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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Kent => Topic started by: doverrog on Friday 16 November 07 11:35 GMT (UK)
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Hello,
I have a problem with dates which I hope someone can help with please.
Robert Matson and Mary Elizabeth Ashenden were married 17th December 1818 at Nonnington. They seem to have had five children - Mary Anne (1819-died as infant), Eliza (1820-?), Marianne (abt.1823-1911 in Australia), Henry (?-1885 in Australia) and John (1825-?).
My query is with the date of birth of Henry.
I have the following from a contact in Australia:-
"Henry Matson was in Royal Navy. Shipwrecked off Tasmania. GEORGE III 394 tons Convict ship 14.12.1834 dep London 205 convicts, Capt W.H. Moxey. 12.4.1835 Hit rocks Derwent R 133 lost, 161 survivors included Henry Matson, first mate.
1837 Married Alice Manifold in Launceston, Tasmania.
1838 Bought land in Georgetown Tasmania and 1838 31 Dec bought land in Colac, Victoria, Australia.
1878 H Matson Merchant, Papanui 1881 H Matson gentleman
1885 27/10~Church Index SPP 1 442~ buried Henry Matson, gentleman, Papanui age 71
Probate No 1157 ChCh filed 16 Nov 1885 (will) ChCh Archives"
According to a record I have, there is a christening for Henry at Wingham on the 27th March 1823. Clearly this does not fit with Henry being a ship's officer in 1834 (aged 11?) and marrying in 1837 (aged 14?).
I have a further problem piece of info. The 1851 census shows Henry as aged 28 living at home with his father so birth date could be 1823?
Can anyone confirm the Henry's date of birth please?
As always, many thanks for your help.
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IGI gives
Henry Matson 02May 1807 Borden Kent s/o Robert & Elizabeth
and
Henry Matson 27 March 1823 Wingham s/o Robert & Elizabeth Mary Matson
both extracted records
the second batch also includes
John Matson 14 Aug 1825 Wingham s/o Robert & Elizabeth Mary Matson
does this help?
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the fisrt Henry i listed at Borden has the following siblings
ELIZABETH MATSON
JOHN MATSON
SARAH MATSON
FRANK MATSON
EMMA MATSON
HENRY MATSON
ALFRED MATSON
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IGI gives
Henry Matson 02May 1807 Borden Kent s/o Robert & Elizabeth
and
Henry Matson 27 March 1823 Wingham s/o Robert & Elizabeth Mary Matson
both extracted records
the second batch also includes
John Matson 14 Aug 1825 Wingham s/o Robert & Elizabeth Mary Matson
does this help?
Hi Toni and many thanks for your replies. There were several Matson families, who I believe are all related, living in East Kent at around this time. With the same names being used in different branches. The family of Robert and Mary Elizabeth (Nee Ashenden) were in Wingham and the family of Robert and Elizabeth (Nee Murton) being in Borden.
The Henry I'm trying to pin down is, I believe, a son of Robert and Mary of Wingham and your IGI date of 27th March 1823 at Wingham confirms the record I had with the minor difference of Elizabeth Mary instead of Mary Elizabeth.
The siblings for the Borden family also confirm my records for them.
So the mystery deepens!
We seem to have confirmed that Henry was either a cabin boy and a very young bridegroom or that Henry could have been the one from Borden. My records have a date of christening for Henry from Borden as 2nd May 1797 which looks suspicious as it's exactly 10 years different to the IGI.
Looks like some more research to confirm Parish source records is the only answer.
I wonder if anyone can help with Borden and Wingham Parishes please?
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I can help with Borden.
Robert & Elizabeth MATSON had seven children baptised between 1799 & 1811, including Henry 2nd May 1802.
At least that confirms the IGI entry.
There's also MATSONs showing in Marriages & Burials, so do let me know if I can help with anyone else.
Betty
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I can help with Borden.
Robert & Elizabeth MATSON had seven children baptised between 1799 & 1811, including Henry 2nd May 1802.
At least that confirms the IGI entry.
There's also MATSONs showing in Marriages & Burials, so do let me know if I can help with anyone else.
Betty
Yes please Betty. The mystery is deepening as I have the Borden family with 13 children. The first being Robert (1790-1853) and the last being Emma (1810-?).
So could you let me have the dates for the 7 you have please.
I have the marriage of Robert and Elizabeth Murton as 2nd May 1789 at Bredgar.
I'm a little confused with Henry though. We have 2nd May 1807 in the IGI and you have 1802?
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"Builder of the cottages, Henry Matson, was born in Kent in1814 and emigrated with his brother to Australia in 1835. Shipwrecked off Tasmania, he settled there working as a harbour master and investing in two stations and a quarry.Many early Melbourne buildings were built of stone from the quarry. Living between Tasmania and Melbourne foralmost 30 years, Matson decided to emigrate to Christchurchin 1862 following the death of his first wife. Here he founded H. Matson and Co, one of the largest stock and station firms at the time. Matson’s offices were in the ....Following Matson’s death in 1885 his second wife Edith and son Conway Matson inherited the estate."
http://archived.ccc.govt.nz/OurEnvironment/31/Winter2002.pdf
If he married for a second time at a later date, doesn't that marriage certificate give details of his parents as would his New Zealand death certificate and with it his exact age? (a New Zealand death certificate might also give his mother's maiden name) The marriage certificate should also give his father's occupation.
"Henry Matson remained in Christchurch. On 24 June 1867, at St. Michael’s, he married a much younger woman, Edith Dearden, settled on a 29 acre estate in Papanui, ‘Delce Farm’ towards the Papanui end of Harewood Road and raised a second family."
This source states "Henry Matson was born at Delce Farm, Wingham, eastern Kent, the son of Robert Matson".
http://library.christchurch.org.nz/Heritage/Cemeteries/Papanui/StPaulsPapanuiCemetery.pdf
Henry Matson the son of Robert Matson baptised Wingham 1823 was living with his father Robert on the 1851 census and married and living with his wife Lucy and three daughters in Wingham in 1861. Still there in 1881 as was Robert who by then was 95.
This is the more likely Henry Matson
MATSON, Henry
Birth Date:17 Jul 1814
Christening Date:12 Aug 1814 St Margaret Rochester, Kent
Father Robert MATSON
Mother Elizabeth
MATSON, Robert
Christening Date:12 Jun 1809 St Margaret Rochester, Kent
Father Robert MATSON
Mother Elizabeth
MATSON, James Moon
Birth Date:26 Jul 1810
Christening Date:22 Aug 1810 St Margaret Rochester, Kent
Father Robert MATSON
Mother Elizabeth
MATSON, John
Birth Date:26 Jan 1812
Christening Date:3 Mar 1812 St Margaret Rochester, Kent
Father Robert MATSON
Mother Elizabeth
MATSON, George
Birth Date:5th December 1817
Christening Date: 3rd February 1818 St Margaret Rochester, Kent
Father Robert Matson
Mother Elizabeth
ROBERT MATSON
ELIZABETH MOON
Marriage: 11 AUG 1808 Saint Mary The Virgin, Dover, Kent
1851 census HO107 1610 folio 138?
Upper Delce Maidstone Road Rochester Kent
Robert Matson 65 Head Married Farmer 160? acres employing 11 labourers Swingfield Kent
Elizabeth Matson 63 Wife Married Dover Kent
Robert Matson 41 Son Unmarried Rochester Kent
James M Matson 40 Unmarried Rochester Kent
plus 1 visitor and five servants
The family were still at Upper Delce Farm St Margaret's Rochester in 1861 as they were in 1841. Henry was not present with his parents on the 1841 census.
You can find Henry's actual baptismal entry in St Margaret Rochester's registers here.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/02p6/
Regards
Valda
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MATSON.
Herald, 3rd October 1865.
On the 6th July, at Rochester, Kent, England, Robert Matson, in the 80th year of his age.
From
NEW ZEALAND.
1840s to 1980s.
The items on this site are extracted from my Private Collection of New Zealand Newspapers of the
dayhttp://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~funeralnotices/M*.html
There is a corresponding death registration for Robert Matson in the English civil registration index
Deaths Sep 1865
Matson Robert Medway 2a 225
So somebody in New Zealand must have inserted the notice in a New Zealand newspaper.
This record may or may not have a connection.
East Kent Archives Centre: Dover Harbour Board
Catalogue Ref. DHB
MISCELLANEOUS
Worker's Welfare Committee - ref. DHB/Z5
FILE - List of papers relating to Henry Matson's legacy - ref. DHB/Z39 - date: 1957
Regards
Valda
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I can help with Borden.
Robert & Elizabeth MATSON had seven children baptised between 1799 & 1811, including Henry 2nd May 1802.
At least that confirms the IGI entry.
There's also MATSONs showing in Marriages & Burials, so do let me know if I can help with anyone else.
Betty
Yes please Betty. The mystery is deepening as I have the Borden family with 13 children. The first being Robert (1790-1853) and the last being Emma (1810-?).
So could you let me have the dates for the 7 you have please.
I have the marriage of Robert and Elizabeth Murton as 2nd May 1789 at Bredgar.
I'm a little confused with Henry though. We have 2nd May 1807 in the IGI and you have 1802?
I've written down 1807, & usually double-check with preview & after I post, so a slapped wrist for me!
Henry's baptism was 2nd May 1807
Baptisms of the children of Robert & Elizabeth MATSON
30th May 1799 Elizabeth
26th Jun 1800 John
21st Apr 1802 Alfred
4th Apr 1804 Sarah
2nd May 1807 Henry
8th Jan 1809 Frank **
23rd Feb 1811 Emma
There's also:
18th Aug 1782 Robert son of William & Mary MATSON
24th Apr 1805 James Gunsley son of Edward & Sophia MATSON
27th Apr 1806 Kate Francis daughter of Edward & Sophia MATSON
That's all the Matson baptisms in Borden. The registers start from 1604, so it looks like the older children of Robert & Elizabeth were baptised elsewhere.
