Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Malcolm Mathison

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Descendants of Malcolm Mathison

Generation No. 2

2. JOHN WESLEY² MATHISON, SR. (MALCOLM¹) was born December 31, 1841 in Henry County, Alabama, and died March 28, 1928 in Dale County, Alabama. He married ANNIE JANE CREEL December 10, 1867 in Henry County, AL, daughter of WILLIAM CREEL and SARAH ?. She was born November 27, 1841 in Barbour County, Alabama, and died December 17, 1905 in Alabama.

Notes for JOHN WESLEY MATHISON, SR.:
Enlisted at Henry County, Alabama in January 1862 and served as a Private in the 37th Alabama Infantry / Company H and served until he was paroled at the close of the war at Eufaula, Alabama.
                  - 1921 Census of Confederate Soldiers

"...Let me say of the fruitless struggle made by the Thirty-Seventh Alabama Regiment...I believe no truer, braver soldiers were to be found in the Confederate army, and I ask that those noble sons of Alabama shall not be forgotten while the deeds of others are often sung in loudest praise."
                  - Brigadier General John Creed Moore, C.S.A., retired

On a Civil War battlefield near Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, John promised that if God brought him home safely, he would give his life to God's cause. After the war, John forgot about his promise and found himself busy raising a family and making a living on a farm in Skipperville, Alabama. However, according to John, one day he had plowed out to the end of the row and was turning the old mule around when the Lord spoke to him saying, "John, don't you think it is about time?" Though the sun had not yet set, he unhooked his plow and headed home. Soon after this incident John began his itinerant mission work through visitations and prayer meetings.

During the summer of 1882, he helped to organize a series of meetings which were held under a brush arbor that was located near the present day Skipperville United Methodist Church. Interest in the brush arbor services increased and Skipperville became a mission in the Eufaula District later in the year of 1882. In a short time, the people organized Sunday School and church services that were held in the homes. For the next several years, John and his brothers, George W. Mathison and James Levin Mathison, were active in the establishment and leadership of the church. Although John was not a preacher, he served ably as a leader of prayer services and superintendent of Sunday School. Brother George W. Mathison was the preacher in charge of the mission that year, but it was Brother James Levin Mathison who had the distinction of being the first pastor at the church in Skipperville.
                  - taken from a 1984 publication THE LENGTHENING SHADOW: A Brief History of the United       Methodist Church at Skipperville, Alabama

John W. Mathison was initiated into the mysteries of free and accepted Masonry on December 28, 1889, passed January 11, 1890, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason January 25, 1890.

On Sunday, March 28, 1928, he passed away. After many sympathetic talks and fitting ceremonies conducted by the Masonic Fraternity, Brother Mathison was tenderly laid to rest in Skipperville Cemetery amidst a throng of sorrowing friends and loved ones on March 29, 1928.
                  - taken from a memorial written by the Clinton Lodge

Notes for ANNIE JANE CREEL:
When Annie Jane married John W. Mathison, Sr., it was her third marriage. It took me awhile to sort out her past marriages, but the facts are listed below:

Annie Jane Creel married E.J. Corbit on May 20, 1857 in Barbour County at the home of her father. This husband did not last long (for reasons still unknown), but two years later, she was at the alter again. Page 236 of Helon Cutler's book of Henry County Marriage records lists the following:

Corbitt, A. J. Mrs. married Glover, E.S. jan. 11, 1859.

This next husband also didn't last long. Eli S.Glover joined the 27th Alabama Volunteers August 21, 1863 in Henry County, Al. and then transferred to Co. F 1st Regiment Alabama Cavalry. Eli was captured on August 23, 1864 at Fort Morgan, Alabama along with Annie's brother John Wilburn Creel. Both men were transported to New Orleans, La. Eli, however, was later put aboard a ship bound for New York City on Sept. 27, 1864. When he arrived in New York City he was put aboard a train for Elmira "Hellmira", NY. He was received at Elmira on Oct. 8, 1864. He died there on Feb. 16, 1865. The report says he died from Chronic Bronchitis and that his belongings were buried with him. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery at Elmira, grave number 2215. Records at the National Archives indicated that he was in grave number 2220 but the cemetery said the correct grave site is 2215. The cemetery is now a National Cemetery. It is written in the log book that Eli S. Glover died of Chronic Bronchitis.

After the war, Annie married again. On December 10, 1867 she married a Civil War veteran by the name of John Wesley Mathison, Sr. in Henry County, Alabama. This marriage lasted until her death 38 years later at the age of 64. She finally found a husband who would outlast her! John Wesley had a little more than 21 years left in him. They are buried side by side in Skipperville Cemetery, Dale County, Alabama.

Annie may have met John Mathison through her husband's cousins. Eli had a few first cousins that served in the 37th Alabama along with John. It is also possible that John knew Eli and that his relationship with Annie began by consoling the widow of his fallen comrade. This is purely speculation, however.


