Matson Family Research Section 3-2a - Amanuensis Monday

This continues Section 3 of the Matson family research from correspondence between researchers in 1903. Sections 3 contains details about a John Matson from some early Chester County, PA records. He married Hannah Norbury in 1741 and died in 1748. Hannah married George Swedley after John's death and this section lists details from the wills of Hannah and George.

8-21-1765   Will of George Swedley Jr. of Willistown, mentions wife Hannah and several children.

1798-1810   Will of Hannah Swedley of Willistown, dated 7-4-1798, probated Oct. 31, 1810.
                         Mentions - sons Richard Matson, Jacob Matson.
                         sister - Sarah Hall
                         granddaughter Hannah, dau. of Richard Matson and several Swedley children.
                     Eus. - son, Jacob Matson and son-in-law, Benj.
                     Cox, husband of daughter Hannah.
                     [The Swedley genealogy gives 3 sons of John and Hannah Matson - Richard, Jacob
                      (as above) and Joseph. The latter was probably dead when this will was made.]

Amanuensis Monday – An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin – some we never met – others we see a time in their life before we knew them. A fuller explanation can be found here. Amanuensis Monday is a popular ongoing series created by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

Matson Family Research Section 3-1 - Amanuensis Monday

This is the first page of Section 3 of the Matson family research from correspondence between researchers in 1903. This page contains some details about a John Matson from some early Chester County, PA records. He married Hannah Norbury in 1741 and died in 1748. His estate was left to Hannah and no mention was made of any children.

                                                       John Matson

                                       Chester County deeds, wills, etc.

This man was in Edgmont about 1741-5, and was probably a brother of Morris Matson. 

From Swedley Genealogy:-

Thomas Norbury took up 125 A. in Newtown Twp. 1683. About 1684, he m. Frances, widow of Stephen Hugh of Springfield, by whom he had 10 children prior to 1712:-

Stephen, Jacob, Deborah, Thomas, John, Philip, Mary, Hannah, Sarah, and Rachael.

Jacob Norbury, b. 9-30-1687; m. about 1721 Alice ------. She m. (2) 1727 Richard Farr

(3) 1746 Thomas Hall

Jacob and Alice had two children:-

   Sarah, b. 1722; m. (1) John Warren

                                 (2) Samuel Hall

   Hannah, b. 6-25, 1724; m. (1) 9-5-1741, at Middletown Friends' Meeting, John Matson of Edgmont. He died 1748 and she m. (2) 12-22-1757 at Gosbeu? Meeting, George Swedley (b. 1719; died in Willistown 12-1-1765).

1743-4     Will of Richard Farr of Edgmont, dated 5-14-1743, probated Oct. 8, 1744, mentions "daughters-in-law" [ie. step-daughters] Sarah Warren and Hannah Mattson.    Will Bk. 13 p. 167.

1748         Letters of Adm. on Estate of John Matson, late of Easttown, ?, granted July 16, 1748 to his widow Hannah Matson.

   Adm. Doc B. p. 56. Original Papers 1163.

Amanuensis Monday – An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin – some we never met – others we see a time in their life before we knew them. A fuller explanation can be found here. Amanuensis Monday is a popular ongoing series created by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

Matson Family Research page 4 - Amanuensis Monday

This is Page 4 of the Matson family research from correspondence between researchers in 1903.This page contains several marriage dates as well as some mentions of early Swedish immigrants to Pennsylvania. The John Matson in my family tree was born around 1758 and the possibility that he descended from the one listed here has been suggested to me. I don't know who the parents of my John Matson were, so I'm keeping it in mind as a possibility.

Matson Marriages

Nov. 5, 1740   John Matson and Katherine Gregory at St. First Presbyterian Church of Philad.     See Records.
April 16, 1754   Joseph Mattson and Jane Steers, at Christs (P.E.) Church, Philad.   See Records.

The following are from the records of Old Swedes (Gloria Dei) Church, Philadelphia.
Sept. 20, 1752    Catharine Matson and Erick Mulereu
Oct. 29, 1756      Israel Matzon and Mary Pedrick.
July 8, 1765         Elizabeth Matson and Benjamin Daffield.
March 16, 1780   Israel Mattson and Catarine Moffin
Dec. 20, 1794      Rebecca Matson and Christopher Hoest
May 25, 1799      Jonas Matson and Mary Key.
                            Marriage license granted (See Pa. Archives)
Janry. 4, 1775      Mary Matson and Edward McDaniel.
(Other marriage records will be found in the data concerning Peter Matson and the children of Morris Matson below.)

