Family Line of William Matthews, Sr. & Elizabeth Shorter
of Baltimore County, Maryland

After many years of researching the lives of William Matthews and Edward Matthews both of northern Baltimore County, Maryland, I have not been able to locate where these two (I believe) brothers were born.  William Matthews first appeared on the scene in Maryland around 1777 being part of the Northern Baltimore County militia under Thomas Marshall.  I have not been able yet, to locate any Revolutionary War records of this William in this company.  Both individuals married at Saint Paul's Epis. Church in Baltimore.  They lived all their lives very close to each other and their families had many business transactions between them.  Both appear in the 1783 tax list of Baltimore County and both families are buried in Gunpowder Baptist Cemetery. A 1903 obit. states that this William Matthews was of English descent.

William Matthews, Sr., born August 1756, died November 21, 1819 and buried at Gunpowder Baptist Cemetery.  Married Elizabeth (Betsy Ann) Shorter, born 1755 and died September 9, 1839 buried beside husband at Gunpowder.

Information on William Matthews Sr.

The first listing for William Matthews, Sr. was in 1777 which states: Commissioned Officers, William Matthews, appointed Ensign Baltimore Upper Battalion, Baltimore County militia dated August 30, 1777 under Captain Thomas Marshall.  Journal and correspondence; commissions issued to Thomas Marshall appointed Captain; Philip Stitlts, 1st Lt.; William Davis, 2nd Lt. William Matthews, Ensign; Nicholas Merryman, Captain; belonging to the Upper Battalion of militia in Baltimore County, Maryland.  NOTE: In 1783 tax list and 1790 census, William Matthews, William Davis, Thomas Marshall and Nicholas Merryman were all located in northern Baltimore County.

1783  Baltimore County Maryland Tax List: William Matthews of Fork..
1783  William Matthews paid a pew subscription at Saint Paul's Parish in Baltimore where he got married April 9, 1786.
1790  Census; Mine Run Hundred, Baltimore County, 1 male 16 up; 3 males under 16; 3 females, page 184 beside Jacob Marshall, Edward Matthews, Thomas Marshall & William Marshall.
1790  Maryland Court Records; New bond given by William Matthews.
1791-1813  William Matthews made many land transactions. Property owned by William Matthews included; Smiths Prospect, Ragged Ranmant, Smiths Plains, Beards Branch, Smiths Prospect, Matthews Choice, Dorseys Plains, Mount Pleasant, Yoders Part, Vaugans Disappointment.
1795  Witnessed the will of John Tracey of Baltimore County.
1798  witnessed the will of Henry Wilhelm of Baltimore County.
1808  William and Edward Matthews both witnessed the will of Thomas Wantland.
1819  Died, tombstone inscription; In memory who departed this life in the 63rd year of age.
Will dated June 15, 1816; proved December 1, 1819.
All land was divided between his 4 sons and 1 daughter.
1903 obit. of his grandson George Washington Matthews of Westminster, Carroll County, Maryland in the American Sentinel; Mr. Matthews was born on the farm of his father, the late William Matthews, Jr. in Baltimore County, February 7, 1814.  He was of English descent, though his ancestry in this country antedated the Rev. War in which his Grandfather served as a solider of the Continental Army.
1935  Register of Maryland Herald Families:
Registrants; under the dignity of landed gentry of Maryland Rev. and Historical personages, with scotch maternal ancestry.  D.A.R. "Matthews" Miss Laura K. Matthews, Laurel, Maryland, landed gentry of Matthews Choice estate on Gunpowder River.  Other property adjoining new Birmingham Manor; this property was called "Moore's Industry" and "Locust Park" granted to John Duvall in 1757.  Matthews to record of D.A.R. 1776 Rev. Ancestry, which is in complete detail.  Through the materia rights they are entirely of Edinborough, Scotland.

