tools, a piggery, a hospital, and seventy negro houses 'recently put up'. A fine stallion burned with the stable as well as sundry carts, harrows,ploughs onboro, South Carolina, to Habersham County , Georgia, for 160 slaves, himself, and hiis younger son, William Raven Mathewes."
"William R. Mathewes, executor of the will of John Raven Mathewes, mortgaged about 8000 acres, or his father's entire property, to William C. Simmons on July 20,1878. Eliza Mathewes, daughter of John Raven Mathewes had married William C. Simmons*, and this was possibly her grandson. There were numerous transactions, and the property was broken up. In 1879, Major Theodore G. Barker purchased 7,445 acres in Colleton, which included Springfield, Block Island, Cut Tract, Pine Island, and other properties. In 1929, J. Ross Hanahan purchased Bear Island, and in 1931, he bought 249 acres from Springfield Realty Company---a total of 6963 acres, which included most of the former lands of John Raven Mathewes."
"In 1995, Bear Island is part of the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge. It is managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and is open to the public." (From Historical Atlas of the Rice Plantations of the Ace River Basin -1860 by Suzanne Cameron Linder, published by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, 1995)
* This is incorrect. Eliza Anne married Dr. F.Y. Simmons. Her son was William Clifford Simmons. He was born between 1838-1839 and married about 1860. His first son was born about 1861. If he had a son named William C., he would have been only about 16 years old in 1878. It seems more likely it
John Raven appears to have been a very good businessman. I guess, in those days, real estate was one's primary investment. JRM owned not only all that property on Bear Island but about 10000 in Georgia, where he built a home and started an Episcopal Church. It was near Clarksville, Toccoa Falls, Tallulah Falls, some minor ruby and gold mines. The Yankees didn't even touch that area because it was remote at that time.
(Lemon)
Apr.1 1806- Married on Saturday evening last by the Rev. Dr. Hollinshall, John R.Mathewes, Esq. to Mrs. Elizabeth Whaley. (N&C Apr.1,1806)
May 9,1807 - Letter from brother-in-law Wm.Ioor requesting visit to 2
sisters at Ioorville. ( Who was the other sister?)
Feb.23,1810- Bought from M.E. Chapman's Isl (?)-St. Bartholomew Parish
for $3600,about 400 to 500 acres McO Bk-9 pg 96
Colleton Co. bks pg 54, Rec. Nov. 26,1849 (?)
1814 -Received $400 from George Mathewes on note for $430 with interest (mss. CPM)
May 30,1814 -Promissary demand note from Joseph R. Carr (mes. CPM)
June 9,1815- Qualified as executor of father's will (Chas W 32-947
1807-1818)
Jan.24,1817 -Received letter from Wm. Mathewes (Johns Island) re negroes
sent to Edisto
1823 -Appointed guardian (with Benjamin Seabrook) of estate of
Thomas Warren (Charleston Courier Feb. 28,1823)
1827 -President Agricultural Society, St. Johns, Colleton, SC (News & Courier, Jan.1951, Beulah Glover) (?) Jan.28,1828- Mentioned in Southern Agriculturist, for marsh reclaimation
methods used.(pg. 29)
Nov 29,1830 -Due bill from William for 16 days work of boy Thomas,
belonging to J.R. Mathewes (miss(?).C.P.M.)
Sept.1,1830 -Paid $10 to J. Ducher for gold filling in daughter's teeth (Edingsville mss. CPM)
prior to
October 1832-visited England (C.P.M. notes Coffin letter dated October 10, 1832 from Bath)
1832-appointed magistrate for St. Johns Colleton (City Gazette
February 26,1832)
June 8, 1835 (postmarked June 17, 1834 Charleston, addressed to JRM Clarksville, GA)- Letter from his mother, Mary Salters Mathewes( See Mathewes Letters)
Mar.31,1835 -JRM Ravenswood Edisto, 330 acres to Wm. G. Baynard
Nov. 24 1835-bought from M.E. Youngs Island on Ashepoo,two acres for
$7,000 (Han (?) MC Bk K pg.35 Colleton Co. Bks pg 234
Charleston -Bk L H(?)20 pg. 204
1837-1842 received letter from J.C. Calhoun (Library of Congress
Mss. Div.)
1850 - granted 630 acres marsh in Ashepoo (Colleton Co. Bk 9 pg
(425).
