Individual Details
Captain Anthony Mathewes
(1661 - 23 Aug 1735)
We find that our Anthony was one of the early English settlers. We find him in the vicinity of present day Charleston, just ten years after the first English settlement in the Carolinas at Albermarle Point in 1670.
Captain Anthony came to America from England when he was 18 years old and became a merchant. During his 55 years of residence he saw many interesting things happening in the colony......
1698- By the GOV: according to an act of Parliment entitled " An Act for Preventing of Frauds..." Personally guaranteed before me Thomas Cary, Esq. one of the owners of sloop "Joseph" Anthony Mathews is at present master, was built in Carolina in 1676 and said Cary, James Risbee, Samuel Hartly and James Moore all of Carolina are at present owners and no foreigner has any interest therein...: Signed Joseph Blake 28 May 1698
(pg 129 Record of of the Province of SC 1682-1721 by Caroline Moore)
June 26,1700- Anthony Sr. owned a plantation in Berkeley County which he rented to a James Basford, 200 acres bordered South by the sea, West by William Capers, East on Heales, North on Joseph Cocks. He rented it for 15 pounds annually. (Records of Secretary of the Province of SC 1692-1721, by Caroline T. Moore.
May 1704- He lent 60 pounds in February ---- to a butcher William Wellsby. An indenture February 1702, between William Wellsby, butcher Berkeley County and Anthony Mathewes, mariner, for 60 pounds. for 30 pounds on Feb. 24,1703 have sold to Anthony Mathewes, 2 negro men. (Records of Secretary of the Province of SC 1692-1721 by Caroline T. Moore. pg 441)
1715 - A captain in the Yemassee War- (Notes, JTC from Institute of American Genealogy, April 1939) According to James Hayes "James and Related Sea Islands" the Yemassee War started in April 1715. It lasted for about two years though they raided this area until 1728. During the Yemassee War there was a fort on Johns Island. Fort Laorach sat across the road from the Episcopal Church where we cross to Wadmalaw. One hundred men were stationed there from August 1715 to March of 1716. These troops were Indian (Cusabo), Negro and white.
September 24, 1715- Anthony Mathewes owned a house on the Bay (Records of the Secretary of the Province of SC 1692-1721 by Caroline T. Moore)
January 20, 1715- Contract of Obligation- I Thomas Seabrook of Colleton County SC, planter, am bound to Captain Anthony Mathewes of Charles Town in said province in sum of 997 pounds to be paid to Anthony Mathewes.
Thomas Seabrook does pay- 498.10s cm (current money) February 13, 1715/16 above said to Anthony Mathewes for the balance 2 negro men, 3 negro women, 2 Indian men, 4 Indian women. (Ibid)
April 17, 1716 Debt of John Smith 187.10s pounds cm paid in half to Anthony Mathewes with sale of Negro girl for 93.14s (Ibid)
March 1727-owned home on part of lot 325 situate on the street commonly called The Bay-Charleston Dower Bk. A-53 pg.31
July 20,1727-bought from Richard Floyd-Colleton County 300 acres on Johns
Island Bd and Mtg-RMC-Vol O, pg 72 and Dower Bk A-53 pg.18
April 9,1734-Act 581 of the (General Assembly) passed April 9,1734 authorized the rebuilding of a bridge across the Pon Pon River, on account of the bridge formerly built over the river having been destroyed by a flood or rising of said River "where the bridge formerly stood at the plantation of Captain John Jackson on the said river." Commissioners named were Captain Anthony Matthews, Mr. John Bee, Jr., Mr. Daniel Rendrick, Mr. John Jackson, and Mr. John Andrews. (Narratives of Colleton County-Beulah Glover)
October 31st 1734- This indenture made the thirty first day of October 1734 Eighth year of reign of George II between Anthony Mathews of Charles Town in the province of South Carolina, merchant, and Lois his wife and John Murrell of Craven County in the province of South Carolina, planter doth convey....former lease indenture, a certain plantation or tract of seven hundred and thirty acres situate in Craven County butting to the westward on the Wynneau River, to the northward to the land of Mr. John Simmons, to the south on land of Mr. Samuel Eveleigh, to the east on land belonging to him the aforesaid John Murrell which 1730 acres is remaining part of 3340 acres which Anthony Mathewes formerly purchased of Landgrave Thomas Smith Esq. signed and sealed
Anthony Mathewes and Lois Mathewes. The outside debenture reads Received this day and year within written of the within name John Murrell the sum of fifteen hundred & 1550 and fifty pounds current money of South Carolina being the full consideration money for the premises within mentioned.
