MATLOCK, DERBYSHIRE, ENGLAND
In 1969 the editor and two cousins
(Matlock descendants) traveled to Europe on the last leg of our journey, left
London and drove to the small town of Matlock. It is an old, old town in a
valley and divided by a river. It is a charming picturesque place and the
people are very friendly. We liked it so much we stayed for two days and
nights. If you should go to England, treat yourself to a visit to this quiet
and quaint little town. It was one of the highlights of our trip to Europe.
No one there had ever heard of anyone
named Matlock but some were sure that the town was not named for a Matlock
family (it was the other around of course). Our host said the cemetery was over
a thousand years old which may have been a slight exaggeration. A history of
the town says there was a church there in the 1200's but that it may have
existed for some time before that. The registers show Richard, son of Thomas
Matlock, baptised April 28, 1660 and Grace, daughter of Thomas, baptised May 1,
1661. Deeds in Derby show the names of Henry de Matlock and Maud, relict of
John de Matlock. In "Gem of the Peak, 4th Edition, Page 50" is stated
that in 1810 Timothy Matlock (in the U.S. name was spelled Matlack) visited the
Parish, having come over from New York to which city his ancestors had
emigrated. He had heard of the hot springs which gushed out plentifully at the
foot of the hill.
The town Matlock was first known as
Mestesford, according to the local police chief. Benjamin Bryan's "History
of Matlock" says it was also called Meslach, Matok, Mattelok and Methlock.
This may explain the many different spellings by the early emigrants to
America. Many early records show my ancestors as Medlock, even as late as 1850;
however, many records of the same period show Matlock. After 1850 all my
ancestors spelled theirs Matlock and until I started researching my family, I
had never heard of the name Medlock. The castle has been uninhabited for many
years. It sits, on a high hill to the east of town and we did not visit it. We
did go to Chatsworth, the Derbyshire home of the Dukes of Devonshire. It is
eight miles north of Matlock and is a beautiful palace on lovely grounds.
The London telephone directory lists
several Matlocks but I have written to some of them and unfortunately have
never received a reply. I hope to go again and being a little more
knowledgeable, genealogy wise, perhaps I can learn more next time.
Jess Nettles Armstrong
MATLOCKS AT CROPWELL-BISHOP
By Edgar L. Matlock
While serving as a soldier in the U.S.
Army Air Force during World War II, the author was stationed in England for 26
months and during his stay went to the village of Cropwell-Bishop, which is
about eight miles southeast of the city of Nottingham.It is a quaint old place,
little changed for many years. In the center of the village is old St. Giles
Church, erected in the 1200's which is still in a good state of preservation
and still in use.In the yard surrounding the church are many graves, but close
inspection failed to find a single one bearing the surname Matlock on the
headstone. The writer contacted a very old villager who had lived at the place
all of his life and he said that he had never known any one in the community by
the name of Matlock, so apparently no member of the Matlock family has lived
there in many years. The writer also contacted the Vicar of St. Giles Church,
and went over with him the ancient Parish Register, from which we gained the
following information: The name "Matlock" is first mentioned onMarch,
30, 1560 when the baptism of John Matlock is recorded. Apparently, this child's
parents were newcomers to the community from some place, in nearby Derbyshire,
which county contains a town by the name of Matlock. The family had other
children baptised at the Church as follows: Thomas Matlock on April 23, 1564;
Margaret Matlock on June 25, 1567; George Matlock on April 24,
1572; Elizabeth Matlock on June 1, 1587;
and Thomas Matlock on September 28, 1589. The last two listed children were
probably children of John Matlock whose baptism is first recorded. Marriage
records which we found are as follows: John Matlock to Margaret Asse on June
24, 1586; Robert Barrow to Elizabeth Matlock on February 16, 1616; Thomas
Kelkeborne and Jane Matlock on July 16, 1623; George Matlock to Jane Hall on
November 7, 1636; and Thomas Altenborrow to Elizabeth Matlock on February 2,
1673. It is this writer's opinion that George Matlock and Jane Hall whose
marriage is mentioned above were the parents of William Matlock who was born in
1648 and went to America with the Quaker emigrants to West Jersey in 1677. In
1648, just a few miles away from Cropwell-Bishop, George Fox started preaching
at the village of Fenny-Drayton in Leicestershire, and out of his teachings
grew the religious sect called the Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers.
Apparently some members of the Matlock family in the Cropwell-Bishop community
joined the Quakers. According to English history the Quakers were subjected to
unspeakable persecution, abuse, imprisonment and even death. It was to escape
this treatment that William Matlock left England in 1677 and went to America
with the first settlers going to the new colony of West Jersey, where they
hoped to find freedom of religion and live in peace. Some of the descendants of
this William Matlock spell their name Matlack, some spell it Matlock. The town
in Derbyshire, England is spelled Matlock, but the English people pronounce it
as if it were spelled Matlack.
The Vicar told me that just prior to WW
II a Matlack who was a Purser on one of the Luxury Passenger Lines had been
there and that he was surprised to find the name to be Matlock and not Matlack.
E.L.M.
The following article was sent to me by
Mr. R. Doyne Halbritter, President of Preston County Historical Society (W.
Va.). Mr. Halbritter wrote the article for a newspaper of his locale and gave
his permission for me to copy. I enjoyed the article very much and am grateful
to him for allowing me to pass it on for your enjoyment.
The very first family history that
attracted my attention was that of the Matlick family. It came to pass about 35
years ago when a Wolfe cousin of my father, realizing that a young unemployed
attorney needed some busy work, brought me the hand written.manuscript of the
"Matlick Story". It promised to be interesting as I knew that one of
my great grandmothers was born a Matlick and had been a member of that well
known family of handsome men and beautiful women.
The "Matlick Story" consisted
of about 150 pages of laboriously and meticulously written fact and fancy about
the Matlick family from the time they were Matlocks on down through their
existence as Matlicks.
I mention fancy because the early part of
the script deals with the romantic interludes of the early Matlocks both in
Scotland and in America. The story had been written by Jacob G. Matlick, a
resident of Kirksville, Missouri, a native of Preston County, and who as such
had enlisted in the Union Army and after a commendable army participation was
captured and eventually was one of the few Union Soldiers who survived the Southern
Hospitality extended at the notorious Andersonville prison.
After the war he married MargaretA.
Falkenstein, daughter of Lewis and Mary Falkenstein of Valley Point and
emigrated to Missouri where he became a prosperous farmer. About 1900 in order
to keep his mind off his numerous ailments resulting from his army disabilities
he turned to the hobby of family research and eventually published a little
booklet of the history of his mother's family - the Gusemans. It remains the
authoritative handbook for the members of that illustrious family.
In the early 1900's he made frequent
trips back to Preston and spoke at GAR reunions and at family gatherings in
addition to writing frequent poems and historical articles for the newspapers
of both his native and adopted states.
He deserves great credit for his untiring
efforts in accumulating information about the family because of the limited
facilities with which he had to deal. At that time transportation was both
limited and expensive. Telephone communication was practically unknown and even
communication by letter was laborious and postage very expensive, usually rated
by the distance the letter traveled. Consequently, many, in fact most letters
went unanswered. Added to this, the Matlick family was one that often heard of
greener fields to the west and went in search of them, and I may add, usually
found them.
Many people were apparently lost from
sight when they went westward. In my own family I experienced this in the
matter of a great grandfather, whom the family records indicated went west in
1840, and it recently determined that his westward movement was from near
Albright to Austin. It is hard for us to realize that at that time West did not
necessarily mean to California, or even to Missouri, but could mean just going
from Albright to the westward side of Cheat River.
Notwithstanding the persistent
difficulties faced at the time Jacob G. did an excellent job on the family back
to Joseph, the Revolutionary soldier and his parents Joseph, Sr. and his wife, Mary
Carroll. He decided on the date of 1750 for their arrival in America and
settlement in New Jersey. However, recent exchange of information with Dr.
Allen King of Connecticut has resulted in practically tearing the family tree
out by its roots and replanting it. His research indicates that the original
Matlick was William, a Scot, who sailed from Nottingham, England on the ship
Kent in 1677 and settled in Burlington, N.J. In 1682 he married Mary Hancock
and had several children, of whom a son, Joseph, married Rebecca, daughter of
John and Esther Haines of Rancocas, In 1729 Joseph II and his wife brought a
certificate from "Friends" of Haddenfield and settled in West
Chester, Pa. One of their ten children was the first Joseph mentioned by Jacob
G. and the one who married Mary Carroll. From there on we may rely on his
family tree record. In the "Matlick Story" some 50 pages are devoted
to poetry and romantic interludes relating to the courtship and marriage of
Joseph and Mary Carroll but we will omit that fantastic and interesting portion
and simply note that they increased the population of America by eight,
including the eldest son Joseph. In the manner of the day the children were
designated by hereditary proper names, mainly of religious origin, namely Joseph,
James, Samuel, Josiah, John, Sarah, Mary and Rachel. And by the way, many of
those names have persisted in the family until this day.
Only Joseph is discussed in the Story and
some twenty pages are devoted to his courtship and marriage with the charming
Julia Scott, also of Scot descent, who is eloquently described as "A
Scottish blonde, retaining a shade of the Highland dark hue, giving her a light
mixture of the brunette with the blonde which makes the prettiest woman of
natures build.
After serving several years under
Washington in the Revolutionary forces, Joseph married Miss Julia and in 1782
Joseph Scott Matlick was born and soon thereafter Joseph, Sr. died as a result
of his war experiences. In 1795 Joseph Scott Matlick went west to seek his fortune
and settled in what is now Fayette County, Pa. There he became the owner of a
large farm just a few miles east of the W. Va. border near Markleysburg, Pa. It
was my good fortune while browsing in that most excellent Public Library at
Oakland to discover in a book on the Wilhelm Church a photograph of the old
Matlick log homestead. The Wilhelms, a very wealthy and philanthropic family
with Preston County connections, purchased the homestead from Joseph Scott
Matlick when he went further west to Preston County. It was while living here
that Joseph met and married Sarah Ervin who lived just a few miles away with
her parents. They were married in the fall of 1803 at a wedding attended by a
band of Indians.
Since Joseph Scott Matlick was the
paternal ancestor of the Matlick clan of Preston we will ignore his brothers
and sisters and deal only with Joseph and his descendants. I assure you there
will be sufficient, and again we will be surprised at the ramifications of the
family and its connections.
In Somerset County there were born Mary,
William, Julia, Lydia and Samuel. Then the family decided to go West and
migrated to Preston County, following Julia's brother, Isaac Ervin, who had
pioneered in 1803. They purchased the farm that had been the home of Alexandor
Brandon, on the North side of Little Sandy Creek in Grant District, about 3
miles south of Brandonville. Here several more children were born: Delihah,
Josiah, Joseph, John, Zachariah, Elijah, and two who died in infancy.
Of the four daughters, Mary married
Anthony Wolfe, son of
George and Catherine Barb Wolfe; and both
are buried in the Parnell Cemetery near Cuzzart.
Anthony Wolfe died, leaving her with two
children; a daughter, Phermandes and a son, Edmund. She then married an aged
widower named Parnell from Pennsylvania who soon died and she married another
aged widower, Abraham Otto, whom she also survived.
Her son, Edmund, married a Miss Riley of
Maryland, went to Cuba and died, leaving two sons. Her daughter, Pharmandes
married Levi Otto and in 1850 they moved to Scotland Co., Mo., and reared four
sons and two daughters all of whom married and reared large families.
Really there could be a large book on
this branch of the Otto family. Now it's time to pause and consider. We have
only begun to discuss the immigrant Matlick family, or Pennsylvania born part
of the Joseph Scott Matlick family.
Julia married Henry Wolfe, son of Jacob,
son of George, son of Jacob the First. (In Preston). They raised a family of
five girls and one son and one son died in infancy.
Their children were named Mary, Sarah,
Rachel Lovila, Hariett and William. Mary married a Mr. Brown who was killed by
the B.and 0. Their children were William Fuller Frank, Ida, Ella, Annie and
Vernie.
Sarah Wolfe married George Brosius, son
of that old stern pedagogue and politician scion of the Rodeheaver family, John
Brosius, another railroad man who soon died but left descendants now prominent
in Virginia. Rachel Wolfe married Harrison Zinn who for many years represented
Reno District on the County Court and was a national leader in one of the
branches of the Baptist Church. Their children were: Milford, Laura, William,
Arkimides, Selina, Julia, Homer and Harry (Dave). All of these affiliated with
leading county families and their descendants would fill a large volume.
Lovila Wolfe married Lewis W. Halbritter,
well known farmer and timber man, and they raised a family of 13 children
including: Etta Nestor, John Willis, Ona, Lula Williams, Edith West, Maude
Watson, Chester and Dessie Shaver. For further information on this branch see
"Die Geschichte Der Familie Halbritte".
Harriett Wolfe, the youngest daughter,
married William Shaffer and their children included Sheridan, Alice, Minnie,
Effie, Myrtle, Harry, Flossie and Pearl.
William Wolfe, the only son, married
Elizabeth Ann Menear, thereby relating the family to the Menear, Ervin and
Bonafields (see Menear family history). Their children included: Morgan,
Gertie, Charles, Vane, Ward, Atta and others.
Lydia Matlick married a Mr. Boyer and
lived near her sister, Mary Brown. They had a son Samuel who grew to manhood
and settled elsewhere.
Deliah Matlick married a Raymond from
Baltimore, an attorney, and lived in Ohio and Baltimore. He died in 1848 and
her sons, being Confederate soldiers lost their communications with the Preston
County relatives. The children of Deliah Raymond were: Mchenry, Sarah Hillhouse
and Winter.
Now we will take up the sons of Joseph
Scott Matlick. William Matlick was born in 1806 and in 1825 he married Mary
Ledman. They lived at Brandonville and later three miles from Tunnelton. Their
children were: Eleanor, Charlotte, Sarah, Joseph, born at Brandonville, and
John Wesley at Tunnelton. Mary Ledman Matlick died in 1845 and William married
the widow Susan Luzader Barnes and they had daughters, Arizona and Christena,
and sons Isaac Armstrong and James Edwin Matlick. Their daughter Charlotte
married Peter Zinn and went west where there are many descendants. Among their
children were: Sarah, who married Ed C. Trowbridge; Joseph and Deliah of Utah;
Avice, Ulysses S. Grant, Lloyd, Claude and Mary L. and others.
Joseph S. Matlick, Jr. married Isabelle
J. Trowbridge (see Trowbridge family history). They had eight children: Mary
Jane, Charles Bruce, Elceletter, Effie G., Robert Ross, Isabelle Jene,
Charlotte V. and Mary L. Effie C. married Dr. E. D. Gall of Philippi; Isabelle
married J. M. Woodford of Barbour County, a descendant of Gen. Woodford. Their
children were Walter Lee, Marion L., Ona Roswell and an infant.
William Henry Matlick enlisted in Capt.
Kirk's company and was killed in the battle, of Droops Mountain.
John W. Matlick served.in the Civil War
and afterwards married Rebecca Coon, moved to Keyser and became the Postmaster
there.
Isaac Matlick was wounded in the war,
married a Miss Jenkins, daughter of Joseph Jenkins and later moved to Nebraska.
James Edwin Matlick married Sarah Shaffer
and purchased the farm of Samuel Matlick in Reno when the latter moved to
Missouri. Their descendants make up a large portion of Reno at this time. Their
children included: William, Annie, Bessie, Hayes, Effie, Vinna, Nina, Charles
and Dorsey, all of whom married.
Samuel Matlick went west to Reno District
with his brother William in 1837. He married Mary Guseman, daughter of Jacob
and Christiana Wolfe Guseman.
Joseph Scott Matlick, Jr. served in the
Union Army and Martha Bishop, daughter of Joseph and Ann Snider Bishop.
Jacob G. our early historian, after his
army service went to Missouri with his family but, returned to marry Margaret
A. Falkenstein, daughter of Lewis and Mary Falkenstein, and they raised four
children.
There are numerous descendants of the
Western Matlicks but since it nears closing time and the typewriter has again
lost its T. I will bring this little account to an end by mentioning but a
couple more distinguished members of the family.
Leroy Matlick of San Diego, Calif., is
making a hobby of the family history and having a lot of fun doing it.
Joseph Scott Matlick had about 20
grandsons and sons-in-law in the Union army and two in the Confederate forces.
About a year ago I received an autographed photograph from one of the
descendants, late Commander of our U.S. Air Base in Japan but then Commander of
the government Air Field at Washington, D.C.
I have no doubt but that he is now a full
fledged General.
The history of this farmily is really the
history of the United States itself as they have moved with and participated in
all the progressive movements of the country since the earliest of the pioneer
days and all that I have contacted have great pride in their Preston County
roots, friends, connections and the effect it had on their lives even though
they have never had an opportunity to visit here. They hope to and we will
welcome them with our Preston County fellowship and hospitality.
Some of my correspondents have asked
about the Missouri Matlicks. This article will answer most of the questions,
There were some Matlicks in Missouri who show place of birth as Germany. It's
hard for Southerners to understand how the various spellings of Matlock
started, since we say "Mat Lock" with heavy accent on both syllables,
but after hearing a few Englishmen talk, it's not so difficult to understand.
After all, how many of us can say "Worchestershire sauce" ?
Appearing in "Ripley's Believe It or
Not" William Matlock (1798-1864) of Sparta, Tennessee confident that no
man could match his strength offered all the silver he was carrying to the bank
to any man who could lift the sacks.
Contributed by Gloria Matlock who gives
credit to Retha (Matlock) Kremer.
Adair Funderburk writes that she has
recently corresponded with a Matlock who says both sets of his great
grandparents came from Poland the later part of the l9th century. Name
originally was Matlouh, pronounced Matlow. Name was changed by an elementary
school teacher who had one of the sons in her class.
The teacher sounds like some of the
census takers. On every census where my Littleberry is shown, he appears as
Medlock and Midlock but on every petition, as a witness to a will, war record
and pension application where he signed his name, it was always Matlock.
The following is a letter written to
William Tyndall Matlock by his brother, Joseph Hawkins Matlock. It is a very
touching letter and I express thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Hammill or Portland,
Oregon for sharing it with others.
Wabash Ind. Jan. 27th 1869
Dear Bro.