May 30,1850- Bought from son J. Fraser Mathewes for $13,600 Springfield
Block Island (M.C. bk 4 pg 380) (Hanaham)
prior 1851 - Litigation with Morris or Elliott re northern boundary on
Chapmans on Bear Island (Hanahan)
1851 - Dug Mathewes Canal connecting Mathewes Creek on Edisto with Ashepoo (north line Chapman or Bear Island Plantation(Hanahan)
Jan 11,1853- from his son George Mathewes, easement for canal and road
(Hanahan, M.C. Colleton, Bk Tm pg.398, also Bk G. pg 304
Jan.31,1853 -Bought strip from son Wm. R. (Coll. Box X pg.407)
Jan 30,1855- Bought Long Point Tract (just east of Meggett) from John A.
Seabrook and Martha, his wife for $5,108, also 3 acres,
Eagle Island (Hananhan).
Jan.25,l856 -Bought or deeded from Geo. A. Mathewes (son) Village Tract,
previously paid for by J. R. M and given to Geo A Mathewes (Hanahan)
1859 -Residing at 29 East Bay (Charleston Directory)
Dec. 1861 -Burned rice at Bear Island. "And Mr. Mathewes has burned his rice, and between the destruction by fire, and by the enemy there is little or no difference to the owner: though a great deal to the other party ." (Easterby pg. 185)
(see also Red Lanterns on St. Michaels)
1866 -Received certificate #23 from Freedmen's Bureau for
restoration Springfield Plantation (Hanahan)
1867 -Impaired health-at present in Charleston, makes will and
to son George, lot 84 Habersham; to son Fraser,house and lots on East Bay; already conveyed to son Wm. R homeplace in Habersham County( Georgia),also wine saved by him during the war,
also 1/9 part of (?), also library Habersham-1/9 part of
estate- all furniture and personal effects not be sold, but
shared between Wm. and Fraser) Remainder to be divided between J. Fraser, Wm. R. and children of other children,
taking by representation and not per capita any protesters shares
have to go to Orphan House-body of estate to be divided equal part.
Feb.14, 1867-Funeral, St. Michaels Church (Charleston Courier of date)
"The relatives and Friends and Acquaintances of Mr. John Raven Mathewes Sr etc. to attend funeral at St. Michaels Church at eleven o'clock February 14."
References Ch Courier 02/28/1823
City Gazette 7/26/1836
Charleston W (wills?) 32=947-32a
Deeds etc. Bear Island (possession W,O, Hanahan
NOTES - See CPM notes for visit to grandfathers house 43 East Battery in Descendants of Anthony Mathewes by Betty Brenner, p 49
March 14,1827-Address of Mr. Whitemarsh Seabrook, read before St. Johns Colleton Agricultural Society, published by order of the Society-
viz success is due to management, well directed experiments and accurate observation...Mr
One of the plantations is of Mr. Mathewes consisting it may be said principally of reclaimed marsh land* (*Bear Island, St. Batholomew Parish).
At Edisto Island from his judicious system of mudding, his land has recently undergone a radical change. Under its former proprietor it was an unproductive estate. Through the perserverance and scientific management of Mr. Mathewes, luxuriance of herbage now exists where every indication of sterility once predominated.(Southern Agriculturist January 1828. pg 29)
Mr. William Seabrook Jr., from a few seed from Mr. Freeman etc. produced 800 pounds per acre. Mr. John R. Mathewes also reared a few plants from Mr. Freeman's seed. The quantity of fruit gathered by him equalled Seabrook Ibid (pg 31)
An entire letter from Mr. Mathewes is reprinted on pgs. 173-177 of the Southern Agriculturist, 1828 and pertains to the planting of cotton.
This can be referred to in the Letters section and the Bear Island section of the BLB files.
RMC- p 10, p 483 and 1-p256- John Raven Mathewes to William G. Baynard, March 31st, 1835 for $18000 "Ravenswood" 300 acres bounded N public road S and SW lately to estate Dr. Robert Chisolm and parly on a creek W - Edward Whaley E Parsonage lands.