Betty
**Added: I've just found the Burial of a Frank MATSON Infant, 16th Mar 1809.
No mention of the parents names, but could be the same child.
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These might be of interest, as you say Robert & Elizabeth married in Bredgar.
BREDGAR Baptisms
Children of Robert & Elizabeth MATSON
3rd Feb 1790 Robert
20th Sep 1791 Edward
2nd May 1793 Mary Ann
20th Sep 1794 George William
12th Mar 1796 William
?? ?? 1797? ? Robert & Elizabeth?
Betty
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The first New Zealand website I quoted also states
'Henry Matson, was born in Kent in 1814 and emigrated with his brother to Australia in 1835.'
The second website gives Henry's age at his death.
'People buried here include the ‘grandfathers’ of the family, Henry Matson, 71, who died on 24 October 1885.'
The Rochester Matsons farmed 'Upper Delce farm'.
In New Zealand Henry Matson's estate was called Delce.
'Triggs bought a farm just west of the railway crossing at Papanui next door to Henry Matson’s estate, Delce’.
The brother who emigrated with Henry Matson could have been his brother Robert or his brother George. Both were at some point in Australia but both returned to England. Robert was at home with his parents in Rochester on the 1851 census, George was probably at that time in Australia. Robert was also there on the 1841 census so it looks as if his time in Australia was shorter in the early 1840s and it was perhaps George who went with his brother in 1835.
THE WRECK OF THE "ISABELLA"
On 18 June 1844 the "Isabella" left Melbourne headed for London, England and Leith, Scotland. She was a 422 ton barque under the command of Captain J. F. Hardie. Her journey had started in Sydney and since arriving at Melbourne on 6 April 1844 had loaded a cargo of wool.
When she left Melbourne there was a strong fair wind and thick weather which had increased to a hurricane by 21 June when land was sighted. Captain Hardie mistakenly thought this to be part of the Kent Group of islands and tried to navigate through what he believed to be a well known channel of those islands. Unfortunately the land was actually part of Flinders Island and the ship ran aground on a reef of rocks on the morning of 22 June 1844.
All the passengers and crew were able reach shore safely before the ship broke up. After some days they made contact with a party of sealers and a few days later reached the "Flying Fish" which was on the other side of Flinders Island and about to sail for Melbourne. They were all taken aboard the "Flying Fish" and arrived at Melbourne on 2 July 1844.
On 9 September 1844 the Postmaster, Henry D. Kemp, issued a list of some letters he was holding at the Melbourne Post Office. He said that these letters had been rescued from the wreck of the "Isabella" and would be re-forwarded to London in the first direct mail. This list, with addresses abbreviated for privacy reasons, was published in the "Port Phillip Herald" on 17 September 1844, and appears hereunder:
MATSON, Robert - Rochester, Kent, England
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~pioneers/pppg5ao.htm
On the 1851 census both Robert Matson junior and James Moon Matson were at home with their parents in Rochester. John Matson was married with a wife and two daughters and living in Camberwell Surrey. He married in Dover (Kent) registration district in 1844. At the time of the 1851 census John was a clerk in the Admiralty Office. No sign of brother George and from this website it looks as if he was in Australia since he played cricket for Tasmania in the 1850s.
http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/2/2626/2626.html
Full name: George Matson
Born: 5th December 1817, Rochester, Kent, England
Died: 22nd July 1898, Brighton, Sussex, England
Teams: Tasmania (Main FC: 1853/54-1857/58)
On the 1881 census George was living in Brighton a retired banker.
Regards
Valda
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what wonderful research there Valda well done
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This is really wonderful. Many thanks for all your help. I must second 'toni' and thank Valda especially for all her research and also Betty of Kent.
I will go through it all as soon as I can and get back to you all.
What a wonderful and helpful community this site has!
Many thanks again
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Hello.
I've worked through everything and as it's so confusing I would like to post what I believe is the correct answer.
We appear to have 3 separate families.
1) Robert Matson (abt 1786-1865) and Elizabeth Moon who were at Upper Delce Farm, St Margaret, Rochester. One of their children was Henry (1814-1885) who was in Royal Navy. Shipwrecked off Tasmania on the GEORGE III 394 tons Convict ship 14.12.1834 dep London 205 convicts, Capt W.H. Moxey. 12.4.1835 Hit rocks Derwent R 133 lost, 161 survivors included Henry Matson, first mate.
Married firstly Alice Manifold (1813 Cheshire -1857 Bullengarooke, Victoria, Australia) on the 21st March 1837 at Launceston, Tasmania and married secondly Edith Deardon (? - 1921) at St. Michael’s, Christchurch, New Zealand. Henry died in Papanui in 1885.
2) Robert Matson (1788-1881) and Mary Elizabeth Ashenden who were at Wingham. One of their children was Henry (1823-aft.1881) who married Lucy ? and was still living in Wingham in 1881.
3) Robert Matson (1867-1841) and Elizabeth Murton who were at Borden/Bredgar. One of their children was Henry (1807-?).
Does that seem right?
It looks like the mystery of Henry's date of birth is solved as it seems I had my Henrys mixed up!
I have one remaining problem though.
I have the ancestors for Robert Matson (1788-1881), family number 2 above and also Robert Matson (1867-1841), family 3 above.
However the Rochester family of Robert (abt1786-1865) and Elizabeth Moon are completely new to me.
There is the possibility of a connection between the families as another of the sons of Robert and Elizabeth Murton was Edward (1791-1893) who is commenorated on a tablet at the West Doorway of Rochester Cathedral as Lieut E.Matson, one of those Officers who 'served without casualty' in the Peninsular Campaign.)
After all the help you have so far given, I hardly bear to ask, but I wonder if you have anything further about Robert's (abt,1786-1865) parents etc which might help me tie the family into my records? It seems that both Robert and his wife came from the Dover area and moved to Delce Farm when married. I'm wondering if Robert may have taken over a farm from another family member which is why they didn't remain nearer to where they were married?
Once again my many thanks.
To fill a few blanks -
The reference below, which Valda found, is to a will of one of my ancestors in which he left most of his estate to Dover Harbour Board for maintenance of a pier on which he lost his favourite walking cane!! A small fund was also set up to look after 'poor' Matsons though!
East Kent Archives Centre: Dover Harbour Board
Catalogue Ref. DHB
MISCELLANEOUS
Worker's Welfare Committee - ref. DHB/Z5
FILE - List of papers relating to Henry Matson's legacy - ref. DHB/Z39 - date: 1957
This entry from Betty I believe refers to Charles Matson in 1797.
?? ?? 1797? ? Robert & Elizabeth?
And these 3 also from Betty, I can't fit in at the moment either -
18th Aug 1782 Robert son of William & Mary MATSON
24th Apr 1805 James Gunsley son of Edward & Sophia MATSON
27th Apr 1806 Kate Francis daughter of Edward & Sophia MATSON
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what wonderful research there Valda well done
and Betty of course, ;D sorry didn't mean to miss you out :-[
just reading it through its beginning to make sense!
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Thanks Toni. I will wait until I hear Betty and Valda's opinions before altering my records, but it seems that we are making progress :)
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Swingfield parish registers are not indexed on the IGI or the BVRI. I have no access to them, so I have no idea who Robert Matson's parents were and whether there is any connection to him with any other Matson families in Kent.
Swingfield parish is adjacent to Folkestone and close to Dover in south east Kent.
Wingham though in east Kent is further north.
Borden and Bredgar are further north and are more central Kent.
Rochester is further west still, but in the north of Kent.
On the 1841 census there were 171 Matsons living in Kent (from an index). The 1851 census index I have access to states 151 Matsons born Kent - 2 were born in Swingfield - Robert and his possible sister Mary Matson who was born circa 1788.
1851 census HO107 1621 folio 320
Bridge Street Ashford Kent
John C Knott 68 Head Married Superintendent Gas Works Ashford Kent
Elizabeth Knott 67 Wife Married Swingfield Kent
Mary Matson 63 Sister-in-law Unmarried Annuitant Swingfield Kent
Deaths Jun 1858
Matson Mary W Ashford 2a 345
Deaths Dec 1858
Knott Elizabeth W Ashford 2a ___
Which gives three Matsons at least born in Swingfield.
St Margaret Rochester parish registers are indexed for baptisms on the IGI from 1718 to 1812. There is only one Matson baptism.
Rebecca Matson
Christening: 21 APR 1797 Saint Margaret, Rochester, Kent
Father: Peter Matson
Mother: Sarah
Rochester is/was an historic town and therefore would attract people to want to move to live there, who did not necessarily have a connection with the town.
Regards
Valda
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Hello Valda,
Many thanks for the latest information. In the information section of FreeBMD I've found an Index of Places which says that Swingfield was in Elham at the beginning of Civil registration (Swingfield KEN 1837-1941 Elham).
If possible, do you you have anything in Elham for Robert?
Thanks to your info., I've found the marriage of John Cullen Knott and Elizabeth Matson. 'Elizabeth Matson spotp John Cullen KNOTT b Ashford L East Langdon Apr 22 1813 ' and Elizabeth's christening entry in the Whitfield Parish register 454 23rd March 1777 where she is one of eight children of James Matson [christened 3rd Sept.1738 (Westcliffe Register 448) to ? ] and Ann Arnold who married 7th December 1767 at East Langdon. This seems confusing as in the record you have from the census she is recorded as born Swingfield. On the Christening record of her brother James in 1779, parents James and Ann are described as Parishioners of St. James, Dover.
So it appears that Elizabeth moved around between Whitfield, Swingfield, St. James Dover and later East Langdon.
James and Ann also have a Christening for a Mary Matson on 23rd September 1787 (Whitfield) and there is a burial for a Mary Matson 20th March 1791 (Whitfield) so possibly John and Elizabeth had a daughter named Mary who died and then a second daughter who survived to be recorded in the 1851 census? However the dates do overlap and with the survivor being born about 1788 her christening looks like the 23rd September 1787 and so perhaps the burial is of another Mary from another family as yet unknown.
