General Notes

http://ereschke.er.ohost.de/ged4web/matson/n_1e.html
Matson, John  (b. ABT 1686, d. 15 Jul 1753)
Note: John Matson, Sr, of Upper Merion, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, was probably born between 1680 and 1690. It is not known from where he came nor is it clear as to his parentage, but speculation leans towards Swedish or Welch ancestry. A Jon Matsson was christened 20 Sep 1682 Recorded in Vasterfarnebo, Vastmanland, Sweden. Collection: Vasterfarnebo; Svenska Kyrkan. Father: Mats JONSSON. Source: FHL Film 75460. This could be "our'' John (Jon) Matson (Matsson) whose name was changed upon entering US.  "John Matson, mentioned in the list in 1693. The latter is represented at that date as having eleven persons in his family. One of the same name, who was probably a son, is represented as having moved into Upper Merion on a large tract of land adjoining Lower Merion. As the country became settled a ford was established here and thus received the name of Matson's Ford. During the Revolution the American army crossed several times at this place. It was then owned by Peter Matson, and on his death the land was divided among his sons, leaving each a farm." (Source: Genealogy.com: Genealogy Library: Family Books: Jenkins Family).  Tax list of 1693, New Castle Co. Delaware, lists both Mathias Matson and John Matson.  The town of Merion was settled in 1696 by Quaker Friends who immigrated from Wales. Early members resided in Haverford, Radnor, and adjacent towns, holding meetings in private homes as early as 1683.The first Friends Meeting House was built in Lower Merion in 1695. It had a graveyard, but no inscriptions can be seen today (1800). About 12 low stones exit of recent origin (1800). (Source: "Welsh Friends," FHL, SLC, UT.Although the Swedes had settled on the Delaware River near the mouth of the Schuylkilll River in 1642, and 4 years later errected a church there, it was not until 1712 that they came in the present limits of Upper Merion. Here they purchased a large tract of land from the Welsh, who had preceded them in the township by a a land purchase in 1682, but did not precede the arrival of the Swedes in America. The names of these settlers were MATS HOLSTEIN, GUNNAR RAMBO, PETER RAMBO, PETER YOCUM AND JOHN MATSON. They each took up 800-1000 acres each which lay from the present borough of Bridgeport down to the Lower Merion line and back nearly two miles from the Schuylkill River. (Source: "History of Montgomery County" by Wm. Buck, p. 41.)* This tract for fertility is almost unegqualed in PA and is still chiefly in the hands of their descendants (except Matson) and comprises nearly one-fourth of the present area of the township of Upper Merion. On this tract the names of Swede's Ford, Swedes' church, Swedesburg, Swedeland and MATSON'S FORD sufficiently indicate the identity of these settlers. Theodore Bean (source of info) states a John Matson moved into Upper Merion on a large tract of land adjoining Lower Merion in 1712. As the country became settled, this area later became known as "Matson's Ford." John Matson's grandson, Peter, Jr., who settled at present day Conshohoken, Montgomery County, PA., helped to give this area the name because of his residence near the site by the Schuylkill River. (Taken from "The Matson Family: History of Montgomery Co, PA" by Theodore W. Bean, Norristown, PA 1884, pp 1116-1129.) (Read the notes of Peter Matson, John Matson, Sr.'s son.)  This is confirmed in the town history of West Conshohocken with an excerpt as follows: "In 1712 John Matson, an early settler, acquired land from William Penn that included the west bank of the Schuylkill from the present-day Bridgeport to the Lower Merion Township Line. Peter Matson, John Matson's son, built his house along the river and installed a 'ford' by placing rocks in the river. That community became known as Matson's Ford, a name that still endures today as a street in town.  Matson's Ford played a small part in history during the Revolutionary War. In 1777 Washington's army left Whitemarsh and traveled down Conshohocken's Fayette Street towards Matson's Ford. They constructed a bridge of wagons, over which rails were laid as the soldiers crossed under the command of Lafayette. As they were coming over, Lord Cornwallis and his British soldiers appeared from the hills. Our soldiers were forced to retreat and cross Swede's Ford into Valley Forge on Dec. 13, 1777."  