RMC - Book M-8, p 64
Spring Farm - John R. Mathewes to Andrew B. Ash, $4000 June 6, 1815-July 12, 1815
RMC - Book M-8, p 62 Spring Farm March 31, 1814 441 acres- William Hasell Gibbes - Master in Equity- Joseph Whaley, John R. Mathewes & Eliza
March 6, 1810 Bill of Complaint against Richard Jenkins executor of Will of Thomas Whaley, May 1, 1805 seized real property east side of Ashley River in St. George's Parish
RMC Book M-9, p4 $3000- J.R. Mathewes to Vestrymen of the Episcopal Church of Edisto, Edward Bailey, Whitemarsh B. Seabrook, Robert S. Jenkins - plat of land executed by Deamonds May 5th, 1818 - November 4th, 1818, recorded December 21st, 1822 bounded N on public road W - Dr. Edward Mitchell, South and East Benj. Seabrook -30 acres part of 87 acres. [From Descendants of Anthony Mathewes by Betty Brenner]
" William Chapman received a grant from the Lords Proprietors in 1696 for 500 acres in Colleton County with the privilege of 'hunting, hawking,fishing, and fouling'. What originated as an incidental privilege eventually would become the principal use of the Bear Island property. William Chapman left no record as to whether or not he was interested in hunting and fishing. He was a tanner by trade, and in his will proved in 1711, he bequeathed to his nephew Thomas Chapman of New England one half of all his stock of 'neet cattle & swine belonging to my plantation to ye Southward'. A condition of the legacy was that Thomas would take charge of 'locking in,killing, salting, barelling and selling' the beef until William's son and namesake should reach an age of seventeen or marry. At that tiome, Thomas and William, Jr. would divide the stock equally, and William would take over the land. William Chapman III had a survey made in 1767. It showed the land bordering the Edisto River on the east, Mosquito Creek and lands of Gibbs on the south, the Ashepoo River and lands of Hutson on the west, and William Elliott's land to the north. Known as Chapman's Island, the land was part of the estate of Eliza Godfrey when John Raven Mathewes purchased it from the master in equity in 1810."
"William Elliott (1696-1766) owned the land just north of Chapman's Island. In the inventory of his estate, it was called 'Bare Island'. The property consisted of a number of islands of high land surrounded by marsh. William Elliott had two daughters, Sabina (called Binkey) and Ann Barnett ( called Nancy). Two of the islands are named Binkey Island and Nancy Hill. The Elliott land was a part of the estate of Ann Elliott, who married Lewis Morris. The Mathewes family purchased large tracts of land from Ann Morris' estate in 1850. J. Fraser Mathewes purchased Springfield, Block Island, and the Cut Tract; his brother, George A. Mathewes purchased the Village and Bear Island, J. Fraser Mathewes then sold his plantations to his father, John R. Mathewes."
"Born in 1788, John Raven Mathewes in 1806 married an eighteen year old widow, Mrs. Eliza Carolina (Jenkins) Whaley, daughter of Christopher Jenkins III. They were the parents of 15 children. Eliza Mathewes lived until 1860, and her husband lived until 1867."
"By 1855, John Raven Mathewes had asssembled about 8000 acres, which he called Bear Island plantation. In addition to Chapman's grant and land from Ann Morris' estate, he bought Young's Island in 1835 at an equity sale from heirs of Daniel E. Huger, and in 1855, he bought Long Point and Eagle Island from John Seabrook. Mathewes lived on Edisto Island, and in 1860, he paid taxes on a total of 15,896 acres in St. Bartholomew Parish. The acreage included 944 acres of prime inland swamp assessed at $13 per acreand 10,102 acres of pine barrens assessed at 20 cents per acre."
"The lower part of Mathewes' land was salt marsh -- unsuitable for growing rice. He grew sea island cotton, and in 1828, he wrote a letter descibing his method of planting for the 'Southern Agriculturist'. He recommended using salt mud in combination with animal manure as a fertilizer."
"To bring in fresh water,Mathewes used a canal more than two miles long from the Edisto River to Bear Island. The record is unclear as to who built the canal, but it has been called 'Mathewes Canal' for more than a century, and John Raven Mathewes recorded an easement of two hundred feet for the canal as early as 1850. It was a feat of engineering, built with hand labor."
"In the agricultural census of 1850, Mathewes reported 2,250,000 pounds of rice, 200 bushels of corn, 629 bushels of oats, 120 pounds of wool, 5000 bushels of sweet potatoes, and 1560 pounds of butter from his land in St. Bartholmew. His herds included 40 milk cows, 1500 other cattle, 120 sheep, and 150 swine. The provisions would help to feed his 298 slaves."
