Peter Mathews – Searching for Ancestors

Peter Mathews’ ancestry remains a mystery for me!  I’ve had some success in piecing together the story of his lifetime, but, despite a hot pursuit, his parents and grandparents have remained out of sight.  Or, if they are in my research pages, I don’t recognize them yet. 

Dublin as published by John Speed in 1610

Peter Mathews was probably born between 1660 and 1670, perhaps in Ireland or England.  He first appears in military records in 1691, when he is assigned as quartermaster in Benjamin Fletcher’s regiment of foot, serving in Ireland.  Shortly after, in 1692, Peter accompanies Fletcher to New York.  Benjamin Fletcher acted as New York colonial governor and chief commander of the military from 1692, until 1696. During the Fletcher tenure, Peter Mathews served as Fletcher’s personal secretary, and as a Captain of the British troops at Fort William Henry (later Fort George).   There is evidence that Peter Mathews was related to Benjamin Fletcher, possibly being his nephew or younger cousin. 

Considerable effort has been expended to try to identify the ancestors of Peter Mathews.  A number of Mathew, Mathews, Matthews individuals and families have been examined.  To better define that research, various individuals have been placed in the Markham of Chesterfield database under a collective entry - "Mathews Ancestors ZCollector".   At present there are fifteen candidates vying for the position of Peter Mathews’ ancestors.  A list of these candidates, with links, appears in the sketch titled Peter Mathews – Ancestral Possibilities.

This blog post introduces a few of the more interesting “ancestral possibilities”.  More detail can be found in their individual entries in the database. 

Irish Commemorative Stamp, 1991

The first, and most promising, of the candidates is Benfletcher Mathews, who appears in a 1691 burial record at St Michan Church in Dublin, Ireland.  A check, and recheck of this name suggests that it is spelled correctly.  The burial information gives an intriguing clue:  Benfletcher Mathews, who was driven out of Athlone; buried 7 Apr 1691.  Comments on what was happening in Athlone in the winter and spring of 1691 can be found in the sketch titled Athlone Ireland 1690-1691.  It is also intriguing to note another burial in Dublin’s St Michan Church five years later in 1696 – Elizabeth, wife of Vincent Mathews.

John Mathews, quartermaster of Dublin, might also prove of interest.  In records he is styled as a gentleman, and he and his wife Margaret reside on Francis street in Dublin.  John and Margaret Mathews both die in 1660, making them questionable as parents for our Peter Mathews.

Other Dubliners caught my eye - John Mathews and his brother Henry.  They appear among the masters and wardens of Dublin’s Goldsmith’s Guild in the early 1700s.  Several things suggest that they might be descendants of the Dublin quartermaster mentioned above.  The Christian names used in this family do not hint at a connection for our Peter Mathews.  But, for several reasons, they continue to be of interest.

It is likely that Peter Mathews’ family came to Ireland from England in the mid-17th century.  Benjamin Fletcher was born in London in 1640; his father and grandfathers being local and international merchants.  Did the Mathews family also belong to the London merchant class?  I have come across a very interesting Peter Mathews (1617-1677) in London.  He was the son of Baldwin Mathews, a London cloth merchant, and his wife Anna Regoot.  The Regoot family came from the Netherlands to London in the 16th century, and had extensive family and business connections across the English Channel, and also in New Netherlands (New York).  Their family story is interesting!

The search for Peter Mathews’ ancestors will continue.  All clues are welcome.  For more details on Peter Mathews, visit his page at the Markham of Chesterfield website.

Finally – the Mathews Family!

After nearly eight months of hard work, I am finally ready to share my research on the Mathews family at my Markham of Chesterfield database website.   John Markham, my immigrant ancestor, married Catherine Mathews around the year 1740 in Orange county New York.   

The City's First Exchange - from a Souvenir Postal Card

To date, I remain uncertain as to whether Catherine Mathews is the daughter or granddaughter of Peter Mathews, a captain of His Majesties troops at New York.  This question is discussed at several points in the database, and it will be the topic of an upcoming blog post.  For now, try the sketch titled – A Wife for John Markham.

