Edmund Matthews

This Edmund Matthews probably was not the son named "Edmund" who should have been but was not mentioned in the will filed by garrison officer and Albany resident Peter Matthews in 1717. In 1721, Peter Matthews's widow identified her only son as Vincent. The subject of this sketch probably was a grandson or other member of that soldier family.

This Edmund Matthews too was an army officer who served in the so-called Great War for Empire. In 1755, a Captain Edmund Matthews was the commanding officer of "new levies" at Albany. Later that year, he was referred to a "Major" and in garrison at Fort Edward and Fort William Henry. In June 1756, Major Edmund Matthews reportedly was "mobbed and beaten" in Albany.

Edmund Matthews married a woman named Mary Brooks in February 1760. At that time, he was identified as an Albany County farmer. In July of 1766, he posted a notice in the New York City newspaper that he would not pay the debts contracted by his wife Mary in the future.

During the 1760s, he also was an Albany resident whose first ward property was assessed substantially (comparable to that of active merchants) in 1766 and 1767.

Edmund Matthews of Albany died intestate. In September 1771, letters of administration were issued to Joseph Griswold.

Sources: The life of Edmund Matthews is CAP biography number 683. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. During the late 1750s, an ensign Edmund Matthews was operating in the Susquehanna Country.

"Should:" The point here is that the subject of this potentially puzzling sketch was not the son of Peter and Bridget Matthews. Any clarifications would be most appreciated!