"By 1854, his grandson and namesake was operating the plantation. John R. Mathewes, Sr., wrote to 'Johnny' at Chapman's Island on September 18, 1854, thanking him for sending the duck and rice birds to Charleston and offerring instructions for managing the property. (See Letters from Ancestors) It must have been a challenge to manage more than two hundred slaves in an area far removed from reinforcement. The elder Mathewes said, 'Do not relax, if you do, disorganization and every effort will be made to prevent order. Tell the four drivers, individually, that my orders are that each take his own gang, and if disobedience again occurs I shall look to him for those that are under them."
"In another undated letter, John R. Mathewes, Sr. said 'I send the schooner up in charge of Tom...' On board the schooner 'Magnolia' were 200 bushels of corn, 11 tierces of hogmeat, 1 teirce of molasses, 2 sacks of salt, bales of 'negro summer clothes' (cloth), a roll of writing paper, and quinine for Beck--apparently a slave who had malaria. He asked the grandson to write in more detail about the crop of potatoes, corn, rice and oats---the weather, dry or rain---the river, salt or fresh--the tides, high or low, what squares have been flowed, the cattle, sheep and hogs, and the sick negroes. He cautioned young John to have the okra thinned and to see about the poultry and 'charge Maria not to let them drink bad water.' Finally, he told his grandson,'.....think a little what you and we all need daily and yearly and then you will know what requires your attention.' "
"Because of its proximity to the coast, Bear Island was vulnerable to Union raids in the Civil War. On November 27, 1861, Union boats were bombarding the neighboring plantation at Bennetts' Point. To prevent his property from falling into enemy hands, John R. Mathewes, Sr. and his overseer, James Geoghegan, burned his plantation. Mathewes submitted a claim for 20,000 bushels (900,000 lbs.) of rough rice, 60,000 pounds short cotton 'in the seed', 400 bushels of corn, 300 bushels of rice flour, 3000 bushels of sweet potatoes abandoned in the field, 40,000 bushels of blades (leaves of corn plan used for fodder), 200 bushels of rye, and 200 bushels of peas. Among the buildings burned were two rice barns, a winnowing house, a rice threshing mill, a corn mill, a corn house, a cotton house, a blacksmith shop with tools, a piggery, a hospital, and seventy negro houses 'recently put up'. A fine stallion burned with the stable as well as sundry carts, harrows,ploughs onboro, South Carolina, to Habersham County , Georgia, for 160 slaves, himself, and hiis younger son, William Raven Mathewes."
"William R. Mathewes, executor of the will of John Raven Mathewes, mortgaged about 8000 acres, or his father's entire property, to William C. Simmons on July 20,1878. Eliza Mathewes, daughter of John Raven Mathewes had married William C. Simmons*, and this was possibly her grandson. There were numerous transactions, and the property was broken up. In 1879, Major Theodore G. Barker purchased 7,445 acres in Colleton, which included Springfield, Block Island, Cut Tract, Pine Island, and other properties. In 1929, J. Ross Hanahan purchased Bear Island, and in 1931, he bought 249 acres from Springfield Realty Company---a total of 6963 acres, which included most of the former lands of John Raven Mathewes."