Since writing this, I have found the following-
1641   "In the third expedition [from Sweden], on the 'Kalmar Nyckel' and 'Charitas', 1641, came - Heindrich Matsson...
     Chester Co. Hist., p. 11.
Aug. 8, 1672   "Whereas comp. has been made unto me by Jan Cornelis, Mattys Mattyson, & Martin Martinson, Inhabitants in Ausland in Delaware River" -- stating that they had possession of a parcel of meadow land upon the Island near their plantation at Calcoone Hooke, and that a patent covering it had been given to Israel Holmes, order made by Gov. Lovelace.
Chester Co. Hist. p. 13.
Sidenote: Austland (was Amosland) is in Ridley Twp., Chester Co.

---------------
A couple of notes on the ships mentioned:

From Wikipedia, "The Kalmar Nyckel (Key of Kalmar) was a Dutch-built armed merchant ship famed for carrying Finnish and Swedish settlers to North America in 1638 to establish the colony of New Sweden. A replica of the ship was launched at Wilmington, Delaware, in 1997."

From New Sweden Immigrants on Rootsweb, one of the passengers arriving in 1641 on the Charitas was "Hendrick Matson the Finn, a boy
To receive 10 R.D. as yearly wages with 10 daler copper money at the start. In 1644 a laborer, cultivating tobacco at the plantation on the Schuylkill. Was hired as a soldier by Printz on October 1, 1646, served until March 1, 1648. In 1648 a freeman."

Amanuensis Monday – An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin – some we never met – others we see a time in their life before we knew them. A fuller explanation can be found here. Amanuensis Monday is a popular ongoing series created by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

Matson Family Research page 3 - Amanuensis Monday

This is Page 3 of the Matson family research from correspondence between researchers in 1903. They are continuing the discussion about the Matson family's possible Swedish origins. Several sources on Swedish immigrants to Pennsylvania and Delaware are listed.

...But it is just as likely that the Nilssons above are his sons and that the Matson family is descended from one or more of the Matte, Matts, or Mats given above.
   You will recall that the first Swedish settlement on the Delaware was in 1638, that they were conquered by the Dutch in 1654, and it was not until 1664 that the grant of Charles II to his brother, James, Duke of York brought these settlers under the English crown. The deed of confirmation to Neals (or Nils) Matson in 1670 shows beyond question that he was one of the early Swedish settlers and that he found it necessary under the English rule to have the title to his 100 acres confirmed by the Duke of York's representative, Gov. Lovelace.
  If it is your intention to work on the genealogy of the Matson family, I would suggest the following as being among the best authorities covering the Swedish colony:-
   "History of New Sweden" by Carnpanius
   "Arrival of the Swedes on the Delaware" by Rev. J. C. Clay, D.D.
   Vincents' "History of Delaware"
   Ferris' "Original Settlements on the Delaware"
   "Records of Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Church, Wilmington" recently published and U.S. records of Old Swedes (or Gloria Dei) Church, Philadelphia, in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
   
Amanuensis Monday – An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin – some we never met – others we see a time in their life before we knew them. A fuller explanation can be found here. Amanuensis Monday is a popular ongoing series created by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

Matson Family Research Page 2 - Amanuensis Monday

This is Page 2 of the Matson family research from correspondence between researchers in 1903. The most interesting bit on this page is the conclusion that the early Matson settlers in Pennsylvania were of Swedish origin and that the name will be difficult to trace due to the lack of hereditary surnames.

This list contains 188 families and 942 persons, all living on the west side of the river.
   John Mattson with a family of 11.
   Nils Mattson     "   "     "      "   3.
A supplemental list of 40 who were born in Sweden and are still living includes: -
    Nils Mattson
(It is interesting to note in this list and the list of "tydables" given above, such names as Matte Ericsson, Matts Hollster, Matts Jacob, Matts Kyu, Mats Martenson, Audres Nilsson, Jonas Nilsson, Michael Nilsson, Mats Rupats, Matts Skrika, Matts Stark, and Matts de Vase.)
   See Scharf & Wescott's Hist. of Phila., Vol I p 132.

