The Mathews Family

 

Sampson Mathews was a prominent figure in the early history of Augusta County, Virginia, and also Pocahontas County, with a lineage that connects him to other notable families. Here is a summary of his life and contributions, according to the sources:

• Family Background:

  • Sampson Mathews was the son of John Mathews and Ann Archer, early settlers in Borden's Tract.
  • His wife was a Miss Lockhart.
  • He was the father of Mrs. Samuel Clarke and Mrs. Alexander Nelson.
  • He had two sons named John and Sampson, the latter of whom was the father of Andrew Mathews of Pulaski county, and Jacob and Sampson Mathews of Pocahontas county.

• Public and Military Service:

  • He served as a deputy sheriff of Augusta County.
  • He was a captain of militia.
  • He was a vestryman of Augusta Parish.
  • He was appointed a justice of the peace in 1764.
  • He was a trustee of Staunton in 1761.
  • He acted as commissary for Col. Charles Lewis's regiment at the Battle of Point Pleasant, also known as "master driver of cattle" because the troops' subsistence consisted mainly of cattle driven on foot.
  • He was involved in the manufacturing of sailcloth for the Virginia fleet during the Revolutionary War.
  • He was a Colonel in command of the Augusta militia in lower Virginia during the Revolutionary War.
  • He was a member of the county committee.
  • He was the first sheriff of the county.

• Business and Community Involvement:

  • He was a merchant in Staunton along with his brother George.
  • He kept an ordinary (a type of tavern or inn) in Staunton.
  • He had a stable lot at the southwest corner of Augusta and Frederick streets.

• Land Ownership:

  • His residence was a log house in Staunton, located on a lot bounded by Beverley and Water streets.

• Later Life:

  • He was living in Bath County in 1800.
  • He died in Staunton in 1807.

• Descendants:

  • His son, Sampson L. Mathews was the first surveyor of Pocahontas County. He married Nancy Edgar of Greenbrier County and had several children.
  • His grandson, Andrew G. Mathews, married Mary W. See, and lived several years at Dunmore, before moving to Pulaski County. His daughter, Naomi, married Samuel Mathews, and lived in Randolph County, where their sons, M.G., Charles and J.W. Mathews, all resided.

• Other Notable Facts:

  • He was involved in a dispute with Gabriel Jones over a debt.
  • He signed a letter attesting to the respectable character of Mrs. Mathews, wife of Gen. George Mathews, during a time when her character was being questioned.

In summary, Sampson Mathews was a key figure in the development of Augusta County, holding various important positions, contributing to the region's military readiness, and engaging in business and community affairs.

Here's what the sources reveal about him:

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Early Life and Family:

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He was the son of John Mathews, one of the first settlers in Borden's Tract, who arrived around 1737

.

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His mother was Ann Archer

.

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He had several siblings, including a brother, George Mathews

.

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Sampson Mathews was the father of Mrs. Samuel Clarke and Mrs. Alexander Nelson

. He also had two sons, John and Sampson, the latter of whom was the father of Andrew Mathews of Pulaski County, and Jacob and Sampson Mathews of Pocahontas County. His wife was a Miss Lockhart

.

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Public Service and Military Roles:

○

Sampson Mathews served as a Deputy Sheriff

.

○

He was a captain of militia in the county

.

○

He served as a vestryman in the Augusta Parish

.

○

He was appointed a trustee of the town of Staunton in 1761

.

○

He was a commissary for Col. Lewis's regiment, and was referred to as "master driver of cattle" because the troops' subsistence consisted mainly of cattle driven on foot

.

○

During the Revolutionary War, he was involved in various capacities:

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He served as a trustee to oversee the manufacture of sailcloth for the Virginia fleet

.

■

He was Colonel in command of the Augusta militia in lower Virginia

.

■

He was involved in organizing the raising of troops

.

○

He was a member of the county committee

.

○

He was the first sheriff of the county

.

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Business and Community Involvement:

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He was a merchant in Staunton with his brother, George, in 1762

.

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He also kept an ordinary (a type of tavern or inn) in a long frame building on the east side of Augusta Street

.

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His stable lot was located at the southwest corner of Augusta and Frederick streets

.

●

Land Ownership:

○

His Staunton residence was a log house on a lot bounded by Beverley and Water streets

.

●

Later Life and Death:

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He was living in Bath County in 1800

.

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He died in Staunton in 1807

.

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Other noteworthy facts:

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He was involved in a dispute with Gabriel Jones, the King's Attorney, over a debt of 50 pounds

.

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He was asked to get a "fair state of the case" from Gabriel Jones, in order to consult with Peyton Randolph, the Attorney General

.

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He was a signatory to a letter affirming Mrs. Mathews' (the wife of Gen. George Mathews) respectable character

.

In summary, Sampson Mathews was a significant figure in Augusta County, serving in multiple roles, including military leader, businessman, and community leader, contributing to the county's development and defense during the colonial and Revolutionary periods.