"In 1995, Bear Island is part of the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge. It is managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and is open to the public." (From Historical Atlas of the Rice Plantations of the Ace River Basin -1860 by Suzanne Cameron Linder, published by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, 1995)
* This is incorrect. Eliza Anne married Dr. F.Y. Simmons. Her son was William Clifford Simmons. He was born between 1838-1839 and married about 1860. His first son was born about 1861. If he had a son named William C., he would have been only about 16 years old in 1878. It seems more likely it
Events
| Birth | Sep 1788 | South Carolina, United States |  | ||
| Marriage | 28 Mar 1806 | Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, United States - Eliza Caroline Jenkins |  | | |
| Census (family) | 2 Aug 1850 | 1 Ward, Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, United States - Eliza Caroline Jenkins | | ||
| Census | 30 Jun 1860 | 1 Ward, Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, United States | | | |
| Will | Bef 12 Feb 1867 | South Carolina, United States | | | |
| Death | 12 Feb 1867 | Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, United States | | ||
| Burial | Circular Congregational Church Burying Ground, Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, United States | |
Families
| Spouse | Eliza Caroline Jenkins (1787 - 1860) |
| Child | Dr. Isaac Holmes Mathews (1807 - 1857) |
| Child | Christopher James Mathewes (1808 - ) |
| Child | Mary Wilkinson Mathews (1809 - 1870) |
| Child | Capt Edward Wilkinson Mathewes (1810 - 1853) |
| Child | Eliza Ann Mathewes (1812 - 1838) |
| Child | Susan Smith Mathewes (1814 - 1830) |
| Child | Martha Jenkins Mathewes (1818 - 1883) |
| Child | Harriet Emma Mathewes (1820 - 1889) |
| Child | Georgeann Mathewes (1821 - 1824) |
| Child | Anna Maria Mathewes (1823 - 1869) |
| Child | John Fraser Mathewes (1824 - 1876) |
| Child | William Seabrook Mathewes (1826 - 1827) |
| Child | George Augustus Mathewes (1827 - 1871) |
| Child | Christopher Mathewes ( - ) |
| Child | William Raven Mathewes (1829 - 1905) |
| Child | John Raven Mathewes (1836 - 1837) |
| Father | Lieut. George A. Mathews (1754 - 1815) |
| Mother | Mary G. Saltus (1754 - 1845) |
| Sibling | Louisa Mathews (1778 - 1820) |
| Sibling | Anne Bolen Mathews (1787 - 1857) |
| Sibling | Henriette Mathews (1787 - ) |
| Sibling | Elizabeth "Eliza" Mathews (1789 - ) |
Notes
Marriage
the widow WhaleyW400 WHALLEY, ELIZABETH M320 MATHEWS, JOHN RAVEN Mar 28 1806 (Some 1,657 SC Marriages, from (1755-1820) by Paul R. Sarrett, Jr. Dec. 30, 1997. prsjr@aol.com)
Census (family)
46, 54, John Mathews, 63 M, Planter, 10000, South CarolinaEliza " , 61 F, SC
George " , 24 M, Physician, SC
William " , 21 M, Planter, SC
Francis Simons, 19 M, Planter, SC
Ann Mathews, 28 F, SC
47, 55, Thomas G Simons, 53 M, Physician, SC
Census
356, 364 John R Mathewes, 72 M, Planter, 15000, 50000, SCAnn 40, F SC
William R 30, M " SC
William 21, M Engineer SC
Oliver 20, M Machinest SC
Will
Feb.15,1867-WILL probated (Ofga(?) 51-642)John Raven Mathewes, at present in Charleston, of impaired
health, but as I believe of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make and ordain this my last Will and testament, revoking all others in manner form and to the effect following, that is to say:
I give and bequeath (1) to beloved son, George A. Mathewes, my lot of land in the 12 District of Habersham County in the state of Georgia Known as lot #84 together with so much of Lot 85 as may intervene between the northward boundary of said lot No.84 and the Pendleton Road, to have and to hold the same to him the said George A. Mathewes and His Heirs forever.
(2) I give to my beloved son J.Fraser Mathewes whose unwavering and dutiful affection I take pleasure in acknowledging together with my dwelling house and lots on East Bay Street in the City of Charleston, which I have already conveyed to him by deed, which deed I hereby acknowledge and confirm, one equal share or 1/9 part of all the estate real or personal,of which I may die seized and possessed and not herein specifically bequeathed,also my library consisting of all my books, pamphlets, and manuscript writings, whether in Charleston, or at my recent residence in Habersham County in the State of Georgia, also all my furniture in my said dwelling house in Charleston and my other personal effects in said city, together with the one equal moeity of my personal effects and in my recent residence in Habersham County and elsewhere , which I desire to share between him and my beloved son, William R. Mathewes as it is my wish that no part thereof shall be sold.
(3) I give and bequeath to my beloved son, William Raven Mathewes whose constant affection I also take pleasure in acknowledging together with my recent homeplace in Habersham County in the State of Georgia, which I have already conveyed to him by deed which deed I hereby acknowledge and confirm one equal distributive share, or 1/9 part of all the Estate both real and personal of which I may die seized and possessed, and not herein specifically bequeathed, together with with one equal moiety of my said personal effects and furniture at my said late residence in Habersham County or elsewhere, which I have shared between him and my said son, J. Fraser Mathewes as aforesaid.