Your last letter is not before me, and I
can not refer to its date, but will endeavor to answer your enquiries as well
as I can. I am now in an office of my own for the first time in nearly five
years. It is almost a task to me to attempt anything like a history of matters
concerning myself during that period but you seem to desire to know all about
me which is very natural. I will relieve your mind in the first instance and at
once by saying, that I am now restored to comfortable health and soundness of mind
and body for which blessings I ought to express to you a feeling of
thankfulness to a kind and overrulling providence. It will be about five years
the first of April since I left my home at Warsaw to visit Missouri. We then
had Grandmother living with us. She had been sick a long time; the lamps had
not been blown out of nights for two years. Her disease was chronic-a
dysentery-or diarrhea. No language can convey an adequate idea of her suffering
or of our nightly watchings and toils. My wife was also sick and had been for
months. We however had Louisa with us and an excellent hired girl at the time
of my leaving home. I had plenty of business as a lawyer and Super, added to
all this the troubles of the war bore very heavily on my mind. It was under these
afflicting circumstances I found my health failing, and thought I would leave
home a few days. I did so, visited our bro. Jefferson, and then took a little
trip further west in MO. I had just started home on the 4th of April when the
accident happened which proved so serious to my health. The road bed was muddy
and soft and in bad condition. The cars were running up on an embankment of
some eight feet high, and the ties and rails were pushed from their places pell
mell, All went before the cars, thus the train seemed to run over the rubbish,
tossing us like balls for some distance when fortunately the hindmost two cars
became uncoupled from the train. I was in the rear car. We were tumbled down
the embankment, the car turning nearly upside down.
At about this instance I received a
severe blow upon my head the upper right side of the temple rather below the
top of my head. It partly separated the scalp from the skull. Alter corning to
consciousness I laid my hand upon my naked skull, but I am entering too much
into particulars. Let us make the remainder of the story shorter. A large stove
was lifted off me; was taken out and returned to consciousness in a dreamy half
delirious condition. I was very kindly cared for by strangers, and after my
wounds were dressed at my own request I was taken to Chicago accompanied by a
gentleman, a stranger, who was with me. I was kindly treated all the way and
from Chicago I made my way home. My wife says I was unable to tell what had
happened until refreshed by a nap. Here I must cease to follow a personal
history closely. It would take too much writing. Suffice it is to say that a
month after the accident I entirely despaired of my recovery, but perhaps my
friends never gave up hope. But what you desire to know is the result. Well, I
freely confess that for a considerable time, perhaps a whole year, the injury
to my mind was so great as to be apparent to myself and my friends. Now there
is a feature about the case which I desire to allude to, which is so similar to
what I suppose you have experienced (judging from letters) as to lead to the
hope that you may be benefited by the comparison, and for this reason
only I shall take some pains to try to communicate it.
Now I will premise that I had been
dispeptic and was in failing health at the time of the accident. Also not
forgetting the other circumstances mentioned above and also that I had
previously for a year perhaps noticed some irregularity of the heart's action
and weakness of the pulses. Keeping these several facts in view I will here
state that the first alarming effect of my injury was about a month after my
return home when in bed one night I felt so distressed by the irregular action
of the heart as to be unable to rest. I attempted to raise up and having sat up
in the bed, my difficulty Suddenly increased, and I sunk down unable to
maintain my position. I began rapidly to grow cold and as I. thought had every
symptom of approaching an immediate death, as soon as able to speak I informed
my good wife that my hour had come not entertaining a doubt that such was the
case. The physician was called and all means resorted to keep up circulation -
such as stimulants, bathing, etc. I remained however in a prostrate condition
for perhaps 24 hours or more, the extremities generally cold and the pulse
barely discernable, the while fully believing that I must die, but finally I
rallied a little and to make the story short as possible, I merely will say
that many times for two years afterwards I had similar attacks. The prevailing
Symptom was failure and want of the heart's action - Sometimes sharp pain at
the same point. Often the pulse would be 124 per minute & so feeble as to
be barely felt, during some three years almost daily spells of very laborious
and difficult breathing usually coming on worst when I would retire at night,
coldness of the feet, hands, legs and numbness of the face with tightness and
compression of the lips - Many and indescribable sensations of the heart &
brain etc. I generally had my judgement but was entirely unfit for business of
any kind. Memory short and mind more or less impaired of which I was perfectly
aware which occasioned great mental suffering. I was generally able to go
around and went all I could. Spent a part of two summers in Illinois - took all
the exercise I could - and too much sometimes. Now be it remembered that severe
dispepsia was all the while present.
TREATMENT
I might say substantially, I took no
medicine or at least what little I did take was of no service. The things which
have benefitted me are these. lst - proper outdoor exercise, 2nd - the Entire
disuse of pork, lard and Coffee, 3rd - the use of Brown or Graham bread instead
of fine flour , 4th - bathing with vapor and warm water, 5th rubbing and
keen spating of the body by a strong healthy person, 6th the use of a battery,
but if not in skillful hands it will do more harm than good.
RESULTS
The process of recovery has been gradual
entirely so. It was not until within the last year that I felt at all competent
to go into an office though I did serve two years as Mayor of this City but the
duties were light.
I am now probably as well in body and
mind, thank God, as I have been at any time in ten years, and have within the
past few days entered a law office for the purpose of resuming the practice.
Remarks upon the above
My case was one of severe dispepsia,
greatly aggravated by the
railroad accident, and by the great
nervous prostration which ensued
and was consequent upon that accident as
well as the other above
mentioned facts and circumstances. It is
true the heart was dangerously
effected and so were the other vital
organs, but these were not the
primary difficulties.
I forgot to mention sleeplessness as a
symptom. I now cultivate sleep as natures great restorer and can do up a good
job at it now. I remark further that the use of bread of unbolted flour will
keep the bowels regular all the time without a grain of medicine.
PRESENT HABITS
I have not had an ounce of Pork or lard
in my house in 3 years or indeed since my removal from Warsaw, and would not
permit any person to put it on my table. I keep the unbolted flour all the
time. We use butter for shortening and beef & fowls for meat. Rich pies and
cakes will not do. Plain living must be used. Now if you can derive any benefit
to yourself personally I shall be richly paid for my trouble of writing so much
about myself.
OPINION
You will pardon me if I say that I am
your brother and knowing the family as well as I do I am of the opinion, that
your case is not organic heart disease, but in all probability, you are
dispeptic, and suffer from constipation or at least you are dispeptic, but I
hope not near so badly so as I have been. Now I advise you to give some heed to
my suggestions relative to diet, exercise, etc. and your heart will take care
of itself. My experience warrants the assertion, I have not now a symptom of
heart disease, but could bring it on any time by drinking coffee, eating
serious flesh or lard in my bread or too much fine flour for a few days &
thus destroy my health and perhaps my life. Your case may not be similar, but I
verily believe that it is, in many respects. I have never found two cases
altogether alike but I feel that I have written too much, and that it is
possible other subjects would interest you more.
RELIGION.
I now cannot dismiss this subject without
saying a word upon the religious bearing suggested naturally by these
reflections. When I felt sure that my time to depart had arrived I had one
great regret which troubled me. and that was that I had not tried to give the
influence of my life more decidedly on the side of Christianity. I cannot now
devote much space to the subject but will simply say that since that time I
have tried to take a more zealous and emphatic stand for the cause of Christ.
The world has seemed to me more corrupt, more fleeting and vain than ever
before, and it seems to me that our only hope should be centered in and fixed
upon that spiritual life proposed to us by the Gospel of the Son of God, and we
ought so to live and so to pray that we shall have the witness in ourselves
that we are passed from death unto life which has its beginning here and its
full realization beyond the shifting scenes of time. In my afflictions I think
I can see the hand of a merciful providence forcibly arresting my attention,
and pointing me to the life which is to come. And although I am now restored to
comfortable health yet I do feel that I have no continuing duty here but it is
only a question of a few more summers at most when I shall again be called to
relinquish my hold upon things mortal, and shall it be our happy lot to meet
amongst the redeemed where all errors are corrected; when all partake of the
same heavenly Spirit,which is the life of all true religion here, and which the
Savior promised his disciples upon the event of his leaving the world, and my
brother if we had not that promise, the Christian Religion in its purity would
have departed the world with him. Such is the teaching of the Scriptures such
is the experience of every true disciple. If we expect to be ready to die we
must be Spiritually minded, must do justly, love mercy and walk humbly before
God. But I must desist.
FINANCE
I had a good business at Warsaw & had
acquired some property, but afflictions of myself and family had tended to keep
me down, I was probably worth $5000 & had a business which promised to pay
well, but 5 years have elapsed & most of the time I have been at heavy
expense, and the pinching wants of some of our near friends have compelled me
to divide with them. I have given our deceased bro. Jefferson $200 gold. Bro.
David $210 greenbacks, Louisa Herren $214 greenback, Caroline Hay in various
things over $200 all of which since my misfortunes except the $200 to
Jefferson. I now own a large lot about 2 1/2 acres beautifully situated in the
suburbs of Wabash on which I built a nice frame house last summer & fall
& have a nice little orchard just beginning to bear. The property is worth
4 or $5000 but I am in debt, and my other available means will fall short from
2 to $500 of clearing me of debt. I am entirely still out of business, but as
above remarked have just entered a law office, and am unable to purchase a
library. How I will succeed in getting into business again I do not know,
others are ahead of me, and although I have hopefully remarked that I am
restored to health yet this must be understood of my kind of health. The truth
is I am delicate and can not stand too close application to books or office
work, nonetheless, I hope by strict economy to be able to keep my home.
OTHER MATTERS
My wifes health is still as poor as it
ever has been. She has real organic heart disease, so say physicians & so I
believe, but she is usually able to do her work by my assistance, as we have
become too poor to keep a hired girl.
Caroline Hay is living with her daughters
in a rented house - makes her living by weaving on a loom which I had made for
her. Two of her girls are teaching school. You might infer that they are
getting along pleasantly, but I am sorry to say that she has as little hope of
this life as any woman I ever say - or at least as little to hope for. Two of
her girls are rather intelligent & smart, but alas how parents hearts are
broken by unkind and undutiful children. The last remark applies especially, to
the son who is now in Iowa and to Molly, but I will say no more except that
they - the girls have thus far maintained decent credit in the Community and
that I succeeded in geting Molly into her present position of teacher in the
Union School in this City, which pays well. Louisa Herren lives in a very
comfortable dwelling of her own in this place with her daughter Carrie, but
there is still an existing mortgage of $200 to the School fund. She would have
been turned out homeless and pennyless if she had not found a friend. Her
health is very feeble and she is subject to frequent attacks. Carrie's health
is pretty good and she is industrious and kind. Her other daughter, Molly, is
living with her husband at Peru 16 miles below here.
The Ventress family are scattered, none
of them have done well. Bro. John still lives on his old place & is very
comfortably situated and is in good living circumstances. His youngest daughter
I think will be married before long. His other daughters have respectable
husbands who have been well provided for by their parents. Bro. David now lives
in Southern Ills. - has 80 acres of land there and is still preaching. I forget
the name of his post off ice. I have not heard from West or Burton for a long
time.
CONCLUSIONS
In your last letter but one you made a
statement of your circumstances & your childrens and asked me the question
whether you ought to try to help some of the needy friends here. At the time I
hardly felt like answering the question, but I have now given you some hints
from which you can see a little of the real situation leaving you to do as your
ability and judgement dictates. You know the history of your wifes people
tolerably well and my connection with them.
You always seemed desirous that I should
be kind to them. In general I have endeavored so to be, and I cannot avoid saying
that they have not always been kind to me by any means but the old stock are so
now as far as I know - those that are living, indeed they could not be
otherwise and would not wish to be I presume. Now how far you feel disposed to
be kind and generous to them is a matter for yourself to determine. A small
donation of $500 to get Caroline a little home would be a great thing for her
if you felt like giving it. It would be but a small thing in comparison to what
I have done for your wifes people, but as above remarked it is a question which
I do not undertake to decide for you, I have no children, and am not therefore
as well prepared to say how far a mans obligations must be fulfilled towards
them before he can be charitable to others.
But before concluding this extraordinary
long letter I must express the hope that when it reaches you it will find you
and yours in the enjoyment of improved health and prosperity and that you and
Betsey will live to be able to take the first passenger express train when the
great Road is finished, and come and see all of us poor folks and learn the
rest for yourselves on the spot and I will remark that if I were so situated as
to be able to do so I think it not improbable that I should visit Oregon if I
live a few years.
I must not omit to say that Almira always
desires to be remembered
to her relatives in all my letters. She
thinks of you all with great
affection and kindness. It is her nature
to be affectionate and kind.
And now kind friends can you read this
scribbling. I can write better
but it is a great labor for me to write
& you must take a little of it
off of me by patient reading. I can read
almost any writing and I
presume you can.
Affectionately your Brother
J. H. Matlock
P. S. Enclosed find my photo. Almira did
not have any, and did not feel well enough to go downtown, but promises hers at
a future time.
POTPOURRI
The following entries may be found in
North Carolina Gazeteer, Univ. of NC Press 1968:
Matlock Bald - in N. Clay Co. on N. end
of Johnson Ridge. Altitude 5, 230 ft. In extreme Western N.C.
Matlock Creek - rises in N. Clay Co. and
flows between
Johnson and Julie Ridges into Tusquitee
Greek. (Sent by Virginia Zeboski) Meadlock Mountain (originally spelled
Medlock) N. Mitchell Co. between head of Honeycutt Branch and Young Cove Creek.
Also inWestern N.C. (V. Zeboski). Editor's note. A study of these counties
might shed a lot of light on Matlocks/ Medlocks who went to Tenn. but unknown
from whence they came.
In a letter Mr. Edgar Matlock says
"Prior to the Civil War, the Mississippi Matlocks got into a row with the
Forrest family and one of them shot Nathan Bedford Forrest, who later became a
noted Confederate General (also the first Grand Wizard of the KKK, SZM) Note: I
read everything I could find on Forrest but could not find an individual
biography. I checked the Mississippi census and found the General-living
between and among the DeSota Co. Matlocks. These were the ones who came into
Mississippi early from Franklin Co., Tennessee. JNA
Jo Ann Wanner of Hilo, Hawaii writes
" My line, I've been told, will connect with the Anheuser-Busch Beer Co.
" Jo Ann's line is as follows: Harley Bufford - Bert Mark and Eva Lena
Terrell Matlock - George Taylor and Mary Kell Matlock - William and Cornelia
Ann Busch Matlock.
From Gouldtown A Very Remarkable
Settlement of Ancient Date
William Steward, A.M. and Rev. Theophilus
Steward, D.C.
J.B. Lippincott Company - Philadelphia
1913.
Page 36 "Besides the emigrants
before mentioned, who arrived in the Ship Griffith with John Fenwick, were also
Edward Wade, Samuel Hedge, Samuel Wade, John Smith and wife, Samuel Nichols,
Richard Guy, Richard Noble, a surveyor, Richard Hancock, also a surveyor, John
Pledyer, Hipolite LeFever and John Matlock. These came over in this, the
first English ship that came to West Jersey and none followed for nearly two
years."
Page 37 "John Matlock is said to
have been the son of Abram Matlock founder of Matlock College in England."
Page 39 "Fenwick arrived in 1675 in
the English ship Griffith bringing with him the persons already named - This
was the first English ship which came to West Jersey, and none followed for
nearly
two years."
It is interesting to note that William
Matlock of Cropwell - Bishop came to America to West Jersey in 1677 - two years
later. Have any of you ever tried to trace the descendants of this John?
A note from a descendant of William says
"If John did come to West Jersey, he left no record!
Bethany, Mo. April 2/76- (1876)
Dear Sister
I received your letter the third day
after it was written which found us all well but was sorry to hear of your
misfortune. I think that I will start there about the 20th of this month if
nothing happens. I would of started sooner but we are having the worst weather
I ever saw in my life for the time of the year. More snow fell last week than
we had all winter and yesterday it began to rain and the waters are high and
the roads are impossible for teams therefore I will have to wait until the
weather settles before I can start. I have not saw any of Crises family since I
wrote my last letter but I hear that Betty is poorly can hardly walk round the
house to do anything. If you should get this letter in time for me to get
answer from you, please let me know what point to get off on the Mississippi
& Ohio Railroad to come to your town or what road Bloomington is on. Please
write immediately to oblige yours.
M. E. Howell to G. A. Medlock
The above letter was supposedly written
to the great grandmother of Mr. Thomas Matlock who sent a copy of it to me. If
the letter was written to Anna Young Matlock, wife of George Matlock, it seems
odd that her brother's name was Howell. Can anyone explain this ? JNA
1850 Census of Monroe Co., Ind. (confirms
the children named in Vira Matlock's article on John Matlock, i.e. his brothers
and sisters).
George Matlock Farmer, 46 b. Tennessee;
Anna, 43, b. Va.; John 24 or21 (should have been 26-7), b. Ind.; Jarnes, 19;
Calvin 17; Irvin 15; Eliza 13; Paris, 9; Sarah 5 and Mary 3., All b. Ind.
According to Vira Matlock John and Martha
were married in 1849 but Martha is not listed in George's household in 1850
altho John is.
Received from Reference Room, Withers
Public Library Bloomington, Illinois: "Mrs. Martha Matlock, aged 84 years,
living near Bethel Church,of Lincoln, died Sunday. She was the Widow of John
Matlock, who died in February, 1888. Mrs. Matlock is survived by the following
children: Misses Sarah and Vira Matlock and Charles Matlock, at home; Mrs. Bell
Smallwood of Orvil Township and Mrs. Maggie Mountjoy of Kalispakk, Mont.,
William and Mrs. Mary Miller are deceased children.
The funeral services will be held from
the Bethel Church Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. T. T.
Holton of Bloomington. Burial will be made in Bethel Cemetery.
Christian Standard obituary from
Disciples of Christ Hist. Soc., Nashville, Tenn. Martha Glen Matlock was born
near Charleston, S.C. 10 Sept. 1828. At the age of 17 she confessed her Saviour
and entered into his service. She was united in marriage to John Matlock 1 Aug.
1849. The husband died in 1888. Five of her seven children survive.
On Lord's Day 12 Jan. 1913 in the
presence of loved ones, she departed for the eternal shore to be with God. The
funeral services were at the Bethel Church.
Excerpt from a letter written to Mr.
Thomas Matlock from Nelle Rogers in 1964. " There never was any
information Aunt Vira could find on where the first Matlocks lived prior to
their coming to Bloomington, Indiana or what their nationality was. I contacted
a branch of another Matlock who were known to be related, too, and they tell me
prior to coming to Bloomington they had a settlement in Rockingham County, N.C.
and we seem to be a "Duke's Mixture", etc." (Note: I believe
after reading over this material that the above letter was written by Nelle
Rogers but not to Mr. Thomas as stated above but was sent to him by a member of
Nelle's family).
Interesting excerpts from letters from
Thomas Matlock to the editor: (Thomas Matlock is a grandson of Paris Matlock,
son of George and Anna Young Matlock)
"George and Anna Matlock, grandpa
and grandma Matlock are all buried side by side along the east side of Bethel
Church, north of Bloomington, Ind. I looked on the tombstones and this is what
I found: Paris C. Matlock b. Oct. 21, 1841 d. June 7, 1917; Margret Elizabeth
b. Oct. 15, 1856, d. Aug. 15, 1923; George W. Matlock d. Aug. 28, 1872 - 73
yrs. old; Anna, d. Aug. 21, 1877 - age 70 years; Janie Matlock d. Feb. 6, 1917;
James W. Paul, b. 2-12-1828, d. 5-17-1907; Deliah Paul, b. 6-1-1830, d.
