From Greg Matthews (18 September 2007) - Molly’s name shows up in the chancery cause which was Virginia's version of probate court meaning that either she or Richard had some claim on the estate of Charles. There is no logical reason why Richard would because if he did then there would have been a chancery cause with him alone suing Drury Mathews since Drury was the executor of the estate. The only explanation is that Richard's wife had some equal claim to the estate along with all those other people named (otherwise Molly's name would not have even been mentioned in the case), ergo, she must have been Charles' daughter.

The same month that the case was settled Richard and Molly sold a couple of hundred acres of land in Lunenburg County (where Charles held land in addition to his land in Brunswick County) to Isaac Bishop. Isaac was probably some relation to the husband of Charles' daughter Martha: Matthew Bishop. Since there is no deed showing where Richard acquired the land he sold he must have gotten it as part of the estate settlement as Molly's share.

I don't know if this is the same Richard Hardy. I've looked through everything I have and can't figure out where this information came from. But wanted to put it here in case someone else may be able to provide a document that could prove that this is the same Richard Hardy who is related to the Luke Matthews family line. If so, then there might be a link between the two Matthews lines.

1782, October - Brunswick County Chancery Case 1784-004: a summons issued Oct 1782 to William Matthes, Luke Matthes, Matthew Bishop and Martha, Richard Hardy and Molly, John Matthes and Lucretia.

Source: Original court document from Brunswick County, VA.

The Comonwealth of Virginia to the Sheriff of Brunswick County

Greeting

We command you that you summons William Matthis, Luke Matthis, Matthew Bishop and Martha his wife, Richard Hardy & Molly his wife and John Matthis & Lucretia his wife to appear before our Justices of our said County Court in Chancery at the Courthouse on the fourth Monday in Next month then and there to answer a Bill in Chancery exhibited against them by Drury Matthis.

And this they shall in no wise omith under the penalty of 100 pounds each and have then there this wit:

Witness Peter Pelham junior Clerk of our said Court the 22nd day of January 1781 in the fifth year of the Commonwealth.