Anthony Mathewes Witnesses Adam Beauchamp, Jonathon Witter...sealed and delivered in the presence of Adam Beauchamp, Jonathon Witter, John Croft (This document formerly in possession of Jeannie T. Cason.Now owned by Jamie Wells (son of Bill Wells and Jean Townsend, 1997.)
November 26,1741-Sold to John Mathewes, merchant, 277 acres on James Island bound on the West by Stono etc. -plat (probably BK A-53)
From Notes by JTC
F652-Feb.1731
Anthony Mathewes, merchant, and Lois, his wife to John Morell(?)
Rects convey to said Anthony by Langrave Smith, Sept. 10, 1711- 2340 acres, part of 2400 acres bought of Landgrave Robert Daniel-610 to Murrell.
Wit. James Mathewes, John Mathewes, John Croft-m by MGR [See full report of this transaction in folder of Anthony Mathewes Daniel -SC Land Deeds and mention of John Murrell in copy from "First Settlers of SC" found in Wilkinson- Morton folder. Significance may be that he was from Barbados. Association with Anthony there? JAL]
This shows that Anthony Senior was married to Lois by 1731 and had at least two sons old enough to witness his deed. This age was very young under English law.
March 1734- from Will of Garret Van Velson-"stock in Mr. Anthony Mathewes' Company known as "The Friendly Society".
Anthony Mathewes-1698, May 20, Master of the sloop "Joseph" of the burthen(?) of 50 tons was built at Carolina, 1696--from Probate Records, vol.54, pg 125.
Events
Families
Spouse | Lois (1679 - 1752) |
Child | Anthony Mathewes Jr. (1697 - 1756) |
Child | Elizabeth Mathewes (1698 - 1720) |
Child | James Mathewes (1700 - 1745) |
Child | Amy / Anne Mathewes (1700 - 1767) |
Child | Sarah Mathewes (1705 - 1768) |
Child | William Mathewes (1715 - 1768) |
Child | George Mathewes (1717 - 1768) |
Child | John Raven Mathewes I (1720 - 1759) |
Child | Benjamin Mathewes (1723 - 1754) |
Notes
Marriage
Not sure of this, Lois' death notice says she lived "in this Province for 70 years", which would have her in South Carolina by 1682, 3 yrs of age, which means she would have married in South Carolina.Will
Abstract:Wife -
LOIS MATHEWES
Sons-
JAMES MATHEWES
WILLIAM MATHEWES
ANTHONY MATHEWES (over 21)
GEORGE MATHEWES (under 21)
BENJAMIN MATHEWES (under 21)
JOHN MATHEWES (over 21)
Daughters -
SARAH WILKINS
my three grandchildren Viz.
FRANCIS HOLMES, (grandson)
ELIZABETH CROSKEYS and MARGARET CROSKEYS, infants,
SOUTH CAROLINA
In the name of God amen the eleventh day of August in this fourth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second of Great Britain, France and England, King, Defender of the Faith, and Anno Domini 1730, I, ANTHONY MATHEWES of Charleston, Berkeley County in the Province of South Carolina,Merchant, being sick and weak in body but of sound and dis(?)ing mind and memory (Blessed be God) do make declare and ordain this to be my last will and declaration (?) and (?) following, hereby revoking and annulling all and every testaments and testament s will and wills heretofore by me made or declared either by word or writing and confirming this only to be my last will and testament, that is to say first and principally I commend my immortal soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping for remission of all my sins through the merits of my Saviour and Redeemer or Jesus Christ and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my exeutors hereinafter named and as to such worldly estate as good has been pleased to bestow on me, I dispose thereof say folious, imprimis I will that all my just debts and funeral charges be duly paid satisfied with all convenient speed after by decease.