(4) The rest and residue of my Estate both real and personal not hereinafter specifically bequeathed, I give and bequeath to my beloved Sons J. Fraser Mathewes and William R. Mathewes in trust nevertheless that they will proceed, as soon after my decease as it is the same can conveniently be doneto so much therefrom as may be necessary to pay my debts and funeral expenses and the rest to hold and dispose of from time to time as in their judgement may be most to the advancement of my said Estate, with full power and authority to make such changes in the condition thereof, and to take such measures for the protection and improvement thereof as may be best, throughout the whole period of 10 years, if so long in their judgement should be necessary and proper, and the same to sell at time and such places on such terms of cash or credit and at public or private sale as in their discretion shall secure most to the interest of the said fund. And as my said Estate or parts thereof shall be to dispose of, it is my Will that the proceeds resulting shall be equally divided share and share alike between said J.Fraser Mathewes and William R. Mathewes and the children of all my other children. The children taking by representation not per capita the portion to which my own children would receive and if then the residue of my Estate were divided equally between them and the said J. Fraser Mathewes and William R. Mathewes. It is my will that the several shares of the residue of my said property shall go, share have died previous to my decease having lawful issue, the said issue shall take the share to which the parent would hve been entitled uner the will.
Lastly, I nominate, constitute, and appoint my beloved sons J. Fraser Mathewes and William R. Mathewes to be the Executors of this my last will and testament and the confidence I repose in them is so perfect, that they will execute the true intent and meaning of this my will and will sell and dispose of my said property to the best advantage and distribute the proceeds thereof as soon as the same can be done consistently with the true interest of the parties intended to be benefitted, that I further declare that if any one claiming a share of my estate against the will or claiming a share under this will shall take proceedings in any Court to set this will aside or to face my said Executors to ditribution sooner than in their discretion the same may deem profitably within the ten years above mentioned, then in that case I desire that the share of such one, or more so proceeding shall be no longer payable to such one or more, but shall be paid by my said Executors to the Orphan House of Charleston for the use thereof.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this day of A.D. 1867 in presence of the witnesses whose names are hereunto subscribed.
John Raven Mathewes (Seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above mentioned John Raven Mathewes, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who at his request, and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses hereto.
Wm. Spratt B.G. Wilkins W.G. Ogier
SALE OF LANDS OF ESTATE of John Raven Mathewes, September 12, 1877 in the State of Georgia (from estate accounting by W.R. Mathewes
Dr. H. M. Haig Toccoa Falls Tract Habersham County $1370
J.B. Whitehead Fractional Lots No. 166 & 165 " 101.00
W.D. Young " " No. 183 55.00
F.Y. Simons " " No. 192 Rabun County No sale Titles, no good.
" " " " No 185 10.00
" " " " " 174 16.00
" " " " " 10 10.00
" " " " " 11 5.00
" " " " " 12 5.00
" " " " " 13 5.00
" " " " " 110 Gov't owns 10.00 whole
146 Pickens County 50.00
A.I. Nichols 92 Habersham County 505.00
Do Fractional 22 & 23 100.50
W.L. Walker whole 118 500.00
" " 208 35.00
Dr. D. M. Haig 121 335.00
Thos. Simmons 61 500.00
D. H. M. Haig Half 7 & 2 White County 53.00 3,665.50
Endnotes
1. Kelly, Richard., "Hughes, Mathews, Saltus, and related South Carolina and Mississippi genealogy." Rootsweb WorldConnect project. (Richard Kelly
2. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1860 census.
3. Jean Ann Lemon, "Descendants of Anthony Mathewes," complied records from
4. Jean Ann Lemon, "Mathewes Genealogy," e-mail messages from
5. , "Marriages Records 1675-1858," South Carolina magazine of ancestral research Vol 5, #3 ():.
6. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1860 > South Carolina > CHARLESTON > 1-WD CHARLESTON Series: M653 Roll: 1216 Page: 214 .
7. Jean Ann Lemon, "Descendants of Anthony Mathewes," complied records from
8. Kelly, Richard., "Hughes, Mathews, Saltus, and related South Carolina and Mississippi genealogy." Rootsweb WorldConnect project. (Richard Kelly
9. Trice, Fletcher, Rootsweb World Connect genealogy tree of Mathews from South Carolina. (
10. Kelly, Richard., "Hughes, Mathews, Saltus, and related South Carolina and Mississippi genealogy." Rootsweb WorldConnect project. (Richard Kelly
11. Trice, Fletcher, Rootsweb World Connect genealogy tree of Mathews from South Carolina. (
12. Jean Ann Lemon, "Descendants of Anthony Mathewes," complied records from