Historical Sketch
OF
HON. SAMUEL MATTHEWS
Guardian of Virginia
1622-1660
In this sketch I have only been able to outline the life work and character of the British pioneer, the Guardian of Virginia.
Matthews, the Chieftain of Great Results, was a son of fighting and founding men. The Welsh Mountains, the kingdom home of the Ap Matthews, known in history from Galahad 675, Chiefs, sub-Kings and Lords of Wales. David, first lord of Cardingshire, 1330, was ninth generation removed from Galahad, and great-great-grandson of Louis VI of France, one of the most distinguished men of the age.
Sir John, grandson of Lord David, in 1440 established the first English line of Matthews in England, through a bride of the House of York, and from this Welsh, British, French, Norman ancestry, Samuel, descendant of Sir John, was born in 1592, and when called by King James he was ready like many other second sons to make a record in Virginia.
[I had hoped to secure a picture of Governor Matthews, but up to date have failed. I, however, employ a photograph of the eldest lineal descendant of two lines from the Pioneer through Thomas and Francis Matthews to represent the family.]
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