WILL-A. Mathewes, pg 2
Item--I give devise and bequeath to my loving wife LOIS MATHEWES for and during the term of her natural life without impeachment of waste all that my messuage or Brick House wherein my son JAMES MATHEWES now lives with ground whereon it stands and adjoining thereto, that is say, beginning at the distance of three feet Eastward from the Easternmost side of the said house, and running from thence westerly to the street commonly called New Church Street and bounding to the westward on the said street to the Southward on Tradd Street, to the Northward on JOHN BEE's land and to the Eastward on other parts of the same lot, herewithin devised to my son WILLIAM together with all the buildings and improvements on the said piece of ground hereby intended to be given as aforesaid standing and appurtenances thereunto belonging, she nevertheless paying unto my said son JAMES MATHEWES yearly and every year during her said life the sum of five shillings current money and over, and besides well and truly paying and defraying all necessary reparation and public taxes and other charge accruing thereon during the said term and from and after the decease of my said wife Lois I give devise and bequeath the said messuage and premises unto my said son JAMES MATHEWES, his heirs and assigns forever. `ITEM--I give devise and bequeath unto my son ANTHONY MATHEWES all that my messuage or house and land thereto belonging and adjoining wherein I now live, situate on the Bay of Charlestown aforesaid together with all the building and improvements thereon standing or thereunto belonging, as also all that my plantation or tract of six hundred acres of land or thereabouts situated on John's Island, together with all the buildings and improvements thereon and all and singular the negroes and slaves thereunto belonging which shall be of the age of twenty one years and upwards at by decease and their issue or increase (except only such children as happen to be born under the age of twenty one years and all other children which shall happen to be born of the aforesaid slaves within the space of ten years after my decease and the issue of such children) as also the sum of four thousand pounds current money of the province aforesaid to be paid in twelve months after by my decease by my exeutors hereinafter named, to have and to hold the said messuage, plantation lands, buildings, slaves, sum of money and premises to my said son ANTHONY MATHEWES, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever, subject nevertheless and upon condition only that my said son ANTHONY MATHEWES, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever, subject
WILLS- A Mathewes-pg 3
nevertheless and upon condition only that my said son ANTHONY MATHEWES, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns shall keep, furnish and maintain the slave children and issue of the slave hereinbefore excepted or reserved with provisions and all other necessaries (clothing and taxes only excepted) until my sons GEORGE MATHEWES and BENJAMIN MATHEWES shall arrive at the age of twenty one years respectively, and moreover shall well and truly payor cause to be paid in six months after my decease unto my said wife LOIS MATHEWES aforesaid and to my son JOHN MATHEWES or the survivor of them and the executors and administrators of such survivor for the only use and behoof my three grandchildren Viz. FRANCIS HOLMES, ELIZABETH CROSKEYS and MARGARET CROSKEYS, infants, as hereafter in this my last will and testament is mentioned and directed, the sum of three thousand pounds current money of this province.
ITEM- I give,devise and bequeath unto my son JOHN MATHEWES aforesaid, his heirs and assigns forever all that part of my house, messuage or tenement fronting southerly upon Tradd Street aforesaid wherein my said son ANTHONY now lives and as it is at present divided from the other part of the said house or tenement wherein ROBERT RANDALL now lives, together with the kitchen and storehouse thereunto belonging or allotted with other improvement with the ground whereon the same stands or included therein, that is to say, beginning at the distance of two feet and a half Eastward from the Eastern end of the said house and running from thence Westerly to the other part of the said house or tenement wherein the said ROBERT RANDALL lives and bounding to the Northward on the land of JOHN BEE aforesaid and to the Eastward on a North and South line drawn or to be drawn from the said JOHN BEE's land to Tradd Street at the distance above mentioned,as also,all that the moiety or half part being eight hundred and seventy acres or thereabouts of the remaining part of my tract of land unsold at WINYAU containing in the whole one thousand seven hundred and seventy acres or thereabouts which I formerly purchased of LANDGRAVE THOMAS SMITH and was run out by PERCIVAL PAWLEY deceased, together with all and singular the improvements thereon.