Children of William Matthews, Sr. & Elisabeth Shorter

(1) Edward Matthews, born 1787, married abt. 1808 to Elizabeth Ann, born abt. 1780 in Pa.. Edward was listed in 1810 page 602 w/ 1 son 0-10; and 3 daughters 0-10.  Listed in 1820 census living next to John Tracey and brother William Matthews and having 3 sons and 5 daughters.  In 1821, conveyed 135 acres of Mount Pleasant to sons; Gerard, William and John.  Edward was listed in 1823 tax list in 5th district, tract called "Mount Pleasant of 135 acres.  The location of Mount Pleasant was on the southside of wagon road to Yorktown, upper fork of Gunpowder Falls.  Also, in 1823, Edward was listed with 9 acres of Yoders Part.  1830 was listed in 5th district of Baltimore County, page 159 age 50-60 with 7 children; 4 sons & 3 daughters.  Edward was listed in 1832 land record as Edward Matthews of William & wife to Enoch Dorsey, 9 acres of Yoders Part.  This indenture dated October 8, 1832 states between Edward Matthews of William and Betsyan Matthews his wife both of Baltimore county to Enoch Dorsey.  Edward was not in the will of his mother in 1839 and not in the 1840 census of Baltimore County.  This Edward either died before 1839 or moved to another state.  In 1850, there was a Elizabeth Matthews age 70 living in the Shrewsbury area of York County, Pa. with Rev. Seibert, a Methodist minster and his family which would have fit the age and location of this being Edward's wife.  In 1860, she was living in Shrewsbury age 80.  Elizabeth Ann died in 1862 and was buried in the Evan. Church in Shrewsbury.  This Edward Matthews received from his father's will, property called "Mount Pleasant" in 1819 and in the early 1830's, he divided this land up between his 3 sons (one of which John was living in Ohio at that time).

(2) Jarrerd Matthews, born abt. 1788 near Middletown, Baltimore County, Maryland.  Married April 15, 1809 at 1st Methodist Church in Baltimore.  Died July 1, 1847 and buried at Gunpowder Baptist Cemetery.  First wife, Diana Mashon (Marshall), born 1787, died March 21, 1832, buried at Gunpowder Baptist Cemetery. Married 2nd Belinda abt. 1833. Circuit Court of Baltimore County, Maryland dated 1852 shows John Michael & William Davis vs. Belinda Matthews & others.  Gerard Matthews late of Baltimore County now deceased that he died some 4 or 5 years ago, interstate leaving the following heirs at law to wit, Belinda Matthews his wife, Elizabeth who married with Nicholas Hoshall, Nancy who intermarried with Thomas Cooper, Thomas Matthews, William Matthews, John Matthews who has since died intestate, with out heir, Rachel Matthews who intermarried with John Zimmerman and has since died leaving the following children, Henry, George, Dianne, Elizabeth and Rachel Zimmerman, Sarah Matthews who intermarried with Peter Ruhl who is now deceased, Julia Matthews who intermarried with Ephraim Sater are non residents being in the State of Ohio, Hannah Matthews who is now living in the West, Frances Matthews who intermarried with A. P. Spies, Martha Matthews who intermarried with William Freeland; infants, Charlotte Matthews, Rosanna Matthews, Jarrett Matthews and Henry C. Matthews.  Jarrerd Matthews received from father's will tracts of land called "Matthews Choice", Ragged Remnant", & Pt. Smith's Prospect", but by 1835 all his land was claimed as "Deed in Trust" to Thomas P. Scott.  1829-32 Baltimore County Probate Records shows Gerard Matthews guardian of his children who were heirs of Thomas Marshall deceased.

(3) William Matthews, Jr., born August 13, 1789 near Middletown, Baltimore County, Maryland, died April 22, 1856, buried Gunpowder Baptist Cemetery, married 1st April 16, 1812 to Mary Frances Houghton, born Feb. 8, 1794, died March 8, 1830 and 2nd on April 12, 1836 to Mary Ann Lewis, born July 15, 1810, died Jan. 4, 1871.

(4) Benjamin D. Matthews, born Oct. 29, 1792 near Middletown, Baltimore County, Maryland, died Dec. 23, 1878 in Gratis Township, Preble County, Ohio, married March 4, 1813 to Elizabeth Morris, born abt. 1792, died before 1860 in Gratis Twp., Preble County, Ohio.  In 1833, Benjamin sold all his property and moved to Ohio.  From the 1840 census thru 1870 he is listed in Preble County, Ohio.

(5) Charlotte Matthews, born abt. 1794 in Middletown area of Baltimore County, died abt. April 1864, buried Gunpowder Baptist Cemetery, married abt. 1813 to Job McCleary, born abt. 1780, died abt. 1840