Benjamin Matthews (bef. 1725 - 1754)

Born before 1725 in Charleston, Province of South Carolina

Husband of Ann (Holmes) Freer — married 5 Feb 1745 in Charles Town, Province of South Carolina

Descendants

Died 11 Dec 1754 after age 29 in Charles Town, Province of South Carolina

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Cortland Lowe [send private message]

Biography

Benjamin Mathewes was born in Charles Town, Province of South Carolina, the son of Capt. Anthony Mathewes and Lois, his wife. Like his father, he became a successful merchant in the province. Along with Thomas LLoyd and Richard Beresford, he was part-owner of the one sloop, Harriot.^[1]

Mathewes served only one term in the Commons House. St. John Colleton Parish elected him in a special election to the Twentieth Royal Assembly and he qualified on 16 April 1752. He was a member of the South Carolina Society and served that organization as Treasurer but declined election as Constable. His only other public office was Commissioner of the Work House and Markets. ^[1]

Marriage

Benjamin Mathewes married Ann Holmes, daughter of Isaac Holmes and and Elizabeth Peronneau on 11 February 1745. ^[2] They had children Benjamin, Isaac (d. 1769), John Raven (d. 1783), George, and Ann. Son George may have been born after April 1754 since he is not mentioned in his father's Will but is mentioned in the Will of his uncle George Mathewes.^[3]

Death

Benjamin wrote his Will on 18 April 1754, in which he mentions his wife Anne, children Benjamin, Isaac, John Raven, and Anne, brother John Matthews, and brother-in-law John Raven.^[4]

He died in Charles Town on 11 December 1754 after a lingering illness.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Edgar, Walter B. and N. Louise Bailey. Biographical Directory of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Volume II: the Commons House of Assembly 1692-1775 (1977), p. 436
2. ↑ Salley, A. S.. ed. Register of St. Philip's Parish Charles Town, South Carolina, 1720-1758 (1904), p. 184 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89067450395&view=1up&seq=7&skin=2021
3. ↑ "South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes, 1671-1977," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-JXSF-TB?cc=1919417&wc=M6N4-F66%3A210905601%2C211598601 : 21 May 2014), Charleston > Wills, 1767-1771, Vol. 012 > image 262 of 365; citing Department of Archives and History, Columbia. Will of George Mathewes-names sisters and nieces and nephews
4. ↑ "South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes, 1671-1977," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-J897-RL?cc=1919417&wc=M6N4-XZ9%3A210905601%2C211509901 : 21 May 2014), Charleston > Wills, 1752-1763, Vol. 007 > image 370 of 613; citing Department of Archives and History, Columbia. Will of Benjamin Matthews
5. ↑ Salley, A.., ed. Death Notices in The South Carolina Gazette 1732-1775 (1917) p. 26 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015027782112&view=1up&seq=5&skin=2021