Catherine Mathews’ family is an interesting group.  Her aunts, uncles, and siblings are involved in some of colonial America’s most fascinating stories – Indian treaties, pirates, the Leisler Rebellion, merchant doings of New York City, establishment of the English church at Albany, and Tory intrigue. 

Identifying Catherine Mathews’ ancestors has been a struggle!  I have gathered a long list of clues, but no firm evidence.  Further discussion can be found in the sketch titled – Peter Mathews: Ancestral Possibilities.  The strongest clue lies in Peter Mathews’ relationship to Benjamin Fletcher.  Fletcher served as Colonial Governor of New York from 1692 – 1698.  Peter Mathews was probably a nephew or cousin of some sort to Benjamin Fletcher, but proof of the exact relationship is still lacking.  Fletcher’s ancestral line has also been added to the online database, with the hope that it will eventually provide answers for the Mathews search.  It includes such interesting characters as William Fletcher (father), Henry Vincent (grandfather), and Dorcus Charke (grandmother).  To read more about the possible relationship between Mathews and Fletcher try - Peter Mathews and Benjamin Fletcher: What’s the Connection?

Some branches of the Markham family hold to the theory that Catherine Mathews was a daughter, or granddaughter of Richard Coote, Lord Bellomont, who served as Colonial Governor of New York following Benjamin Fletcher.  My research draws this idea into question, and is discussed in the sketch titled - Our Colonial Governor: Three Theories.

It is my hope that the introduction of the Mathews family to the Markham database will prompt discussion, and eventually lead to answers to the questions surrounding Catherine Mathews.  I would enjoy hearing from others who are interested in their stories.


For more details on Catherine Mathews, Peter Mathews, or Benjamin Fletcher, visit their individual pages at the Markham of Chesterfield website.

Photo: 
Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. "Theatres -- U.S. -- N.Y. -- New Amsterdam" The New York Public Library Digital Collections.

Brother Markham . . of mild and engaging disposition and much practical good sense.

The year 1854 saw the passage of the Kansas – Nebraska Act by the US Congress, and a vast swath of new land was open for settlement.  The Methodist Episcopal Church was immediately aware that the settlers in the new territory would be in need of the church.  At a meeting in Baltimore Maryland, church leaders determined to “send one who should make a tour of exploration, ascertain its condition . . return and report in time to send out a sufficient body of preachers . . “  The Church chose Rev William H Goode for the job.  He set out in July 1854, and nine years later, he included an account of his expedition in a book - Outposts of Zion.

Rev Goode’s book is a delightfully readable account of his many years of service in the Methodist Episcopal Church.  His trip to the Kansas – Nebraska Territory in the summer of 1854, is only a piece of his story.  But, the reading of these chapters (Part II, Chapter 1-3) was instructive.  Along with the opening up of land for settlement, came the divisive issue of slavery, and during his journey, Goode became a witness to growing tension in Kansas.  In his position as a church leader, he commented on the “stands” of the various Indian Missions in the area around Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.  Besides the several Methodist missions in the area, there were the Baptists and Quakers.  Being an anti-slavery man – he found himself more hospitably received by the Quakers, than by his own church’s Shawnee Mission.

But, the story here is about Rev Thomas Bernard Markham, who is introduced to us by Rev Goode.  What great good fortune to come across a first-hand account of our ancestors.  By 1854, Rev Markham had been serving almost thirty years as a teacher, missionary, and circuit rider among the white and Indian settlers on the Kansas – Missouri border.  Rev Goode fell seriously ill during his travels in Kansas, and he was taken in by Rev Markham and his family. 

In the words of Rev William H Good:

[mid July 1854]  . . . Still Feeble, suffering, and apprehensive of results, I urged on my course, and about three in the afternoon reached the house of Rev. Thomas B. Markham, then residing upon the bank of the Missouri, nearly opposite to where the town of Kickapoo, in Kansas, now stands. Here I found a brother in Christ and a kind Christian family, who, though then afflicted themselves, received me cordially, sympathized in my condition, and ministered to my necessities.

