In the early 1920's Uriah Julian Matson of New York assembled a Family Tree of the Matsons. Enclosed is a copy of his attempt to find the ancestry of his grandfather Uriah Matson.

Uriah Matson

The above, Progenitor of the following families, was born in Ireland and came to America in 1786. There was an effort made to trace his ancestry in Ireland by writing to the Pastor of the Presbyterian Church at KerryKeel, which was near his birthplace, but it brought no conclusive report, and I give the letter as received from here: Uriah J. Matson 1921

The Manse KerryKeel, Donegal, Ireland:

I have made every inquiry possible in regard to the family of Uriah Matson, and have failed to get any information about them. The old records of the Church have disappeared long since. In those days no attention was paid to their preservation which is a distinct loss to the present generation.

We now have but one family of Matson who are in comfortable circumstances, having a corn and flax mill. The father's name was Robert, who came and settled here about 70 years ago. One of his daughters is in Philadelphia.

The old Church here has but a small number of families: Several other churches have branched off from it, one at Milford, one at Carrigrat, one at Ruthmulleren, so naturally we are not very strong now. A new church edifice has been built lately, and quite a hear little flock attends for service, but the country is in a disturbed political state at the present, but in this locality the people are all on friendly terms, although the Protestants are a small minority.

I again must express my regret at not being able to help you. In explaining your request to my congregation I pointed out the far reaching influences of good Christian works at home, which pleads a radiance of goodness to the New World.

Sincerely Yours,

Frederick Torrens: Minister.

The following was written by Uriahs grandson:

I am well aware of the fact that the writer of history should know something of the facts of which he undertakes to write. If he lets his imagination run wild and writes down things because they sound well, and no regard for the truth, then it is not history for it lacks the very elements of truth, which alone makes history worth reading.

Now, with my limited knowledge of the facts, I realize it will be a difficult matter to give correctly even a brief history of the Matson Family. It has always been supposed that sometime in the far off past they had emigrated from England to Scotland, but when this was, is altogether a matter of conjecture. But that we were originally English seems to be well founded. There is at this time a small settlement in England named Matson, but for many years there has been no one of that name living there; although the name is found in the old parish records. When they left for Scotland is not definitely known.

Buy, of the immigration from Scotland to Ireland there have been some facts gathered that can be depended upon. The story told and generally believed is as follows.

Lord Donegal owned a large tract of land in Ireland which he was anxious to have settled and cultivated, and at his own expense, raised a large colony in Scotland and crossed the channel into Ireland, colonizing then in what is now known as County Donegal, named after himself. There was a double purpose in this colonization, viz: The Catholics were in control in the southern part of Ireland and were gradually encroaching upon the domain of the Protestant land owners in the north of the country. They were anxious to settle their holdings with people of their own belief. This must have been during the reign of James the First, for at that time, the feeling between the Catholics and Protestants was very bitter.

The colony of Lord Donegal consisted of 45 families and in the crowd was a family of Matsons. Lord Donegal placed his colonists on his land giving top each a portion to handle as best suited them. They were at the time herders rather than farmers. The story is still told around the turf fiers of the great herds of cattle and sheep that the family owned. These cattle were sold to Lord Donegal and by him shipped to the English markets. Their land was not far from Londonderry, about seven miles. The typical little Irish house built of stone by one of the ancestors is still standing seemingly as good as new. It overlooks Lough Swillow, a beautiful body of water navigable at high tide as far as Ruthmullen, a small town on the bank of the Lough. It was here to this town the cattle were driven and settlements made with Lord Donegal. and at one settlement, it is told that the Matsons went home with 4000 pounds Sterling in their inside pockets.

They continued to raise cattle for many years and must have been prosperous for, as the story goes, Lord Donegal thought they were making too much money and attempted to reduce the acreage held by them by about one half. This was objected to by the families and as a result of this, the pleasant relations heretofore existing were, to say the least, strained but not altogether broken. Lord Donegal many times afterward regretted his action. At the time of his death he made a request that the remaining Matsons be taken care of and kept on the land as long as possible.

Elizabeth Beach Matson, who was the wife of his seventh child related to her Grandson, ;MR. E.R. Meyers of Cleveland, Ohio, the following story as to a reason of the emigration from Ireland in 1786., which she said her husband had told to her. Uriah and eight of his brothers had gone to Londonderry to the fair and while there got into trouble with some wild Irishmen. A good deal of liquor was drunk and there was a fight in which Uriah was the only survivor of his clan. The feeling ran so high between the different faiths, that Uriah and his family feared for his life, and to preserve it, it was considered best for him to emigrate to the United States.

On the occasion of my fathers trip to Ireland (Richard McConnell Matson), he bought some collaboration of the above legend back with him. The Robert Matson that is spoken of be the Rev.Torrens as the one of the name yet at the old Matson home, told my father of the fights around Londonderry, and that the Matsons were always in them. They were supposed to be the strongest men in that section and always ready to battle for their faith. On an occasion of a fight at one time, there were a number of Matson clan killed, but the number was not as great as given by Elizabeth Beach Matson, but there is no doubt that there is grounds for this tale, and that it is historically true.

Uriah Julian Matson, GGGreat grandson