The other children of James Matson and Ann Arnold unfortunately do not include a Robert. They are Sarah born 10th January 1767 or 16th January 1768 (Guston), Susannah 19th May 1770/1 to 12th June 1770/1 (Guston), Ann 12th June 1772 to ? (Guston), James 6th Nov, 1774 to ? (Whitfield), Susanna 9th April 1780 (Guston/Whitfield) to 10th October 1856 (Alkham), Richard 14th September 1783 (Whitfield)
The Rebecca christening at Rochester St. Margaret looks as though she might be a daughter of an elder brother of the Robert we're looking for, but just a guess really! I've found the marriage for Peter and Sarah. ' Peter Matson otp Sarah DAVIS spotp B Minster Sheppey Jun 12 1796 '.
Fingers crossed for Elham.
Many thanks again.
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doverrog
Elham was a parish and later a civil registration district was named after it which included the parishes adjacent to Elham.
'When civil registration began in July 1837 the Registration Districts were based on the Poor-law Unions; groups of parishes based around a workhouse.'
Elham RD Records now kept at Ashford Register Office
Acrise St. Martin
Cheriton St. Martin
Elham St. Mary the Virgin
Elmsted St. James the Great
Folkestone St. Mary & St. Eanswyth
Hawkinge St. Michael
Hythe St. Leonard
Lyminge Saint Mary & St. Eadburga
Lympne St. Stephen
Monks Horton St. Peter
Newington-next-Hythe St. Nicholas
Paddlesworth St. Oswald
Postling St. Mary & St. Radegund
Saltwood St. Peter & St. Paul
Sellindge St. Mary
Stanford All Saints
Stelling St. Mary
Stowting St. Mary
Swingfield St. Peter
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.uk/famhistory/oldregdists.htm
Elham was one of other parishes in the vicinity of Swingfield. Why do you think Robert Matson born Swingfield and in Rochester by the early C19th had a specific connection with Elham parish? Do you have a time period for Robert's connection with the parish?
Like Swingfield, Elham parish registers do not appear to have any coverage on the IGI or BVRI.
Robert's possible sister Elizabeth gave her birthplace as Swingfield on the 1851 census as did Elizabeth's sister Mary. Elizabeth's age in 1851 was given as 67 which if accurate would place her birth year as circa 1784. Why do you think she was really born 7 years earlier - circa 1777 and baptised in a different parish away from Swingfield?
The surname Matson is not rare in Kent and a first name like Elizabeth would of course be quite common so why are you sure the 1777 baptism must be that of the Elizabeth Matson who married John Knott?
Mary Matson, Elizabeth's sister was aged 63 in 1851 and so her birth year would be circa 1788.
You would expect to find other Matsons in Kent who do not necessarily have any close connection to these Swingfield Matsons and it would be logical to first search Swingfield parish registers before looking for other Matsons in a wider and wider search pattern away from that parish. Why do you think the three Matsons who gave their birthplaces as Swingfield on the 1851 census were not actually baptised in Swingfield? Have you checked Swingfield parish registers and not found their baptisms?
The only Matson born Whitfield on the 1851 census was James an 81 year old pauper in a Dover workhouse. He was an agricultural labourer. He was still alive in Buckland union workhouse on the 1861 census, an unmarried 90 year old, formerly an agricultural labourer.
Since the Matson surname was not uncommon in Kent you would expect to find other Matsons in important towns like Rochester where it would be quite likely they might have arrived from different places e.g.
1851 census HO107 1610 folio 265
3 Star Hill St Margaret Rochester Kent
Edward Matson 79 Head Widower Land and fundholder Eastry Kent
plus 2 servants
Edward left a Prerogative Court of Canterbury will. When he died in 1855 he was late of Battersea then in Surrey and on the 1841 census he appears in Clapham (Surrey) as an agricultarlist with what could be his three adult daughters - the younger two born Surrey.
Gentleman's Magazine September 1844
At River Kent John Matson esq of the Admiralty, third son of Robert Matson esq of Rochester Kent to Catharine-Witherden only daughter of the late Simon Horton of Ewell Surrey.
Canterbury Marriage licences 10th November ?
Robert Matson of Swingfield aged 40 yeoman bachelor and Eliz. Pilcher spinster of the same parish aged 30
Taken from Canterbury marriage licences volume 1 but I can only see a snippet - I don't have access to the full entry in the book (Google books) and so can't see the actual year the marriage took place.
Regards
Valda
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Canterbury Marriage licences 10th November ?
Robert Matson of Swingfield aged 40 yeoman bachelor and Eliz. Pilcher spinster of the same parish aged 30
Taken from Canterbury marriage licences volume 1 but I can only see a snippet - I don't have access to the full entry in the book (Google books) and so can't see the actual year the marriage took place.
The date was 10 Nov 1781.
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Hello.
Valda -
1) "Why do you think Robert Matson born Swingfield and in Rochester by the early C19th had a specific connection with Elham parish? Do you have a time period for Robert's connection with the parish?"
The only reason I thought that there might be a connection to Elham Parish is from the 1851 census data you sent in which Robert is recorded as born in Swingfield.
"1851 census HO107 1610 folio 138?
Upper Delce Maidstone Road Rochester Kent
Robert Matson 65 Head Married Farmer 160? acres employing 11 labourers Swingfield Kent"
According to the list of places I got from Free BMD Swingfield was in the Parish of Elham. I don't have anything else to show a connection for Robert, except that you have also found the 1851 census record with Robert's possible sisters Elizabeth and Mary also being recorded as born in Swingfield.
"851 census HO107 1621 folio 320
Bridge Street Ashford Kent
John C Knott 68 Head Married Superintendent Gas Works Ashford Kent
Elizabeth Knott 67 Wife Married Swingfield Kent
Mary Matson 63 Sister-in-law Unmarried Annuitant Swingfield Kent"
So the Elham Parish connection is purely based on 1851 census records coupled with the list of places which says that Swingfield is within Elham Parish.
The record of Robert's marriage however records him as bachelor of Ringwould'.
"Robert Matson b Ringwould Elizabeth MOON spotp L St Mary Dover Aug 11 1808"
The Ringwould area is between Dover and Deal near East Langdon and seems much more likely.
2) As to Elizabeth's age I am pretty confident of the record I have for both her marriage and her christening.
The record of christening is taken from the registers at Canterbury Cathedral. Whitfield number 454 - 1760 to 1800. There are the following Matson entries:-
Burials - Mary Matson 20th March 1791
Christenings - Mary, daughter of James and Ann Matson 23rd September 1787
Richard, son of James and Ann Matson 14th March 1783
Susanne, daughter of James and Ann Matson 9th April 1780
Elizabeth, daughter of James and Ann Matson 23rd March 1777
James, son of James and Ann Matson, Parishoners of St. James, Dover, 6th November 1774
These children seem to fit correctly although I agree the dates don't fit exactly with the 1851 census.
I have the James and Ann Matson above as James Matson (3rd September 1738 Westcliffe - ?) and Ann Arnold (dates unknown) who were married 7th December 1767 at East Langdon
"James Matson botp Ann ARNOLD spotp B East Langdon Dec 7 1767".
This couple seem to have had 8 or 9 children. In addition to those above Sarah (1768-?), Susannah (1770-1770 died an infant), Ann (1772-?) and possibly another Mary as we have a burial 20th March 1791 and a burial June 1858.
The main problem is that there doesn't appear to be a Robert born to this couple about 1786!
The marriage of Elisabeth Matson and John Cullen Knott is from Parish records at Dover Library and from Canterbury Marriage Licenses.
"Elizabeth Matson spotp John Cullen KNOTT b Ashford L East Langdon Apr 22 1813
Witnesses at marriage were Stephen Gibbons and Elizabeth Gibbons."
The name of Elizabeth's husband fitting exactly with the 1851 census record as do the locations with the couple living in Ashford where John worked and Elizabeth recorded as from East Langdon which is just outside Dover. However East Langdon, although towards the Deal direction from Dover is not significantly far from the Swingfield village in the Elham Valley.
Unfortunately I have not been able to look at the Swingfield/Elham Parish registers.
I have Edward (from Star Hill, Rochester) as the son of John Matson (1730-1776) and Elizabeth Wanstall who lived at Eastry and Borden. So not connected with Robert as far as we know.
John Matson, who married Catherine Witherden Horton in 1844, I am taking as John (26th January 1812 -?) another son of Robert and Elizabeth Moon, the couple we are trying to find the parents for.
The Robert Matson who married Elizabeth Pilcher in 1781 at Swingfield seems as though he must be connected somehow. However I can only find this about two possible wills so far and nothing to tie him in anywhere.
'Possibly died in 1810. A will of Robert Matson of Walmer was proved 6th January 1810 and his wife was named Elizabeth.'
There is another Will record at Archdeaconry Court 1820 163 Book 106 Robert Matson Swingfield."
I hope this may have helped a little. It seems as though Robert Matson may have come from the area of Ringwould so perhaps that may bear more fruit.
Fingers crossed, and as always my sincere thanks for your help.
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It looks like there were TWO Henrys. One was Henry MOON Matson who founded the quarry and the other named Henry Matson who travelled out with him.
Valda has already found -
"The first New Zealand website I quoted also states
'Henry Matson, was born in Kent in 1814 and emigrated with his brother to Australia in 1835.'"
I have this new information from my New Zealand contact:-
W.J. Manifold has written of his family's settlement in Victoria in "The Wished for Land" He includes some material about Henry Manifold MATSON s/o of Henry (1814-1885) who managed their farm for some time. I don't know if the book would be available in UK. I managed to get a second hand copy in Melbourne. No copies available in NZ libraries.
