William A. Mathews
Encyclopedia
William A. Mathews was a 19th-century Texas colonist, soldier, courier and quartermaster in the Texas Revolution.
at Missouri. In 1824, he would assist DeWitt when traveling to Texas, bringing in families and settling near Gonzales, Texas. Mathews married Naomi Dewitt, a daughter of Green DeWitt and they had one son. Mathews became a prominent citizen of Gonzales, rendering aid to all settlers of the colony. His wife died early and in 1838 he married Nancy King, a daughter of John G. King. They had two children.
. He would contract with DeWitt, who was encountering difficulties filling his obligations with the Mexican government in bringing 400 families to Texas. Mathews was contracted to bring 20 families into the DeWitt Colony from Tennessee
. Mathews would guide the group to Texas, seeing to procure their supplies and other needs. Once entering Texas he would assure that they would receive their land grants. He acquired much land for himself, thus becoming a farmer and cattle rancher of the region.
and Byrd Lockhart
as commissioners to raise a group of volunteers in Gonzales for a ranging company. On February 23, a 23 member Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers were mustered into service. During the Texas Revolution, he would participate as a volunteer soldier, courier and quartermaster.
In 1837-1938, he would serve with Byrd Lockhart's company, as a scout for the Republic.
William A. Matthews died in 1856 and was buried on the east side of the Masonic cemetery in Gonzales.
Also see:
Battle of Bexar 1835
List of Alamo defenders
Battle of the Alamo
Early life and family
Mathews sometimes spelled Matthews, was born in Vermont in 1800. At the age of seventeen, he would join with Green DeWittGreen DeWitt
Green DeWitt was an empresario in Mexican Texas. He founded the DeWitt Colony, one of the most successful.-Early years:...
at Missouri. In 1824, he would assist DeWitt when traveling to Texas, bringing in families and settling near Gonzales, Texas. Mathews married Naomi Dewitt, a daughter of Green DeWitt and they had one son. Mathews became a prominent citizen of Gonzales, rendering aid to all settlers of the colony. His wife died early and in 1838 he married Nancy King, a daughter of John G. King. They had two children.
Career in Texas
Mathews would aid in the colonization of the DeWitt ColonyDewitt Colony
The Dewitt Colony was a settlement in Mexican Texas founded by Green DeWitt. From lands belonging to that colony, the present Texas counties of DeWitt, Guadalupe and Lavaca were created...
. He would contract with DeWitt, who was encountering difficulties filling his obligations with the Mexican government in bringing 400 families to Texas. Mathews was contracted to bring 20 families into the DeWitt Colony from Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
. Mathews would guide the group to Texas, seeing to procure their supplies and other needs. Once entering Texas he would assure that they would receive their land grants. He acquired much land for himself, thus becoming a farmer and cattle rancher of the region.
Texas Revolution
On February 4, 1836, William A. Mathews was named along with Mathew CaldwellMathew Caldwell
Mathew Caldwell, , also spelled Matthew Caldwell was a 19th century Texas settler, military figure, Captain of the Gonzales - Seguin Rangers and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence...
and Byrd Lockhart
Byrd Lockhart
Byrd Lockhart , was a 19th-century Texas surveyer, Alamo defender, courier, and Texian officer during the Texas Revolution.-Early life and family:...
as commissioners to raise a group of volunteers in Gonzales for a ranging company. On February 23, a 23 member Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers were mustered into service. During the Texas Revolution, he would participate as a volunteer soldier, courier and quartermaster.
In 1837-1938, he would serve with Byrd Lockhart's company, as a scout for the Republic.
William A. Matthews died in 1856 and was buried on the east side of the Masonic cemetery in Gonzales.
Legacy
In 1962, a historical grave marker was placed in the Gonzales Masonic Cemetery, honoring his service to Texas.Also see:
Battle of Bexar 1835
Siege of Bexar
The Siege of Béxar was an early campaign of the Texas Revolution in which a volunteer Texan army successfully defeated Mexican forces at San Antonio de Béxar . Texians had become disillusioned with the Mexican government as President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's tenure became increasingly...
List of Alamo defenders
Battle of the Alamo
Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar . All but two of the Texian defenders were killed...