About 1700     Will of Laurence Anderson of "Nyaweuceu"? mentions John Matson and Elonor Matson.
   Will Bk. A, page 150; Philadelphia.
                __________________

Note: - I have no other records of Matsons (or Mattsons) prior to 1700. There can, I think, be but little question that the family is of Swedish origin, and it will doubtless be a difficult one to trace. Hereditary surnames were probably unknown among the Swedes until after the arrival of Penn in this country. If Nils Matson's sons kept the surname Matson, it may not be such a difficult task to trace them as it is evident that Nils was a "first settler." But it is just as likely that the Nilssons above are his sons and that the Matson family is (continued on 3rd page) descended from one or more of the Matte, Matts, or Mats given above.

Amanuensis Monday – An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin – some we never met – others we see a time in their life before we knew them. A fuller explanation can be found here. Amanuensis Monday is a popular ongoing series created by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.

Matson Family Research - Amanuensis Monday

The following is from a letter to Miss Elizabeth Cloud Seip from E. Dallett Humphill, Jr. written on May 10, 1903. They were corresponding about their Matson line and Mr. Humphill was sending Miss Seip the results of his research. The research notes are handwritten on heavy legal size paper and contain over 20 pages of data. The letters give some interesting insight into how communications between researchers were conducted before computers!

West Chester, PA

My dear Miss Seip,

    You will find enclosed some data regarding the Matson (or Mattson) family. There can be no doubt, I think, but that they are of Swedish origin, though you will notice one claim to an English descent in the enclosed data. I have had careful searches made of all deeds, wills, and orphans' court proceedings of this (Chester) county. To this I have added all data contained in Philadelphia wills up to 1800, a few records of marriages and extracts from Scharf & Westcott's History of Philadelphia, Futhey and Cope's History of Chester Co. and the Chester Co. Biographical Cyclopedia.

He goes on to list details on the data he is sending and then concludes:

  The mass of data accumulated in this search is so "muddled" that it has been difficult to separate the several families. If you wish further data in any line, please refer to names, dates, and places of record given, as it will be easier for me to find the originals than to go through the notes now before me.

Very Sincerely Yours,

E. Dallett Humphill, Jr.

May 10, 1903

Addressed to Miss Elizabeth Cloud Seip

Baltimore, MD

I posted earlier about my Matson line and some of the brick walls that I've encountered. While I don't have any evidence that my Matson family is connected to this Pennsylvania research, it is interesting to see that they were also reaching some "muddled" brick walls in 1903. The debate over Swedish or English origins continues on today. I also had to laugh about Mr. Humphill finding it easier to go back to the original records than to make sense of his notes. I can relate to that!

Here is the first page of data from Mr. Humphill. I will try to post at least a page a week, so check back if you are interested in the Matson family or early Pennsylvania records.

          #1   Matson family prior to 1700 -
                (Early Swedish settlements)

Nov 14, 1668 Patent - Gov. Lovelace to Audries Matson for 600 rods of land. See recital in deed recorded in Deed Book A page 113; New Castle Co., Del.

March 10, 1670 - Deed of Confirmation - Gov. Lovelace & Ueals Matson for 100 acres on the Delaware, already in the possession of said Ueals.

Nov. 1677 - Recorded in Deed Bk. A, p. 104; Chester Co., Pa. List of Tydables (i.e. taxable persons) returned to the Duke of York's Court at Upland. This list includes the Swedes on both sides of the Delaware.
   Nils Matson, with a family of 3.
   Peter Matson, and Antony(?) Matson.

1677 Patent - to John Mattson, Swen Low and Lacey Dalbo for 300 acres in Schuylkill, at Wiessa - Ruitouk(?), on the west side, opposite Wissahickon. See Scharf & Wesscott's Hist. of Philada., Vol I P. 75.

1678 Patent to John Mattson, of Wyalusing(?), for 25 acres of meadow and marsh land on the east side of Schuylkill. Ibid.

June 19, 1689 Deed - Neals Matson to Henry Jacobson, for 1/2 of the 100 acres on Delaware confirmed to him March 10, 1670. Rec. in D. Bk. A p. 104-5; Chester Co.

1693 "A roll of all the Swedish men, women and children found in New Sweden, now called Pennsylvania, on the Delaware River" sent by Carl Christopherson Springer to Postmaster Oberlin(?) at Stockholm. This list contains 188 (continued on page 2) families and 942 persons, all living on the west side of the river.

Amanuensis Monday – An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin – some we never met – others we see a time in their life before we knew them. A fuller explanation can be found here. Amanuensis Monday is a popular ongoing series created by John Newmark at Transylvanian Dutch.