From the book -
Alice MANIFOLD d/o William MANIFOLD and Mary (BARNES) born 06 Sep 1813
Family arrived Tasmania 09 Dec 1831 on ‘Brenda’ Alice aged 18
Married Henry Matson 21 Mar 1837 in Tasmania
In 1844 Alice MATSON and her children came to stay at Purrumbete. Her husband Henry Matson had first gone with his Uncle James Matson to Bacchus Marsh and the first three children, Mary Elizabeth, Henry Manifold and Alice Barnes had been born at Kelso. [Tasmania] A fourth child Robert William had been born in Geelong but sadly had died within a year of his birth, in January 1845.
John Thomas was born at Purrumbete in March 1845
Alice died of apoplexy 1861
In 1851 Henry Manifold Matson went to Mr Butterfield’s school in Melbourne … after a while he went to school in Tasmania through his Uncle George Matson who was manager of the Bank of Australia there for something like 30 years.
The Matson stone quarry was started by Henry Moon MATSON, Henry Manifold MATSON's uncle who wrote -
' ....took some land in Bacchus Marsh in 1854 ...My Brother Henry then joined me ...'
So it seems we have some further questions.
Why two Henrys in one family? Did they have different mothers?
Henry Moon MATSON suggests parents Robert MATSON and Elizabeth (MOON).
We also have mention of James Matson who was an Uncle of Henry. As such could he be a brother of Robert Matson, who was the father of both Henry Moon Matson and Henry Matson?
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Part 1
FBMD FreeBirths, marriages and deaths is a transcript of the General Registry Office civil registration index. Civil registration districts were made up of a group of parishes in the case of Elham registration district 19 parishes (registration districts were often named after one of the parishes usually the one that had the local workhouse)
Swingfield is a an adjacent parish to Elham parish. It is not a place in Elham parish, but it is a parish in Elham civil registration district formed only on 1st July 1837.
Swingfield St Peter surviving parish registers at Kent Record Office date from 1698 but Archdeacon transcripts (copies of the yearly register sent to the Archdeacon) survive from 1563 and Bishop's transcripts from 1603. If you were born and lived in Swingfield parish then the most likely parish you would be baptised in (if you were not non-conformist) would be St. Peter's church Swingfield. St Peter Swingfield parish registers are not indexed on the IGI or BVRI or even on the National Burial index, so unless they have been searched it is unknown how many Matson baptisms can be found in the registers. However because there is an index to marriage licences we do know that in 1781 Robert Matson and Elizabeth Pilcher of Swingfield planned to marry in Swingfield.
What we know from the 1851 census is
Elizabeth Knott nee Matson was born in Swingfield circa 1784
Robert Matson was born in Swingfield circa 1787
Mary Matson was born in Swingfield circa 1788
It would therefore be logical to check Swingfield parish registers to see whether Robert Matson did indeed marry Elizabeth Pilcher in Swingfield in 1781 and whether their subsequent children were baptised in the village including Elizabeth, Robert and Mary with Robert named for his father.
When you marry you of course only needed three weeks residency in a parish to be of that parish. So adult Robert of Rochester'marriage in 1808 when he was of Ringwould is merely stating that thatwas where he had lived for the three weeks prior to his marriage, but gives no indication how long he had lived there prior to those three weeks. Between birth and marriage people could move quite a distance. Swingfield is close to Folkestone which is just around the coast from Dover.
Directions taken from a modern map
start:Swingfield, Folkestone, Kent via:end:Dover, Kent
total distance: 10.84 miles (17.45 km)
est. duration: 19 minute(s)
The distance of 10.84 miles is using the modern A road going via Folkestone, on older B roads the distance is much less. The same for Ringwould
start:Swingfield, Folkestone, Kent via:end:Ringwould, Deal, Kent
total distance: 15.83 miles (25.48 km)
est. duration: 31 minute(s)
Hardly big distances for a farmer who would likely move around, farming bigger and bigger farms as he got older, if he was successful as Robert Matson appears to be (though if he was a brother to James Matson born and baptised Whitfield then according to the censuses he would seem to have abandoned James Matson the ag lab and pauper who for so long was lodged in the workhouse in Dover - though from your second message you seem to be saying that this James was in Australia!!) Ag labs and yeoman farmers usually came from a different families). Unmarried sisters of course often lived with their unmarried or widowed male relatives acting as housekeepers for them or with their married brothers helping to look after any children, so Elizabeth being in the vicinity of her possible brother Robert or another male sibling (without checking Swingfield parish registers you can't know) is again not unsurprising.
Regards
Valda
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Part 2
It would not be surprising in this area of Kent to find another Matson baptism of an Elizabeth Matson since the first name is one of the most common in English history and the surname Matson seems relatively popular. It doesn't really fit that three Matsons all claiming to be born in Swingfield circa 1784-1788 would all be baptised somewhere else when a Robert Mattson seems likely to have married in the village in 1781 and probably died there circa 1820 and if he had a son would be more than likely to have named him name Robert. If I was you without checking Swingfield parish registers I could not be so confident that Elizabeth baptised Whitfield (but born Swingfield) was the Elizabeth who married John Knott.
Since it may be more difficult for you to access Swingfield parish registers I would suggest you email Kent Record Office and request a copy of the 1820 will of Robert Matson of Swingfield. By 1820 you know the Robert you are interested in was in Rochester so if he is named in the will there could be little doubt which Robert it was. The fact that Robert Matson who died circa 1820 left a will makes it more likely he was a man of some property (a yeoman farmer on his marriage) as we know Robert Matson of Rochester was. Elizabeth Knott nee Matson (named perhaps for her mother Elizabeth nee Pilcher) married a superintendent of the Gas works whereas James Matson born Whitifield was an ag lab in Dover workhouse (and therefore couldn't actually be the uncle of Henry, the James in Australia). Robert Matson of Rochester has his son John's marriage announced in the Gentleman's Magazine. His sons were educated men. Henry an officer in the navy, John a clerk for the admiralty, George a banker and Robert a farmer. Not the sort of family to necessarily have an ag lab and pauper uncle though nothing without proof can of course be ruled out.
I think the book you quote is probably incorrect and the uncle of Henry Manifold Matson was more likely James Moon Matson not Henry Moon Matson. Certainly by 1860 James Moon Matson was appointed secretary to the board of agriculture in Victoria. Though James was on the 1851 census with his parents in Rochester he was missing from England thereafter and before 1851 from the information of the wrecking of the Isabella, in Melbourne in 1844 at the time of the shipwreck - published in the Port Phillip Herald). Was Henry Matson's 'uncle' James at Bacchus Marsh actually his brother James Moon Matson?
'Bacchus Marsh is located mid-way between Melbourne and Ballarat, in a rich and fertile valley that consists of orchards, market gardens and pastoral fields.'
Regards
Valda
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I've tried to find the Swingfield registers via the Kent County Council, but they tell me that they are only available at Canterbury Cathedral. Unfortunately I can't get there to look and they only have one person who can research who has a huge backlog over many many months.
The KCC did however have copies of both Robert Matson wills. Once again we draw a blank except that I think we can now confirm which is which.
1) Robert Matson of Walmer wrote his will 2nd August 1800 and it was proved 6th January 1810. The only person mentioned is his wife Elizabeth. (Ref. PRC 17/104.283).
2) Robert Matson of Swingfield wrote his will 19th March 1783 and it was proved 17th October 1820. He refers to himself as 'Yeoman'. The only person mentioned is wife Elizabeth. (Ref. PRC 17/106.163)
So I believe we can now consider that the relevant Robert is Robert of Swingfield whose will was proved 1820 although the will didn't mention anything about Rochester.
In our search for:-
Elizabeth Knott nee Matson was born in Swingfield circa 1784
Robert Matson was born in Swingfield circa 1787
Mary Matson was born in Swingfield circa 1788
We don't seem to have confirmed anything though as Robert of Swingfield simply bequeathed everything to his wife Elizabeth.
On reflection I agree with your comments - "It would not be surprising in this area of Kent to find another Matson baptism of an Elizabeth Matson since the first name is one of the most common in English history and the surname Matson seems relatively popular. It doesn't really fit that three Matsons all claiming to be born in Swingfield circa 1784-1788 would all be baptised somewhere else when a Robert Mattson seems likely to have married in the village in 1781 and probably died there circa 1820 and if he had a son would be more than likely to have named him name Robert. If I was you without checking Swingfield parish registers I could not be so confident that Elizabeth baptised Whitfield (but born Swingfield) was the Elizabeth who married John Knott."
If, for the moment, we go with Robert (1786 b.Swingfield - 1865 d.Rochester) being a son of Robert (1741 b.Swingfield - d.1820 Swingfield). then it would be logical to find a record for Elizabeth (b1784) and Mary (b1788) as well as Robert the son within the near Dover area.
At the moment I can find only one Matson family in the very near area who may be the possible parents.
James Matson botp married Ann ARNOLD spotp B East Langdon Dec 7 1767
East Langdon being adjacent to Swingfield.
However I may have wrongly assumed that they were the parents of the children recorded at Whitfield, and perhaps the East Langdon records might have something which would give their children and/or help with confirming if they are connected?
Burials - Mary Matson 20th March 1791
Christenings - Mary, daughter of James and Ann Matson 23rd September 1787
Richard, son of James and Ann Matson 14th March 1783
Susanne, daughter of James and Ann Matson 9th April 1780
Elizabeth, daughter of James and Ann Matson 23rd March 1777
James, son of James and Ann Matson, Parishoners of St. James, Dover, 6th November 1774
(The record of christening is taken from the registers at Canterbury Cathedral. Whitfield number 454 - 1760 to 1800.)
It could be that the above Christenings are from another family or from more than one family. As well as seeming unable to identify Robert around 1786/87, we don't have an Elizabeth about 1784 or a Mary about 1788, other than the Mary above in 1787.
Robert's possible sister Elizabeth gave her birthplace as Swingfield on the 1851 census as did Elizabeth's sister Mary. Elizabeth's age in 1851 was given as 67 which if accurate would place her birth year as circa 1784. .....Mary Matson, Elizabeth's sister was aged 63 in 1851 and so her birth year would be circa 1788.