Brother Markham was a grave yet cheerful Christian man and minister, of mild and engaging disposition and much practical good sense. He had been a local preacher, steadfast in the ranks of the Methodist Episcopal Church up to the time of the reorganization of Missouri Conference in 1848, when, like many others, stirred by the necessities of the work and the scarcity of laborers, he joined the traveling connection, though already past the meridian of life. He had given a son also to the ministry, said to have been pious and promising, who, after a brief service in itinerancy, during which he encountered sharp persecutions, fell nobly at his post in the field of battle. Brother M. was well versed in the history of affairs in Missouri and upon the border, had spent some years in the Indian missions, and was able to give me much interesting and valuable information. Before leaving I engaged him to take charge of the work in the settlements of Kansas contiguous to Fort Leavenworth, till the ensuing Conference . . .

By the 22d [July] I began to feel as though I should summon up my little strength and again address myself to the journey. Hearing of a meeting of some days' continuance to be held, on my way, in a neighborhood on the Missouri side, where, it was said, nearly all the residents had "taken claims" in Kansas, and intended moving over, and, being told that I could see more Kansas people there than at any point in the Territory, I determined to attend. Brother M. accompanied me to the place, where I found a settlement of substantial Indiana farmers, and was made welcome. I participated in the Sabbath services, preaching from John iv, 35, and administering the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. We had an interesting meeting, and I saw no demonstration of hostility . .

At this place I formed some acquaintance that proved of benefit to me in my after labors in the Territory . .  Near one year afterward, just about the time of the breaking out of violence in Platte county, good brother Markham was called home to his reward without witnessing the worst of the painful struggle which ensued. I was called to preach his funeral; consented, and fixed a day; but the scenes of outrage meantime had opened; the Platte county interdict upon our preachers had been passed; and the family never made the appointment.

Rev Thomas Bernard Markham died 1 April 1855, near Weston in Platte county Missouri.  The 1860 census shows his widow and younger children living across the river in Shawnee county Kansas.  His obituary proclaims, “He was a good man, a good preacher, and an unwavering friend of the Methodist Episcopal Church.”


For more details on Thomas Bernard Markham, visit his page at Family Stories, pamgarrett.com.

Moving back in time:  Thomas Bernard Markham, 1800 > John Markham, abt 1745 > John Markham of Chesterfield, abt 1700.
Thomas Bernard Markham is my first cousin, six generations removed.

Linus, Linnaeus, Leneans – How do you spell that?

Linus van Pelt, Charles M Schulz’s Peanuts comic series

Captain N L Cooke was a child of Kentucky, born in 1816 to Norborne Berkeley Cooke and Judith Virginia Markham.  He likely began his days in the town of Versailles, but as a young boy, moved with his family to an area around New Castle in Henry county Kentucky.  His story is an interesting one, and descendant William “Bill” Millay has put together an account – sharing stories about the packet boats he operated on the Ohio River, his stance on slavery, and an eventual move to Texas.  Bill has graciously allowed me to share these stories on my Markham of Chesterfield website.

So, what do the “N. L.” initials represent?  After coming across at least a half-dozen different renderings for his name, I have settled with the spelling Norborne Linnaeus Cooke.  I don’t claim to be correct on this spelling, and I don’t have any strong evidence to support my choice.  After looking at so many possibilities, I simply had to settle on something. 

The name Norborne was passed down through the Cooke family for several generations.  It must have originated with Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt, who served as Governor of Virginia from 1768-1770. The Norborne name is often seen with a “u” in the second syllable.