4-2-1918." (Note: Margret above was a Paul. Mr. Matlock also says in his
letter : "the Paul family has been traced back to John Paul Jones. I guess
he put the Jones name on." This may be of interest to those of you who
also have Pauls in your family and I know that some of you do.)
Some obituaries from newspapers, church
bulletins, etc.:
From Illinois Baptist Pastoral Union
Illinois Baptist State Annual, 1879:
Rev. David Matlock. This brother was born near Bloomington, Indiana, Feb.
16th, 1819, and died suddenly in Union County, Illinois, Sept. 2nd. 1878 in the
60th year of his age.
He was the seventh son of John and Alma
Matlock, who were the parents of ten children, eight sons and two daughters.
All these sons, except the youngest; were men of large physical proportions and
more than average mental ability. They were all men of probity and influence.
The father of the deceased, at an early day, with his family settled in Kendall
County, Illinois. David's opportunities for intellectual culture were limited
to the advantages afforded by the cornmon schools of Indiana and Illinois,
which, at that early day, were not remarkable for efficiency or thoroughness.
At the age of sixteen he was converted, and immediately afterwards he and his
father rode twenty-six miles, to the nearest Baptist church, in what was then
known as Yankee Settlement. He was baptized by Rev. A.B. Freeman. His was the
first baptism in the waters of the Fox River.
In Jn. 1851 he was licensed to preach
after having undergone a very
severe struggle in regardto duty. He was
ordained in June 1852. He
subsequently became pastor of the Baptist
church in Lancaster, Wisconsin.
In 1852, he received a commission from
the American Home Mission
Society. He has been pastor of the
following churches: Argyle, Wisconsin;
Payson, Warren, Jefferson Grove and
Rochelle, Illinois; Lancaster, Wis.
twice; St. Charles, Bloomingdale,
Liberty, Otterville, Carbondale,
Pavilion, in Illinois; St, Charles twice.
After leaving Payson he labored
successfully for a season as missionary
of our State Board. His record
has been blameless. His life unsulled. He
was a man of large heart and sympathies; conscious of perfect integrity
himself, he had no fellowship with hypocrisy or deceit in others. Bold in his
denunciations of wrong, pro-slavery men and sentiments withered under his
denunciations. He was also ruthlessly bitter- in his denunciations of the
liquor traffic, as well as terribly severe in his attacks upon the license
system. His ministerial life was eminently successful. He baptized about three
hundred persons, many of them in middle life. His last pastorate was at St.
Charles, Illinois where he undertook and completed the renovation of their
house of worship. It was the opinion of prominent citizens of St. Charles that
no other man could have raised the money he raised, and there are those now who
cannot remember, without sorrow, his indefatigable labors, as through the hot
summer of 1876 he toiled almost to fainting, while he painted the outside of
the building. But here, in the midst of prosperous labor, he became
unfortunately involved in a difficulty growing out of modern evangelism. One
evangelist assumed as he believed, unjustifiable authority, which resulted in
collision and wrought disaster to our brother and to the church.
And now occurs a chapter in the history
of our brother, over which we would cast the mantle of forgetfulness, did not
fidelity to truth demand that it be placed on record. Some twenty years.before
his death, the doctrine of endless punishment of the wicked greatly
disturbed.him. He finally recorded the conclusion, some fifteen years before
his death, that the Bible taught that the wicked, in the future, will be
punished according to their deeds, and then utterly perish: and that, in the
future, the time will come when the entire universe will be cleansed from sin
and from its effects. He was very careful in expressing these sentiments, and
did not preach upon the subject until he considered his views were
misrepresented at St. Charles. He then preached ten sermons upon the subject.
These sermons caused very bitter opposition, and resulted in severing the
pastoral relation. Soon thereafter he began the publication of a small monthly
sheet, called the "Quivering Leaf", in which his peculiar views were
strongly advocated. Opposition became strong and bitter. Some former friends
became alienated. Crimination and recrimination followed. Personal animosities,
awakened and intensified by the discussion, embittered the contest. It is but
just, however, to also record the conviction, both of his most intimate
friends, as well as those who were reluctantly compelled to differ from him,
that he was then evidently suffering from the disease which in so short a time
thereafter proved fatal. It was the state of his health which prevented the
gathering of a council of his brethren, through whose fraternal intervention,
better results might have been realized.
Pressed beyond measure in spirit, by what
he considered an unnecessary separation from the pastorate of a church he so dearly
loved, in July 1878, he visited his fruit farm in Union County, Min, As,
intending, with his wife, to spend the approaching winter there. On the first
day of September he took a severe cold. The next day, which was the Lord's day,
he complained of severe pain in his jaw, arms and chest, which he considered
neuralgia. In the afternoon of this Sabbath he was invited by a neighbor to
visit a couple of sick women. He complied with the invitation, walked about a
quarter of a mile and made the visit. During the visit he exhibited unusual
cheerfulness, and at its close playfully placed his hand upon the shoulder of a
young man who accompanied him a part of the way to his home. Soon after the
young man left him, he was found by a neighbor, under the shade of a wide
spreading oak by the wayside, lying on his face in the stillness of death. Thus
passed away David Matlock, a noble-hearted, generous minded christian minister,
an excellent godly man. At his death he was a member of the church in St.
Charles. He doubtless erred in embracing and advocating a dangerous heresy.
Yet, let us hope that through -the atonement --of Christ he will be accepted
and forgiven, and with his brethren of this Pastoral Union, whom he dearly
loved meet again where all knotty problems will be solved, all doctrinal doubts
removed, and "we all know even as we are known.
(Above article sent by Virginia Zeboski).
Above David was a son of John Matlock (Sr.) of Kendall Co., Illinois from
Indiana.
From a Norman, Oklahoma newspaper:
DEATH OF MR. H.B. MATLOCK (Henry Beasley,
son of John and Melinda Ellis Matlock from Washington Co., Tn. to Missouri to
Okla.)
Died at the residence of his son, J.W.
Matlock, eight miles northeast of Norman, on Thursday, Feb. 10, 1910, at 9:25
a.m.; Mr. H.B. Matlock, aged 80 yrs. 3 mo. and 5 days. Funeral services were
held at I.O.O. F. cemetery at 2:30 Friday, Rev. H.F. Reed officiating.
Mr. Matlock had been seriously ill for
several months, and it was only his indomitable will that kept him alive. He
was a man of many good qualities, an old resident of our community, and one
whose word was as good as his bond. Those who knew him best esteemed him most
highly.
He was a consistent member of the
Christian Church, with which he had been connected for many years. His birthplace
was at Nashville, Tn.
He leaves a widow and step-son, and two
children by a former marriage, Mr. J.W. Matlock and Mrs. M.M. Furray to mourn
his loss. The sympathy of the cornrnunity goes out to them.
Mrs. Lucinda Matlock, nee Dean, wife of
Henry B. Matlock (1st wife. JNA) died on the 16th day of May, A.D. 1900, at her
home in the city of Norman, Oklahoma. She was born near the city of Nashville,
Tennessee, on the 19th day of September, 1839 and with her parents moved to
Crawford Co., Mo. when she was about seven years old.
She was united in marriage to Henry B.
Matlock in the year 1856, and
three children were born to them; two of
them, Mrs. Eliza Furray,
and John W. Matlock, both of Norman,
Okla., together with the husband survive her. She has lived in pure
unblemished, christian life for a number of years, having been a member of the
Church of Christ for more than 30 years, and living as she did, her life has
been an inspiration to all with whom she came in contact. We have every
assurance that her home is now beyond the troubles and turmoils of life, that
she has merely passed on before, waiting and beckoning dear ones to follow on
to the land of pure delight. She had been confined to her home for several
months prior to her demise, and her death was not entirely unexpected, although
it was a terrible shock to all when the sad news was spread over the city.
The funeral services were held at the
First Christian Church in this city, on the afternoon of the 17th inst.,
conducted by Elder W.A. Wherry, pastor of the church, and the remains deposited
in their last resting place at the I.0.0.F cemetery.
A large number of the relatives and
personal friends of the family were present at the last sad rites, and followed
the remains to their final resting place. (Sent by Melba Wood. Lucinda was the
daughter of Moses Dean and Mary Binkley).
From a newspaper clipping sent by Mrs.
Paul Lentz:
W.R. "Dick" Medlock, 80, of
Lava Hot Springs (Idaho), died early Friday (Feb. 1, 1974. JNA) at his home
following an illness.
Mr. Medlock was born October 16, 1893, in
Jefferson City, Mo. to James and Mary Steeley Medlock. He married Ann Funk
December 25, 1924 in Reedsport, Ore. Mr. Medlock moved to Oregon from Missouri
when he was about 20 years of age. About 1929 he came to Pocatello where he
made.his home until 1952, when he moved to California. In 1962 he moved to Lava
Hot Springs.
Mr. Medlock was employed as a movie
projectionist for many years in Pocatello and as a sideline operated a gun
shop. He enjoyed working with guns and was a member of a rifle club in earlier
years. He also had been employed with Eastern Idaho Brewery.
A son preceded him in death. Survivors
include his widow; three daughters, Mrs. Ray Settles, Anchorage, Alaska; Mrs.
Clara Lee Scardino, Denver, Colo.; and Mrs. Micki Frederick, Lava Hot Springs.
Burial will be in Mountainview Cemetery, Pocatello.
From newspaper clipping Kendall County,
Illinois:
The death of Mrs. Lavina Matlock, which
occurred Wednesday morning November 16, 1910, took one of the oldest settlers
of the county, who came here when fighting Indians was as necessary as
providing food, and when the country was barren of habitation. Mrs. Matlock
born in Ohio, September 11, 1820, and she
came to LaSalle County in 1830 with her parents, Matthew and Rebecca Trumbo,
who were members of the Trumbo family so well known in LaSalle County. In 1839
she was married to W.W. Matlock (West Walker. JNA) at her parent's home in
Ottawa and at once moved to Kendall County, where they made their home on the
farm now occupied by J.N. Harris and from which farm she never moved. Her
residence of seventy-one years on the one location made her a prominent
character in the doings of the community and her associations were ever for the
good. She was a member of the Pavilion Church and did much towards its
upbuilding when Pavilion was more of a town than Yorkville and when the old
stage road passed through the village.
This experience, of course, was after her
home had been well fixed here, and she really saw the entire community grow
from a wild, Indian infested country to a quiet, law-abiding community such as
it is at present. Her experiences were interesting and oft recounted to the
children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Four children were born to her: Mrs. Elizabeth
Harris, Mrs. J.E. Crum, and J.M. Matlock, who all live near here, and Amanda,
who died at the age of eleven years. Her husband was called by death in 1886,
and Mrs. Matlock lived with her daughter, Mrs. Harris, from that time. A few
years ago she suffered a stroke of paralysis which it is believed affected her
in such a manner that she could not withstand her age successfully. For the
past few months she has failed gradually and though she would rally and be up
and around for a short time, it was seen that her death was a matter of but a
short time, her heart having failed. She passed away quietly on Wednesday
morning surrounded,by the family.
The funeral was held from the home Friday
afternoon, the services being in charge of Rev. T.W. Heyland. Interment was in
the Pavilion cemetery. The bearers were N.B. and John B. Harris, J. G. and E.L.
Matlock, R.W. Boston and B.F. Hardesty.
From The Lincoln Times, Lincoln, Illinois
Thursday March 8, 1888 Bethel Column:
John Matlock , whose illness we have
chronicled from time to time, died peaceably at his home about six o'clock last
Monday evening. The deceased had long and patiently endured the pains of ill
health and all the attempts of medical skill and close attention of friends
were powerless to restore him to the full strength of manhood. Life eventually
succumbed to the stroke which robs the soul from the mortal and surrenders it
up to the immortal, thereby marking his prolonged earthly suffering with a
period and giving to him relief and rest. The news of his death, while not
strange or surprising, spread a deep sorrowful gloom over the entire community
as he was a citizen of long residence hereabouts and much respected as a friend
and neighbor. He was born in Monroe County, Indiana, and had he lived until his
coming birthday the age of sixty years would have been attained. Marrying in
1849 he immigrated to this state three years later and has resided in this
immediate vicinity up to the date of his last illness. Early after his arrival
here he became identified as a member of the Christian Church. Until he was
reduced to the condition of an invalid by the attacks of disease, his life was
an active and industrious one, and by his diligent efforts and skillful
management of business affairs, he had succeeded in acquiring a large
possession in land and livestock. A beautiful home situated on a well improved
farm, stands
as a monument of his industry and place
of last residence. A wife
and seven children survive him to mourn
his death and in this epoch
of their lives and bereavement the
community throughout and
entire offer sympathy and commingle its
sorrow with theirs. The
burial took place here on Wednesday at 11
o'clock with Rev. Holton
to officiate in the delivery of a funeral
address which was listened
to by a large congregation. The remains
were afterwards borne to
the grave.for interment followed by a
large procession to witness
the final obsequies of their lately
departed friend. His death occasions
a break in the family circle and in the
chair of friendship which can
never be repaired, hence the weight of
sorrow which rests upon all
who knew him. (Article sent by Dan
Rundle. This John was the
son of George and Anna Young Matlock).
From Withers Public Library, Bloomington,
Ill. (Sent by Virginia Zeboski): 1913
Mrs. Martha Matlock, aged 84 years,
living near Bethel Church, northwest of Lincoln, died Sunday. She was the widow
of John Matlock (mentioned in article immediately preceding) who died in
February, 1888.
Mrs. Matlock is survived by the following
children: Miss Sarah and Vira Matlock and Charles Matlock, at home; Mrs. Bell
Smallwood of Orvil Township, and Mrs. Maggie Mountjoy of Kalispakk, Montana.
William and Mrs. Mary Miller are deceased children.
The funeral services will be held from
the Bethel Church Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. T.T. Holton
of Bloomington. Burial will be made in Bethel Cemetery.
From Christian Standard obituary from
Disciples of Christ Historical Society, Nashville. 1 Sept. 1883.
Mrs. Julia A. Matlock, wife of John
Matlock. died the 18th instant (Aug. ) at the residence of her brother, Col.
Shuter (?), Indianapolis, Indiana.
For 40 (?) years, Mrs. Matlock had been a
Disciple of Christ, and
for about 10 years a member of Central
Christian Church, Indianapolis.
The beauty of her Christian life, her
sweet spirit of Christian trustfulness, the gentleness of a spirit chastened by
sickness, are the tender remembrances left to her surviving friends. In this
the husband and surviving relatives will find sad yet consoling recollections
of her who is now translated into the higher and better life. (This must be
Julia Ann Schuyler, wife of John W.L. Matlock shown 1850 Hendricks Co.,
Indiana. JNA)
From a newspaper clipping Rush County,
*Indiana dated Oct. 1924 sent
by Mrs. Bessie Colvin: *May have been Howard Co.
Smith Hampton Matlock, age ninety-three,
died at 8:10 o'clock yesterday morning (Oct. 6) at his home in Hemlock of
diseases and infirmities of age.
Funeral services will be held at two
o'clock Wednesday at the Baptist church in Hemlock, conducted by the Rev. Mr.
McCoy of Greentown, and followed by burial at Sharpsville, former home of the
deceased. Grandsons and great grandsons will be pallbearers.
Mr. Matlock has been in ill health
several years but did not become bedfast until about four months ago. He was
born June.12, 1831 in Tennessee (Overton Co. JNA) but came with his parents to
Rush Co. when he was two years old. Thirty years ago he moved to Sharpsville,
and a few years ago removed to Hemlock.
Mr. Matlock was first married on April 1,
1852 to Levina Matilda Siders. Two children were born to this union, both of
whom survive. They are William E. Matlock and James Edward, both of Kokomo. The
mother died September 13, 1854 and on March 27, 1856, Mr. Matlock married Mary
Ann Hufford. Nine children were born to them, of whom the following survive:
Charles, George, Mrs. Maxie Bates and Smith. Mary Ann Matlock, died March 26,
1872, and on March 30, 1875, Mr. Matlock and Laura S. Levi were united, in
marriage, Mrs. Viola Bell of Kokomo, is the only survivor of this union. On
December 17, 1882, Mr. Matlock was again left a widower, and on August 24,
1887, he was married to Elizabeth L. Leisure, who survives. The deceased is
survived also by two sisters, Mrs. Cornelia Amos, who lives east of Kokomo, and
who is ninety-one years old, and Mrs. Mollie Shropshire, age about seventy
four, of Rushville, and a brother, Bruce, age seventy-three, also of Rushville.
Mr. Matlock was a member of the Baptist
Church. -Although he was a man far advanced in years when he came to Howard
county, Mr. Matlock became widely acquainted among the people of the southern
part of the county. He was a man of unusual mental equipment as well as great
physical vigor, and retained an extraordinary grip of memory until practically
the end of his life. Most of his active years were spent in Rush County and it
is said that there was a time when he was personally known to more people than
any other man in the county.
From Disciples of Christ Historical
Society - reprint from Christian Standard 19 April 1873 (Sent by Virginia
Zeboski)
Died of pneumonia on the 26th of March,
Sister Mary Ann Matlock, wife of Bro. S.H. Matlock. The subject was born in
Bourbon Co., Ky. 4 Oct. 1831. When she was only two years of age her parents
removed to this state, locating in Rush Co., near to Rushville, so that almost
her entire life was spent in this community.
In 1838 under the ministry of John O'Kane
she obeyed the Saviour and
united with the church.in this place and
until the day of her death,
she continued a faithful active, earnest
member, not only in the seasons
of the church's prosperity, but in its
adversity as well. Her whole
life as a Disciple of Christ was a
beautiful illustration of him who
"went about doing good. " Her
chief anxiety was to bring all about
her, and her own family under the power
of the gospel of Christ.
She was buried on the 17th anniversary of
her marriage. A husband and nine children remain to mourn a loss to them
irreparable. May the pitying Father in Heaven who "tempers the wind to the
shorn lamb" gently guide the motherless children in the way that leads to
light and love eternal. (2nd. wife of Smith Hampton Matlock. JNA)
From the Arizona Republic - June 3, 1970
issue (sent by Ina M. Adams)
J. Dee Matlock, 68. Services for J. Dee
Matlock who died Sunday in an automobile accident near Payson will be at 10
a.m. Friday at Walker's Globe Mortuary. Graveside services and burial will be
at 3 pm at Greenwood Memorial Park, Phoenix. Mr. Matlock a native of Waverly,
Tennessee (Humphreys, Co. JNA) and resident of Arizona since the 1920s.