I have found another marriage for a Mary in Swingfield -
Mary Matson otp Richard ROGERS Alkham B Swingfield Mar 25 1775
If we assumed Mary was about 20 when she married then her dob would be around 1755 which could make her an elder sister of Robert 1741-1820?
Also this marriage -
John Matson b Swingfield Elizabeth BOXELL spotp L St Peter Sandwich Apr 18 1776
If we assumed that John was about 20 when he married then his dob would be around 1756 which could also make him a sibling of Robert 1741-1820?
I have to admit that after sorting out the Henrys we seem to have arrived at a 'Robert' problem, which at the moment seems to be an impasse with no Matson family having the 'right' three children.
I have emailed my source of the W. J. Manifold book quote re the possible error, which I certainly agree seems much more logical than a family having two surviving sons named Henry, and am hoping to hear more.
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Though the parish registers are held at Canterbury at least the microfilms of the Bishop and Archdeacon transcripts are at Folkestone.
SWINGFIELD
Parish Church: St Peter
Archdeacons' Transcripts MFM 1563-1812 at Folkestone Library, Heritage Room
Bishops' Transcripts MFM 1603-1872 at Folkestone Library, Heritage Room
Folkestone Library is at 2 Grace Hill, Folkestone CT20 1HD - Tel: 01303 850123
If Robert Matson of Swingfield had a brother John who married then equally he could be the father of Robert Matson of Rochester. This source might be a red herring or a possible record indicating this was a likely possibility.
'Source: Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Vol 106 f.260, Probate 20 Jan 1821
Richard Rogers of Elham, gent, will dated 18 May 1812
Sarah wife of Joseph Harvey of Dover, victualler
Stephen Knott late of Mongeham, labourer
Benjamin Bullard of Ewell, cordwainer
Mary Matson of Sandwich daughter of the late John Matson
Mary Dunn of Wootton daughter of David Dunn
Sophia Hollands wife of John Fletcher of Dover
Benjamin Agar of Acrise, blacksmith.'
Or if Robert Matson wrote his will in 1783 shortly after his marriage and never updated it, if he did have children it is not surprising they are not mentioned in such an early written will.
Regards
Valda
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Thanks for the info on Folkestone Library. I will try to get there as soon as I can.
In the meantime I have this from New Zealand contact -
1) . George Matson
~Archives, Hobart, People Index~
George Matson married Frederica Christine Sievwright, Holy Trinity 15.7.1858
Mrs George at the Bank of Australia, a son 12.11.1860 (Pioneer Index)
Pioneer index
Tasmanian Archives
BDM
George MATSON m 1858 Hobart Frederika Christina SIEVEWRIGHT
Children
Charles George MATSON 1859 no chdn listed
Frederick Manley MATSON 1860 no chdn listed
Robert Stephen Cliss MATSON 1863 no chdn listed
Major Cricket teams Tasmania George MATSON 1853-1859 born 5 Dec 1817 Rochester, Kent England. died 22 July 1898 Brighton, Sussex England (Which you had already found at http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/2/2626/2626.html)
I thought I had seen an early death date for Frederika Christina so below could be the same George with a 2nd wife.
BANK OF AUSTRALASIA - Auckland Branch - Manager - George MATSON 1 Mar 1864
1867-8~New NZ Directory~G Matson, Manager Bank of Australasia, Auckland; residence Remuera
1898 George Matson Brighton, Surrey Gentleman d 22.7.1898
Probate 6158 W AK filed 20 8 1898 h/o Louisa f/o Charles George Matson of Watford England
Owned South Western portion of allotment 131 of parish of Tautaroa County of Whangarei 40 acres valued at £40 left to wife Louisa
2) Was Henry Matson's 'uncle' James at Bacchus Marsh actually his brother James Moon Matson?
Probably Henry Manifold MATSON's uncle and Henry MATSON's brother.
CD-Rom State Library Melbourne - Pioneer index
Sarah Jane d/o James Matson and Martha Graham b Edge 1870
James Graham s/o “ “ “ “ b Malmsbury 1873
Margaret Marie d/o “ “ “ b Tr Ar 1875
Isaac Carroll s/o “ “ “ b Tr Ar 1878
Martha Catherine d/o “ “ “ b Morw 1885
So it seems we have agreement that the book by W. J. Manifold looks wrong and it was indeed James Moon Matson who had the family in 2) above.
So many thanks Valda on a great piece of detective work! :) :)
The will of Richard Rogers seems unlinked as far as I can tell.
I have found a Mary Matson of Sandwich, daughter of a late John Matson. She was christened 29th October 1776 and the daughter of John (1746-1805) and Mary Roberta Harvey (1750-1812). However there is a Will for a Mary Matson of Sandwich at Archdeaconry Court 1810. 532 Book 103 which may also refer to that Mary. For the moment I will leave that to one side.
Incidentally, I know it's not her mother Mary Roberta's as her's is 'Will of Mary Roberta Matson, Widow of Sandwich, Kent. 19th November 1812. (Prob11/1538)'
My focus is to try to identify the father of Robert (1786-1865). As we have already said, it seems that common practice is to name eldest son after father and so we need to try to find the christening of Robert (1741-1820) who married Elizabeth Pilcher at Swingfield in 1781. All we know is that he seems on the older side (40) and from the marriage licence - Canterbury Marriage licences 10th November 1781-
"Robert Matson of Swingfield aged 40 yeoman bachelor and Eliz. Pilcher spinster of the same parish aged 30".
Taking in to account your earlier comment about residency (when you marry you of course only needed three weeks residency in a parish to be of that parish. So adult Robert of Rochester'marriage in 1808 when he was of Ringwould is merely stating that that was where he had lived for the three weeks prior to his marriage, but gives no indication how long he had lived there prior to those three weeks. Between birth and marriage people could move quite a distance. Swingfield is close to Folkestone which is just around the coast from Dover.) has made me wonder if the same could have applied to the husband of Elizabeth Pilcher?
I wonder if there is a birth for a Robert Matson about 1741 in another parish? At the moment I don't have one.
Do you by any chance have anything about East Langdon where we have a James Matson marrying Ann Arnold in 1767?
I hadn't thought about the date when Robert wrote his Will, (if Robert Matson wrote his will in 1783 shortly after his marriage and never updated it, if he did have children it is not surprising they are not mentioned in such an early written will. and that's a good point. So it again seems reasonable as a fit.
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I mentioned Richard Rogers will because of the marriage details you gave.
'I have found another marriage for a Mary in Swingfield -
Mary Matson otp Richard ROGERS Alkham B Swingfield Mar 25 1775'
1871 census RG10 903 folio 8
Upper Delce Farm Maidstone Road Rochester
Robert Matson Head Unmarried 62 Farmer of 150 acres employing 6 men and 1 boy Rochester Kent
Elizabeth Matson Mother Widowed 83 Farmer's widow Dover Kent
4 servants
George Matson Son Visitor Widower 53 Retired Banker Rochester Kent
1881 census RG11 889 folio 25
Visitor on board the night of Sunday 3rd April 1881 HMS Pembroke Kent
Charles G. Matson 21 Lieut RMLI Tasmania
Charles was living with his widowed stepmother Louisa on the 1901 census.
MATSON, Frederica Christina
Age at Death:31
Death Date:31 Mar 1863
Tasmania
Ref Number:3829
East Langdon is not on the IGI or BVRI so again I'm afraid I have no access to the parish registers for baptisms or marriages.
Regards
Valda
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MATSON, Jas Moon
Father:Unknown
Mother:Unknown
Age at Death:62
Death Place:Kew
Reg Year: 1881 Reg State:Victoria
Ref Number:10900
MATSON, Robert Stephen C Death
Father:George
Mother:Sievewright Frederic
Birthplace:Tasm
Reg Year: 1863 Reg State: Victoria
Ref Number:9382
Regards
Valda
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Thanks for the latest.
I'd forgotten that marriage, (Mary Matson otp Richard ROGERS Alkham B Swingfield Mar 25 1775') but it still looks unconnected at the moment.
The death record for Jas is interesting as it seems to confirm that there might be another James Matson who was born about 1819?
MATSON, Jas Moon
Father:Unknown
Mother:Unknown
Age at Death:62
Death Place:Kew
Reg Year: 1881 Reg State:Victoria
Ref Number:10900
I was already thinking that James Moon Matson might have been a little old to be the James who is the father of these children
CD-Rom State Library Melbourne - Pioneer index
Sarah Jane d/o James Matson and Martha Graham b Edge 1870
James Graham s/o “ “ “ “ b Malmsbury 1873
Margaret Marie d/o “ “ “ b Tr Ar 1875
Isaac Carroll s/o “ “ “ b Tr Ar 1878
Martha Catherine d/o “ “ “ b Morw 1885
We have James Moon as born 26th July 1810 which makes me wonder if there should be a missing James who married Martha Graham. If we assumed he was about 20 when his first child (if Sarah Jane was the first) was born then this 'new' James would be born about 1850.
That seems to indicate a possibility of THREE James. In 1810, about 1819 and about 1850.
Henry Matson and Alice Manifold don't have a James and neither does Henry with his second wife Edith Dearden. However we may not have a complete list for all of Henry's children.
Henry and Alice Manifold children I have are -
Mary Elizabeth (3/3/1838 -?)
Henry Manifold (22/9/1839 - 4/11/1927)
Alice Barnes (25/5/1841 - ?)
Robert William (27/2/1843 - 17/1/1844)
John Thomas (30/3/1845 - 15/4/1895)
Emma Jane (1/3/1847 - 1920)
William Robert (2/12/1848 - 14/10/1854)
Kate Julia (6/2/1851 - ?)
Conway George (9/4/1853 - 22/1/1930)
And for Henry and Elizabeth Dearden - (Who says that strange naming is a modern phenomena?!)
Charles Fferand Dearden (10/5/1868 - ?)
Edith Julia Theodora (19/6/1875 - ?)
Madelaine Angela Clara (11/1/1878 - ?)