ITEM- I give, devise and bequeath to my son, WILLIAM MATHEWES, aforesaid, his heirs and assigns forever all that other part of my midge or tenement fronting southerly upon Tradd Street aforesaid where ROBERT RANDALL now lives and the storehouse and kitchen and
WILLS-A. Mathewes pg. 4
other improvements belonging or allotted to the same, together with all the land to me appertaining and lying between the messuage and land hereinbefore devised to my son JAMES and his heirs after my wife's decease and the other or Easternmost part of the tenements and lands devised to my son JOHN and his heirs as aforesaid as also that the other moiety or half part being about eight hundred and seventy acres of the unsold part of my tract to land above mentioned at WINYAU together with the improvements thereon, and one half part or moiety whereof is hereinbefore given to my son JOHN and his heirs.
ITEM--I give, devise and bequeath unto my son GEORGE MATHEWES his heirs and assigns forever, all that my house and land thereto belonging and adjoining fronting Southerly upon Tradd Street aforesaid now in the occupation of BENJAMIN MASSEY, gunsmith and bounding to the Eastward on ISAAC MAZYCK'S land, Westward on the land hereinbefore given to my
said son JOHN and his heirs and to the Northward on land of JOHN BEE aforesaid together with all the buildings and other improvements thereon.
ITEM-- I give devise, and bequeath unto my son BENJAMIN MATHEWES his heirs and assigns forever, all that my part of parcel of a lot of land in Charlestown aforesaid, fronting on New Church Street aforesaid and lying opposite to land on which the Anabaptist meetinghouse is now built which lot formerly belonged to THOMAS ROSE, deceased, together with house, buildings and other improvements thereon.
ITEM--I give, devise and bequeath unto my son JAMES MATHEWES aforesaid the above mentioned sum of five shillings current money reserved to be paid yearly by my said wife LOIS MATHEWES during the term of her natural life and also all that my held part or share of nine negroes or slaves which are held jointly in company with him and the issue and increase of the as(same?)
also my four negro slave men-- by name London the Cooper, William Bassett, Hercules, and Mingo and moreover the sum of four thousand pounds current money of the province aforesaid to be paid in twelve months after my decease by my executors hereafter named to have and to hold the said sum of money., rents, slaves, and premises to my said son JAMES MATHEWES, his heirs,executors, administrators and assigns forever.
WILLS-A Mathewes-pg 5
ITEM--I give, devise, and bequeath unto my said two sons, JOHN and WILLIAM respectively and to their respective executors, administrators and assigns each one half of all and singular my share moiety or half part of the moneys, goods, wares and merchandises, bonds, notes, outstanding, debts and stock whatsoever (the slaves hereinbefore given to my son JAMES only excepted) held or subsisting in partnership between me and my said son JAMES MATHEWES, to be paid and delivered to them at their respective ages of twenty one years, but it is my mind and will that the same be in the meantime employed to the most advantage of my said sons JOHN and WILLIAM either by continuing the aid partnership for their accounts with my son JAMES or putting out the moneys arising therefrom to interest on good security, or in such manner as shall be judged most proper to improve their respective shares thereof and that such profits be paid in like manner as I before appointed for the principal. ITEM--I give and bequeath unto my said son BENJAMIN MATHEWES, his executors, administrators and assigns all that my one twenty fifth part or share of the stock and increase thereof in the hands and management of Colo. JOHN FENWICK and Company according to certain articles of co-partnership bearing date on or about the fourteenth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and thirty, together with the whole interest or gains that shall accrue there by until my said son BENJAMIN shall attain to his age of twenty one years and moreover the sum of five thousand pounds current money of this province to be paid by my executors hereafter named one year after my decease and then put out to interest on good security until my said son BENJAMIN shall attain to the age of twenty one years and then paid and delivered unto him together with the whole interest arising therefrom. ITEM--I give and bequeath unto my said son GEORGE MATHEWES, his executors, administrators and assigns the sum of five thousand pounds current money of this province to be paid by my executors hereafter named in one year after my decease and put out to interest on good security until my said son GEORGE shall arrive at the age of twenty one years and then paid and delivered to him Together with the whole interest thereof.