Norborne Cooke’s middle name raises even more questions.  Not only have I seen a wide variety of spellings, but discussion continues as to whether the name is Linnaeus or Leneans.  Recently, Bill Millay and I have shared our thoughts on the question.  Coming from the ‘Markham Family camp”, I wrote to Bill:

I would like to ask you about the middle name “Leneans” . . . Do you know anything of its origin? I have no doubt that you know much more about the Cooke family than I do – but I have always felt that the Linnaeus spelling fit as a family name.  For what it is worth, I will tell you the little bit I know about the Linnaeus name.  Judith Virginia Markham Cooke (wife of Norborne Berkeley Cooke) had a sister Mary Markham.  She married Linnaeus Bolling and lived in Buckingham county Virginia.  I have the impression that Linnaeus Bolling was well respected among the Markham spouses.  I have assumed (possibly incorrectly) that Norborne and Judith Virginia Cooke used the name to honor their brother-in-law.  Bolling family history claims that the name Linnaeus was used in their family to honor the botanist Carl Linnaeus.  I don’t know more than that.

Bill replied, and referred me to James Nourse and His Descendants (1897), by Catharine Nourse Lyle – where the Leneans spelling of the middle name appears.  The Nourse book includes a good account of the descendants of Norborne Berkeley Cooke and Judith Virginia Markham.  It is not clear as to who supplied the information to Mrs Lyle.  If Judith Markham Cooke, or one of her children, supplied the information, then Bill is correct in suggesting to me, “I would think that the elder Mrs. Cooke would know how to spell her rather distinguished grandson's name.”  But, I do note that Judith Markham Cooke’s mother is incorrectly identified in the account, and that leaves me wondering. 

For now, I am going to leave Captain Cooke’s name as Norborne Linnaeus Cooke in my database.  But, I am not going to discount the possibility that his middle name is actually Leneans.  Perhaps some stronger evidence will surface in the future.

Regardless of the correct name spelling, you will enjoy learning more about Captain Cooke.  Be sure to check out, Captain Norbourne L Cooke: An account by William "Bill" Millay, 2015.


For more details on Norborne Linnaeus Cooke, visit his page at the Markham of Chesterfield website.

Moving back in time:      Norborne Linnaeus Cooke, 1816 > Judith Virginia Markham, 1787 > Bernard Markham, abt 1737 > John Markham of Chesterfield, abt 1700.
Norborne Linnaeus Cooke is my first cousin, five times removed.

Home Sweet Home – A search for John Markham’s home on the Shampoke

I am pleased to have a copy of Benjamin Weisiger’s book “Old Manchester and Its Environs, 1769 – 1910”, written in 1993.  It contains a lovely collection of stories from the area around the old town of Manchester in Chesterfield county Virginia.  One of the stories that caught my attention was that of Laurel Meadow Plantation, the home of Col David Patteson.  Weisiger’s introductory paragraph tells us:

Laurel Meadow, the old home of Colonel David Patteson, stands at 1640 Bramwell Road , in a subdivision off of Hull Street Road, east of Chippenham Parkway.  It is fortunately surrounded by some acreage that sets it off from its surroundings.  The L-shaped house was probably built in the 1750s or 60s and added to in the 1770’s. 

Col David Patteson was a friend to the Markham family.  Born in 1746, he was of an age of John Markham’s sons, and his cousin Nelson Patteson married John Markham’s youngest daughter.  About 1776, a few years after John Markham’s death, David Patteson purchased a nine hundred acre property from the Markham family.  Evidence points to this property being John Markham’s estate on the Shampoke .

When I first read Weisiger’s book, back in 1999, I made a note to consider whether Laurel Meadow might be the original plantation home of John Markham.  That thought has been percolating a long time.  In 2013 Laurel Meadow was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and I have recently had the opportunity to view the application published online.  The nomination was prepared and written by Adele Livingston, the current owner of Laurel Meadow, with assistance from the staff at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.  It only makes a brief statement related to the original owner (builder) of the home, but it seems possible that this is the home where John Markham lived with his family in Chesterfield county Virginia. 

I would like to give a few teasers from the National Register nomination for Laurel Meadow.  I think that descendants of the Markham and Patteson families would enjoy taking a further look. 