Children of JOHN MATHISON and ANNIE CREEL are:

11.	i.	MARY ELLEN³ MATHISON.
12.	ii.	JOHN WESLEY MATHISON, JR., b. January 11, 1869, Henry County, Alabama; d. August 15, 1935, Defuniak Springs, Walton County, Florida.
	iii.	ANNIE LEORA MATHISON, b. September 20, 1871; d. June 26, 1897; m. J. L. WEATHERBY, April 08, 1894, Dale County, Alabama.
13.	iv.	CHARLES EDGAR MATHISON, b. January 26, 1880; d. July 16, 1970, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida.
	v.	ELLA MATHISON, b. January 26, 1880; d. October 25, 1916.

Notes for ELLA MATHISON:
Ella was Uncle Ed's twin sister and died young from illness.

14.

vi.

JAMES LEVIN MATHISON, b. August 03, 1887, Clopton, Alabama; d. November 15, 1955, his home near Ozark, Alabama.

3. REV. JAMES LEVIN² MATHISON (MALCOLM¹) was born December 12, 1843 in Henry County, Alabama, and died March 21, 1918 in Ozark, Dale County, Alabama. He married AMANDA ANN PRISCILLA WEATHERBY January 14, 1866 in Henry County, AL, daughter of WADE WEATHERBY and NANCY FAGAN. She was born 1834.

Notes for REV. JAMES LEVIN MATHISON:
      When Brother J.L. Mathison came to the Ozark Circuit he was beginning his tenth year as a circuit riding minister and had eleven churches to serve. Records do not show any other preacher serving that many churches in this circuit. He also had the largest number of members in his flock, a total of 952 in the year 1882. His memorialist, J.E. McCann, gives us this interesting account of his life.
      His early educational advantages were poor, but his determination and strong mind enabled him to make good use of such opportunities as he had and he was truly a self made man. When the Civil War came he responded to the call of his country and enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1862. He belonged to Company H, Thirty Seventh Alabama Regiment. He was a valiant soldier. Being severely wounded at the battle of Missionary Ridge, he was unable to render further military service and was honorably discharged. During his convalescence he applied himself to his studies and taught several schools while waiting to become strong enough to return to his chosen occupation, that of farming.
      In 1866 he married Amanda Ann Priscilla Weatherby and of the six children who reached maturity, three sons, John A., Albert Lee, and Charles Wesley became ministers. Brother Mathison was called to preach and licensed in 1870 and was admitted to the Conference in 1872. He had the reputation of being a strong gospel preacher. He was wise in councel, devoted to the church and a man of deep piety. His was not a gloomy religion. The joy of the Lord was in his heart and beamed in his face. His was an eminently clean, pure and useful life.
      Before coming to Ozark Circuit, Mathison served White Pond and Perote Circuit. Following Ozark he was Presiding Elder of Marianna District and then returned to pastorates at Clayton, Troy, Aberfoil, Spring Hil, Brundidge, Daleville, Sepulga, Georgianna and Asbury. He died in his forty-sixth year as a minister.
      Unfortunately local history did not preserve for us a record of events when Mathison served the Ozark Circuit, but Conference history does record that from the beginning of his service in 1872, the Mathison name has enriched the pulpits of Alabama and Florida for a century.
      - Source: History of the First United Methodist Church, Ozark, Alabama by Glenn Wells

James Levin Mathison is buried in Union Cemetery, Ozark, Alabama

J.L. Mathison's left no will when he died in 1918. Record of his estate is located in Vol. 3, page 42 of the Administrator's Record Book at the Dale County courthouse. It states that he had 802 acres of land at the time of his death, worth 10,000 dollars. The land was situated in Barbour, Dale, and Henry County.

Children of JAMES MATHISON and AMANDA WEATHERBY are:

15.	i.	EMMA FRANCES³ MATHISON, b. November 16, 1867, Henry County, Alabama; d. August 28, 1936, Jackson, Tennessee.
16.	ii.	ELLA NANCY MATHISON, b. March 01, 1870; d. September 06, 1897, Texas.
	iii.	REV. CHARLES WESLEY MATHISON, b. 1872; d. May 03, 1940, Fernandina, Florida; m. MOLLIE BROWN.
17.	iv.	REV. ALBERT LEE MATHISON, b. July 16, 1874, Barbour County, Alabama, near Abbevile; d. April 29, 1942, Florence, Alabama.
18.	v.	REV. JOHN ARDIS MATHISON, b. September 21, 1876, Ozark, Henry County, Alabama; d. July 01, 1907, Lincoln, Alabama.
19.	vi.	EFFIE MAE MATHISON, b. 1879, Alabama; d. January 1971, Abbeville, Alabama.

4. ELIZABETH² MATHISON (MALCOLM¹) was born 1844. She married JOHN CROWLEY December 28, 1870 in Henry County, AL.

Child of ELIZABETH MATHISON and JOHN CROWLEY is:

MARY³ CROWLEY.

5. REV. GEORGE WASHINGTON² MATHISON (MALCOLM¹) was born November 17, 1846 in Edwin, Henry County, Alabama, and died June 11, 1931 in Henry County, Alabama. He married CALLIE MAHULDA WEATHERBY January 26, 1871 in Henry County, AL, daughter of NORMAN WEATHERBY and MATILDA MAJORS. She was born 1844 in Alabama.

