Matthew Dalby Floyd (1786 - abt. 1882)

Born 17 Jun 1786 in North Carolina, United States

Husband of Christian (Wellman) Floyd — married 25 Jul 1850 in Dooly, Georgia, United States

Descendants

Died about 1882 at about age 95 in Gadsden, Florida, United States [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile managers: A Fabry [send private message] and Rhett Farrior [send private message]

Biography

Matthew was born in 1786 (there is variation of his age in various census reports), probably in North or South Carolina. Matthew Floyd ... He died around 1880-1882, probably in Gadsden Co, Florida. His second (or possibly third) wife Christian Williams is in Columbia Co, Florida living with her daughter in the 1880 census, shown as a widow.

Matthew Floyd's father was a Killebrew as shown by DNA. The circumstances of his carrying the Floyd name are unknown. Adoption, name change, illegitimacy, etc? His father was probably either William or John Killebrew and his grandparents were Wiggins Killebrew and Hannah Alsobrooke.

These are Margaret Drody Thompson's research notes on Matthew D. Floyd:

"Matthew was a very important name for this family. So I have always looked for the father of Matthew D. Floyd to be a Matthew. Matthew D. named two sons Matthew.

Matthew D. Floyd of North Carolina, Georgia and Florida, must have been a man of extraordinary heritage for his descendants were talented servants of the people of Florida in many ways. Of course his wives were talented as well. His farming know-how was passed on to his sons who were very successful farmers. His offer of marriage after the death of Elizabeth, to widow Christian Williams must have held out a good enticements to a woman 40 years of age with three children. He was 64 years old. He offered stability, protection and affection she needed. They remained married until they were parted by death. He lived to be 96, so their marriage lasted for 32 more years.

Dooly Co., Tax Digest, 3rd precinct 1857: Matthew Floyd one poll; Wade Floyd

M. Floyd adm of I. Bush Lands in Decatur Co., Ga. 740 A. Pine lands (this could have been Matthew Benjamin who was here enroute to Fla.)

His son John M. Floyd was such an important presence in law enforcement in Dooly County the Justices of the Inferior requested Governor Brown to grant his leave from service during the War Between the States so that he could remain on duty at home. This action was necessary in a number of counties in Georgia during the War due to the great number of slaves in the counties versus available white men to keep order. He had been stationed as a guard at the Andersonville Prision. From Historical and Genealogical Collection of Dooly County, Georgia, Vol. 1 page 33, August 15, 1864.

Matthew Floyd in Dooly County census 1830, '40' 50' and '70. Son John M. still here too, and probably a grandson of Christians first marriage, Robert S. Williams age 26 living next door "workiing on farm" probably Matthew's as he had no values."

There was a Matthew Floyd in Burke County, Ga. 1820 census. Dates match. two males 16-26, one female 0-10 and one female 16-26. Looks like a couple with a child and a brother, see bottom of page. The female child may be Harriet Floyd who married Isaiah Bush. http://www.usgwcensus.org/cenfiles/ga/burke/1820/pg018.txt

In February 1824, Matthew Floyd is still in Burke Co per a court record of him as a witness. "Matthew Floyd in Burke Co., Ga. witnessed with Wm S. Shirley, , Stiring[?] Scarborough a deed delivery 5 Jan 1824, plus a corresponding record that he witnessed the recording of the deed 14 Feb. 1824 a document between James Rich of Torrence District, and Bassengame G. Poulett and Wilsen Royall for the firm of Paulette and Royall for 250 acres in Early Co.

1830 14 Matthew Floyd 1male 0-5; 1 male 5-10; . 1 male 15-20 . 1 male 30-40 . . . . . . . 1 fem 0-5; 1 fem. 5-10 ; 1 fem. 10-15; . . 2 females 30-40 one of these would be Elizabeth Miles, first wife.

After the 1840 census for John S. Miles page 100 contemporary to Elizabeth Miles age listed

John S. Miles had one male one to 5; two 5 to 10 and one male 30 to 40; females one 10-15 one 30-40

Mathew was listed age 40-50 indicating he was a little older than Elizabeth since 1830 showed him in same age category.