WILLS-A. Mathewes pg 6
ITEM--I give and bequeath unto my two sons GEORGE MATHEWES and BENJAMIN MATHEWES aforesaid, respectively and to their respective executive administrators and assignees one half part of all and singular my negroes and slaves belonging to my plantation situated at JOHNS ISLAND which shall be under the age of twenty one years each at the time of my decease as also all other slave children that shall happen to be born of any of my negroes or slaves belonging to the said plantation within the space of ten years after my decease and the issue of all such slaves hereby bequeathed or intended to be given and bequeathed as in this my will is before excepted and reserved to be delivered unto my said sons GEORGE and BENJAMIN respectively at their respective ages of twenty one years. ITEM--I give and bequeath unto my daughter SARAH WILKINS her executors, administrators, and assigns the sum of four thousand pounds current money of the province aforesaid, to be paid by my executors hereafter named in one year after my decease. ITEM--As for the three thousand pounds current money of this province hereinbefore reserved and provided to be paid in six months after my decease by my said son ANTHONY MATHEWES, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns for and in consideration of the lands, slaves, money and premises hereinbefore conditionally devised and bequeathed to his and them, I hereby will, give and bequeath the said three thousand pounds so raised or to be raised unto my three grandchildren respectively, namely, to my grandson FRANCIS HOLMES, his executors, administrators, or assigns in the sum of one thousand pounds---to my grand-daughter ELIZABETH CROSKEYS, her executors, administrators or assigns, the sum of one thousand pounds, and to my grand-daughter MARGARET CROSKEYS, her executors, administrators or assigns the sum of one thousand pounds current money to be paid for their respective uses and behoofs as hereinbefore mentioned and directed and then put out to interest on good security from time to time and the whole principal and interest arising thereby to be called in and paid unto each of my said grandchildren respectively, that is to say, to my grandson FRANCIS aforesaid at his arrival to age of twenty one years and to my grand-daughters ELIZABETH and MARGARET aforesaid at their respective ages of twenty one years or days of marriage which shall first happen.
WILLS-A Mathewes pg 7
ITEM-- All the rest and residue of my estate, real and personal money, goods and chattels, wheresoever and whatsoever, I give and devise and bequeath unto my said wife LOIS MATHEWES,her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever. And lastly, I nominate, constitute, ordain and appoint my said wife LOIS MATHEWES executrix, and aforesaid two sons ANTHONY MATHEWES and JOHN MATHEWES executors of this my last will and testament and my said wife LOIS MATHEWES (so long as she shall remain a widow and no longer ) to be sole guardian of all my younger sons until their respective ages of twenty one years. In witness whereof I the said ANTHONY MATHEWES have to this my last will and testament contained in two sides and a part of a side of large royal paper, set my hand and seal to the third side thereof, the day and year first above written.
ANTHONY MATHEWES (seal)
Signed sealed, published and declared by the testator, ANTHONY MATHEWES to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his bequest and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses to the same...
SOLOMON TOZER, WILLIAM PINCKNEY, THOS. LAMBOLL
Death
The S. C. Gazette printed the following "On Saturday last died here Capt. Anthony Mathews, an eminent Merchant & Settler of this Province, who by his Industry, Frugality & Improvement in Mercontil (sic) Affairs, acquired one of the greatest Estates in this Country. He first arrived in this Province about the Year 1680. Now near 55 Years since, and died lamented in the 73d Year of his age, and was decently burried on Monday last. But what is observable is, that his Pall was supported by six of the ancient Inhabitants of this Town, hardly one of whom had seen less than 40 Years revolve since their first Arrival in this Province, and whose several Ages put together amounted to about 400 Years. A sufficient proof, this, that Carolina is not one of the most unhealthy climates on earth." (Saturday, August 30, 1735.) (Salley 9-10).One Great Family On-line states that Anthony died on John's Island, SC.
