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- John Mathews, Jr. lived on the James River in what is now Botetourt County, Virginia. From his Will, dated 27 November 1761, we learn that his wife was named Ann, and that he had three sons and three daughters, all of whom were under age at the date of the will. Soon after that date, the whole family was murdered and burnt with their house. The only information extant of the tragedy is from the proceedings in the suit of Murray and wife against Mathews, brought in the County Court of Augusta, in 1768, for a division of decedents real estate. Whether the murders were perpetrated by Indians or whites, is neither stated nor surmised. The date of the death of this family was between the date of the will - 1761, and the date of probate - 1764. In the Will of John Mathews, Jr., the following are mentioned: wife, Ann; son, Edward; infant daughters, Lettis, Jane, Ann; son, John; son, George; Execrs, wife Ann and brothers George and Sampson. Probated 22 March 1764.
[Waddell, Joseph A., Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, second edition, 1902. Reprinted Bridgewater, Virginia: C. J. Carrier & Co., 1958, page 309.]
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