Owned and operated Matlock Gas and Equipment Co. here. Survived by wife and one
daughter; also a sister and two brothers out of state.
Following are copies of two obituaries
apnearing in the newspapers of Rolla, Missouri reporting thee death of John Matlock,
son of Isham, son of Zachariah, son of Moore.
Died at the home of his son, Jerome
Matlock
on Thursday, Nov. 2, 1899, John Matlock,
Sr. of East
Cold Spring township, age 90 years. He
was born in
Washington Co., Tennessee, in the year
1809. At the age
of 17 he married Matilda (should be
Malinda) Ellis. and to
the union was born thirteen children, of
which five are living
--H.B. Matlock, Norman, Oklahoma, Jerome
Matlock of
East Cold Springs, Mrs. George Dewey and
Mrs. J.C. Seaton of
Meramec township, and Mrs. H.B. Adams of
Dillon.
Mr. Matlock was one of Missouri's early
settlers, and was a
justice of the peace when this county was
a part of Crawford.
He one time served the people of Phelps
county as presiding
judge and made one of the best officers
the county has ever had.
He was resigned to his God, and his last
words were "I am ready". His beloved wife departed this life last
spring. They were of the best people of this county. The funeral took place
last Saturday from the residence of his son, and the remains were laid to rest
beside those of his helpmate in the Matlock Cemetery.
Died
At the home of his son, Jerome Matlock,
Nov. 2, 1899, in Cold Spring township, John Matlock, aged 90 years, 9 months
and 2 days. He was born in Washington County,Tenn , Jan. 31, 1809, and was
married in his 17th year to Malinda Ellis. To this union 13 children were born,
6 boys and 7 girls, 5 of whom are still living. He served as justice of the
peace 18 years when this was a part of Crawford county, and was Presiding Judge
of the County Court when this county was formed.
He moved to this county when quite young
and resided here till his death. He was a life-long democrat and never
scratched his ticket. His father, Isom Matlock, died at the age of 93.
Uncle John, as he was familiarly called,
was the oldest child of the family and was the last to be summoned to his
Maker. He was a strong believer in a Supreme Being, and a few days before his
death was asked by his son if he wanted anything he said: "Yes, I want to
go to Heaven." He was buried at the Matlock Cemetery Saturday, Nov. 4,
1899.
A descendant of Zachariah Matlock,
grandfather of the John on preceding page, writes that many descendants are
still confused on the two Zachariahs. One Zachariah of Louisa County, Va.
married Lucy Wash and moved to Caldwell County, Ky. His parents were John and
Ann Matlock. He fought in the American Revolution and his record appears
(pension application of the widow) elsewhere. The other Zachariah and his
descendents are listed elsewhere as well.
The next article was copied from
"Biographical Directory of the American Congress".
James Matlack, a Representative from New
Jersey; born in Woodbury, Gloucester County, N.J., January 11, 1775; attended
the common schools; large landowner, interested in various business
enterprises; justice of the peace in 1803, 1808, 1813, 1816 and 1820; surrogate
in 1815; chairman of the township committee; judge of the court of common pleas
of Gloucester County 1806 - 1817; member of the board of freeholders 1812-1815,
1819-1821, and 1828; member of the State senate in 1817 and 1818; elected to
the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Congresses (March 4, 1821-March 3, 1825); was
not
a candidate for renomination in 1824;
affiliated with the Whig Party when it was formed; resumed business interests;
died in Woodbury, N.J., January 16, 1840; interment in Eglington Cemetery,
Clarksboro, N.J.
Timothy Matlack, a Delegate from
Pennsylvania; born in Haddonfield, Camden County, N. J. in 1730; attended
Quaker schools in Haddonfield and Philadelphia; engaged in mercantile pursuits
in Philadelphia; was in command of a battalion of "Associators"
during the Revolution and took part in the Battle of Princeton; member of the
provincial conference held in Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia, June 18, 1775;
delegate to the convention of July 15, 1776; in 1777 was appointed keeper of
the great seal; member of the board of trustees of the University of
Pennsylvania in 1779; Member of the Continental Congress in 1780 and 1781; moved
to Lancaster, Pa.; master of the rolls of Pennsylvania 1800-1809; moved to
Philadelphia and was prothonotary of the district court for several years;
member of the board of aldermen 1813-1818; died at.Holmesburg, near
Philadelphia, Pa., April 14, 1829; interment in the Free Quaker Burial Ground,
Philadelphia, Pa.; reinterment in 1905 in Fatlands, on the Schuylkill River,
opposite Valley Forge, Pa.
From Missouri Historical Society, St.
Louis:
Campbell and Matlack (John Campbell and
White Matlack), from Philadelphia, were among the earlier arrivals after the
United States took possession of Upper Louisiana. Apparently their first
location in St. Louis was a temporary one. Then, in May 1805, they moved the
store to No., 2 Rue Royale (Main Street), where they seem to have carried a
fine large stock of general merchandise and prospered accordingly. The firm
also had purchased two houses. Since White Matlack boarded at Madame
Chouteas's, Michau's tables and bedstead probably were used in furnishing the
larger house on South Main where Campbell lived.
Helen (Mrs. Ira) Whitson sent along some
information which follows, hoping that it will be of some value to some of the
Matlocks. Mr. Whitson descends from the Andrew Moore below, but the Matlocks
mentioned are not Helen's (Hers has always been Medlock):
From Andrew Moore & His
Descendants by John Andrew Moore Passmore. Not all information copies.
#1 Andrew Moore, son of James &
gr-son of John who emigrated to Ireland from near Glasgow, Scotland in 1612.
Born 1688 Co. Antrim Ireland m (1) 1715 Margaret, dau. of Guyon & Margaret
(Henderson) Miller.
#2 James Moore, oldest son b. 3/6/1716
came to America with his father 1723. Married 2/16/1741 Pa. Ann, dau. of
Jeremiah & Rebecca (Jackson) Starr.
#3 Rebecca Moore, b. 2/16/1744 Lancaster
Co. Pa. married John, son of Calvin Cooper.
#4 Rebecca Cooper, 7/25/1777 Lancaster
Co. Pa. married William Kirkwood, a teacher, farmer and a Quaker minister.
#5 John Kirkwood, b. 1/18/1811 married in
Ohio Elizabeth Fowler and (2) 1836 Lydia Ferree. John was a physican and lived
in Little Rock, Ark.
#6 Catherine Kirkwood, b. 5/24/1837
married CHARLES H. MATLOCK a Colonel of 4th Ark. Regt. C.S.A., a prisoner at
Island #10 and died of disease at Johnson's Island while a prisoner.
#7 Andrew K. (only child) b. 7/30/1856
married Minnie G., dau. of John C. and Sarah L. (Kennedy) McMillan. Andrew was
a mechanic and lived in Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Ark.
Children of Andrew K. and Minnie G.
McMillan Matlock: Katie B. William K., John C. (died young), Abbott E. and
Maxie G.
Note: Charles
H. Matlock shown 1860 census
Jackson Co., Ark. with wife, Mary
(Catharine?) and son Andrew. Mrs.
Treadwell, since this Charles H. is
a brother to your James M., I'm sure
you will find this information
interesting,
unless, of course, you already have it.
I wonder why they took the body of this
Charles H. to Memphis. Does
anyone know what became of the
descendants of this Andrew K. and also
Andrew, the brother of Charles H. ? JNA
From History of Forest Hill Section Crawford
Co. Mo. pp. 36 -37.
Peter Wright, Sr. from England to
Coventry Va. m. Jane Hughart, a descendant of a Jamestown family. His will
probated Botetourt Co., Va. 1793.
John Wright, Sr. b. Va. m. Agnes McMurray
at Fincastle, Botetourt Co. Came to Missouri - date unknown.
Jackson Wright b. 1817 m. Elizabeth
Matlock b. 1821 - a widow on 1880 census, dau. of Ransom and Barbara (Hale)
Matlock who came to Crawford Co. from Tennessee. Ransom probably a son of
Robert & Mary (Carpenter) Matlock. (Editor's note: James Ransom was the son
of Zachariah and Eady Matlock of Washington Co., Tn. Robert was of the Kentucky
Matlocks who came to Mo. early). Barbara Hale, a niece of Nathan Hale, Am. Rev.
by family tradition . (Editor's note: I don't think this has ever been proven
and descendants usually don't mention this). Children listed in this article:
John, Vincent, Hester, Julia Ann, Clementine, Mary, Emma who died on her 18th
birthday at time set for her wedding and buried in her wedding dress, Melvina,
Louisa and Martha b. 1865 and died 1866. (Note: I have one record that shows 8
children. William Budd Matlock is a descendant of the Ransom listed above).
Moses Malery Land b. 1865, Decatur Co.,
Ind. married 1889 Mary Ellen Matlock of Phelps Co., Mo. They had 10 children:
Rosa, George, Oscar, Clarence, Roland, Floyd, Harold and Ervin. Alvin and Mabel
Virginia died in infancy.
Essie R. Nagle b. 1898 m. Al Matlock. Had
three children: Barbara married Bert Cox; sons Wayne and Jack Matlock to
California.
George W. Woodruff b. 1848 married 1867
Susan Rowland of Crawford Co. 5th child was Nancy Ellen Woodruff who m (2)
George Matlock. Children: Rowland Matlock, died young, Jesse and Fannie Matlock
(Mrs. Gray). (Editor's note: There was one Rowland Matlock living in northern
Arkansas in 1880).
Charles Summers m. Susan Matlock dau. of
Icern (?) Matlock.
Goodspeed's History of Dade Co., Mo.
Edward L. Matlock served as County Court Justice (or judge) 1852-1854.
(Editor's note: This was Edward Lane Matlock, son of Caswell Matlock of Benton
Co., Tn. He later went to Oregon.
LESLIE MATLOCK
He has been called "The Paul Revere
of Heppner" (Oregon). There have been many accounts of the heroic act of
Leslie Matlock, but the general facts follow:
On Sunday evening of June 14, 1903 the
sky above Heppner, Oregon turned black and the deluge commenced, with huge
raindrops drenching the wooden sidewalks, then hailstones fell so thick they
piled up like drifts of snow. Yet this was nothing compared to the rain and
hail in the hills above the headwaters of Willow Creek and its tributary, Balm
Fort. Usually these were small enough to jump over, but both streams swelled
with a roar and a wall of muddy water over twelve feet high swept down on the
town of Heppner.
A town grew up around a cabin built by
George Standsbury about 1858. By 1903 there were several thousand people
including the people on the outlaying ranches. They had always suffered between
drought and flash floods but nothing had ever been seen to equal the torrents
of rain which began on that June 1903.
All unaware of impending disaster on that
fatal day, the people were going about their usual Sunday evening activities.
Several Chinese were slaving over steaming tubs in the laundry by the creek and
saloons were dispensing liquids for dry throats. But disaster was coming down
the creeks. Just above the town debris jammed against the willows along the
banks. Then the great mass gave way with a great explosion, inundating the
laundry and demolishing the concrete and stone building and Chinese in it.
The grinding roar alerted customers in
the Belvidere, a saloon, just below and most of the customers escaped. That
saloon was not destroyed but the next, saloon in line was crushed. By this time
the weight of the water was increased by a load of timbers and small buildings
which smashed down all other structures in its path, destroying almost
everything it passed. 225 people died in the waters or were killed by timbers.
Young LESLIE MATLOCK and BRUCE KELLY were
among those who fled the Belvidere and they realized the flood would soon reach
the small towns below, Lexington and Ione. Matlock kicked in the door of the
hardware store and grabbed shears to cut barbed wire while Kelly got two horses
from the livery stable. They pounded across the hills in the rain and
lightening, reaching Lexington as the waters did, racing on to Ione. Kelly's
horse fell winded and Matlock went on, riding down the main street of lone
shouting warnings in time for everyone to get to higher ground.
Although Lexington did not receive as
much damage as Heppner there were piles of mud and debris in the main street
and 12 bodies found in them, some being washed down from Heppner.
Marshall law was declared and the problem
of quick disposal of the dead in the hot weather grew serious. Long rows of
bodies lay in the opera house and Belvidere Saloon, almost the only buildings
left. Identification was difficult, often impossible. Embalming fluid and coffins
were exhausted. In the cemetery on the hill ministers passed from one grave to
the next repeating the burial service.
Leslie Matlock's father was Edward
Matlock who was
Sheriff of Morrow Co. 1896 through 1899.
His mother was Eliza Jane
Bennett. Leslie was a grandson of Edward
Lane Matlock and a great
grandson of Caswell Matlock. This family
lived in Benton Co., Tn.
From Benton Co., Edward Lane Matlock went
to Dade Co., Mo. and on
to Oregon. Leslie Matlock was born. 5
November, 1873 in Heppner, Ore.
and died 15 July 1958 and buried in
Heppner Masonic Cemetery. He never married.
The following poems are from:
PICTURE POETRY NEAR FOX RIVER
By Eugene L. Matlock
Compiled by Robert L. Matlock, his
youngest son, in 1976 who very graciously gave me permission to print them in
our publication. Mr. Robert L. Matlock lives in W. Sedona Arizona and is a
descendant of William Matlock, Sr. (Roane County, Tennessee to Indiana), John
Matlock (to Illinois 1832), West Walker Matlock, John Matthias Matlock and
Eugene L. Matlock of Kendall County, Illinois.
The book contains thirty lovely poems, I
am printing two of my favorites.
AFTERGLOW
My ear is in tune for the Boatman
As the days go slipping by;
The sun of my day sinks westward
But a glow overspreads the sky.
I'm at peace with the things eternal,
And with Him who rules on high.
He'll call me when He's ready
My answer "Here, Lord, am I".
Long years He's smoothed my pathway,
Long years, He’s pointed the way,
Sometimes tho, I'd get stubborn.
And wanted to have my say.
But that still small voice within me
Not once has left me alone.
Whenever I've failed to listen
I've always had to atone.
So now as the time grows shorter
And the upward road less steep;
Comes the little prayer of my childhood
" Now I lay me down to sleep"
E.L.M. 1950
THE SHAMROCK
I've a bit of real shamrock
In my heart I'd enshrine,
Transplanted, for a great
Grandmother of mine.
A look at that shimrock.
Brings a satisfied smile.
For I’m told that she came
From the Emerald Isle.
She "worked her way over",
Those long weary miles,
Her adventure aimed to bring
Either sorrow or smiles.
She married a man
(Where I got my last name),
They were just common home folk
Scarce of wealth, nought of fame.
In this new land of freedom,
This great "Melting Pot",
Mates chose from the heart beat,
"Where from",mattered not.
"Friends of God" "Friends
of Man",
Each a motto worthwhile,
Laws held to be lived by
And not to defile.
Rest Peacefully, Grandmother,
Could you but know,
You're partly the cause
Of my heart's warm glow.
Could you know, as you rest
In your last repose,
That near you again,
The "shamrock" grows!
If you knew you were to be marooned on a
desert island what book (excluding the Bible) would you take with you? Without
hesitation I would grab "Spoon River Anthology". I feel that any
person who can identify with the widely different personalities in this book
has somewhere along the line developed a fine degree of human understanding.
Following is an article sent by Charles E. Burgess who says in his covering
letter. " I thought the Masters-Matlock connections might best be explored
by putting it down in some kind of narrative form. You may use all or parts of
it in the Quarterly if you wish. It contains everything I know about the Masters
Matlock link".
Many Matlock descendants have been
intrigued by the use of the surname in a popular 20th century literary work.
Edgar Lee Masters gave the name "Lucinda Matlock" to one of the most
memorable characters in Spoon River Anthology, a landmark in American
poetry first published in 19l4-1915 and still in print. Another character in
the _Anthology is "Davis Matlock" of whom Lucinda says
"We were married and lived together for seventy years/ Enjoying, working,
raising the twelve children". The two characters demonstrate the virtues
and strengths of a pioneer agrarian generation. Lucinda's self-spoken epitaph,
reproduced in countless anthologies and school texts, closed with the scolding
admonition:
What is this I hear of sorrow and
weariness,
Anger, discontent and drooping hopes?
Degenerate sons and daughters,
Live is too strong for you—
It takes life to love life.
And Davis Matlock's credo, less bouyant,
is an affirmation of the worth of life of high purpose:
"I say to live it out like a God /
Sure of immortal life, though you are in doubt, / Is
the way to live it".
In contrast to the elder pair, the
"Matlock" characters in
Masters' The New Spoon River
(1925) are vanquished in their
confrontation with life. But
"Madison Matlock" (a self-portrait
of Masters) is content:.
Was my life a failure then? Did I lose?
I succeeded, I won!
Having seen visions and dreamed dreams
Beyond anything you can imagine
Who gives medals, and reward with
donatives!
However, "Rita Matlock
Gruenberg" (a character plainly based
on Masters' sister, Madeline) recalls a
life of being "caught in trap after trap in the years", and comes in
woe to her grandmother's grave at age 49. Rita pleads! "Fold me to your
breast again. / Make
me earth with you for the blossoms of
spring--? Grandmother!"
For those unfamiliar with Masters' life,
a brief sketch follows. He was born August 23, 1868, in Garnett, Kansas, where
his parents lived for a few months while his father, Hardin Wallace Masters
unsuccessfully attempted to establish a law practice. The family returned to
Menard County, Illinois, where Hardin's father, Squire Davis Masters (Squire
was his given name), was a respected farmer and justice of the peace and a
former state legislator. Edgar Lee Masters grew up in Petersburg, the seat of
Menard County, and in Lewistown, seat of nearby Fulton County where Hardin
gained a substantial record in law and local politics. The younger Masters
moved to Chicago in 1892, and for the next quarter-century had a notable law
career of his own. Among his partners for a time was the famed advocate,
Clarence Darrow. Masters was writing poetry as early as the mid-1880’s, but his
early poems, plays and political essays attracted little attention. Spoon
River Anthology, however, was a notorious success. Although the books
published from Masters pen total more than 50, nothing he wrote ever matched
the impact of the controversial free-verse work. Masters abandoned both his law
career and his family in the 1920s and moved to New York. He died on March 5, 1950,
and is buried in Oakland Cemetery at Petersburg.
As readers of the "Matlock"
epitaphs can judge, Masters forebears figure importantly in the attitudes he
brought to poetry and prose. His father was born Sept. 11, 1845, in Morgan
County, Illinois, and
married Emma Dexter on Sept. 10, 1867 in
Pana, Illinois. Emma, the daughter of a New England clergyman, was born August
16, 1849, in Albany, Vermont.
Both of Hardin Masters' parents were from
Tennessee. Squire Davis Masters was born November 28, 1814 in Overton County,
Tennessee, and Lucinda Wasson was born November 11, 1814 in Rutherford or
Davidson County. They married March 6, 1834, in Morgan County.
