| Notes |
- Peter Matson, Sr., a Quaker, was born about 1710 in Philadelphia Countyin.) He married Ann Ely (daugher of Hugh Ely) of Burlington County, West Jersey. They had eight children: Isaac (Swedish Lutheran, married Rachel), Peter (Swedish Lutheran, married Elizabeth Supplee), Anna (Quakerhilip Dougherty), Elizabeth (Swedish Lutheran, married Pvt. Ezekiel Rambo), Ann (married Gravenor Marsh, Sr.) and Esther (married Isaac Rees outside Quaker faith).
Peter Matson was granted 178 acres by William Penn on Schuylkill River 1 January 1741. When this land grant was made, Peter lived at White Marsh, Philadelphia County. Deed was made for 80 lbs, a tract in the Manor of Mountjoy on the Schuylkill. (A Swede's Tract, Upper Merion. Philadelphia Co. Deeds, Bk G3, pg 145.) This tract became known as Matson's Ford.
On 4 Oct 1777 General George Washington and troops (10,000 men), after camping 2 months at White Marsh, crossed the nearby river, but encountered a strong British foraging party at their first crossing. On the evening of December 12, they crossed again single file over a bridge of wagons connected by wooden rails. It was cold, rainy and snowing. The men were poorly clad and hungry. The crossing lasted far into the night. Matthias Holstein, age 5, witnessed the crossing. The narrow bridge they used was between West Conshoken and present day Conshoken. (Peter's property was damaged by the British.)
Peter requested certificate to Buckingham MM 27 October 1743, to Plymouth MM, Merion Co, 28 June 1768. (Family History Library, SLC, Film #441
Tax records: Upper Merion, Montgomery County, PA, Archives (Film #454,722) lists Peter Matson 1774-1779.
The Will of Peter Matson, proven 16 Dec 1778, mentions wife Ann, and children: Isaac (eldest "to have plantation of 120 A. which I purchased from Henry Pawling") Peter, Jr ("to have home plantation at the Ford), Ann (wife of Elias James), Mary (wife of O'Neal), Hannah, wife of Dougherty, Elizabeth Rambo, Ann Marsh and Esther (youngest and still single). Execs: Nathan Potts and Peter Matson, Jr. (Philadelphia Co. Will Book) FHC Film #441,377; Soc. of Friends, Radnor MM.)
Pennsylvania Wills, 1682-1834
MATSON, PETER. Upper Merion, Co. of Phila.
March 7, 1778. December 16, 1778. R.138.
Wife: Ann. Children: Isaac, Peter, Esther, Anna, Mary O'Neil, Hannah Dougherty, Elizabeth Rambo, Ann Marsh. Son-in-Law: Elias James. Exec:
Nathan Potts, Peter Matson.
Wit: Samuel Couch, Amos Willits.
The Peter Matson homestead built in 1747 was torn down in 1921 to make way for the present day bridge. Read notes of Peter's father John for history of how the town of Merion was started.
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circa 1710 - 1778 (~ 68 years)
