George Mathews

Background

George Mathews was the son of John Mathews, a recent Irish immigrant. He was born on August 30, 1739 in Augusta County, Virginia.

Career

On October 10, 1774 he fought the Indians at Point Pleasant. During the Revolution he took part in the campaigns around Philadelphia, spent some months in a British prison ship, and later served with distinction as colonel of Virginia troops in Greene's Carolina campaigns. Removing to Georgia in 1785, he became brigadier-general in the militia of that state, governor in 1787, and its representative in Congress, 1789-91. As governor of the state again, 1793-96, he opposed the filibustering operations of Elijah Clarke and his associates and signed the notorious Yazoo Act. In 1798 President Adams nominated him as first governor of Mississippi Territory, but within a month was obliged to withdraw his name because of his dubious land speculations and suspected connection with the Blount Conspiracy. Mathews journeyed to Philadelphia, according to reports, to chastise the President, but desisted from his purpose when his son was given a federal appointment. In the fall of 1810 he was employed, evidently on the initiative of William H. Crawford, to sound Vizente Folch, the Spanish executive of West Florida, on the question of delivering that province to the United States. In this he failed, but his observations around Mobile and St. Augustine convinced him that both Floridas should at once be brought under the control of the United States. During the following winter he was at Washington when the administration received from Folch a belated but conditional offer to deliver his province. Congress having authorized its acceptance and also, in certain contingencies, the occupation of East Florida, Mathews and John McKee, the bearer of Folch's offer, were authorized to take the necessary steps in the transfer. When, however, the commissioners interviewed Folch at Mobile in March 1811, that executive refused to make the proffered delivery. This refusal evidently convinced Mathews that in respect to East Florida, where he believed his instructions empowered him to continue irregular activities, he must employ more direct if dubious methods. He had already (1810 - 11) sought to stir up insurrection there and by an interview with Crawford in October 1811 was further confirmed in his tortuous course, although the administration left him without further instructions. His method of procedure was to organize the English-speaking Spanish subjects of East Florida, draft recruits in nearby Georgia, and when these irregular contingents were ready, secure "volunteers" from among the American regulars. Thus he hoped to bring about the surprise and capture of St. Augustine. This plan failed through the opposition of the American military commander, but the "insurgents" declared independence of Spain and on March 17, 1812, aided by recruits from Georgia and by the intervention of the American gunboats on the St. Marys, forced the surrender of Fernandina. On the following day Mathews took formal possession of that smuggling center in the name of the United States. Following this initial success the "insurgents" successively occupied outlying portions of the province and then turned each over to Mathews, who, with his regulars, followed them closely. In this piecemeal fashion the two contingents, early in June, came within sight of St. Augustine. Here Mathews was halted by Secretary Monroe's tardy but complete disavowal of his course. The Secretary in a private letter praised his agent's zeal, but regretted that he had not used more "restrained" methods. For some weeks the repudiated commissioner preserved silence; then, the rôle of silent martyr becoming unbearable, the impulsive old man started northward, fell ill at Augusta, and fulfilled Crawford's presentiment that he would "die of mortification and resentment" over his repudiation. By his demise the authorities at Washington escaped the consequences of his threat that he'd "be dam'd if he didn't blow them all up", and he carried to the grave much evidence that might explain his debatable conduct.

Achievements

• Mathews was first elected governor of Georgia in 1787. He served in the first US Congress from 1789 to 1791. He was re-elected Georgia governor in 1793 and served until 1796. Mathews, Alabama, is named for him. Mathews, Louisiana, is named for his son, George Mathews Jr. Several historical markers in Georgia are dedicated to him.

Connections

He appears to have been married three times; his first wife, née Woods, was of Albemarle County, Va. ; his second, Mrs. Reed of Staunton, whom he divorced; and his third, Mrs. Flowers of Mississippi. He had four sons and two daughters.

Father:

John Mathews

Mother:

Anne (née Archer) Mathews

Wife:

Anne "Polly" Paul Margaret Cunningham,

Wife:

Mary Carpenter Flowers

Daughter:

Rebecca Ann Mathews Meriwether

24 September 1770 - 21 July 1829

Son:

George Mathews

1774 - 1836

Son:

William Mathews

21 May 1769 - 1802

Son:

Col Charles Lewis Mathews

13 October 1775 - 17 June 1843

References

• Expansionists of 1812