Matthew and Elizabeth has one male 10-15 and one male 40-50, 2 females 1-5 and 2 females 5-10, Elizabeth was 30-40

1850 census Dooly County:

1. 672 Mathew Floyd age 58, N. C. farmer

Christian 40 born Ga. (widow Christian Williams, m. 1848), Jane 23 Mary 18 Penelopy 14 Emeline 12 John 8 Seaton 4 Mathew Isaiah 2 Mathew was born of first wife Elizabeth who died after his birth (Children of wife Christian Williams) David Williams 10 Roxyann Williams 8 Robert Williams 6

1860 census showed Matthew and Christian age 50 with two children J. M. at 18 and S. Y. at 13 years. In the 1860 census Matthew Isaiah Floyd was living in another household and listed as "Matthew Floyd, Jr. at 12 years of age". Household was Hardy Wheelus.

1870 census Dooly Co. 20 Aug: p 172 Matthew Floyd age 83 born N. C. Christian age 83-3/12 born N. C. Matthew Floyd, adm. 241 Dooley Co., Ga. letter of Adm. & Guardian Bond Vol. A 1847-1866

January 8, 1855 Bond 4,000, Matthew Floyd, William T. McNeese, John Andus as exec. & Adm. and assigns Matthew Floyd is Adm. of estate of Jeremiah William of Dooley Co., deceased.

Mathew Floyd acted as adminstrator of two estates. Mathew Floyd, Adm. of estate of Daniel Lewis 4-22-1843 inventory. Daniel Lewis deceased by 9-16-1842. At this sale Floyd purchased 1 barrell, 1 coffe mill, 1 small tub, 1 sugar with pepper box and peters, 1 set cups and saucers, 1 set leather for $1.56; 1 set table and tea spoons 68; 1 bookcase .31; the remnant (potatoes?) $7.87-1/2; hire of negro woman $60; 1 lot potato planting $2.25; 1 sorrell colt $20.67. At a later sale of 10-7-1845 McKenly Floyd rented the plantation for $30 and McHerpy Floyd bought a well bucket for $.75. At the Oct 7, 1845 sale J. M. Floyd bought 3 head of goats at .99. Ware H. P. Floyd bought 10 choice hogs.

Widow Christian Williams was the wife of Robert Williams; estate Mar 11, 1844.

Appraisers were: Elijah Bush, Thomas Cone, Caleb Fullington, Elisha Colins and Elisha Wade

Christian (Christina) Williams; David Williams, and William Williams bought items at the sale

A court juror December 1853, Dooly County: Matthew Floyd

Matthew's death: Dooly County, Georgia, pp 435, 1872-1883 Vol. D. "To the ordinary of said County the petition of W. B. Cone, Sr., a creditor of Matthew Floyd respectfully submits that Matthew Floyd departed this life a citizen of the State of Florida owning property to wit (Leland see if you can decipher this part....in Dooly County, said not in s..Dooly Superior Court, and .....a citizen of Dooly County. (Although Matthew died in Florida, his probate took place in Dooly Co GA as that is where his property was)

Emma Louise Floyd told a story about her Grandfather who died in his 90's, "pert near a hundred" as he would say. He was apparently living at the Floyd Plantation in Scotland Florida. The story goes that he woke up one day, and went for a walk around the plantation. I suspect this was unusual for him, as the family took note of it. After he returned from his walk, he called the family together to report that "this is it, I'm going away". The family really didn't understand what he was talking about, but he went to sleep on the couch in the parlor, and when it was time for dinner, they went to check on him, only to find that he had passed on in his sleep. . .

His son Matthew Benjamin was in the Florida House of Representatives for the 1887 term; Justice of the Peace 1886-7 and School Trustee for Gadsden County, Florida. His youngest son, Matthew Isaiah had a son who was a most beloved "country" Doctor in Hawthorne, Florida, George Matthew Floyd, born November 17, 1881. George's daughter Clara Floyd Gehan was a talented attorney in Gainesville, Florida.

His Grand-son John B. Andrews, son of his daughter Emeline Louisa Floyd Andrews was listed as Holmes County Treasurer in the year 1915. His greatgrandson Matthew Miles Andrews was Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1931 and re-elected to the House in 1933. He was an attorney in Bonifay, Florida. Two of his Great-Grandsons from daughter Emeline' Louisa's line were actors Dana Andrews and Steve Forrest.

