Re: Matthews family of Reading & Bradfield, Berkshire, England
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In reply to:
Matthews family of Reading & Bradfield, Berkshire, England
Peter King 2/02/08
Peter, it was great to see your post.
My ancestor, Henry Matthews, died in 1847 in Columbus, Georgia, USA. According to his tombstone, he and his wife,
Ann Gibbs, were from Reading.
Ann Gibbs was born on Jan 23, 1799, daughter of James Gibbs
and his wife Ann. She was baptised at Broad Street Independent Meeting House in Reading. On Nov 5, 1820, Henry
and Ann married at the church in Wokingham..just outside of
Reading.Henry and Ann's first three children were baptised
at the St. Mary church in Reading.
In 1829, the family moved to America.
Henry Matthews and Ann Gibb's children were:
Henry George Matthews b. 1821 Reading
Elizabeth Ann Matthews b. 1823 Reading
Harriet Amelia Matthews b. 1827 Reading
Allen James Matthews b. 1830 New York
Savannah Georgia Matthews b. 1832 Georgia
Charlotte F. Matthews b. 1834 Florida
William Douglas Matthews b. 1838 Georgia
Frederick Richard Matthews b. 1840 Georgia
For many years I knew nothing of Henry's family..I believe he was born in 1801..but cannot locate him on any birth register in Berkshire.
Henry's immigration card and an old book about Columbus, Georgia identifies him as a tailor, and he ran a small business 'Matthews & Co.' during the 1840s.
Finally, a breakthrough.. according to the Pigot & Co.'s directory of Berkshire 1823-4, the only Tailors/Drapers in Reading were James Gibbs, Ephraim Matthews, and Richard Matthews. In 1831-2, the town tailors were Ephraim & Richard M., and a Joseph Gibbs, who I believe was James' son (and Ann's brother). The 1844 edition lists only Richard Matthews.I believe Henry Matthews must be related to Ephraim and Richard Matthews..
According to the St. Mary registers, an Ephraim and Elizabeth baptised a son, Richard, in June 1798.., perhaps the same Ephraim with wife Ann baptised several more children from 1810-1826..,still not sure how Henry works in to all this.
Please send me anything you have about this family!!
Regards,
Adam Matthews
More Replies:
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Re: Matthews family of Reading & Bradfield, Berkshire, England
Peter King 3/16/08
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Re: Matthews family of Reading & Bradfield, Berkshire, England
Adam Matthews 4/28/09
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Re: Matthews family of Reading & Bradfield, Berkshire, England
Adam Matthews 4/28/09
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Re: Matthews family of Reading & Bradfield, Berkshire, England
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Re: Matthews family of Reading & Bradfield, Berkshire, England