Florence Getrude Axila (8/10/1881 - ?)
So a further mystery.
I've been going through my papers and found that some research carried out in the 1960's claims to have traced the Rochester line of Matsons -
….Rochester branch has been traced to Ringwould in 1714 and thence to Rochester in 1807. It is now represented in New Zealand and England
This researcher is now sadly deceased and I am unable to trace all his research. We don't as yet have anything from Ringwould, except-
1) Robert Matson and Ann Arnold marriage in 1716
I have 8 children for this couple - Stephen (1731- ?), Mary (1728 - 1807), Richard (1726 -1734), Hannah (1750- ?), Jane (1754 - ?), Ann (1757 - ?), William (1762-1785) and Robert (1764 - ?). No James!
2) Edward christened 25th December 1845 son of Charles Matson and Kitty
3) Robert Matson (? -abt.1768) and Jane Gibbon whose children I have as Robert, Hannah, Jane, Ann and Mary. I have no dates for any of them though.
I'm hoping to visit Folkestone next Tuesday to look at the Swingfield register copies.
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I think the death entry for James Moon Matson may just be a mistake with his age actually 72 not 62. You are looking at a transcription of the indexed entry not the actual entry or the death certificate itself. On the 1851 census in Rochester James Moon was aged 40.
This is the death entry for the husband of Martha nee Graham. Fairly conclusive since one of their children was named Isaac Carroll Matson.
MATSON, Jas Death
Father:Isaac
Mother:Carrol Sarah
Age at Death:43Y
Death Place:Morwell
Reg Year: 1886 Reg State: Victoria
Ref Number:13862
Regards
Valda
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Source: Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Probate 21 Jan 1769
Robert Matson of Ringwould, victualler, will dated 6 Jul 1768
Wife Jane, executrix
Children Hannah, Jane, Ann, Mary, William and Robert Matson
Brother in law Stephen Gibbon of Ringwould, shopkeeper
Witnesses John Cranbrook, Joh. Foord, John Cannon Jun'r Clk to Mr Roby Att'y at Deal.
Will of Robert Matson, Labourer of Ringwould , Kent 23 January 1768 PROB 11/935
Will of Robert Matson, Yeoman of Ringwould , Kent 16 March 1842 PROB 11/1959
Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Will Index
Surnames Forenames Places Made Prob Reference
Matson Robert Ringwould 1841 1842 PRC17/110/616a
Deaths Dec 1841
MATSON Robert Dover 5 69
I can't see that Robert Matson and Ann Arnold could have had the children you list whose birthdates range from circa 1726 to 1764 which would require Ann to be child bearing for 38 years with a gap from 1731 to 1750 which would normally indicate the second set of children are another couple's, plus the marriage you give took place in 1716.
Regards
Valda
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Hello again.
Following a long afternoon at Folkestone Library, I was able to find a few Matson entries in the copies of the Swingfield Parish records they have:-
Baptism - Matilda d. of Mr Robert Matson and Matilda his wife, was bapt. May 22 1746.*
Burial - Mr Robert Matson was buried July 13. 1746.
Burial - Mrs Matilda Matson buried 9th February 1773,
Marriage - Richard Rogers and Mary Matson were married March 25 by banns 1775.
Baptism - Robert son of Robert and Elizabeth Matson July 10 1785.
Baptism - Mary Dau. of Robert and Elizabeth Matson April 29 1788.
* I also looked through the Marriage licence list and found this:-
Matson, Robert, of Shepherdswell, ba., and Matilda Weston of Lydden. spr. At L. Sept. 17, 1733.
We already have Robert Matson (abt1741[aged 40 in Marriage Licence] - 1820) and his wife Elizabeth Pilcher who were married at Swingfield 15th November 1781. The baptisms of two of their children, Robert (1785) and Mary (1788) are now confirmed.
With the above information about Robert and Matilda it would seem logical to look for a record of the birth of a son named Robert Matson in the Lydden (where they were married) or Shepherdswell Parishes about 1741. As we have their daughter Matilda baptised in 1746 in Swingfield, it was a disappointment that I couldn't find a baptism for Robert.
I've looked again at the children of Robert Matson and Ann Arnold, married 8th October 1716 at Ringwould, and I agree that I had them recorded wrongly.
I now have Robert Matson and Ann Arnold with 2 children. Richard (1726-1734) and Stephen (1731-?).
I have James Matson and Ann Arnold marriage 7th December 1767 at East Langdon. I have them with 7 children. Sarah (1768-?), Susannah (1770-1770), Ann (1772-?), James (1774-?), Susannah (1780-1756), Richard (1783-?) and Mary (1787-1791).
So it looks as though Robert Matson was Ann's first husband and that he died before December 1767 when Ann married James Matson.
There is a will recorded for a Robert Matson, Labourer of Ringwould, Kent. 23rd January 1768. (Prob 11/935) This may be for Robert who was Ann's first husband, but it seems the dates aren't quite right.
If we can find the record of a birth of Robert Matson, son of Robert and Matilda about 1741, we have the link confirmed through to our Australian descendants. Do you have anything for Lydden or Shepherdswell perhaps?
Also on the seemingly two husbands of Ann Arnold, do we have a burial for Robert, perhaps in Ringwould in the years before 1767 when she married James?
I've looked at the record I have for James (who I have as the son of James Matson [1698-?] and Elizabeth Garner, married at Ringwould in 1728) and I don't have a brother named Robert so it doesn't look as though her two husbands were brothers.
I will be 'over the moon' if we can link in the Australian descendants so I've got my fingers crossed.
The James Matson who was Ann Arnold's second husband is also 'key' to my tree as I am a direct descendant from this couple.
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Part 1
If the Ann Arnold who married Robert Matson in Ringwould in 1716 married for a second time she would marry as Ann Matson widow not Ann Arnold. A marriage in 1716 would place her birth circa 1696ish. Even if for some unexplained reason she did marry James Matson as Ann Arnold (and was the same woman) in 1767 that would mean she would be near or in her early 70s and therefore having children by James into her early 90s??
When you searched Swingfield records at Folkestone library were you searching copies of the actual parish registers or copies of the Bishops and Archdeacon's transcripts. The latter two were yearly copies of the registers sent to the Bishop and Archdeacon. BTs can be inaccurately copied with entries missed and years when copies were not made or not sent. If you were using transcripts did you check that every year was covered or were years missed which is often the case? If you use BTs at some point because of possible inaccuracy it is always best to search the actual parish registers themselves. For instance you did not find Elizabeth Matson's baptism, the sister of Robert and Mary who married John Knott. There is no reason not to think her baptism also took place at Swingfield.
Lydden is a parish adjacent to Swingfield. Registers are not on the IGI or BVRI. It is traditional that marriages take place in the woman's home parish not the man's. In most cases you would then expect the couple to move to the man's parish of residency if this was different. Shepherdswell I think is Sibertswold parish - older spelling 'SHEBBERTSWELL' adjacent to Lydden parish on the other side of Lydden parish to Swingfield. There is no coverage of Sibotswold/Shepherdswell (St Andrew) parish registers on the IGI or the BVRI or NBI.
see for Kent parish coverage on indexes
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mrawson/research2.html
Regards
Valda
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Part 2
'Googling' Matson and Shepherdswell finds extracts such as
Sibertswold / Shepherdswell
Some Monumental Inscriptions of Sibertswold Church, Noted by Rev Bryan Faussett in 1756-60
'In Memory of William MERRYWETHER Gent, who died in the Faith and Fear of God, on the 9th Day of June 1702 in the 52d. Year of his Age. He married Sarah, eldest Daughter of Mr James MATSON, of this Parish of Sybertswold'
'On a Flat Stone. Here lieth the Body of Mr Robert MATSON, who had Issue by Joanna his Wife, 3 Sons, and 5 Daughters, whereof 2 Sons and 4 Daughters survived. He died Feb. 8 1715/16. Aged 53 Years. Also James Matson, their Son, died July the 14th 1716. Aged 18 Years. They lived belov’d, and died lamented.'
'On Another. Here lieth the Body of Mary The Wife of Mr James MATSON. She died Apr. 13 1714. Aged 73 Years. Here also lieth the Body of Mr James Matson late of this Parish, who had Issue by Mary his Wife 3 Sons and 2 Daughters, Robert, Sarah, Mary, James and John. He died June 20 1708 after a long Sickness of The Stone. Aged 78. Imitate him in his Life, who never fell from God for any Pains of Death.'
'On Another. Here lieth the Body of Mr John MATSON, late of Wingham, who first married Mary, Daughter of Stephen GOLDFINCH of Eastry, by whom he had 2 Sons and 2 Daughters. His Second Wife was Anna.'
'On Another. James, Son of Mr John MATSON died Jan. 17 1712-13. Aged 12 Years.'
http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/MIs/MIsSibertswold/01.htm
Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Will Index
Surnames Forenames Places Made Prob Reference
Matson James Shepherdswell 1593 1594 PRC17/49/112
Matson James Shepherdswell 1708 1708 PRC17/81/113b
Matson Joanna Shepherdswell 1730 1730 PRC17/88/14d
http://www.kentarchaeology.ac/ekwills_a/series/adci/adp_san.htm
Extracts from Kent Wills
Source: Consistory Court of Canterbury Vol 57 f.225, Probate Aug 1702
William Merriwether of Sheperdswell, gent.