His Grandson Marcus (Matthew) Lawson Floyd, born in Gadsden County, Florida gained world- wide fame for his ability to grow the best shade grown tobacco.

Sources

• Matthew D. Floyd's Birthdate record from family bible of Matthew B. Floyd
• 1820 US Census, Burke GA, http://www.usgwcensus.org/cenfiles/ga/burke/1820/pg018.txt
• 1830 US Census, Dooly Co, GA
• 1840 US Census, Dooly Co, GA
• 1850 US Census, Dooly Co, GA
• 1860 US Census, Dooly Co, GA
• 1870 US Census, Dooly Co, GA
• Dooly County, Georgia p 435 1872-1883 Vol D petition of 6 March 1882 by W. B. Cone, Sr. creditor, no administration of estate - asking for admin.
• Court record Burke Co, Georgia of his witnessing of a land transfer, see third note below for the complete transcript.
• Original data: Georgia Tax Digests [1890]. 140 volumes. Morrow, Georgia: Georgia Archives

Notes

• I have a record of a Cone trying to close a debt with Matthew D. Floyd that states he died in Florida although he had been a resident in Dooly Co. (Margaret Drody Thompson)
• I cannot help thinking Elizabeth Miles, the mother of our ancestor was a second marriage for Matthew D. Floyd. When Matthew Benjamin was born he was 43 years of age. when Matthew Isaiah was born he was 63 years of age. I suspect there is yet another first family of Floyds and a wife we do not know about yet. There were such close ties to the Bush family could his first wife been a Bush? His descendants married into this family. He lived to a ripe old age of 96 when he died in Florida. Many family and friends who were with him in Dooly County, Georgia moved to Florida. (Margaret Drody Thompson)
• Recorded July 20th 1824. Transcribed, Feby 2d 1828 and February 25th 1869 Georgia This Indenture made this fourteenth day of February in the Burk County year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one between James Rich of the county of Burk and State of Georgia of the one part, and Bassengame G. Poulett and Wilsen Royall trading under the firm of Paulette & Royall of the other part Witnesseth that the said James Rich, for and in consideration of the sum of five hundred dollars to him in hand paid, at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained sold and conveyed unto the said Paulette & Royall their heirs and assigns, all that tract or parcel of land containing two hundred and fifty acres. situate lying and being in the Eighteenth District in the county of Early and known by Number two hundred and fifty three, drawn in the name of the said James Rich of Torrences District in the county aforesaid To have and to hold the said bargained premises or tract of land unto the said Paulette and Royall their heirs and assigns together with all and singular the rights members and appurtenances thereof to the same in any manner belonging to, and their own proper use benefit and behoof forever in fee simple, and the said James Rich for himself his heirs executors and administrators the said bargainer promises unto the said Paulette & Royall their heirs and assigns shall and with warrant and forever defend the right and titles thereof against themselves, and against the claims of all and every other person or persons whatsoever In witness whereof the said James Rich has hereunto set his hand and seal the day and date above written.

Signed sealed delivered in presence of James (his X mark) Rich seal Wm S. Shirley, Matthew Floyd, Stiring [Stirling or Sterling?] Scarborough * State of Georgia Personally came before me Stining Scarborough who being duly Dooly County sworn saith that he saw James Rich assign and deliver the within deed for the purposes therein contained, and that he saw William S. Shirley and Matthew Floyd subscribe as witnesses, and that he was also a subscribing witness Sworn to 5th January 1824, before George Sessions, J.P. Stining Scarborough State of Georgia Personally came before me Matthew Floyd, and being duly sworn Burk County saith that he saw James Rich assign and deliver the within deed for the purposes therein mentioned and that he saw Stining Scarborough and Wm S. Shirley assign the same as witnesses, and he himself did the same. (Margaret Drody Thompson)

DNA Testing

• YDNA testing done by a Floyd descendant shows that genetically, Matthew Floyd probably descends from a Killebrew, the family found in SC around 1700. There were no Floyd matches with YDNA, but Kinnebrew, Kinneborough and Killebrews. Autsomal testing of several family members shows matches to both Killebrew and Alsobrook. Which would seem to indicate that Matthew Floyd's father was a son of Wiggins Killebrew and Hannah Alsobrook. If anyone has any insight on this, we would appreciate anything you can share.