The German Lutheran Church in Upper Merion was built in 1769. The Baptist Church and graveyard were built in 1809. The Old Swede's or Christ's Church was one of three United Lutheran Churches constituting the Swedish Mission of 1765. Most famous is "Gloria Dei" of Philadelphia and one at Wicacoa.  The following is taken from "Swedes Tract," a bulletin of the Historical Society of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (Family History Library, SLC, 974.812 B2b). "The Old Swedes Church (Christ's Episcopal Church) was built on John Rambo's land in Swedesburg, Upper Merion, Montgomery County, PA, just below present day BridgePort. John Rambo was a brother of Gunnar Rambo who were descendants of Peter Gunnarson Rambo who came from Sweden in 1640. His property was just above Gunnar's. This little church was first built of logs. William Penn ordered and confirmed to Rambos and Peter Cock, 28 Oct 1701, a tract of land on the fringe of the Schuylkill River. Gunnar received his title to 500 acres of land at Matsunk (SwedesLand) at present day Upper Merion, Montgomery County, PA in 1707. Upper Merion township was formed in 1714 by Welch Quaker immigrants.  The community once known as Matsunk on the Schuylkill River within Upper Merion Township actually contained about 2200 acres and extended over two miles along the river. It was excellent land for agriculture with rich loamy soil, well drained. It was amply wooded with oaks, hickories and poplars and open grasslands. It abounded with wild life. The river was filled with catfish and shad and was used as a means of transportation to and from Philadelphia City."  The bulletin sited from which the above information was taken is well documented with wills, land deeds and genealogy with marriage dates, spouses and children's names of the Holstein, Yocum and Rambo families. It is believed that John Matson, Sr. may have been blood related to the Holsteins and Rambos, but this is speculation. The Matsons and the Rambos were tied together by marriage, however. Ezekiel Rambo, Sr. (2nd Grt Grandson of the infamous Peter Gunnarson Rambo) married Elizabeth Matson, dau. of Peter Matson who was a son of John Matson, Sr. The children of John Matson, Sr. along with their spouses and descendants have been established and documented herein.  It is believed that John Matson, Sr's first wife was named Margaret, but this has not been proven. The names of his children have been proven, however. They are Peter, Daniel, Hannah, Morris, Catherine, John, Jr. and Joseph, Sr. Margaret, possibly John's wife, died on 22 March 1731 and was buried at Friends' Graveyard, Merion, Chester County, PA. John married Catherine Gregory on 5 November 1740. They had three children, Jacob and twins. Both twins died at about the age of five and are buried at Friends' Graveyard, Merion. The exact birthdates of all the children are unknown leaving some question as to the order of their birth.  John's son, Peter, Sr, believed to be the oldest, married Ann Ely, daughter of Hugh Ely of West Jersey and whose ancestry was English. Ann was a Quaker which may have resulting in his conversion and that of his father. Their two sons were later removed from Quaker roles due to marrying "out of the Quaker religion." John Matson, Sr. and several of his children and grandchildren (see above) are buried at Friend's Graveyard at Upper Merion, a Quaker cemetery.  Quaker records state Hannah "had consent of her father John of Upper Merion to marry John Davies [Davis]" suggesting that she may have been underage. Their wedding certificate dated 9 December 1732 states John Matson of Upper Merion is her father.  Film #432,020, Pt 1, Hinshaw's Encylopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Chester MM, gives the marriage of John [Jr] and wife Hannah Norbury on 5 September 1741 at Middletown, Chester County, PA, and that John Matson [probably his father] and Morris Matson [his brother] were witnesses at the wedding.  "Davis: A Quaker Family" by Eleanor M. Davis, pg 891, states John Matson of Edgemont (now Delaware Co., PA) who married in 1741 [John, Jr.] was mentioned in a removal certificate recorded by Chester MM. Both John, Jr. and his daughter Alice died in March 1748. Davis implies that John Matson, Sr. may have cared for his son John, Jr's surviving children including his own young twins who died and were buried at Friends' Graveyard, Merion, a year later. John, Sr. died five years later and was buried in the same cemetery.  John Mattson, son of Daniel Matson, married Sarah Mattson, daughter of Morris Mattson of Aston Twp, Chester County. They were first cousins. Morris and Daniel were brothers and sons of John Matson, Sr. Morris married Mary [Cloud?] about 1740. Daniel married Amy Williams about 1737. Her parents were from England.  