The Matlock line linked with that of the
Masterses in the marriage of the parents of Squire Davis Masters. Here is how
Edgar Lee Masters described the early history of the family in "Days in
the
Lincoln Country," which appeared in
the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society (January 1926):
My ancestor, Hillory Masters, was in the
war of American independence. Whether or not he was one of those who enlisted
from Wythe County, Virginia, at any rate, that was his home after the war. I do
not know the date of his birth or death. His wife's name was Polly. Among
others she had a son named Thomas Masters, who was born August 1, 1787 in Wythe
County, Virginia. He married Susanna Matlock on May 10, 1796. She was the
daughter of Charles and Susanna Matlock.
Genealogical investigation reveals that
Masters was mistaken on several points. The family records compiled by Robert
Eldridge of Livingston, Tennessee, and others, indicate that Hillory (the name
is spelled several ways) brought his family to middle Tennessee in 1803 or
1804. There is some evidence that he may have died about 1813. His wife, the
former Mary Selot (Polly was a nickname for Mary, apparently) survived until
June 15, 1845. The wife of Thomas Masters bore the name Elizabeth, rather than
Susanna, according to her gravestone in the Old Murrayville Cemetery in Morgan
County, which is engraved "Elizabeth Wife of Thomas Masters died July 26,
1845 age 49 years, 2 months". What Masters gave as the marriage date
apparently is her birth date. The marriage probably occurred in 1811 or early
1812, since the couple's eldest son, Squire Davis Masters, was born late in
1812. Deeds and census data show that Thomas and Elizabeth lived in Overton
County until late 1829 or early 1830, when they moved to Morgan County,
Illinois. Thomas, apparently was a substantial citizen and prosperous farmer in
both states. He died on January 9, 1849. Elizabeth gave birth to 12 or 13
children.
The question is: Who were Elizabeth's
parents? A number of Matlocks with the given name of Charles are found in
Tennessee in the period around the time of Elizabeth's birth. If Elizabeth's
mother was named Susanna (as Edgar Lee Masters indicates), attention focuses on
the Charles Matlock of Grainger County, whose wife was named Susannah,
according to a document recorded in Deed Book A, page 20 of Grainger County
(the full deed is printed elsewhere). The deed is dated Feb. 7, 1797 and refers
to an indenture made Sept. 31, 1796, for the sale of 200 acres by Jacob Kennedy
to Susannah Matlock, "Relict of Charles Matlock and Executrix of his
estate". The deed contains several references to Charles' heirs, but they
are not named. It appears that this Charles Matlock died about the time
Elizabeth was born. Records show that many Matlocks resided in nearby Overton
County, including another Charles Matlock, who died about 1819. His will
listing his chidlren has been recorded but no Elizabeth is listed.
The identification of the children of
Charles and Susannah Matlock of Grainger County could be helpful in
establishing the origins of Elizabeth. Information would be appreciated.
Charles E. Burgess
Box 26, RR I
Bethalto, Illinois 62010
(This address is from 1976 and may not be
any good, SZM)
For any enthusiastic researcher, the line
above (Charles and Susannah) would prove to be very interesting. Who knows? The
line you find may be your own. It is my belief that any person who does, not
believe in the "process of elimination" is either going to get just
plain lucky and find someone who has proven his line or is never going to find
his early ancestors. For anyone who would like to tackle the above line here
are a few bits and pieces which might prove to be helpful.
The two Matlocks in Grainger County, Tn.
before 1800 were Charles who obviously died about 1796 and John who died ca.
1800. The descendants of John have been identified as: Elizabeth m. John C.
Haley; Charles (left will in McMinn Co., Tn. naming is brothers and sisters and
two Rayborn girls which would indicate that one of his sisters married a
Rayborn, although he did not refer to the girls as nieces); Sarah, m. Richard
Forest; Henry m. Nancy Rice; Mary married Elisha Dodson; Martha; John m. Mary
McElwee and William m. Sarah (Dodson?). John, the father had wife Sarah
(believed to have been McPherson). The 1805 tax list of Grainger shows Charles
Matlock. The 1810 list shows Charles and Sarah. The marriage records of
Grainger show that a Sarah Madlock m. John Gray June 8, 1814 and Charles m.
Mary Baker November 18, 1815. Some say that Charles (son of John) never
married.. Sarah (sister of Charles) as stated above m. Richard Forest and is
listed as such in Charles' will so she could not be the Sarah who married John
Gray. It seems likely that the father John is the John shown in 1784 tax list
of Botetourt Co., Va. with neighbors Richard McPherson who witnessed his will
in Grainger Co., Tn. and Rectors. If you will follow the Charles above on the
records (Grainger, Roane, Rh ea and McMinn) you will always find next to him
McPhersons and Rectors. An older Charles is shown on the militia lists of
Botetourt Co., Va. - also John.
Melba Wood says that she found where a
Susannah Mattock(s) married Isham Bradley in 1798. I have not traced this man
thoroughly but Isham is in Bedford Co., Tn. in 1812 (also a Wm. Meadlock and in
Monroe County, Tn. in 1830 next to Jason Matlock. He shows as being from 80/90
and his wife from 60/70.
We will assume from Mr. Burgess' article:
that Thomas Masters married Elizabeth Matlock, dau. of Charles and Susannah. In
1820 they were living in Overton Co., Tn. They had two boys and two girls
under 10. He was from 26/45 and she was
16/26 (24). There was no older woman in their household. Also in this census
(parentheses are mine) were: William Matlock (son of David and Margaret)
Margaret Matlock (wife of David) Moore Matlock (Jr.) (son of Moore) Elizabeth
Matlock (widow of Charles who died 1819) Valentine Matlock (son of William and
Catherine) William Matlock 1 male under 10; 1 16/18; 2 16/26 1 female under 10
and 1 16/26.
Who was this William ? He was not the son
of William and Catherine Sevier Matlock. Their Wm. was born 1810. He could be
the son of Moore, Jr. I think he could be the son of Charles and Susannah and
the other boy in the 16/18 group might be his brother (a Charles shows in a
land transaction in 1825 Overton Co.). Neither this William nor Charles show in
1830 Overton but with the exceptions of those who died between 1820-30, the
rest remain.
In 1836 Charles (son of John of Grainger
Co., Tn. ) died and left a will in McMinn Co., Tn. - mentioned before. In 1839
another Charles also died in McMinn leaving a non - cupative will. His estate
determined to be less than $250. It states that his wishes were reduced to
writing but no will was found. Who was this Charles? A closer study of the
records of McMinn might help to "rightly divide".
Following is data compiled by Mrs. Ira W.
Whitson of Jefferson City, Mo. who has done a lot of research on the Medlocks.
Some paragraphs containing general information has been deleted for lack of
space.
A study of the Medlock family is
interesting but at times, is
very frustrating. Our ancestors did not
stay put long enough to
leave a very great dent in any one
locality, or so it would seem.
Neither did they leave us written records
easy to find. One
Medlock descendant in Floydada, Texas
calls them "the most
illusive" of all his ancestral lines.
All seem agreed that the family is of English origin, although we find evidence
that it may also be, at least in part, of Scottish descent. The Medlock name is
well known throughout England. There is also a Medlock River and a town of
Matlock.
Which brings us to the confusion in
spelling. The two spellings are found in the same families on their records.
Some began with one and changed to the other. A chapter in History of Maries
County, Missouri on the Medlock-Matlock families begins "The 1790 census
records that there were Medlocks in N.C., Matlocks in S. C. and both Medlocks
and Matlocks in Virginia but the families had to come to Missouri to find out
that they were one and the same family". Actually we have found both names
in both Carolinas, as well as other states.
According to the census records, David
(Medlock) was born in South Carolina about 1806 and his wife, Rachel (nee
Adams) also in S.C. about 1807. Their children: Lucy (18240), John S., Jeritta
C., David E., and Nathaniel R. (1836) were all born in S.C. Sometime between
the birth of Nathaniel in 1836 and that of Wallie (Walter) in 1839 David and
Rachel moved to Hopkins Co., Ky.
In the same vicinity we find William
Medlock and Elizabeth. William was Grandpa Medlock's Old Uncle Bill. Old Uncle Bill
arrived in Hopkins Co. from S.C. in time to be listed on the 1330 census for
Hopkins Co. A cemetery record for William Medlock gives dates for him of
1801-1874 but census records indicate he was born earlier, perhaps as early as
1794.
With Wm. and David in Hopkins Co. we find
Nathaniel Medlock but only on the 1840 census as he had moved to Cole Co., Mo.
before 1850. This was Grandpa Medlock's Old Uncle Nat. He used the term Old to
distinguish between his great uncles and uncles of the same name. Old Uncle Nat
was married in Hopkins Co. to Evaline McDonald on 2 Jan. 1833. He came to
Missouri before 1843 as his daughter, Phebe, was born here in 1843,
So we have three brothers born in S.C.
who have to come to Ky. Also there was a John Medlock in the vicinity, also
born in S.C. who may have been a brother, but so far, the relationship has not
been confirmed. Questions arise as to why they came, who their parents were,
and who were their brothers and sisters and where did they go. So far no answer
to these questions have been found.
I have some records of my great
grandfather, Allen, and his brothers and sisters. Allen was born about 1818 in
S.C., probably the oldest child in his family, his mother, Nancy, would have
been about 20 when he was born. He was in Muhlenburg Co., Ky. on 1840 census.
His sister, Elizabeth, born S.C. about 1832 was married in Hopkins Co. in 1848.
Elizabeth was in Muhlenburg Co. (adjoins Hopkins in the SE) on 1850 census for
that county and her mother, Nancy, was with her.
We believe the younger Nathaniel, born
S.C. about 1819, was Allen's brother although he may have been a cousin. This
Nathaniel married David's, daughter, Lucy, and their descendants live around
Salem, Mo. Allen had a brother, Anderson, who supposedly went to Texas and so
was lost to the family. All know about him but the story of when he went,
whether from Mo. or Ky. and how he went are contradictory so I want go into
that. All agree that he was never heard from after he went so no one knows what
happened to him. My grandfather was named for his uncle. Allen's sister,
Caroline (born ca 1828 in S.C.) went to a girl's school in N.C. and ran away
from scbool to marry Jesse Willis. Their children were born in N.C. and
Tennessee before they finaly got to Mo. in Green Co. near Springfield. Allen is
supposed to have, besides the ones listed, brothers John and Luke. Also he may
have had one or two more sisters. So far, I have not been able to find any
record or knowledge of them.
We have cut across the trail of a Whig
Medlock in Texas Co., Mo. who is thought to have been brother to Nathaniel
(Salem) and so may be Allens brother, William. He seems to have been known of
all the family including Uncle Roy Medlock but even his own grandsons do not
know any other names for him. Last week (1965) in K.C. I read the 1870 and 1880
census of Texas Co. and found a William Medlock, with some of his children
having the same names as the children of this Whig as given by a grandson. So
this William could be Whig.
About the year 1851-52 the roving urge
hit our Medlocks again, or at least some of them. David, the younger Nathaniel,
Lucy, I think some of Old Uncle Bill's children, if not William, himself, and
probably Elizabeth (Allen's sister) and her mother came to Dent Co. Mo. At the
same time Allen, who was already married and living in Cole Co. move to Dent
Co. and remained there until the late 1850s when he moved back to Cole Co. and
remained there the rest of his life. William Henry, son of David, lived near
Allen in Cole Co. and his children were born there. My grandfather followed
William Henry to the vicinity of Larkin, Ks. but came back to Cole Co. after
the death of my grandmother there in 1890.
I am enclosing some census records which
show these Medlock families and their children. We can speculate by the hour on
our connection to the other Medlocks but this does not prove relationship. They
do sometimes offer clues which may lead to finding definite information. Family
legends may also be far fetched but may have enough truth in them that a
relationship can be established.
William Medlock (brother of Old Uncle Nat).
1820 census Laurens Dist. S.C.
Males 1 26/45, 1 under 10; Females 2
under 5, 1 5/10, 1 10/15, 1 30/40.
1850 Hopkins Co., Ky.
Males 1 10/15, 1 30/40; Females 1 under 5
1 5/10, 1 10/15 and 1 30/40.
1840 Hopkins Co., Ky.
Males 1 under 5, 1 5/10, 1 20/30 and 1
40/50; Females 1 5/10, 1 10/15, 1 15/20 and 1 40/50.
1850 Hopkins Co. Ky.
William 56 b. S.C.
Elizabeth 56 b. S.C.
John H. 19 b. Ky.
Ally J.
17 b. Ky.
William H. 14
b. Ky.
Henry*
21 b. Tn.
Mary A.
21 b. Ky.
Drusilla
33 b. S.C.
Elizabeth J. 4 b. Ky.
(Drusilla's daughter by 1st marriage).
*Henry R. Jacobs married Mary A. Medlock
1850. John H. m. Elizabeth Cobb Nov. 1850. Ally J. m. John W. Ellis 1851.
Drusilla Medlock m Herod Harding 1838 and Samuel Ray 1850. She d. 1850.
Elizabeth Medlock m. Silas Harding 1840 and Daniel Pinkston 1848. Willaim
Medlock m. Lottie Curtice 1854. Nathaniel Medlock "Old Uncle Nat"
1840 Hopkins Co. Ky. (not included in Mrs. Whitson's data)
Males 1 30/40 Females 3 under 5, 2 5/10
and 1 30/40,
1850 Hopkins Co., Ky,
Nathaniel Medlock 42 b. S.C.
Evaline
36 b. KY.
Sarah Jane 17 b. Ky.
Drusilla Jane 12 b.
Ky.
Elizabeth
12 b. Ky.
Dica 11 b. Ky.
Susan
9 b. Ky.
Mary S. 5 b. Mo.(?)
Priscilla 3 b. Mo.(?)
Phebe 7 B. Mo.(?)
(could this have been Cole Co., Mo. ?)
1860 Cole Co., Mo.
Nathaniel Medlock 52 b. S.C.
Evaline
45 b. Ky.
Susannah
20 b. Ky.
Phebe
18 b. Mo.
Mary
12 (must be 15) b. Mo.
Priscilla
12 b. Mo.
James
12 (not shown in 1850) 10 perhaps?
William
2 b. Mo.
1870 Cole Co., Mo.
Nathanel Medlock 72 (62?) b. S.C.
Evaline
54 b. Ky.
Priscilla
31 b. Mo.
James
19 b. Mo.
1930 Cole Co., Mo.
father
mother
born
born
Nathaniel Medlock 72 b. S.C.
S.C. S.C.
Evaline
68 b. Ky. Va.
Ky.
James
30 b. Mo. S.C. Ky.
Nathaniel (above) married Evaline
McDonald in Hopkins Co. Kentucky January 2, 1833. Date of death unknown. They
are both buried Elston Cemetery, Elston, Cole Co., Mo. Marriages of the above
children: Sarah Jane m. John Gray, Drusilla m. Elbert McCullough, Elizabeth m.
Prior Lee Cleghorn, Dica m. Robert Steely, Susan m. William Roberts, Phebe m;
(l) Benjamin Cleghorn (2) Robert Steely, Mary S. m. J.L. Gouge, Priscilla m.
George F. Robinson and James Madison m. Mary Nevada Steely.
David Medlock, b. 1806 in S.C.; died Nov.
1872, Shannon Co. Mo. Buried at Old Gladden Valley Baptist Church Cemetery,
church torn down. There are only 3 graves left in this cemetery which is about
1/2 miles north of the cemetery at Rector. The cemetery is on a farm owned by
Ira Crisco in 1965. Rachel, his wife, last name believed to be Adams, b. S.C.
died 1892. Buried beside David.
Census records re: David
1840 Hopkins Co., Ky.
Males 3 under 5, 2 5/10, 1 30/40; Females
2 5/10, 1 30/40.
1850 Hopkin's _Co., Ky.
David Medlock 44 b. S.C.
Rachel
43 b. S.C.
John S.
18 b. S.C.
Jeritta C. 16 b. S.C.
David E.
15 b. S.C.
Nathaniel R. 14 b. S.C.
Walter B.
10 b. Ky.
Wm. Henry
9 b. Ky.
Silas Anderson 8 b. Ky.
Dica A.
4 b. Ky.
Rodolphus
2 b. Ky.
1860 Shannon Co., Mo.
David Medlock 52 b. S.C.
Rachael
52 b. S.C.
Walter
21 b. Ky.
Dica
13 b. Ky.
Rodolphus
11 b. Ky.
Luther
9 b. Ky.
Ann
7 b. Ky.
John
29 b. S.C.
1870 Shannon Co., Mo.
Same hshld.
David Medlock 63 b. S.C.
Luther 20 b. Ky.
Rachael
62 b. S.C.
Anne 16
b. Ky.
Lucy A., another child of David and
Rachael, hot shown on census married Nathaniel Medlock, a first cousin to Lucy.
John S. m. Mary J. Bass, Jeritta C. m. Malachi Pewitt, Walter Briton m. Mary
Summers, William Henry m. Nancy Kinser, Dica A. m. William (shown another place
as Adam) Summers and Rodolphus m. Mary A. Dooley. Luther Sanford Medlock m.
Alice Cope. Anne (Doxie?) - David is known to have had a daughter, Doxie. The
Anne in his household on 1860 census may have been daughter of his son, John.
Allen Medlock,: b. ca 1818 in S.C. whose
father, James? was a brother to David and Nathaniel #1, mother Nancy, married
Serelda Steely ca 1846 in Mo.
Census records re: Allen
1840 Muhlenburg, Ky.
Allen Meddlock 20/30
1850 Cole Co., Mo.
Allen Medlock 32 b.
S.C.
Serelda 22 b. S.C.
Mary E. 1 b. Mo.
Cynthia
2 Mos. b. Mo.
1860 Cole Co. Mo.
Allen Medlock 41 b.
S.C.
Serilda
3
1 b. S.C.
Mary Elizabeth 12 b.
Mo.
Syntha
11 b. Mo.
John 9 b. Mo.
Nancy
7 b. Mo.
Kate 5 b. IV, o.
William
4
mos. b. Mo.
Anderson 3 b. Mo. (Helen Whitson's gfather)
1880 Cole Co., Mo.
Also:
Allen Medlock 61 b.
S.C.
Robert 12
Serelda 51 b. Tn.
Dicie Ann 9
Synthia Jane
29 b.
Mo.
Nancy 82
mother
Elias Allen 17
Oliver 14
Of the children of Allen and Serelda
Steely Medlock:
Mary Elizabeth m. Perry Jefferson
Pinkston, Cynthia Jane m. Hardy J. Shadwick, John m. Mary Isabel Nester, Nancy
E. m. David Lee Nester, Catharine (Kate) never married, Anderson m. Marsleet K.
Dethridge, William died at age 4, Elias Allen m. Minnie Belle Kenny, Oliver
never married, Robert m. Mary Goodrick, Dicey Ann m. James Elliott and her
twin, Doxie, born 1871 died at birth.
