Timothy Matthews (1765 - 1834)

Husband of Anne (Davis) Matthews — married 28 Sep 1795 in Fownhope with Fawley, Herefordshire, England

Descendants

Died 20 Sep 1834 at about age 69 in Fownhope with Fawley, Herefordshire, England

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Biography

Timothy Matthews was a tailor and merchant who lived in the 18th century in rural Hereford, specifically in the village of Fownhope with Fawley. He was born around 1765 in Hereford and married Anne Davis on September 28, 1795, in Hereford, with whom he had two children, Timothy Hilo Matthews and Eliza Ann Matthews. Timothy Matthews was a skilled tailor who ran a drapery and general goods shop in Fownhope, which he later handed over to his son-in-law, George Cole, due to declining health. He died in September 1834 at the age of 69 and was buried in Fownhope. His wife, Anne, died a few months later.

Fownhope has a rich history that dates back to Doomsday, and the village's location on the banks of the Wye River has made it a popular destination for visitors and walkers since the late 18th century. In the 18th century, Fownhope was a bustling river port, and at least one barge, the William of 40 tons, was built there, being launched in 1815. A smaller vessel, the Ann and Peggy, a trow of 13 tons, was built in Fownhope in 1854.

Tailoring was a skilled profession in the 18th century, and tailors made clothes by hand. The industry was largest in London, where tailors made high-quality, made-to-measure items. Journeymen tailors traveled around the country and stayed in the houses of wealthier people to make clothes for the entire household. Timothy Matthews would have been a part of a network of customers in the village, mainly comprised of husbandmen and fellow craftsmen. Customers would visit the shop infrequently, as Timothy would have also spent time working in the field, making shoes, or visiting local gentry to repair clothes and linen. The shops offered frequent social interaction between the shopkeeper, customers, and fellow customers.

After Timothy Matthews passed away, his son Timothy Hilo Matthews continued his father's legacy as a tailor and retailer of cider and beer. However, Timothy Hilo Matthews fell into bankruptcy, and his sister, Eliza Ann Matthews, became a mother to three before emigrating to Canada in 1840. Overall, Timothy Matthews's life was that of a skilled and respected tailor who played an important role in the rural community of Fownhope with Fawley.

When Timothy was about 30 he married on 28 September 1795 in Fownhope With Fawleye, Hereford, England. Marriage between Timothy Matthews and Ann Davis^[1]

Creditors Notice:

Found in the Hereford Journal, July 23, 1834

TIMOTHY MATTHEWS

GRATEFUL for the many favours that have been conferred on him for a long period during which he has carried on Business at FOWNHOPE, begs leave to inform his Friends and the Public in general, that from increasing infirmity he has DECLINED BUSINESS in favour of hi SON-IN-LAW, GEORGE COLE, whom he begs to recommend to their kind patronage.

GEORGE COLE

BEGS leave to inform the Friends of TIMOTHY MATTHEWS, and the Public in General, that he has taken to the Business lately carried on by Mr. MATTHEWS, at FOWNHOPE, to which he has added the business of CHAIR-MAKER and TURNER, and hopes by strict punctuality and attention and selling the best articles for the lowest possible profit, to merit the continuence of their favours and the support of a generous Public.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS and DEBTORS

ALL Persons who have any claim or demand against Mr. TIMOTHY MATTHEWS, of the parish of Fownhope, in the County of Hereford, Tailor, Draper, and general Shopkeeper, are requested to send the particulars of their demand to Mr. George Cole, of Fownhope, aforesaid, or to the Office of Mr. Watkyns, Solicitor, Hereford, in order that they may be put into a due course of payment. And all Persons who stand indebted to the said Tim Matthews are requested to pay the amount of their respective Debts to Mr. George Cole, who is duly authorized to receive the same and give legal discharges.

Fownhope, July 22d, 1834

Timothy died on an unknown date at an unknown location.^[2][3][4]

Death of Timothy Matthews

Burial Place: Fownhope and Fawley, Herefordshire

Birth year: 1765

Dedication: St. Mary's

Denomination: Anglican

Index to Death Duty Registers

Testator: Timothy Mathews; Residence: Fownhope, Hereford

Death year: 1835

Executors: George Cole; Residence: same place

Register 2; Folio 289:Not to be confused with a similar burial...

Death of Timothy Matthews

Burial Place: Leonminster, Herefordshire

Birth year: 1767

Dedication: St. Peter & St. Paul

Denomination: Anglican

More info needed on the cemetery at St Mary Anglican in Fownhope with Fawleye, Herefordshire

Other burials:

Mary Mathews, d. February 1729

Martha Matthews, d. 24 February 1799

Esther Mathews, d. 21 January, 1808

Richard Mathews, d. 24 January 1815, Age 61 (b. 1754)

Ann Matthews, d. 4 June, 1831

Ann Matthews, d. 4 February 1835

Sources

1. ↑ Marriage: Source: England, Marriages, 1538–1973. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013. FHL Film Number: 992806; http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true. (accessed before 10 February 2012)
2. ↑ Death: Parish Records Collection; National Burial Index; Herefordshire Family History Society, 1726-1839; http://www.findmypast.co.uk/records/nbi/details/2694676?e=D&sn=MATTHEWS&cy=HEF&o=250&rC=307&locale=en. (accessed before 10 February 2012)
3. ↑ Death: Record set: Index To Death Duty Registers 1796-1903 (UK); Wills & Probate; Court: Pcc and Country Courts, Fownhope, Herefordshire; National Archives reference: IR27/234. (accessed before 10 February 2012)
4. ↑ Death: Parish Records Collection; National Burial Index; Herefordshire Family History Society, 1726-1839; http://www.findmypast.co.uk/records/nbi/details/2724289?e=D&sn=MATTHEWS&cy=HEF&o=250&rC=307&locale=en. (accessed before 10 February 2012)

Background Links:

*A nice photo website on the history of Fownhope and the Wye Valley

*Old Hereford Pics has a wonderful gallery of cartoons on Herefordshire history drawn between the 1950s and 60s by Gerald Newton-Sealey and published in the Wiggin News.