George Mathews (Georgia) - Early Life

Early Life

George was born to John and Ann (Archer) Mathews on August 30, 1739 in Augusta County, Virginia. His father brought his young family to the Virginia frontier during the Scots-Irish immigration, where he established himself as a planter and was elected to the vestry. Young George helped expand the family enterprise, taking over his father's farm at an early age.

He went into business with his older brother, Sampson Mathews, and they acquired property as far west as the Greenbrier district, setting up several outpost along this stretch. Their commercial and mercantile efforts included the selling of specialty goods and grew to include extensive Atlantic trade markets.

George soon became active in civic affairs. He became a vestryman in the church, a Captain in the militia, and the sheriff of Augusta County. He earned a military reputation leading his company in the Battle of Point Pleasant against the Shawnee and Mingo Indian tribes during Lord Dunmore's War in 1774.

Rembert Patrick described the event:

"Among the motley colonial army of raw recruits and woodsmen, dressed in hunting shirts and wearing moccasins, was George Mathews. It was a typical Indian battle where every man found a tree, and military discipline in the English sense was unknown. In the battle ensuing, Mathews shot nine Indians, and escaped with no more than scratches made by the protecting branches."

His success in the battle would lead to his recruitment in the Continental Army on the outbreak of the American Revolution.