Matthew Williams (1690-1814)
From My Research Wiki
Matthew Williams is a troublesome case since his obituary says he lived to be 124 years old and did some amazing things and there's almost no other documentation that can be attributed to him. There are several histories that mention this man but most seem to have taken his obituary at face value. While it may be true, it would be easier to believe if he had left other clear documentary proof, such as a military pension. For now, he is listed as 124 years old.
Contents |
Obituary
Died in Frankford, Sussex County of New Jersey on the 14th inst. Matthew Williams at the advanced age of 124 years. He was born in Wales (Europe) in Jan. 1690, was a soldier during the reign of Queen Anne and was at the taking of Minorca from the Spaniards, and in almost all the most memorable battles of the last century, to the taking of Quebec under Wolfe; after which he settled in this country, but losing his wife, by whom he had two sons, he at the last revolution in America joined the service of the war, since which he has lived in this country until his death. He was upwards of twenty years on the sea service, and more than that time in different services as a soldier on the land. His recollection was admirable until a short time before his death. He could repeat the different transactions of his life from his early days and give a most distinct account of the different engagements he had been in.
Source: Sussex Register, 24 Jan 1814
Breakdown
So, let's break this down:
- "a soldier during the reign of Queen Anne and was at the taking of Minorca from the Spaniards" -- he would have been 18 years old; possible...
- "and in almost all the most memorable battles of the last century" -- is an easy claim to make since there are no specifics
- "to the taking of Quebec under Wolfe" -- would put him at 69 years; that's getting a little long in the tooth for tramping around battle fields
- "losing his wife, by whom he had two sons" -- how old was he when they were born?
- "he at the last revolution in America joined the service of the war" -- in 1776 he would have been 86 years old; not sure who wrote this
- "He was upwards of twenty years on the sea service" -- Huh? He was in the navy?
- "and more than that time in different services as a soldier on the land" -- Both??
While the obituary was published in a newspaper the publisher could have printed what someone told him or what some family member wrote. More research needs to be done to find some evidence. Until then, this is an interesting story... and a brick wall.
Life
Matthew married an unnamed woman when he moved to Sussex County. She had at least two sons by him but only one name is known.