At the time of typing the 1830 census
records, I did not have any of the Missouri records, but in the meantime I have
read all those available and here is what I found:
Crawford Co., Mo.
William Matlock Males: 1 under 5, 1
20/30; females: 1 under 5, 1 5/10 and 1 20/30.
John Matlock - Males: 3 10/15, 1 15/20
and 1 40/50; females: 1 under 5, 2 5/10 and 1 40/50.
William appears to be the son of John
above. They are both shown in the 1850 census of Carroll Co., Tn. John
according to these records was born ca 1789 in Ky. Probably earlier since the
ages of this family are not consistent. William was born ca 1809 also in Ky.
The Washington Co., Ky. census of 1810 show John with 1 son under 10. John is
probably one of the sons of Isham Matlock who shows in Washington Co., Ky. in 1800,
also 1810 and reportedly went to Missouri about 1818. These men and/or their
descendants remained in Arkansas through the 1880 census. Elijah Matlock who
appears to be a son of John shows his birth as 1816 in Mo. He had two sons, Wm.
and Smith. It may be interesting to note that Smith S., a son of Moore Matlock,
Jr. also lived in this county in 1850 and 1860.
Also in Crawford Co, 1830:
Thomas Matlock - Males: 1 under 5, 1
30/40; females: 1 under 5, 1 5/10, 3 10/15 and 1 30/40. This man shown in 1850
also in Crawford Co. as b. 1793 in Ky. Wife, Margaret, b. 1798 in Pa. In 1810
Washington Co., Ky. Isham shows 2 sons in the age group of Thomas.
Wayne Co., Mo.: Henry Matlock - Males: 1 5/10, 1 15/20, 1 30/40
Females: 2 5/10, 1 10/15 and 1 30/40.
I found the following petition to be very
sad and touching. We know the life of the pioneer was full of hardships but the
burdens of this group seen to have gone beyond the ordinary. This article is
found in Carter's Territorial Papers - Mississippi. (JNA) I left this article
the way it was written (SZM)
PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS BY
INTRUDERS ON CHICKASAW LANDS
Mississippi Territory Elk River Simmes
settlement
September 5th, 1810
To his Excellency James Maddison
President of the United States of America and the Honourable Congress assembled
We your petitioners humbly sheweth that a
great many of your fellow citizens have unfortunately settled on what is now
Called chicasaw land which has led us into difficultys that tongue cannot
express if the orders from the ware department are Executed in removeing us off
of said land however in a government like ours founded on the will of the
people we have reason to hope and expect that we shall be treated with as much
lennity as the duty you owe to Justice will permit we therefore wish Without
the shade or colour of falshood to leave to your consideration the main object
of our setling of this country in the first Place we understood that all the
land on the north side of tennessee river was purchased of the indians which
was certainly the Case and further we understood that this was congress land as
we call it and by paying of two Dollars per acre we should obtain an undoubted
title to our lands and avoide the endless law suits that arise in our
neighbouring states in the landed property under these and many other
impressions of minde that appeared inviteing to us to setle here a great many
of us solde our possessioris and Came and settled here in the winter and spring
of 1807 without any knoledg or intention of violating the law of
governnaent or Infringing on the right of another nation and we remained in
this peacefull situation untill the fall of 1807 when Genaral Robertson Came on
runing the chickasaw boundary line and he informed us that though the cherokees
had sold this land yet the Chickasaws held a clame to it as their right and now
as booth nations (had) set up a clame to this land the Government having
extingushed the cherokee clame and we who are well acquainted with the
boundarys of this country do think in Justice that the cherokees had
undoubtedly the best right to this land we could state our reasons for thinking
so in many cases but we shall only refurr you to one particular that is when
Zacheriah Cocks made a purchase of parte of this country and came in order to
settle it he landed on an Island in the Mussell shoals and was making
preparations to ingarrison himself but when the cherokees Understood his
intentions they got themselves together and sent in messingers to him telling
him if he did not desist and remove his men out of their country they would
certainly imbody themselves and cut him off and Cocks took the alarme And left
the island in the night and if the cherokees had not a defended this country at
that time it may be persumed that it would have been taken from the chickasaws
without asking of them anything about their right to it for the cherokees do
say that they have held an antiant clame to it which they never lost by sword
or treaty, untill extingushed by government And should this be the case and
appeare to your satisfaction that the cherokees had at least as good a right as
the chickasaw and you haveing that invested in you and you are allso willing to
pay the chickasaws for their clame and they refuse to sell it where then can
there remain a single doubt in the publick Minde of doing the chickasaws any
kind of unJustice in makeing use of the cherokee clame and saying if they will
not take a reasonable price for their clame we will not remove our Fellow
citizens off which will bring many women and children to a state of starvation
mearly to gratify a heathan nation Who have no better right to this land than
we have ourselves and they have by estemation nearly 100000 acres of land to
each man of their nation and of no more use of government or society than
to saunter about upon like so many wolves or bares whilst they who would be a
supporte to government and improve the country must be forsed even to rent
poore stoney ridged to make a support to rase their famelies on whist there is
fine fertile countrys lying uncultivated and we must be debared even from
inJoying a small Corner of this land but we look to you the boddy of government
as a friendly father to us and believe it Compleatly within your power Shilst
you are administring Justice between us and the chickasaws to say with the
greatest propriety that we have once purchased this land and we will not remove
our fellow citizens off but let them remain as tennants at will untill the
chickasaws may feel a disposition to sell us their clame therefore we your
humble petitioners wish you to take our standing duely into consideration And
not say they are a set of dishoneste people who have fled from the lawes of
their count.ry and it is no matter what is done With them for we can supporte
our carractors to be other ways and it is our wish and desire to protect and
supporte our own native government we must informe you that in the settling of
this country men was obliged to expose themselves very much and the Climate not
helthy a number of respectable men have deceased and left their widows with
families of orphan children to rase in the best way they can and you might
allmost as well send the sword amongst us as the fammin the time being shorte
that our orders permits us to stay on we wish you to send us an answer to our
petition as soon as posable and, for heavens Sake Pause to think what is to
become of these poore alphan families who have more need of the help of some
friendly parish than to have the strictest orders executed on them who has not
a friend in this unfeeling world that is able to asist them Either in giting
off of said land or supporting when they are off we are certain in our own
minds that if you could have A true representation of our carractor the
industry we have made and the purity of our intentions in settling here
together with the Justice of our cause you would
say in the name of God let them stay on
and eat their well earned
bread Perhaps our number may be fare more
than you are apprised
of from the best calculation that we can
make there is Exclusiv of
Doubleheads reserv 2250 on what is called
chickasaw land
and all of us could live tollarable
comfortable if we could remain
on our improvements but the distance is
so great if we are removed
off that we cannot take our produce with
us and a great
many not in a circumstance to purchase
more will in consequence
of this be brough to a deplorable
situation We shall therefore conclude
in hopes that on a due consideration we
shall find favour in
the sight of your most honourable Body
whitch will in duty binde
your petitioners to ever Pray, Etc.
Wm. Sims
Jonathan Eppler
James Sims James Neill
Michael odaniell I Shame Brown (Isham ?)
William payne Jame Brown
Thomas Skagg Abroham Brown
Berry Matlock Edward Davis
George Brown Rawleigh Dodson
James Reynolds Aaron Luisley (prob. Easley)
Larkin Webb Simon Foy
Isacc Crowson Benj. Murrell
Benjimen osbourn Cavin Wittey
Robert Cravens Caleb Juett
Andrew Arnett Isaac Mirrell
Jonathan Cohron Geora Arbuthnot
Joseph Bradley Franc Daughty
James Wooley Bejman Carrel
Henry Lysby
Asa Magge (prob. McGee)
Isaac Gibson Sammeill preed Jun
Samuel Easely Sammell preed
David Silmon James preed
John Hodge Christopher Gayler
John Isam MarckelStockden
John Coward Thomas Redus
Charles Skaggs, Sen Abraham Sims
Charles Skaggs Jur Richard Murrelll
Charles Williams John Dauaherty
William Adams James Hodges
Wm. Bowling sen. James hood
Wm. Bowling J. William Mayers
Wm. Cooper William Hodges
Wm. Conway William Hoodser
Charles Easely Edmond Fears
John Scagg William Hood j.
John Eppler Ely Robertson
Samuel Robertson Jas. Wilder Fuller Cox
Micel Robertson Francis Ascaugh Saml Cox
John Allen Joeb Ascaugh Joseph
Looker
James Ball Jas. Wherrey Wm.
Riggs
John McCutchan John Bell Bridges
Freeman
David McCutchan Benjamin Russell Charles
Hulsey
John Calwell Edward frost Beverly
Philops
John Bidell Jas. Anderson Shaderick
Cross
John Rossom Joseph Evans Benjamin
Ishmal
Simon Rosson Henry Evans Benj.
Cross
Richard
John Scallorn Joseph England
Linville
Jacob Scallorn Lewis Tacket
Wm. Nelson John WainWright Jos., Jno.
& Jas. Luster
John Nelson John Myars Moses
Chot (Choate)
James Ford James Green John
Billinsly
James Caldwell John Mowery Aaron
Shote (Choate)
Wm. Kile
Alexander Dutton John Shote (Choate)
Samuel Bradley George Fergel Andrew
Pickens
Wm. Adams
John Sauls James Pickins
Roland McKenny Reel Matcok Edward
Shoat (Choate)
James McKenny John Bartell Valtenten
Shoate (Choate)
John McKenny John kim Nicholess
Boren
Ruben McKenny Andy Jackson James
Boren
Robert McKenny Henry Miller Abner Boren
Wm. McKenny Abraham Miller Andrew
Blythe
John Lynn
Joseph Calvert Jas. Braden
Elijah Price James Mossy Samuel
Smith
John Hogges Jas. Mcmahhan Ellexander
Smith
John Sessoms felps Smith
Amos Moor
Jessy Cooper Wm. Smith
W. Elles
David Miller Isac Lann (or Lanse)
John Thomas Levi Curnmens Jacob
Blythe
Joshua Perkens Mark Mitchens
Isaac fraey Allen Cotten
Lovill Coffman John Collun
This is not the complete
Cornelius Gatliff William Cox list. 450
people signed
James Redey Thomas hardy
this petition. A large
John panton George Lofen
number of these people
Jesse Panton John Tayler can be
found on the 1805
william Hooker John Reed Roane Co.,
Tn. tax
Thomas pool Elkin Tayler list.
Many of them went
Philmer Green Snr. Lennerd Lofton
into Ala., Miss. and on
Jere McKellens joseph foster
to Texas.
Reuben Riggs Abraham Kirkelot
William Candon John Kirkendall
James Riggs John Cooper
Robert Tayler Jos. Jones
Enoch Tayler Levi Cooper
John Tayler John Paine
Ocomee Baptist Church Minutes (Polk Co.,
Tn.) 2 Sat. March 1837.
Jason Matlock, Moor Matlock, Candice
Matlock, Elizabeth Matlock
and Poley Matlock.
From the San Antonio Light, Oct. 30,
1974: (by United Press International)
Wooly worms are the wrong color, deer are
in a late rut, corn husks are so thick it's hard to shuck them, and there have
been too many fogs in August - all folklore signs a rough winter lies ahead.
If folklore isn't enough, the Commerce
Department in Washington is giving 14-1 odds this winter will be colder than
the last.
"I noticed that the wooly worms are
crossing the roads already and that they are black instead of brown - that is a
sure sign of a hard winter". said 74-year old Willie Smith of Murphysboro,
Ill.
Smith said he learned his
weather-predicting ways from his grandfather, Caleb Matlock, who had
lived with the Comanches for several years and died in 1906 at the age of 109;
(Sent by Naomi Haacke)
Excerpt from a letter to Grace Medlock
Page written in 1963 (Sent to me by Helen Whitson)
"My gr-grandfather and
gr-grandmother died in Indiana near Spencer sometime in the 1830s within a year
of each others death leaving a large family. My grandfather being just a baby.
An old man by the name of Putnam, who had just lost his son in death, took my
grandfather to raise with his granddaughter as his son's widow and her baby
daughter lived with him. Therefore grandfather knew nothing of his father or
mother or where they came from. Also he never knew his brothers or sisters or
what became of them. At the age of 18 grandpa ran away from his home and served
throughout the Mexican War. Grandpa and the girl he was raised with were
married, thereby making her grandfather Putnam my gr-gr-grandfather. When the
Civil War broke out grandfather again went into the army in an Illinois
regiment, leaving his wife at home with a number of small children. . names of
their children as near in the order of their birth as I can remember: Alice,
Richard, Oscar, Louis Corbin, Robert, Charlie, Noley, Agnes and Alfred. These
children were all born in Indiana.
At 19 years of age, I was walking from
our home to town one evening and met a man I had never seen before who stopped
me and inquired where a certain men lived. While I was giving him this
information, he kept staring at me and at last blurted out, "You're Paul
Matlock, when did you leave North Carolina? " Naturally I was dumbfounded
and told him my name was Medlock, but not Paul, and that I had never been in
the state of North Carolina. I think he thought I was not telling the truth. I
finally convinced him that I was not Paul. He told me that I was the spitting
image of this Paul and gave me his address in North Carolina.
Also from the letter a tire dealer in Los
Angeles during WW II told him that he was raised beside the Medlocks in Indiana
and that his people and the Medlocks had come from North Carolina to Indiana in
1803 by wagon and that all of them were Quakers.
Note: Dan Rundle who has read so many of
the Indiana and Illinois census records sends:
Monroe Co., Ind. 1850, Beanblossom Twp.
James Matlock 29, b. Ind. Elizabeth 21, Henry T. 41. James R. 5/12 and
Sarah Putnam 12 all b. Ind.
Edgar Co., Illinois, 1860 James Medley
37, b. Ind. (shown as Ia.), Elizabeth 30, James R. 10, William 0. (Oscar)
7, Sarah A. 4, Lewis C. (Corbin) 2 and Robert S. 3/12. All b. in Ind. except
Robert b. Ill.
Edgar Co., Illinois 1870
James Medlock 48, Elizabeth 41,
James R. 20, Wm. 0. 18, Sarah A. 15, Lewis C. 12, all b. Ind. and Robert S. 10,
Agnus A. 9. John N. 7. Andrew J. 3 and Charles E. 6/12 all b. Ill.
According to the writer of the letter to
Mrs. Page, Louis Corbin
Medlock and his brothers Richard, 0scar
and Robert came to Cowlitz
Co., Washington from Illinois in the fall
of 1876.
Also sent by Dan Rundle: From Descent
of the Ridgway - Ridgeway Family in England and America by George C.,
Ridgway, Evansville, Indiana, second ed., 1926, pp 55. It was used only to show
the type of records available for the early settlements of New Jersey and Pa.
No other mention is made of the Matlock family in the book.
Know all people that I, Tallaca, have had
and received from John Roberts with the consent of the neighborhood at Pensukin
one match coat, one small runlet of rum and two bottles of rum. In
consideration thereof, I, said Tallaca, do hereby grant, bargain and sell unto
said John Roberts, Timothy Hancock and William Matlock all of those plantations
at Pensukin, promising forever to defend the said John Roberts from all other
Indians laying claim thereto. In witness whereof, I, the said Tallaca have
hereunto set my hand and seal this 12 day of April, 1684.
Tallaca (by X) Since William Matlack and
Timothy Hancock were brothers-in-law, it pretty Well identifies which William
this was.
FAMILY HISTORY
Bible Records:
Mr. W.M. Matlock was born in Monroe Co.,
Ind. on the 5th day of
September A.D. 18 _ died March 29 A.D.
1874. Miss Susan Brown
his wife, was born in Vermillion Co.,
Ill. on the _.
Mr. William Matlock of Vermillion Co. was
joined in Holy Matrimony
to Miss Susan Brown of Vermillion Co. on
the _ day of April 1847
15 day of Sept. A.D. 1850 By Mr.
Henderson, J.P.
Their Children:
Shepherd Matlock born May 25, 1852.
Eliza A. Matlock Dec. 22, 1854.
George N. Matlock June 2, 1856. Died.
Josiah Matlock August 22, 1858.
Sarah J. Matlock Sept. 14, 1860. Died.
Mary E. Matlock Feb. 19, 1863.
Emelihe Matlock, April 14, 1864.
James M. Matlock Dec. 13, 1867.
Nancy S. Matlock April 8, 1869.
William Matlock June 13, 1871.
Presented to Josiah Matlock by his Mother
April 10, 1896.
Census sent by Dan Rundle:
1850 Vermilion Co., Illinois William
Matlock 22, b. Ind.
Susanna 18,
b. Ill.
Notes by Dan Rundle:
William Matlock served as Private in Co.
G. 4th Regt. Ind. Vols. 14 June 1847 until 16 July 1848 during the Mexican War.
Discharge paper states born in Indiana, 19 years of age, 5 ft. 7 inches high,
dark complexion, black eyes, dark hair, and occupation that of farmer. William
was given a land warrant for 160 acres in 1848.
Date of death of William Matlock is given
as 29 March 1874 in the
family record, 27 March 1874 in a pension
declaration and 20 March
1874 in cemetery records. The date of
marriage here is given as
April 1847 while the other sheet of the
family states 15 Sept. 1850
and the pension declaration gives 26
April, 1850. According to
pension records, William died at
Effingham Co., Ill. According
to Pension records, Susanna Matlock died
17 Jan. 1917.
All indications are that this William was
the son of George and Anna (Young) Matlock. Susan can be found in the 1880
census of Effingham Co., Ill.
From Centennial History of Washington
Co., Indiana by Wardner W. Stevens 1916:
W.A. MEDLOCK, descended from a family
whose name is linked with the pioneer history of Washington County, Indiana,
has by individual effort attained a position of prominence in the community in
which he lives. Mr. Medlock is a native of Oxonia, Washington Co. Ind., where
he was born 28 July 1872. He is the son of Elijah and Mary A. (Cauble) Medlock,
the former of whom was born on the old Medlock homestead in this county.
The genealogical history of the Medlock
family is interesting from the
fact that HENRY MEDLOCK who established
the family in Washington
County, assisted in laying the
foundations of agricultural prosperity in
the community where his descendants now
reside. Henry Medlock came
to this community from a farm 11 miles
from Knoxville, Tennessee.
The trip at that time carried him over
mountains and through uninhabited
districts of the country. He carried the
silver money, which he had
accumulated for the purpose of buying
land in this state, in leather
saddlebags, this fact alone making his
journey more subject to danger.