Friend Captain Henry Marsh
Father and mother Matson
Brothers Robert, James and John Matson
Brother Thomas Sladden
Daughters Mary, Anne and Sarah Merriwether
Son Richard, minor
Source: Consistory Court of Canterbury Vol 64 f.245, Probate 24 Feb 1759
Anne Matson of Wingham, widow, will dated 6 Aug 1757
Sons in law John Matson of Sibbertswold and his wife Hester, Samuel Dill of Dover and his wife Mary, James Smith of Guston, Michael Wood and his wife Elizabeth
Sons Robert and Thomas, executors
Children of my late son Charles Matson, deceased and his widow Judith
Son in law Thomas Dowker and his wife Susannah
Son in law John Spratt and his wife Dorothy
Witnesses Jo Pomfret Junr., Thomas Browne
Source: Consistory Court of Canterbury Vol 61 f.613, Probate 3 Jan 1731
John Matson of Wingham, will dated 6 Jun 1729
To be buried at Sibbertswold with my son James, deceased
Sons John, Robert, Charles and Thomas
Occupiers Peter White of Sibbertswold, James Dixon, Richard Dixon
Sister Meriwether,br> Sir Robert Furnese
Mary, Elizabeth, Ann, Susanna, Hester and Sarah Smith, daughters of my daughter Ann
Daughter Mary wife of Samuel Dell
Daughter Elizabeth wife of Michael Wood
Daughter Dorothy Matson
Cousin Christopher Matson
Daughter Ann wife of James Smith
Wife Ann, executrix
Brother William Wood and his son Michael, trustees and overseers
Witnesses Sarah Merriwether, Mary Pettit, David Campredon?
Codicil 4 Jun 1730
Daughter Ann Smith now deceased
Daughter Susanna wife of Paul Kirby
Source: Archdeaconry Court of Canterbury Vol 81 f.113, Probate 17 Jul 1708
James Matson of Shepherdswell, yeoman, will dated 26 Mar 1708
Wife
Sons John and Robert
Daughter Sarah Mereweather
Daughter Mary wife of Thomas Sladen
Daughter Elizabeth wife of James Matson
Grandson John son of James Matson
Servant Thomas Marsh
Witnesses Henry Pemble, Anne Mereweather, Thomas Gold
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mrawson/extr7.html
There are Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills for Matsons in Wingham but not in Sibertswold/Shepherdswell or Coldred.
Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills
Will of Charles Matson, Yeoman of Wingham, Kent 15 May 1750 PROB 11/779
Will of Judith Matson, Widow of Wingham , Kent 16 December 1785 PROB 11/1136
Will of Charles Matson, Gentleman of Wingham , Kent 08 May 1832 PROB 11/1800
Kent FHS have for sale a fiche/s of Shepherdswell/Sibertswold parish registers
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mrawson/prfiche1.html
Regards
Valda
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Once again Valda, I would like to thank you for all the research and guidance.
Part 1
If the Ann Arnold who married Robert Matson in Ringwould in 1716 married for a second time she would marry as Ann Matson widow not Ann Arnold. A marriage in 1716 would place her birth circa 1696ish. Even if for some unexplained reason she did marry James Matson as Ann Arnold (and was the same woman) in 1767 that would mean she would be near or in her early 70s and therefore having children by James into her early 90s??
You are, of course, quite right. It does seem as though there must have been 2 Ann Arnolds who both married a Matson. A co-incidence, but the dates prove it. I've altered my records back to as they were and left them as showing two different people.
The documents for Swingfield were microfilmed copies of the Bishops Transcripts for 1603-1813, 1813-1862 and 1869-1872. I remember now that the titles on the microfilm did indeed say that some years were missing for Swingfield. Stupidly I didn't think to note which they were. The early documents were effectively unreadable and some later pages were partially obscured or damaged. I will contact the library as soon as I can, they're closed for a renovation until Tuesday, and see if anyone can tell me the exact missing years. Although, because I did at least write down the titles on the microfilms, we do know that 1863-1868 were missing, not that that is the period we are looking for.
At the moment we seem to be left with "Probably Robert (about 1741-1820) could be the son of Robert (1712-1746)" but no concrete proof.
I'm not sure how I can resolve this. it seems that Canterbury Cathedral is the only possible source.
The information in your part 2 has helped confirm some details within the Matsons I already had and the monumental inscriptions are very useful.
Many thanks again.
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:) Just to say Happy Christmas and thank you for all the work you've done in this thread.
I'm still 'digging' but as yet no further information.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Roger
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Hi,
Hope am not too late to enter my tuppence but I am descended from the MATSONs who lived in Faversham/Selling/Chilham. I got back to a John MATSON b. abt. 1650 but had three alternatives to choose from so got stuck. However, in trying to resolve this I did research the MATSON family as a whole and thought you may be interested in the following:-
The earliest MATSON reference I found in Kent was to a Robert MATSON who was a mariner in Sandwich who died in 1501. Sandwich was one of the cinque (pronounced sink) ports so mariners would have had to act as merchants, fishermen, as well as acting as the local navy. Robert himself wore light armour and had a set of bow and arrows.
Some of Roberts descendants moved to Shepherdswell in 1580 where they thrived. They then spread out into Dover, Wingham and I believe over to Chilham. The Dover MATSONs were very succesful merchants and rich. They also had links to the London salting trade. One of them was elected as Mayor of Dover. He was elected for a second time but got disqualified for vote rigging! Unfortunately the Dover MATSONs spent so much time getting rich that they forgot to breed and died out. They left their money to cousins and I think most of their money went to the Wingham MATSONs (Charles MATSON the Farmer, etc).
Another branch of the family seems to have moved up from Sandwich to the Isle of Thanet. As neither this nor the Wingham branch seem to be mine I haven't really studied them, but it looks like you are related to one of them.
If you manage to get a bit further back I may be able to help you but at the moment you are too far away from the info I have.
Incidentally I do believe all of the Kent MATSONs are descended from the original Robert MATSON, Mariner of Sandwich. In terms of where the name comes from it could be related to the MATSON family of Matson, Gloucestershire who were landowners but supposedly died out, but my number one theory is that it is a scandinavian import. The name MATTESON, MATTISON, etc. is very common in Denmark, etc. I have found references to a Scandinavian merchant called MATTESON who traded salt in London and had a son called Robert in the late 1300s. This could be the start of the family but it is too far back to know for sure.
Any way, hope this is of interest and let me know if you get a bit further back,
HogHedge
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Hello HogHedge,
This is really good news - I hope for both of us!
I am a direct descendant and from the Dover line - indeed my grandmother was a recipient of money from the Matson Charity set up by the Matsons of Dover.
I have been researching the Matson family for some years and have a considerable amount of data about them. I have got back to John the Mariner of Sandwich and have been working extensively to complete my records for the various branches as well as my own.
Was your John Matson, who was born about 1650, possibly one of the children of John Matson and Mary Boreham for example?
Have you discovered any of the work of Major Colin Matson?
My line is descended from William Finch Matson who was born in 1800 and farmed in Buckland Bottom, Alkham and whose family were farmers in the Hougham Parish. His ancestry in particular has been very difficult to confirm, but I now have links back to the merchants in Dover, Shepherdswell etc.
As its seems we may both have a lot of info. to exchange, I wonder if it might be easier to do so via email? I am sending you a private message and hope to hear from you soon.
By the way, which branch are you descended from?
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Hi doverrog, will do as you suggest and reply via email.
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Doverrog, you might just be interested to know that the tithe award for Rochester St Margaret is now online and one of the Robert MATSONs in listed http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Maps/ROCM/02.htm
Casalguidi :)
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Thanks casalguidi. As ever all info. is welcome.
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Hello Valda and everyone else involved in this,
I have a great, great grand father by the name of Francis Edward Matson born circa 1866-67 and who died in 5-1-1945 in Victoria, Australia.
On his gravestone in Frankston it says his parent were Hy (Henry?) and Lucy E born Wingham, Kent.
Could it be from Henry 1823-1881?
My g,g g-father apparently was a merchant seaman and a very sombre man who threatened his grandsons with the horse whip when he discovered them carving boats out of bark. Apparently he had a terrifying experience near the Cape Horn in Africa when the ship nearly capsized.
He married a Margaret Murphy born in Maldon, Victoria (Aus) circa 1875.
Her parents were Edward and Margaret Murphy.
Another jot of information, perhaps totally unrelated is a Thomas John Matson
who was christened at Saint Mary Magdalene, Canterbury, Kent on 28th Dec 1761. His parents were William and Mary (nee Mylan) Matson, married 21 Jan, 1765 at Chilham, Kent. Also listed is a John Matson christened 3 Mar 1765, same place. There is a daughter Mary (c.31 Dec 1758 St Andrew Canterbury).
Thomas John was tried at Maidstone, Kent for stealing a lead pump valued at 40 shillings. He was sentenced to transportation for 7 years and left England on the Alexander aged about 27 at the time (May 1787). He was listed as a labourer. We have been unable to establish a link. As a matter of interest, he was sentenced to 200 lashes in Aus for stealing clothing. We believe he had a ticket of leave.
No matter how hard I try, I cannot find any reference to them and every potential website wants money (which is probably justified, but frustrating nonetheless!).
Other leads; the eldest son in our family appently was alway named Kent.
Secondly, we have a tie with Beals. We have a signet ring from an Eliza Beale which has an inscription of c 1750 on it and has been given to the youngest son. My father currently has this ring. We think our family must have done them a great favour at some time. I can get more details re the ring.
Does this help, confuse anyone?
regards,
Kerry Matson, South Australia
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1871 - Wingham Street, Wingham, Kent
Henry MATSON head mar 46 farmer b.Wingham
Lucy E wife 46 b.Rainham Kent
Frederick H son 9 b.Wingham
Francis E son 7 b.Wingham
Agnes L dau 18 b.Rainham
Eliza HAGUE visitor mar45 b.Wingham
Mary A RYE servant unm 20 general servant domestic b.Adisham Kent
RG10/1001 folio 57 page 17
....................
1861 - Wingham Street, Wingham, Kent
Henry MATSON head mar 36 farmer's son b.Wingham
Lucy E wife 36 b.Rainham
Caroline dau 4 b.Wingham
Batha? J dau 3 b.Wingham
Elizabeth dau 1 b.Wingham
+ a couple of servants
RG9/541 folio 51 page 17
.........................
