Background
Matthew was the son of Syntje Slegt (1729–1763) (also spelled Tryntje Slecht or Sleight) and the Review Johannes Leydt (1718–1783), minister of the Dutch Reformed congregation at New Brunswick and at Six Mile Run in Franklin Township (both from 1748 until his death), and Trustee of Queen"s CollegeMatriculating as a sophomore when instruction began in 1771, he graduated at the age of 19 with a Bachelor of Arts (Bachelor of Arts) degree in 1774 —constituting the college"s entire first graduating class.