For complete information on the descendants of John Matson, Sr. with sources and notes, read from the following set of five volumes found at the Cincinnati Public Library, Cincinnati, Ohio; or at Chester County Historical Society, West Chester, PA; or at the Family History Library, Salt Lake City. All five volumes are filmed and can be secured through any LDS Family History Center, film #2055264. All five volumes were compiled with most RESEARCH being done by Ella Matson Linday and Lois Matson Budzynski, fifth Great Granddaughters of John Matson, Sr.  Volume I "George Matson, Father of George Brinton Matson, Sr." Volume II "Aaron Matson, Husband of Mary McMinn and Son of Morris Mattson" Volume III "Morris Mattson, Who Helped To Build Our Nation" Volume IV "Morris Mattson, (cont.) Volume V "John Matson, of Upper Merion, Philadelphia Co., PA, and His Descendants"  For specific information and sources, see the record of each of John Matson, Sr's children herein.  MATSON BURIALS: Friend's Graveyard, (Cemetery), Radnor, Chester Co, PA. John Matson, Sr. buried on 15 July 1753. Also buried there are: Margaret Matson, buried 22 March 1731 ( first wife, sister or cousin of John??) Catherine Matson (dau. of John by first wife), buried 1 May 1731. Twins of John Matson (and second wife Catherine Gregory), buried 17 April 1748. Peter Matson (prob. son of John Matson, Sr.) buried 17 March 1778. Sarah Matson (Jacob's daughter - Jacob is son of John and Catherine), buried 29 August 1789. Daughter Matson (Jacob's daughter?) buried 4 September 1789 (Source: Film #441,377, FHL, SLC - Hist of Del Co., PA, Radnor and Merion MMs)  Other source: "History of Montgomery County, PA" by Theodore W. Bean, pg 1126, (Historical Society of Montgomery County.  A Johannes Mannson md Ingeberg Stedham 14 Sep 1714. (Church Records: MD and DE, FTM # 178). Mannson may have been changed to Matson.  * No deeds have been found to bear out assertion regarding John Matson's purchase of land in 1712, however a John Roberts, Mats'son is listed in the 1734 tax records of Lower Merion Co. A John Roberts from Pen y Clwyd, Denbigshire, Wales, purchased on 7 July 1682, 500 acres from John ap John andThomas Wynn of their 5,000 acre patent from Wm. Penn. Perhaps their is a connection. (Entry 1999)  From FTM CD # 512, pg 237, "Abstract from Ben Franklin's PA Gazette, 1739" - "Matson, John - Saturday last at Gloucester County, N.J., was killed when his cart overset. (20 Sept)" Could this have been father of John Matson, Sr. of Upper Merion?  From Peter Wilson Coldham's "The Complete Book of Emigrants..." Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore, 1988. (FTM CD#354) there is a Mathew Johnson (patronymics?) who came to America from England (but the English did not use patronymics) in 1637 with his father Edward and mother Susan and siblings.  Mary Ann Nicholson's "Stolen Children" from Scottish Genealogical Soc. (Vol. 29:1, Mach 1982, pp 11-15, gives a John Matson who immigrated to PA in 1697. Amandus Johnson's "List of Officers, Soldier's...in New Sweden" gives a Mathias Matson who came to America in 1654 (John's father?). Source page 720. Nils Matson listed on page 720 and 722, perhaps a relative.
Source: (Birth) Title: Family Records of Elaine Matson Reschke Repository:
Name: Elaine M. Reschke Address: e.reschke@comcast.net
Source: (Burial) Title: Friends Graveyard, Merion MH Publication: History of Delaware Co, PANote: Film #441,377 Repository:
Name: Family History Library Address: 35 North West Temple Street Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA Phone: 801-240-2331
Page: #441,377
Source: (Individual) Title: Probate Records of Philadelphia Co., PA, 1682-1850. Call number: Film 121,721
Source: (Individual) Title: Volume V "John Matson and His Descendants" Author: Ella Matson Lindsay Call number: Film #2055264 Note: Contact Lois Matson Budzynski or Elaine Matson Reschke at 123 Second Ave, SLC, UT 84103 for a dditional information Repository:
Name: Family History Library Address: 35 North West Temple Street Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA Phone: 801-240-2331
Given Name: John
Death: 15 Jul 1753 Upper Merion, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Burial: 15 Jul 1753 Friends Grave Yard, Radnor, Chester, Pennsylvania
Will: Date: 16 Jul 1748 Place: , Chester, Pennsylvania
Reference: Pg 3
Change: Date: 15 Aug 2004 Time: 01:00:00