Casalguidi :)
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Henry MATSON of Wingham (son of Robert, farmer) married Lucy Elizabeth DODD (daughter of Thomas, farmer) at Rainham, Kent 1852 http://www.rootschat.com/links/065l/
1851 - Wingham, Kent
Robert MATSON head wid 62 farmer of 90 acres employing 7 labourers b.Wingham
Eliza dau 30 b.Barfrestone
Henry son 28 b.Wingham
Eliza PETTMAN servant unm 23 house servant b.Eastry Kent
HO107/1631 folio 369 page 22
You will find a number of baptisms and marriages for Kent on the IGI at http://www.familysearch but it is far from complete. Furthermore the parish registers for many of the parishes in the Medway area (including Rainham) are online http://cityark.medway.gov.uk/ and you should be able to find some events for Lucy's family (including her baptism).
Casalguidi :)
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Many thanks casalguidi
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I haven't read the whole of this thread and you may already ave this information but below are two abstracts of wills related to Matsons from Wingham:
Source: Consistory Court of Canterbury Vol 64 f.245, Probate 24 Feb 1759
Anne Matson of Wingham, widow, will dated 6 Aug 1757
Sons in law John Matson of Sibbertswold and his wife Hester, Samuel Dill of
Dover and his wife Mary, James Smith of Guston, Michael Wood and his wife
Elizabeth
Sons Robert and Thomas, executors
Children of my late son Charles Matson, deceased and his widow Judith
Son in law Thomas Dowker and his wife Susannah
Son in law John Spratt and his wife
Witnesses Jo Pomfret Junr., Thomas Browne
Source: Consistory Court of Canterbury Vol 61 f.613, Probate 3 Jan 1731
John Matson of Wingham, will dated 6 Jun 1729
To be buried at Sibbertswold with my son James, deceased
Sons John, Robert, Charles and Thomas
Occupiers Peter White of Sibbertswold, James Dixon, Richard Dixon
Sister Meriwether,br> Sir Robert Furnese
Mary, Elizabeth, Ann, Susanna, Hester and Sarah Smith, daughters of my daughter
Ann
Daughter Mary wife of Samuel Dell
Daughter Elizabeth wife of Michael Wood
Daughter Dorothy Matson
Cousin Christopher Matson
Daughter Ann wife of James Smith
Wife Ann, executrix
Brother William Wood and his son Michael, trustees and overseers
Witnesses Sarah Merriwether, Mary Pettit, David Campredon?
Codicil 4 Jun 1730
Daughter Ann Smith now deceased
Daughter Susanna wife of Paul Kirby
I also have a document (1771) that mentions Judith Matson of Wingham - presumably the widow mentioned in above will abstracts - if anyone is interested I can upload it.
Yours Tompion
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whoops - I see you have these will abstract -tompion
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HelloTompion.
Many thanks for your information. I appreciate you adding it.
I would be interested to see the "document (1771) that mentions Judith Matson of Wingham - presumably the widow mentioned in above will abstracts".
Could you upload it please?
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Here is a transcript. Never attached a file before - hope it works.
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That's really interesting. Many thanks Tompion for sending it. It's tied together some relationships I wasn't sure of and provided some more information.
Thanks again.
PS is that the whole document as it seems to come to an abrupt end with no full stop?
Also which families are you researching? Perhaps I can help?
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Dear Doverrog,
I am afraid I do not have the rest of the above. My interests in Matson?
My surname is Spratt and my Spratt family came from Wingham, then, Ash-next-Sandwich and then Woodnesborough. I saw the Matson thread and remembered that there was a Spratt-Matson connection. The following are notes I have made about these individuals.
______________________________________________________________
Dorothy Matson (born 25 Mar 1713 Sheperdswell, Kent) married Dr John Spratt (born 30 October 1707, Wingham Kent, died 1758).
Dorothy’s father was John Matson (according to a LDS entry).
________________________________________________________________
John Matson (about 1680-1730) – married Anne Boyes – his will survives.
John Matson of Wingham, will dated 6 Jun 1729. Consistory Court of Canterbury Vol 61 f.613, Probate 3 Jan 1731.
To be buried at Sibbertswold with my son James, deceased
Sons John, Robert, Charles and Thomas
Occupiers Peter White of Sibbertswold, James Dixon, Richard Dixon
Sister Meriwether,br> Sir Robert Furnese
Mary, Elizabeth, Ann, Susanna, Hester and Sarah Smith, daughters of my daughter
Ann Matson (who married James Smith -see below)
(The will helpfully lists children of John and Anne Matson and their spouses)
Daughter Mary wife of Samuel Dell
Daughter Elizabeth wife of Michael Wood
Daughter Dorothy Matson
Cousin Christopher Matson
Daughter Ann wife of James Smith
Wife Ann, executrix
Brother William Wood and his son Michael, trustees and overseers
Witnesses Sarah Merriwether, Mary Pettit, David Campredon?
Codicil 4 Jun 1730
Daughter Ann Smith now deceased
Daughter Susanna wife of Paul Kirby
(Will therefore shows sons and daughters of John Matson and Anne Boyes as follows:
James deceased by 1729
John
Robert
Charles
Thomas
Ann m James Smith Ann died before 1730
Mary m Samuel Dell
Elizabeth m Michael Wood
Dorothy
Susanna m Paul Kirby)
________________________________________________________________________
John Spratt and Dorothy (Matson) Spratt appear in the will of Anne Matson (Dorothy’s mother):
Son-in-law John (Spratt) and his wife Dorothy - Wingham area - left one sixth of her residual estate by will of Anne Matson, widow, 1751. CKS: PRC32/64/245.
John Spratt and Dorothy Matson married 4 Oct 1738 at W. Stodmarsh or Nonington.
An indenture of March 1771 says that John Sprat, deceased, late of the parish of Wingham was a chirurgeon. This also mentions Dorothy his widow, of Dover, and Ann Sprat of Dover (their daughter presumably), spinster. It also mentions Jane Cranbrook widow, the daughter of the elder John Sprat, the grocer, who was his Uncle.
The will of John Spratt, surgeon of Wingham, survives and was written on 11 April 1756. It was proved by his wife Dorothy in London on 1st September 1758.
He leaves money to provide an annuity for his sister Mary who appears not to have married. He then leaves his estate (including property in Wingham Street) to his wife Dorothy and to his daughter Ann. If they pre-decease him he leaves his property to his brother Solomon Sprat.
John Spratt also leaves his daughter Ann £800 at age 21 or on her marriage. If she died before then, and his wife was also dead, the money was to go as follows: £200 to his sister Mary, £200 to his brother Solomon, £200 to Samuel, William and Elizabeth, children of my late brother David Sprat, and £200 to Elizabeth the wife of Henry Dourn and Mary wife of ? Marsh the two children of my late brother Samuel.
He left £3 to the poor of Wingham. He also gave money (40 shillings) to the poor of Stourmouth, Kent.
The residue goes to Dorothy who is also executrix. The sum of £800 isto be paid to his daughter Ann at 21 or at marriage by brother Solomon and Henry Dourn the younger of Littlebourne (presumably the husband of his niece Mary).
Thomas Parks, William Parks? and Ingram Parpoint?? are witnesses.
Hope some of this connects to some of your Matson families.
Interested if you have any more information on Spratt connections.
Yours Tompion
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Sorry for duplication in above but thought I would just put together everything I have on this Spratt-Matson link.
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I don't have much about the Spratt connection I'm afraid.
Simply that his parents were Robert Spratt christened 29th September 1678 at Brook and Grace Bridgeant also of Brook? who were married 25th November 1703 at Brook.
I imagine you already know that however?
Please let me know if I can help with anyone else though.
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Confused - John Spratt was baptised in Wingham on Oct 30 1707 the son of Samuel and Mary Spratt (nee Court).
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Sorry about this.
My information is from Robin Harlow who is part of a group researching the Harlow name. I'm afraid it's not from my own research.
I made contact via GenesReunited and as this is not my main line of research I simply noted the info.
Perhaps there may have been two John Spratts around in the same area at that time? Robin told me that John Spratt was baptised on the 12th March 1711 at Deal.
Can I suggest you contact Robin via GenesReunited. I'm afraid I've lost his further details as it was a while ago. I do know that there are a number of researchers into the Harlow name who use GenesReuinted so if Robin doesn't appear it's probable there is another contact.
Hope you can get together.
If possible could you let me know the outcome so I can correct my records please?
The Harlow group is very active and a "Google" search may bring a result.
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I will take a look at this website but I think the idea that John Spratt from Wingham, chirurgeon, married Dorothy Matson is pretty secure. Tompion
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I will take a look at this website but I think the idea that John Spratt from Wingham, chirurgeon, married Dorothy Matson is pretty secure. Tompion
I agree. My own research of Wingham Parish Records confirms the marriage of John Spratt and Dorothy Matson. The change to the calendar may have caused some variance in dates as well.
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i have a booklet on henry matson that i acquired some years ago in new zealand on henry matson born 1814 at delce farm wingham quite interesting
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i have a booklet on henry matson that i acquired some years ago in new zealand on henry matson born 1814 at delce farm wingham quite interesting
Hi - was it called "The Promised Land" or something similar and covers life in developing the homestead etc?
If so I've managed to obtain some extracts. It's very interesting.
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The booklet I have is taken from abook called
The booklet I have is taken from a book called Early New Zealand Families "Matson of St. Albans" . It basically tells a story of Henry Matson leaving his mother around Xmas for Chatham, Gravesend and Woolwich and his travel on the Ship George 111 to Tasmania and his adventures and marriage etc. then onto NZ. The setting up of his Bloodstock and Farming business with a Mr. C.O. Torlesse and so on. I have been there and met some of his descendants (trying to trace my roots) to no avail. Some of his descendants have a small boutique Brewery in Christchurch.
Regards Ken Matson
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Canterbury Marriage Licences 1726-1750:
(http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4452588/Trees/matson_dorothy.png)
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its rather ironic how names pop up an auntie of mine iris matson in 1938 married stan kite a jockey who was killed in arace fall her second marriage was to john spratt in adelaide regards ken