Notes for REV. GEORGE WASHINGTON MATHISON:
Married Mahulda C. Weathersby on January 28, 1870

Entered army of the Confederate States of America on October 1864, at Abbeville, Alabama in Henry County. 37th Alabama Infantry. Fought in battles in Ga. and S.C.; battle of Bentonville. Discharged April 1865.

George's birth and death dates are given on page 1134 of Marion Elias Lazenby's book "History of Methodism in Alabama and West Florida"

A xerox of a certified copy of George W. Mathison's death certificate was mailed to Steve Groh from the files of the Franklin S. Mosely Depository at the Huntingdon College Library in Montgomery, Alabama. According to this document he died suddenly with no doctor present - aged 84 years, 7 months, and 24 days. Interestingly, the certificate lists his father Malcolm's birth place as "N.C" This is contradictory to the 1850 census, which states his birthplace as South Carolina.

The following is taken from a transcript in a collection of Mathison history documents mailed to Steve Groh on October 4, 1999 by Etoil (Mrs. G. B.) Mathison in Abbeville, Alabama:

EULOGY FOR GEORGE WASHINGTON MATHISON
THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1931

Reverend George Washington Mathison - Last Confederate Passes On

One by one, they have passed, those beloved heroes who wore the Gray, those veterans of the Sixties whom Abbeville was happy to claim as her own, and now, the last has answered the summons of the Supreme Commander and is bivouacked with the company whose ranks will never be broken.

Reverend George Washington Mathison, beloved Confederate Veteran, and Minister of the Gospel, passed quietly and peacefully away at 5:30 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. B. B. Balcom. He attended the reunion in Montgomery last week and a family reunion at Skipperville last Sunday, and it is believed that the exertion of this during the extreme hot weather provoked a heart attack which caused his death.

Reverend Mathison was born November 27, 1846, near Prospect Church, Henry County. At the age of 18 in 1864, he enlisted under the Stars and Bars and served his beloved Southland bravely and well until the close of that struggle. In January, 1871, he was married to Miss Callie Weatherby of Otho, near Ft. Gaines, Georgia, and together they walked life's pathway in mutual love and happiness until four years ago, when death, the inevitable separator, claimed her. To them were given three children, all of whom survive and are leading and useful citizens in their respective communities.

When a small boy, Mr. Mathison gave his heart to Christ and united with the Methodist church, and in 1882, he again enlisted in a nobler cause, this time under the Banner of the Cross. Joining the M.C. Conference, he devoted his life to active service for his Master, and this Church never had a more faithful and courageous servitor. In later years he located and joined the Methodist Protestant Church in which he served until his health gave way and he was superannuated. Since that time he has preached at intervals in various churches of his denomination. Only a few weeks ago he filed the pulpit of the Abbeville Methodist Church, preaching with much of his old time fervor and enthusiasm, the unsearchable riches of God. Although his sight had grown so dim he could not read the scriptures, the Word of God was so deeply engraved in his heart and mind that not any time in his discourse was he at a loss for any passage of scripture he wished to quote or emphasize.

Perhaps no man in or around Abbeville had more friends in all walks of life than did Mr. Mathison. this genial, kindly nature, charitable in spirit and in deed drew all men to him and held their respect and devotion. to him, whatever cause he espoused was a righteous one and he gave it his whole souled and inequitable support. His influence was beneficent and effective and he was a genuine power for good in the community.

Funeral services were held Friday morning from the Methodist Church at 9:00 O'clock. Rev. J.A. Griffin, assisted by Revs. L.B. Green and R.C. Edge of the Methodist and Baptist Churches respectively, officiating, and internment followed in the City Cemetery. It was fitting that Rev. Griffin should have had charge, as the old friend and neighbor of the deceased, he paid beautiful tribute to him who was his older brother in the ministry, who had exerted such a strong influence for good in his own life.

Surviving are two sons, Messrs. G.A. Mathison, Clayton and J.M. Mathison of Screamer, one daughter, Mrs. B.B. Balcom of Skipperville; two sisters, Mrs. S.A. Weatherby, Gilmer, Texas and Mrs. Emma Powell of Skipperville, a number of grandchildren and other relatives.

The pall-bearers were: Active, Messrs. W.E. Holland, J.T. Hinson, M.L. Wood, L.S. Nichols, Jr. W.W. Griggs, R.C. Stokes, L.E. Gibbons and Judge H.W. Owens.

Those out of town guests who attended the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. S.D. Mathison, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Mathison, John Mathison and Mrs. Malcom Mathison of Skipperville, Alabama. Mr. and Mrs. S.L. Mathison and daughter of Clayton, Mr. Woodham and son of near Edwin and others.

Children of GEORGE MATHISON and CALLIE WEATHERBY are:

20.	i.	JAMES MALCOM³ MATHISON, b. March 05, 1874; d. April 22, 1948.
21.	ii.	GEORGE ALEXANDER MATHISON, b. December 10, 1871, Henry County, Alabama; d. November 27, 1948, Henry County, Alabama.
	iii.	DOPHIA MATHISON, m. BRACK BALKAM.

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