"Great" John Mathis/Mathews

[mmg816]

There is a very old and reliable tradition that my ancestor "Great" John Mathis was born in Merthyr Tidfil about 1690. He came to America about 1706 and was very successful as a trader in the Caribbean and owned over 4000 acres near what is now Atlantic City, New Jersey. He gave his money to support the American Revolution and was paid in worthless scrip.He died in 1779.
Supposedly his birth name was John Mathews. He changed it because he thought Mathis was easier to say and spell. What I hope to learn is- Are there Mathews historically in the Merthyr Tydfil area? He seems to have had a good education. Were there any prominent Mathews familes at that time, particularly Quaker families?

[rachelb]

There were and are Mathews in the Merthyr area.

If you look on the Old Merthyr Tydfil site, you will see on the map on the first page at the bottom, a place called Quaker's Yard.

Click on that name on the map, and other information about the place will display.

Rachel Bowen

[wmathews4]

We, too, are looking for the parents of Great John Mathews/Mathis...and plan to be in Merthyr Tydfil next month...is there any information on John & Charles Mathews who were born here in 1678 & 1679?
We would like to meet with anyone with the name Mathews who has any information about the family from the 17th century.
Please respond to Walter Mathews at [e-mail]
Thank you...we look forward to meeting with you...Walter