Martha (Johnson) Matthews (abt. 1688 - bef. 1738)

Born about 1688 in Isle of Wight, Isle of Wight, Virginia

Ancestors

Wife of Hugh Matthews — married 1715 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia

Descendants

Died before 17 Jul 1738 before about age 50 in Southampton County, Virginia

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Biography

Martha (Johnson) Matthews was a Virginia colonist.

Martha Johnson Matthews

Martha Johnson, daughter of John Johnson, the elder, and first wife Mary, was born in Isle of Wight County, Virginia about 1688. Her father’s will, probated on Aug 9, 1707, bequeathed "to my daughter Martha, 50 acres of land, half the household goods at Blackwater, and one shilling in lieu of any part in her stepmother's estate." ^[1]

She married Hugh Matthews after 1707 and before 1715.

One researcher believes he was a widower at their marriage.^[2]

On 18 March 1715/16, Hugh and Martha of Upper Parish deeded to John Johnson of the Lower Parish for 500 pounds of tobacco, 50 acres on the branch of Blackwater adjoining said John Johnson that had been left to Martha by her father. ^[3]

She died after 1738 when she was mentioned in a court record.^{[citation needed]}

Her husband had remarried by 1747 when he wrote his will and in it named a wife "Ann."

Children

(*)cited in Hugh's 1747 will/ 1751 probate:

1. John Matthews; married Martha ---; He died prior to Aug. 27, 1739, when his widow Martha Matthews returned an appraisal of his estate into Isle of Wight County Court .^[4]
2. Ralph Matthews He apparently died intestate before Nov. 7, 1747 in Isle of Wight County, VA. His son Ralph Matthews received a legacy of land on Angelica Swamp in the will of Hugh Matthews.
3. Edward Matthews died prior to 12 Aug 1762, when an account of estate was returned to Southampton County Court in Southampton Co., VA.^[5]
4. William Matthews He is probably the William Matthews, who with wife Elizabeth sold 200 acres in Edgecombe Co., NC to James Benton on Feb. 11, 1760 ^[6]
5. Joseph Matthews He was born about 1710-15, and married Elizabeth, perhaps the daughter of John Stevenson and Catherine Wiggs. He removed to old Cumberland County (now Harnett County) after 1771. His will was probated in Cumberland County in January 1791.
6. Mary Matthews She married John Thorp (1710-1772)
7. Sarah Matthews She married first Gilbert MacKenny, whose estate was appraised by Timothy Thorpe, Henry Rose, and James Jones, and returned by Sarah MacKenny on July 10, 1746 ^[7] It is highly probable that she married secondly, Solomon Stevenson, Sr. (her deceased sister's husband) prior to August 31, 1750 ^[8]
8. Martha Matthews She married Solomon Newsom, son of Thomas Newsom and Elizabeth (Crafford) Newsom. They moved to Brunswick Co., VA as early as 1752 and to Wilkes Co., Georgia by 1777. An inventory of his estate was taken in Wilkes County, Georgia on Dec. 4, 1795 ^[9]
9. Benjamin (I) Matthews He apparently migrated to Edgecombe County, NC with his brothers Joseph and William. He bought 200 acres on the North side of Swift Creek in Edgecombe County, NC on Aug. 19, 1746 ^[10] He died intestate prior to September Court, 1762, when his daughter Phebe Matthews was granted administration of his estate. His estate was sold Oct. 9, 1762, and account of sale was returned to court in January Court, 1763 ^[11]
10. Hester Matthews She married William Johnston, son of Benjamin and Mary Johnston of Isle of Wight County, VA.
11. Patience Matthews She married Henry Johnson, son of James Johnson, Jr. and his wife Rebecca Darden) Johnson ^[12]
12. Unknown Matthews - She married Solomon Stevenson, Sr., and apparently had died prior to Nov. 7, 1747. Her son "Solomon Stephenson, Jr." was bequeathed land on James Branch in the will of Hugh Matthews.

Sources

1. ↑ Isle of Wight County, Virginia, records: Will & Deed Book 2, p 484
2. ↑ See Hugh B. Johnston, manuscript, "History of the Johnson-Johnston Family." (more details needed; need to track this manuscript down)
3. ↑ Isle of Wight County records, Deed Book 3, p. 269.
4. ↑ Isle of Wight County records: Will Book 4, p 257
5. ↑ Southampton County records: Will Book 1, p 513
6. ↑ Edgecombe Co., NC Deed Book OO, p. 138.
7. ↑ Isle of Wight Co., VA Will Book 5, p. 26.
8. ↑ Southampton Co., VA Will Book 1, p. 109.
9. ↑ "The Newsom Family" by B. C. Holtzclaw, in "Genealogies of Virginia Families," Volume 4, p. 518.
10. ↑ Edgecombe Co., NC Deed Book 3, p. 7.
11. ↑ Watson, "Estate Records of Edgecombe Co., NC," Durham, NC: Seeman Printery, Inc., 1970, p. 176.
12. ↑ "Johnstons of Currawaugh" by Eddis Johnson and Hugh Buckner Johnston, 1979, p. 77.