Upon arriving in this state he went to
Jeffersonville, where he obtained
from the land office there the right to
enter 320 acres of land three and
one-half miles northwest of Salem on the
Cox's ferry road. His farm
remained his residence until his death which
occurred in 1855, after he
had reached the age of 86 years. His wife
died many years before her
husband, but reared the following
children who were born in Tennessee:
CAMPBELL who died in Illinois and who was
noted as a successful
fox hunter in those days
REUBEN
ISAAC
JOHN H.
PRMCILLA, NANCY, SARAH AND PATSY.
ISAAC MEDLOCK, who has become one of the
successful farmers of Washington Co. and who resides on a farm near Harristown,
married Mary A. Cauble, the daughter of James M. and Eunice (Hitchcock) Cauble,
who was born near Oxonia in this county. James Cauble, who during his life
combined the occupations of blacksmith and carpenter with his farming
interests, was the son of Adam Cauble who came to Washington County in 1815. At
the time the district now known as the public square of Salem, consisted of six
log cabins. Most of the surrounding land was covered with forest trees and
encountering wild animals was an everyday occurrence. Adam Cauble put up his
cabin where the Monon (R.R.) station now stands. He lived in this place until
1833, when he moved 2 1/2 miles west of Salem, where he erected a water-power
mill on Blue River. This mill was one of the first three mills of the county.
Adam Cauble lived to an advanced age and his wife died at the age of 100 years.
There is little to be said regarding the
early education of W.A. Medlock as the opportunities afforded a farmer boy in
those days were extrememly narrow; suffice it to say that he was trained to the
sturdy discipline of the farm and at the age of 18 he was employed in the
merchandise business and later worked independently as a huckster, an
occupation which took him to every important section. During this time he
maintained his business headquarters at Harristown. In 1902 he moved to
Fredericksburg, where he resided four years. At the end of that time he came to
Salem and in partnership with Charles Moss opened a general store which has
been extended from year to year until now it is one of the largest and most
modern stores of its kind in the county. Mr. Medlock, owing to his personality,
has made friends in every section of the community in which he lives. His
popularity among the people was proved in the early part of 1915, when he was
elected to fill the office of mayor of Salem, the duties of which he has
performed in a manner that has won for him additional public confidence. Aside
from the duties of business life, Mr. Medlock takes an active interest in
fraternal organizations, He is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Tribe of
Ben-Hur and of the Red Men's Lodge. He is affiliated with the Democratic Party.
The marriage of W.A. Medlock to Nora L.
Daniels took place in 1896. Mrs. Medlock who was born in Harristown is the
daughter of Marcus L. and Margaret (Crandell) Daniels. They have two children, Jimmie
Lee and Mary Margaret.
Note* I show a Henry Medlock in Knoxville
July, 1815. Campbell was still in Knox Co., Tn. as late as 1829. Not shown 1830
census. I belive he is the Wiley C. who shows in Washington Co. Indiana in
1850. It is possible he is the Wiley who married Nancy Curtis in Blount Co.,
Tn. in 1837 and is shown in the 1840 Blount Co. census. An Isaac married same
year, same county Hester Ann Curtis. An Isaac is shown 1840 in Knox Co., Tn. A
"Cam" and Reuben Medlock are shown in "Washington Co.
Giants".
From Washington Co., Ind. Giants written
in 1921:
HENRY W. MEDLOCK, long time well known
marshal did not measure up in stature with the others, but notwithstanding this
undersize, he was capable of holding his own, as was shown by his long and turbulent
experience as marshal with the best of them and proved more than a match for
all of the would be bad men who sought so often "to paint the town
red" during the early years of his official life.
He was a man about 5 feet 10 inches high,
heavy built and would weigh about 180 pounds. But I will give but one instance
of his numerous contests with violators of the laws who attempted to resist
arrest. And this one came under the personal observation of the writer.
Medlock, unlike the proverbial police officer that is always absent when most
needed, seemed always to be on hand when his services were called for. One
summer day a man named Hamilton from the east part of the county came to town,
as he said, for the express purpose of "doing the marshal". He was
fully 6 feet tall, well and heavily built, and was the equal of the marshal in
weight. A fine looking fellow and one that would have been picked out of crowds
as an athlete. The marshal had arrested him sometime before for some infraction
and on this occation he said that it was the last time. He was somewhat under
the influence of liquor, and after making his boast, left the parties to whom
he was talking and started across the street to look for "Whiskers"
as the marshal was called.
Before he got quite across the street he
came face to face with the object of his search. They both stopped a few feet
apart. Hamilton reached for his gun but instantly the marshal was upon him and
beat him to it, taking the gun out of his pocket and putting it in his own. Hamilton
closed in and they clinched and soon went down in the street. But it did not
take many minutes, with the heavy marshal sitting on his breast and gripping
his throat with a hold that could not be broken, to cause an unconditional
surrender which was accepted and the marshal arose. But it seemed that Hamilton
would not get up. The marshal tapped his feet a time or two with his billy but
that had no effect. So he put his club, bent over, took Hamilton around the
middle, threw him over his shoulder and walked off with him to the justice's
office. Hamilton afterwards said to the writer, in speaking of this occurrence,
"Whiskers can arrest me any time in the future without trouble for I know
when I'm licked". The foregoing is but one of numerous contests with
violators of the law who attempted to resist arrest by the marshal. Well might
he be properly called the "'little giant".
Note: A Henry, son of Henry C. Medlock,
born 1887.
From History of Orange Co., California:
JAMES RANDOLPH MEDLOCK, M.D. Born in Laurens
District, S.C.
24 June 1837. Not richly endowed with
material wealth…. of noble
Scotch ancestry... early education in
local schools. While a lad in his
teens, his parents having died, he moved
to Bentonville, Arkansas where
at the age of 18 he entered the office of
Dr. John Gray as a student of
medicine. He remained in Dr. Gray's
office for three years, in the
last Year "as Dr. Gray testifies
'riding with I me in the practice of medi
cine'." In1859 he graduated from
Cincinnati Medical College, and
returned to Bentonville to practice.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, he
enlisted in the Confederate Army, and remained in active service until the end
of the war. Then the condition of the country permitted, he began practicing in
Huntsville, Ark. where he also owned and operated a drug store.
After taking a post graduate course at
St. Louis Medical College he decided to move to California. He arrived in 1876
and located in Orange which was then in Orange County. He purchased 40 acres
and set them to oranges, later developing a 25 acre walnut grove. Two years of
his long residence in the state were spent in Northern California near
Sacramento, but he returned to Santa Ana where he continued to practice until
his death 10 Nov. 1913. He was one of the organizers and a director of the
Farmers & Merchants Bank in Santa Ana. He was elected President of the bank
but declined the office because of his busy practice. He was active in the
development of the water and gas companies and the street car line in Santa Ana.
He also bought a 300 ft. frontage which extended through to Sycamore St., on
North Main St. upon which he built his home.
He married Martha McFerrin Adams, a
native of Arkansas in 1869. They had two children, one of whom died in
childhood. The other one, Velda, married C.A. Gustlin of Santa Ana. Mrs.
Medlock's father, Abner Adams was born in Kentucky. His mother, Mary S. Berry
Adams, a native of Tennessee, came to California in 1876 and made her home with
Dr. and Mrs. Matlock.
Dr. Medlock was no ordinary man or
physician. He was a Doctor of the old school and a skilled obstetrician. He was
an honored member of the AMA, of the state and county societies, a prominent
Mason, Knight Templar degree; also a Shriner.
Note: In the 1860 census of. Benton Co.,
Ark. in the household of
Dr. John Gray: James Matlock 22, b. S.C.
and Nat Matlock, 20
b. S.C. (Sent
by Helen Whitson)
From History of Jackson County, Indiana
pages 619 -620:
JOEL H. MATLCCK, deputy county auditor,
Brownstown, was born in Jackson County, Indiana, August 17, 1847, and is the
fourth child of a family of nine; born to George and Betsey (Weddel) Matlock,
natives of Tennessee. They came to Brownstown in their younger days. After
marriage they lived in the western part of Jackson County, farming being Mr.
Matlock's occupation. They were both prominent members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church for many years. In 1878 they moved to Kansas, where they now
reside. (Dan Rundle found brothers Enoch W. in Greenwood Co. Ks. and James K.
in Bourbon County, Ks. in 1880. JNA). Joel H. passed his early life on his
father's farm, attending the schools of those days. In February, 1872, he was
appointed deputy county clerk, served until 1880, since which time he has
served as deputy auditor, thus making thirteen years or more spent in the
employment of his native county. In the month of Febuary, 1864, he enlisted in
Company H, 120th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until January 8, 1866.
His first battle was Resaca. He was with Sherman until after the battle of Atlanta;
was also in the battle in front.of Atlanta when Gen. McPherson was killed. He
was in the battles at Nashville and at Franklin, and many other minor
engagements. He went out as a private and was soon after appointed orderly
sergeant. November 5, 1868, he married Mary A. Scott, a native of Ohio. There
are five children living by this marriage: Cora Effie, Mary A., Grace, Price
H., Bessie and Charles S. (deceased). Mr. Matlock is a Royal Arch member of the
Masonic Fraternity, also a charter member of the K.of P. From 1880 until 1884
he was on the Democratic Central Committee, and for the last two years has been
chairman of that committee.
Los Angeles County, California - Great
Register of Voters 1892 included:
HENRY H. MATLOCK 51 years; 6 ft. tall;
light complexion; blue eyes and brown hair; occupation auctioneer; born Ill.,
residence 1535 Rockwood St. (youngest son of John Matlock (Sr.) of Hendricks
Co.,'nd. and Kenda11, Co., Ill.)
THEODORE J. MATLOCK; 52; 6 ft. tall;
light complexion; gray eyes and dark hair; contractor; born Indiana; Ward 6,
1454 San Pedro St. (William T. Matlock's line).
Great Register of Voters 1892-3-4
DAVID J. MATLOCK, 30; 5 ft. 11 in.; fair
complexion; blue eyes; dark hair; electrician; born Ill.; Ward 2. Living at
1533 Rockwood.St. P.0. c/o Sunset Tel. Co. (could be son of Henry H.)
County Electors:
Chester Jed Matlock; 22; 5 ft. 5 3/4
inches; fair complexion; blue eyes; brown hair. Farmer. Born Ill. Residence,
Duarte, Calif.
James Monrow Matlock 60; 5 ft. 6 in.;
dark complexion; blue eyes; dark gray hair; farmer; born.Ill. Res. Duarte; P.0.
address Monrovia.
Great Register of Voters 1896. - city Los
Angeles Precinct 35 Ward 4:
DAVID JEFFERSON MATLOCK, special agent
for Sunset Telegraph & Telephone Co., 32 years old; 5 ft. 11 in. fair
complexion; blue eyes; dark hair; b. Ill. Living at 1806 V1. 11th.
Los Angeles Precinct 41, Ward 6:
THEODORE J. MAT LOCK 56, deputy county
tax collector; 5 ft. 11 3/4 in.; dark hair, gray eyes; dark complexion; b. Ind.
; res. 1914 Santee.
Duarte Precinct:
CHESTER JED MATLOCK; rancher; 25; 5 ft. 8
in. (seems to have grown since last election); light complexion; blue eyes;
brown hair; b. Ill.; res. Duarte.
GEORGE LOUIS MATLOCK; laborer; 27; 5 ft.
7 in.; dark complexion; hazel eyes; brown hair; b. Ill. Res. Duarte.
JAMES MONROE MATLOCK, rancher; 62; 5 ft.
6 in.; dark complexion; blue eyes; gray hair; scar on right eyeball; born Ill.;
res. Cuarte. (The above sent by Virginia.Zeboski - Virginia, the above three
are of the Micajah Lewis Matlock group See Micajah 1850 Madison Co., Ill with
son, James, b. 1834 and sons John and William H. See 1870 Moniteau Co., Mo. in
1870 - James b. 1834 with son, George 1. In his household brother W.H. and near
brother John. In 1850 Micajah's son, Alfred, is shown as a jockey. All of this
group seems to have been small.
Great Register of San Bernardino County,
Ca. 1896:
SIDNEY GREEN MATLOCK, 29, laborer; b.
N.C.; resident of Jurupa, Ca.
Virginia copied the following from the
LOS ANGELES TIMES Index: 1927-1935
Pvt. Clayton F. Matlock, U.S. Army,
Baldwin Park; soldier dies in Texas tornado.
Police Chief _ Matlock. 10 Apr.1929.
Resigns to accept
position as prohibition inspector in Col.
Albert Matlock 5-31-1938 Shafter (town)
auto accident victim.
May 18, 1933. Bertha Matlock sliding down
taut wire at Al G. Barnes circus fell 50 feet, possible broken back; with
circus 5 yrs.
Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Matlock 21 June 1932.
Formerly of Oceanside, Ca. were among guests on yacht sunk off Mexican coast,
Baja Ca. in cyclone.
Several interesting articles re Ernest
Clayton Matlock.
Grace Matlock dies of injuries in 17 Dec.
1934 paper.
James Matlock, cannery worker traffic
accident 7-19-1935.
1933 One Matlock guilty of murder of
patrolman.
William R. Matlock, stunt flyer
12-31-1936
"Red" Matlock 11-29-1933. High
school football player, Dinuba.
Mrs. Theresa C. Matlock, dies at age 95;
4-18-1938 paper
Funeral services for Mrs. Theresa C.
Matlock, 95-year-old Southland pioneer, will be conducted at Pierce Brothers'
chapel today at 2 p.m. by members of Stanton Relief Corps No. 16, followed by
interment at Rosedale Cemetery. Mrs. Matlock died Friday at the home of
friends, Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Wing of 1543 Council St. She had been a resident of
southern California since 1885. (Quite likely the widow of Henry Harrison. VZ).
From a new member, Pat DeWitt of
Mabelvale, Arkansas, a descendent of Thomas Medlock, son of Benjamin from SC to
Fayette Co. Tn. to Hardeman Co., Tn. to Tippah Co., Miss.:
Sallie Catherine Craig was born 25 April
1864 in Tippah County, Mississippi, on the plantation of her grandparents,
Thomas and Mary J. (Stinson) Medlock. Union soldiers occupied the Medlock home
and the family had to "make do" in houses built for slaves. One day
the soldiers were trying to catch hogs and chased them under one of the small
houses. Sallie was in her highchair in front of the fireplace and the escaping
hogs raised the floor boards causing the highchair to fall over on the hearth
and her hand was badly burned by hot coals in the fireplace. Sallie resisted
all efforts to open the hand and it was bandaged closed. By the time a doctor
could be found the healing had started and the hand could not be opened and
grew shut.
Tradition is that Sallie's father, John
A. Craig, swam the Mississippi
River to escape pursuing Union soldiers,
losing both gun and boots in
the river, arriving in Arkansas with only
his uniform and Bible. After
the war John A. and Mary Linda (Medlock)
Craig moved to Saline County,
Arkansas. Sallie and her older sister,
Mary, lived in the homes of
Judge John A. and his son Dr. Benjamin
Medlock at Collegeville, Saline
County, Arkansas, after the death of
their mother. Both Medlock homes
seem to have been a haven for an
assortment of children belonging to
various kin. Sallie and Mary later lived
with Col. John W. and Elizabeth
(Craig) Hopkins; also with their son, J.
Frank and Jennie (Barclay)
Hopkins at Mabelvale, Pulaski County,
Arkansas. Elizabeth (Craig) Hopkins was their great aunt.
Sallie Craig married John Wilkes DeWhitt,
son of Amanda Hopkins DeWhitt, Amanda being the sister or niece of Col.
Hopkins. John W. DeWhitt was orphaned very young and he too lived with and
worked for the Hookins families. After John W. DeWhitt and Sallie Craig married
(22 February 1882) the Hopkins paid them with land for work they had done, John
W. and Sallie had two sons, the younger, Joe Farley died 1903 at the age of 18,
and Sallie went into mourning wearing all black clothing. About the time she
was beginning to "come out" of mourning, her firstborn son, John
Allen, was killed 4August, 1921 when struck by lightning while working in his
garden. His son, Joseph Peter, was knocked unconscious but recovered. Because
of this additional tragedy Sallie wore the black mourning clothes the rest of
her life. She died 25 Dec. 1935.
Also from Pat DeWitt:
Medlock Family Lot, Collegeville
Cemetery, Collegeville, Saline Co. Arkansas.
James N. Medlock, CSA, Co. E, 1st Ark.
Inf. b. 7-27-1840 (no death date).
Rhoda M. wife of John Medlock, 1-12-1879
(only date.)
Ben J. Medlock, died 9-14-1874, aged 91
yr. 11 mo. 24 days. Came to Saline Co. 1868.
2nd. Lt. Ben j. Medlock, Co. E. 1st Ark.
Inf., b. 1834 Fayette Co., Tenn.
John A. Medlock 2-12-1812 -- 8-27-1894
(Judge).
Mattie Medlock Seay 4-17-1872/ 1-14-1953.
Wm. Woodson Seay 10-3-1870/ 4-13-1938.
"Mother" Mary Ann, wife of John
F. Medldck, born Wellsbourne, England 1-15-1850/ 10-5-1908.
Corp. John F. Medlock, Co. E., I Ark.
Inf. CSA 7-27-1840/1-15-192O.
From a letter written to me by Mrs. Eve
Kinkeade Bossert:
"my mother was the last of the
second generation in Mo. of the line of Thomas Martin Matlock. One of her
brothers named Ransom was the judge in the famous Jesse James case. In case you
missed that - an old man living in Franklin County petitioned the court to
change his name from whatever it was to Jesse James. He contended that he was
indeed the infamous outlaw, not killed by Ford, but hiding in Onondaga Cave. It
was thought to be a publicity effort by the owners of Onondaga, but it did
involve the law so Uncle Ranse had to rule on it. He got out of a sticky
situation by declaring that if this man was born Jesse James and had never had
his name changed, there was no ruling necessary. It received nationwide
coverage and Uncle Ranse was interviewed many times by newsmen who called him
"the Missouri judge who looks like Lincoln", as indeed.he did.
For Nancy Mitchell, the first wife of
Thomas Martin Matlock, we have only her marriage date. I believe that she was
the mother of three children, but there may have been others. It is my belief
that George was her son, but some records give him as belonging with the
children of Martin's second marriage to Barbara Rinehart. I have never seen
this marriage date, but it took place in Tennessee, as all their children but
one were born there.
The oldest child, Zacharias married
Elizabeth Jane Rinehart in Missouri in 1846. They had seven children but only
William, Susan and John R. lived to maturity. Barbara Eliza, born March 12,
1862 lived only seven days, and her mother followed five days later. The next
summer Zachariah, Martin, and Nancy Ivins (Evans) died on the 4th, 5th and 6th
days of August, quite likely of typhoid. All were buried in the Wash Cemetery,
where many years later Zachariah's mother, Barbara, was to be buried also.
