| Notes |
- Aaron Mattson, the third child of Morris Mattson and Margaret Hill, was born at Tredyffrin, Chester, Pennsylvania on June 7, 1745. He married Mary McMinn on Jan. 18, 1770. To them were born five children: Isabella, Mary, Aaron, George and another child who died at an early age. A member of St. David's Episcopal Church at Radnor, Aaron was a cobbler and farmer in Thornbury and Aston Townships.
Diary of Aaron Mattson: "I was born at the dwelling house of Thomas Ingham in Easttown, Chester County, in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and forty five. From thence we removed about a mile in the Township unto a plantation of Benjamin Junkin and there we lived seven years. From thence we moved about six or seven miles into the township of Edgmont on a pretty large plantation which belonged to a Jacob Yarnall... I being quite overpersuaded to go to farming. I went into the plantation of Thomas Yarnall in Thornbury Township of late for the space of one year and my sister Margaret to keep house for me... My father moved to Aston in the year 1757...In the year 1769 I rented a place of my father in the township where I now live and my sister Sarah, to keep house for me. She continued six months and then she married her cousin John. ...January 18, 1770 I married Mary McMinn of Aston..." After Aaron's father died, Aaron became executor and heir of the farm which was later called "Red Gables." The long, rambling whitewashed stone structure on the east side of Red Hill Road into which he and Mary moved was still standing in 1985 and is probably still there today.
Between 1790-1795, Aaron built a stone mill on west branch of Chester Creek which he operated as a paper mill until he sold it 6 Dec 1824 by the sheriff to John P. Cozer having been unable to pay his debts. In 1843 a flood destroyed it. It was a little mill site with a rickety old building and over 180 acres. Crozer had changed the mill to a cotton factory.
A young preacher named Francis Asbury and another volunteer, Richard Wright, were chosen by John Wesley, founder of Methodism, to go to America to bring his doctrine to the colonies. He and Wright landed in Philadelphia October 27, 1771. They traveled throughout the land preaching Wesley's Methodism. Soon, others arrived to assist in the spread of Methodism. Asbury and another gentleman, Coke, discussed the question of slavery with General George Washington at Mt. Vernon. Washinton, although owning several slaves, favored emancipation. On September 26, 1785, Asbury arrived at Chester County and preached at the home of Aaron Mattson. He spoke at his home again in 1787 and again in 1797. Asbury stated in his diary, "In the evening of March 30, 1809, I spoke at Bethel Chapel....and at Matson's Chapel. ... on April 3, 1810, I lodged at Aaron Matson's. In 1807, sixteen years after the death of John Wesley, Aaron Mattson gave an acre of ground to the Mount Chapel congregation for the construction of a new place of worship. The land, valued at that time at forty dollars and situated near the top of Aston Ridge, was deeded to nine trustees, one being Powell Clayton, husband of Mary Mattson, one of of Aaron's five children. He later, gave money to assist in the building of Mt. Hope Methodist Church which stands today. The land and buildings are now valued at $1.8 million.
A document from the PA State Library and Museum (Harrisburg) dated March 12, 1926, certified that "......Aaron Matson appears as a private in the 1st Class on A Return of the Classes of the 7th Company of the 7th Battallion of Militia of Chester County, 1780 in the War of the Revolution. " Although Aaron did not believe in war or killing, he served his country dutifully.
Will of Aaron Matson, Aston Town, Delaware County, written 1837, bequeathed all his land and buildings (betweet Dutton Rd and Concord Rd) and most of his possesions to his daughter Isabella [since he outlived all his known children except Isabella and Aaron]. To his son Aaron he gave five dollars and to his granchildren, the children of son George Mattsonldren collectively I give ten dollars." He was buried at Mt. Hope Methodist Cemetery, Aston Township.
See Vol II of a series, "Aaron Mattson, Husband of Mary McMinn" by Ella Matson Lindsay for family and descendants of Aaron Mattson. On page 20 is a description of beautiful Mt. Hope Methodist Church as seen in 1986 by Ella Matson and sister Lois Matson Budzynski.
Volume I "George Matson, Father of George Brinton Matson, Sr."
Volume II "Aaron Mattson, 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"
The above bound volumes are also available as hard copy at Chester Co. HIstorical Society, Cincinnati Public Library, and at Allen County Library (Indiana).
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1745 - 1837 (91 years)