Probate
October the 2nd, 1735Before me, the Honorable THOS. BROUGHTON, ESQ., Lieutenant Governour and Ordinary of this province, personally came and appeared WILLIAM PINCKNEY,one of the witnesses so the above instrument of writing, who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, declared he was present and did see the above ANTHONY MATHEWEWS, the testator, sign, seal, publish and declare the same to be his last will and testament and that he was at the same time of sound and disposing mind and memory and understanding to the best of the deponent's knowledge and belief and that he, the said deponent,together with THOS.LAMBOLL and SOLOMON TOZER, signed their names in the presence of the said testator as witnesses.
THOS. BROUGHTON
Recorded October 8th 1735
The executrix and executors sworn the same day
Memorandum--His Hon. the Governour granted letters testamentary without appraising of the testator's estate.
SOUTH CAROLINA
By the Honorable Thos. Broughton, Esq. Lieutenant Governor and Commander in chief in and every his Majesty's Province of South Carolina and ordinary of the same, To all people in to whom these presents shall come, Know ye that on the second day of October thirty five the last will and testament of Captain Anthony Mathewes late of Charleston in the province aforesaid, deceased, was proved, approved and allowed of the said deceased having whilst he lived at the time of his death diverse goods, rights, and (?) within the said province and testament by the granting the administration of all and singular his goods and rights to me is manifestly know to belong and I, determining (?) that the same goods, rights and credits may be well and truly administered do hereby grant the administration thereof unto Mrs. Lois Mathewes, Anthony Mathewes, and John Mathewes, named Executrix and Executors in the said last will and testament. In testimony thereof I have heremade my hand and seal this third day of October in the ninth year of his Majesty's reign, Anno Domini 1736
Recorded October 1735 (Signed) Thos. Broughton
Burial
Copied from Sarcophogus in the Circular Churchyard...coat of arms above"Here lies the body of
Anthony Matthewes (Emigrant)
who was born in London England in 1661 and died on August 23rd, in the 71st year of his age"
Endnotes
1. Joseph Gaston Baillie Bulloch, A History and Genealogy of the Habersham Family (Columbia, S.C.: R. L. Bryan Company, 1901), 232; digital images, ( : accessed 13 August 2017.
2. Trice, Fletcher, Rootsweb World Connect genealogy tree of Mathews from South Carolina. (
3. Anthony Mathewes will (1730), South Carolina Province, copy emailed Mar 2006 from Jean Ann Lemon..
4. Kelly, Richard., "Hughes, Mathews, Saltus, and related South Carolina and Mississippi genealogy." Rootsweb WorldConnect project. (Richard Kelly
5. Jean Ann Lemon, "Mathewes Genealogy," e-mail messages from
6. Jean Ann Lemon, "Descendants of Anthony Mathewes," complied records from
7. Alexander Samuel Salley, South Carolina gazette, Charleston, Death Notices in the South-Carolina Gazette, 1731-1775: 1731-1775, Original from Harvard University (Printed for the Historical Commission of South Carolina by the State company, 1917), ; digital images, Google, Google Books (http://books.google.com/books : accessed 2 July 2009.
8. Joseph Gaston Baillie Bulloch, A History and Genealogy of the Habersham Family (Columbia, S.C.: R. L. Bryan Company, 1901), 232; digital images, ( : accessed 13 August 2017.
9. Anthony Mathewes will (1730), South Carolina Province, copy emailed Mar 2006 from Jean Ann Lemon..
10. Kelly, Richard., "Hughes, Mathews, Saltus, and related South Carolina and Mississippi genealogy." Rootsweb WorldConnect project. (Richard Kelly
11. Jean Ann Lemon, "Descendants of Anthony Mathewes," complied records from