My research starts at James’ grandson, William Matthews. For the best research on this Matthews line please see Greg Mathews’ research via Internet. His dedication to our family history is very thorough.

Basic notes taken from Greg’s research.

James was a landowner in both Virginia and North Carolina. Deed records indicate he must have had large grants of land. A cattle mark registered in Brunswick County August 3, 1732 for a James Matthews was a crop and a hole and a half moon in the right ear, and a half moon over the left ear.

James Matthews was appointed December 6, 1735 along with other gentlemen to “possession” of the land in Brunswick County which consisted of determining and marking lines to identify real estate rights.

Isaac Matthews (or Mathews or Mathis as is more often spelled), who owned land in the same general areas as James, was also appointed to “possession” of the land in Brunswick County in 1739 and in 1743. He probably was a relative of James.

The Brunswick County, Virginia deed records show that James Matthews had at least three sons. On July 3, 1735 he gave 282 acres of land in Brunswick County, Virginia to his son, James. On January 20, 1741 he gave this same son another 200 acres in Brunswick County. On the same date he gave his son Charles (1704-1780), 235 acres of land in Brunswick County.624 At the time of the last two gifts, James Matthews (c.1670-1743) showed his address as Edgecombe County, North Carolina.

On April 7, 1743 he gave to his son, Mathew, 200 acres in Brunswick County, Virginia. He died in that same year.620

Will of James Matthis Sr. of Halifax County, NC [mislabeled as Thomas Matthis Sr.]

To grandson Charles Matthis, 100 acres on Hawtree [Creek]

To son Thomas Matthis, slaves Peter and Cook and my part of the water mill

To brothers and sisters of Thomas Matthis (names not given), ₤40 each

Wit: Edward Collins Sr., Edward Collins, Jr., Rachel Phillips

Extr: son Thomas Matthis

Dated: 26 Feb 1759 Rec: Court of Mar 1762

Note: This will nearly always confused with a non-existent Thomas Matthis/Matthews
Sr. When the will was originally copied into the Halifax County will books by the court
clerk he wrote the first part of the will as if it were for “Thomas Matthis” and this is
how the will is presented in Margaret Hoffman’s book on Halifax County deeds.
However, the original is signed by James Matthis Sr (actually he left his mark rather
than signing). North Carolina will indexes, however, correctly show it as the will of
James Matthis.617