When, possibly ten years later, Martin died on the homestead, where he had
lived with his daughter, Susan, and her son, Edwin, he was buried in a rock
tomb on the place.. Edwin was never to have much of this World's goods, but he
learned well of love and honor, for he cared for the graves as long as he was
able and put down little homemade metal markers, at his grandparents graves.
Sabina, second child of Martin and Nancy
was listed in the Crawford Co. census for 1850 as Biney Gross. She had one son,
Frank Gross, and on
Jan. 20, 1853 Sabina Gross was married to
John Hibler and they were the parents of John, Ann and Becky Hibler. When my
mother, Stella Breuer Kinkeade, was 11 years old Aunt Biney came to Phelps County
to visit her brothers and sisters. She sickened and died while there, and her
body was taken by wagon back to New Salem Cemetery north of Owensville, Mo.
near her home.
Of George we know nothing except that he
went to war and did not return. It is quite possible that he stayed in
Tennessee, and served with the Southern Forces.
Lewis Rinehart Matlock married Permelia
Ballard on Oct. 28, 1851 and they were the parents of'eight children: George,
James Greene, Josephine, Francis, Ida, Thomas and Hiram. They also took care of
the three orphan children of Zachariah and Elizabeth Jane Matlock.
On Nov. 27, 1853 Nancy Matlock married
her first cousin George Washington Rinehart, brother of the above mentioned
Elizabeth Jane. Their children were: John, Jane, Harriet, Eda, Louis Jefferson,
Marion, George W. and Alonzo.
Susan's brief history is given earlier.
Her son, Edwin, married Jane Lively and they had one child, Annie.
Eda's statistics are given in the
enclosed chart and a detailed family history is to be found in the book
"Paul Breuer, His Brief Story and His Descendants". Also to be found
in this book are Susan Matlock, who married Charles Breuer, and Hiram Matlock,
who married Elizabeth Breuer. This book is available in three local libraries.
Ransom, the only child born in Missouri,
married Martha Miller. Their children were Louis Jefferson, Langston Eugene,
Granville Albert, Cora, Myrtle and Sarah. He, of course, was named for Martin's
brother, who died soon after reaching Missouri, and is buried near Cuba in
Crawford County.
Mrs. Bossert's line (from family sheets):
Thomas Martin Matlock, b. ca 1802 in
Tenn., son of Zachariah and Eady. Zahariah, son of Moore and Jane (Powell)
Matlock. Married (1) Nancy Mitchell and (2) Barbara Rinehart who was born 1800
and died in 1870 Phelps Co., Mo. Thomas Martin died in the 1880s in Phelps Co.
Children:
By wife No. I Zachariah, b. 10 /13/1823 in Tn. d. 8/4/1863 Mo.
Sabina, b. 7/29/1826 Tn.; d. 9/23/ 1894
Mo.
George, b. ca 1828 Tn. Missing after
Civil War.
By wife No. 2
Lewis Rinehart, b. 1830 Tn.; d. July 1904 Mo.
Nancy, b. 4/24/1832 Tn.; d. 9/23/1904 Mo.
By wf. No. 2 Susan, b. 1835 Tn.; died 1888 Phelps Co. Mo.
Eda, b. 12/9/1837 Tn.; died 9/3/1912
Phelps Co., Mo.
Ransorn, b. 1840 in Mo.; died 1909 Henry
Co., Mo.
Eda Matlock, b. 12/9/1837 Tn. ; married
William Breuer, b. 1835 Germany (Oldenburg); died 1916, son of Paul Breuer and
Catherine Toss. Eda Matlock Breuer died 9/3/ 1912 in Gasconde Co., Mo. buried
Oak Grove Cemetery, Phelps Co., Mo. Their children:
Franklin D., b. 8/2/1859 Mo.; died
2/6/1939 Mo.
Barbara Catherine, b. 4/8/1862; died
3/2/1937 Mo.
Mary Elizabeth, b. 4/3/1864 Mo., died
12/31/1933 Mo.
Serena Jane, b. 5/14/1866 Mo.; died
2/11/1924
Martin Paul, b. 2/7/1868 Mo.; died
11/14/1952
Ransom Albert, b. 2/22, 1870 Mo., died
9/18/1961 Mo.
Anna Amanda, b. 10/8/1872 Mo.; died
8/21/1873 Mo.
Nancy Alice, b. 6/22/1874 Mo.; died
9/22/1874. Mo.
William Hayes, b. 10/19/1876 Mo.; died
7/16/ 1948. Mo.
Louis Henry, b. 8/10/1879 Mo.; d.
8/26/1964 Mo.
Robert Eugene, b. 1/19/1882; d. 8/19/
1959 Mo.
*Stella Arminta, b. 12/28/1883; d.
4/11/1976
Stella Breuer, b. Dec. 28, 1883 Gasconade
Co., Mo.; died April 11, 1976; in Phelps Co., Mo.; buried Oak Grove Cemetery;
daughter of Wm. Breuer and Eda Matlock Breuer. She married Wm. Kinkeade on
April 17, 1903. Mr. Kinkeade was born March 17, 1878 in Gasconade Co., Mo. and
died Jan. 16, 1967 in Phelps Co., Mo. Buried Oak Grove Cemetery. Their children
Lillian, b, 2/14/1904 in Cuba, Crawford
Co., Mo.
Eve, b. 10/7/1910 in Cuba, Crawford Co., Mo.
Ruby, b. 8/17/1912 (as above); died
2/26/1956.
Eve Kinkeade, b, October 7, 1910 in Cuba,
Crawford Co., Mo.; married Walter R. Bossert May 10, 1930. He was born February
3, 1909 in Rolla, Mo, He died October 8, 1968 and was buried in Oak Grove
Cemetery Phelps Co., Mo. They had one child: Nancy Louise Bossert, born July 9,
1932 in Phelps Co., Mo.
The following article was sent to me by
Mr. Edgar L. Matlock.
BATTLE TO DEATH WITH BIG "BLACK
CAT" IS DESCRIBED
The following story, recounting a deadly
battle between a large
black panther and an unarmed man, a
battle in which the man
was winner, was written by J.L. Wadley
former Texarkana
newspaperman. Mr. Wadley was publisher of
the Texarkanian
for many years. (Note: Mr. Wadley is now
deceased).
"So, God created man in his own
image; male and female created He them, And God blessed them, and said unto
them: "Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it
and have dominion over the fish of the sea: and over the fowl of the air; and
over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
And so it has been, and so it is yet.
Man conquers in every sphere of physical
and mental supremacy - in every crucial test of survival. Though not the
strongest among animals, man's fighting ability when tested in extremity, aided
by superior intelligence, has triumphed over most monsters of land and sea.
The cave man survived when ferocious
man-killing and man- eating monsters of the jungle were far more numerous far
more gigantic and far more bold than now.
With only his club or stone hammer, and
later with sling and bow and spear, he battled for life with them and won.
Samson slew his lion in hand to hand combat. David, his lion and bear. Men have
fought monsters of the sea, down in the depths and survived. Venturesome
pioneers, in all ages and countries, while blazing the way for civilization,
have successfully met the dangers of the wild, and triumphed over beast and
savage.
This story has to do with the adventure
of John Matlock, one of
these pathfinders, a pioneer of the Ozark
Mountains of Arkansas. The
story is a true one, and tells of a
midnight battle to the death between
man and beast, a crucial test of courage,
strength, and endurance, with no
weapons save those with which nature
endowed each combatant.
Twas in the early 40’s.
John Matlock and his wife were among the
first settlers of the Ozark Mountain region of Arkansas, in what is now Clark
County. Matlock was a man of powerful physique, tall, sinewy, with muscles of
iron. There were but few settlers in the mountain wilderness then and they were
widely scattered. But they were of a rugged, brawny type of men, braving and
overcoming many difficulties. They had to carve their way through the unbroken
wilderness, build their huts of hewn logs, clear the forests for farms, and
meantime provide food and clothing for their families.
"House raisings" and "log
rollings" were interesting neighborhood affairs with them. When a
"newcomer" had cut, hewn and gathered the logs for his cabin, all the
men of the settlement for miles around would be invited to a "house
raising" always responding. Their wives came with them and helped the
hostess prepare the dinner for the men. Within a day the heavy logs were put in
place, the walls of the cabin raised, leaving nothing for the owner to do but
finish it by putting on the roof, making doors and windows, building the
fireplace and chimney and chinking the cracks between the logs. All this he
could do himself.
Likewise, in the early spring time, after
the farmer had cut the fallen timber of his clearing into 10 foot lengths, the
neighbors gathered at his homestead for a "log-rolling". With
handspikes, they piled the logs in heaps over the field, and then the farmer
fired and burned these at his leisure. Thus by mutual aid, without
compensation, they helped each other do the things which no one or two could do
alone.
On these occasions, a favorite pastime
was a test of physical strength. Two men with hand-spikes would lift at the
heaviest log, to decide which was the stronger. And thus the test went the
round till a final decision was reached. By common consent, John Matlock was
accounted the strongest man in the settlement.
Thus, too by mutual effort, they builded
the neighborhood church house, which served also as a schoolhouse.
Like their cabins, it was constructed of
hewn logs, the roof being of three-foot boards riven by hand from the virgin
timber. There were no sawmills and benches for seating were made from pine logs
split in halves, the split side hewn smooth, the seats were set up on wooden
legs driven into augur holes on the underside. Likewise the floor was of
similarly hewn logs joined together flat side up. Pioneer traveling preachers
usually visited such communities once a month for religious services, alternating
between other far distant settlements. On such occasions, the people came for
many miles to attend, usually bringing all their families and well-filled
baskets of food for the noon meal. When evening services were held, they
brought along torches of rich pine sticks bound together, for lighting their
way home, for the roads through the dense forests were little more than bridle
paths. It also was a protection against wild beasts, of which the mountains
abounded,
By industry, John Matlock prospered. He
and his young wife were happy, in their forest home – made doubly so when a
little son came to brighten their lives and stimulate ambitions.
Not least among the difficulties with
which these rugged pioneers struggled, was the fearful depredations of wild
beasts.- They came to this remote mountain section 10 years after the Indians
had been removed to the Indian Territory. During that time, bear, panther and
mountain lions became numerous and bold. Not only did they make inroads upon
the herds of the scattered settlers, but they became a menace to life,
especially the stealthy and ferocious panther. These made night hideous with
their weird screams, singularily resembling the shriek of a woman in distress,
gradually ending in a low wail or moan, heart rending to hear.
Every settler always carried his rifle
and hunting knife where ever he went, for he never knew what moment one of
these dreaded beasts would spring upon him from its secluded perch upon some
cliff or branch of a tree.
Apprehension became acute when the
presence in the settlement of an unusually large black panther was reported. No
one had ever seen or heard of a black panther before. These animals are usually
of a light tawny color. Every one was on the alert for the "Black
Cat" as it was called, and fear of him became intense by reason of the
havoc he began to make on the flocks of the settlers. Hunting parties were
organized. Going in pairs, with dogs, the settlers scoured mountain &
valley for 20 miles around. Several bear, jaguars, and ordinary panthers were
slain, but the black cat eluded them. Twice on these excursions he was sighted,
but escaped. The dogs could not be induced to follow his trail.
Depredations continued, indicating that
the black cat still was present. Matlock's herds of sheep and hogs suffered
worst of all, suggesting the fact that the beast's lair was somewhere in his
immediate neighborhood. One afternoon late in October 1954, Mrs. Matlock sent
her little son, Tad, to the spring for a pail of water. The spring gushed from
the base of a hill not more than 50 yards from the cabin, in a clump of berry
bushes. The lad was not yet seven years old, but helped his mother in many
chores about the house.
Heck, the faithful bear dog, and
inseparable companion of Tad trotted along with the child.
Presently, the mother was startled by the
howls of the dog as if in pain and mortal combat. In terror she snatched her
husband's rifle from rack over the fireplace and dashed toward the spring. Her
instinctive thought was that the black cat had attacked her child and that the
dog had engaged it in battle. Her conjecture was true. When she reached the
spot, Heck was moaning in death, his entrails torn from his bowels.
Little Tad's straw hat lay upon the
ground. The water pail stood under the spout. Little Tad was gone.
The frantic shrieks of the distracted
mother soon brought the father from the field nearby where he was at work.
Seizing his rifle he gave chase. He saw here and there bloodstains, and
fragments of garments upon the stones. His search was in vain, and darkness
falling, he was compelled to give it up. To none of his calls did any response
come from little Tad. Mounting his horse, he rode all night spreading the alarm
among his neighbors. Before day, more than 10 men were on the hunt and during
the next three days 30 determined men were combing the mountains. They came
from every cabin within 20 miles around. It seemed that every acre of mountain
and valley within a radius of 10 miles was beaten over, but no further trace of
the lost child nor of the panther was found.
Then followed days of desperate hunting
parties with dogs scouring the hills throughout the entire settlement. The
black cat eluded them.
John Matlock and his wife were crushed
under the pall of a great sorrow. Neighbors came with words of tender sympathy
and deeds of kindness. Matlock bore up bravely, but swore that he would never
rest till he had slain the destroyer of his boy. He felt also, that if he could
wreak vengeance upon the beast, it would in some measure, soothe the grief of
the stricken mother.
For weeks he neglected most of his work,
roaming the mountain forest with rifle and hunting knife. Not once did he catch
a glimpse of the black cat, nor even discover his trail.
It fell to the lot of another hunter,
fortunately, to come one day upon the remains of little Tad. High upon a
shelving rock, he found the skeleton of the lad, stripped to the bones. He
brought them to the parents, whose anguish swelled afresh over the gruesome
sight. Yet they were glad to be able to give suitable burial to all that
remained of their only child. Then came the bleak chill of December. It was the
time for preserving a supply of bacon for the coming year. This task could not
be delayed. It must be done while freezing weather made it possible to properly
cure the meat. After a hard day's work killing and dressing hogs, Matlock And
his wife retired in sadness, for the night's rest.
Sometime after midnight he was awakened
by a bite on his shoulder, During the day he had gotten a splotch of blood on
his shirt, and some animal was biting at this. Believing it to be the house
cat, he slapped to knock it off the bed. The surprised animal leaped to the
floor with a growl that told the woodsman that he was confronted by a panther.
Instantly he sprang from the bed, for he
knew he faced a battle to the death. The night was of densest darkness. There
was no moon. From the fireplace came a faint glow from a bed of live coals,
partly covered by ashes. He had no time to produce a weapon. The panther
crouched for a spring. He could barely see the outlines of its form. Then, from
the size of its bulk and the fact that it was practically invisible in the
darkness, he realized that the black cat confronted him in his own cabin. It
was to be a battle to the death between man and beast with only the weapons
with which nature had endowed them. In this case nature was partial to the
beast. Nature had anticipated that man would provide his own weapons.
His rifle hung in the rack over the
fireplace. His hunting knife sheathed in his belt, lay somewhere in the room
with his clothing. . An ax stood by the door, inside. He could get at none of
them. The panther had already sprung upon him. Instinctively, he met the first
attack with a powerful blow of his clenched fist. The animal was knocked
sprawling backward to the floor. Instantly the maddened beast was up and at
him. Each onslaught was met as at first.
Meantime the frightened but courageous
wife had spring from the bed and sought to aid her husband. She thought of the
ax by the door and obtained it. However, in aiming a blow at the panther, she
struck her husband a glancing blow but fortunately doing no harm.
Realizing the danger of injury to
himself, he urged her to start a light. So furiously was he engaged that he had
no chance even to grasp the ax.
The struggle went on. Time and again
Matlock's brawny fist sent the panther sprawling. He kept it from his throat,
though bleeding from many cuts from its sharp claws.
Finally his wife, with kindling succeeded
in starting a blaze in the fireplace. The fight had now raged five or ten
minutes, seemingly to Matlock that many hours. He had held his own in this
unequal battle. The beast had become winded by his terrific pounding.
At this instant, with light to aid him,
he landed a crashing uppercut over the panther's heart as it made another leap
for his throat. Matlock's surmise had become knowledge. He saw it was the hated
black cat,
This certainly maddened the man into a
veritable catapult. The last blow was delivered with such amazing force that
the panther was hurled into the air, falling prone upon its back, where it lay
momentarily knocked breathless. Seizing this instant of advantage, Matlock
threw himself upon the animal, grasping and spreading out its forepaws, and
holding down its hind legs with his own. Then at his call, his wife chopped its
feet off with a few blows of the ax, with which weapon Matlock ended the
conflict with a stroke that brained the beast. The annals of history probably
nowhere record such a battle under such circumstances, and with such a result.
Man again had proved his prowess.
Matlock fell into the arms of his wife
exhausted but laughing and weeping. His vow was fulfilled. He had conquered the
hated destroyer of their child. He was horribly torn by teeth and claw. The
panther measured nearly nine feet from tip of nose to end of tail one of the
largest and only black one ever known in that section.
Lingering betwixt life and death for
months, John Matlock was nursed back to recovery by the devoted wife, aided by
kindly friends and a faithful doctor. I have related a true story with but
little coloring, one that was told from generation to generation. My father himself
a pioneer of that region, knew Matlock well and told the story to me.
(FROM THE "ARKANSAS GAZETTE").
1927
Note: When my father, E.L. Matlock
(1867-1939) read this story in the "Gazette" he said that he had
heard his father tell the story several times, and his father said that the
John Matlock of this story was his cousin. /s / E.L.M., Jr.
Note: I have checked 1850 census of Clark
Co., Ark. (according to the above story Little Tad b. ca 1849). John Matlock
not located. Those who were in this county this year were Byrd, Alfred and
Thomas, all of whom were at one time in Perry Co., Tennessee.
The following article appeared in the St.
Louis Republic, November 1, 1894. I absolutely refuse to claim kin to the
subject. Perhaps some of you Missouri Matlocks will claim him.
BITTEN BY A COPPERHEAD
Dallas, Texas, Nov. 1. Charles Matlock
will never charm any more snakes; at least not anymore copperheads. He received
a large specimen of these reptiles from the mountains of West Texas yesterday
morning. Last night he performed with them before a large crowd, letting them
twine about his person smoothing their bodies with his hands, etc.
Suddenly one of the copperheads buried
its fangs in the left
thumb of Matlock. The show, came to an
end right there and then.
Matlock's hand and arm began to swell,
and soon the limb was
nearly as large as a man's thigh, clear
to his shoulder. His suffering
became intense, I and he was put under
the influence of
opiates. He is in City Hospital and under
the care of surgeons.
Dr. Armstrong says Matlock is in a
critical condition. He will
lose his arm and has not one chance in a
hundred for his life.
Matlock is "Rattlesnake" Jim's
partner. The latter is the man who last winter awoke and found a negro burglar
in his room on Lamar street and attempted to capture the intruder who pulled a
knife and carved him.