Laurel Meadow is an early Virginia plantation home now located in the city of Richmond on a one-acre remnant of an original 902 acre parcel, within a mid 20th century subdivision of modest homes.  The 1 ½ story, L-shaped house, measuring 2,200 square feet, is a simple frame building, constructed in two distinct sections at right angles to each other, and displays aspects of Colonial and Federal architectural design.  The west section rests on an English basement, and may have been constructed prior to 1776 when David Patteson, who had become the agent for William Byrd’s Falls Plantation in 1767, acquired the property.  The east section, which fronts Bramwell Road, appears to have been added to the house in the early 19th century . .

The west section, considered to be the oldest section of the building, includes a stair hall, a library to the north, and a dining room to the south . . The stair rises to a room over the library that was clearly designed as a small bedroom . .  

The ‘original’ core of the house may have been an overseer’s house constructed in the eighteenth century, and currently exists as the northwestern block.  This theory is supported by historical tradition that Laurel Meadow was the residence of Col David Patteson, who purchased the property in 1776, deeded portions of it “where I now reside” as a gift to his son Samuel in 1813, and was buried in the cemetery designated in his will close to his residence when he died at Laurel Meadow on 2 May 1821. 

It is not clear when the earliest section of Laurel Meadow, the northwest block, was originally constructed.  It may have been built prior to 1776, which is when David Patteson purchased the property, as there is reference in the deed for 696 acres dated December 4, 1772, from Richard Crump to Vincent Markham describing “. . . one certain tract or parcel of land situate in the said County being the same whereon John Markham deceased formerly lived . . . “ (previously from the estate of John Markham).  Another deed from James Lyle to Vincent Markham dated April 3, 1772, describes “fifty acres bounded by the lands of John Smith, Matthew Branch, the said Vincent Markham and Shampoker Creek.”  This creek described boundaries for Laurel Meadow until 1943 when a plat of 30 acres remaining with the house accompanied the deed, and the remaining acreage where the house is located were sold.  The plat accompanying the 1943 deed shows a family cemetery on the north, Shampoke Creek to the south, and the residence, barn, and other outbuildings in the middle. 

The “original” section of Laurel Meadow presents possibilities as the John Markham home on the Shampoke.  The information detailed in the National Register application blends nicely with John Markham’s 1771 estate inventory, which hints at a dining room, and a possible library area for the main section of the house.  As I read the inventory I envisioned a kitchen set apart from the house.  But, I would wonder where John Markham’s six bedsteads might have resided, if they were resident in this small home in 1770.  Is the “English” basement a possibility?  Merriam Webster Dictionary tells us that an English basement is “a high basement that is usually mainly above ground, is often adapted to living quarters . . “  As the English basement at Laurel Meadow has a number of windows and a fireplace, this seems like a real possibility for bedding all the Markham children in the 1750 - 1770 period. 

I really want to believe that Laurel Meadow was John Markham’s home!  It is exciting to think that a pre-revolutionary ancestral home might still be standing today in Chesterfield county Virginia.  And, I am left to wonder about the Patteson family cemetery that resides nearby.  Might some of our Markham ancestors also be buried there?  I am almost convinced, and would be delighted to know what others might think? 

For more details on John Markham, visit his page at the Markham of Chesterfield website.  A transcription of his inventory will be found there.  A sketch titled John Markham’s Life in Virginia might be of interest, as it gives a few further details on the location of John Markham’s property.  Also, my blog posting titled Pass the Cream Pott, Please gives an imagined picture of John Markham’s home, based on his estate inventory.


Further Reading:
Old Manchester and Its Environs, 1769 – 1910; Benjamin Weisiger, 1993.
Laurel Meadow (Richmond, Virginia); National Register of Historic Places, Adele Livingston, 2013.

About the photo:  I have been in contact with Adele “Hutch” Livingston, current owner of Laurel Meadow.  She is continuing with a restoration of the home, and graciously shared this recent photo.  We are both excited to explore further on the Markham family connection to Laurel Meadow.