1993 Prodigy posting by Ora Jo Mathis which stated: "I find in my files a listing of a James Mathews, Resident of NC; c.1760 - 1811; son of Thomas Mathews; married Nancy Dickenson, dau of John Dickerson and Mary Pendergrass... This information was found in a book of the American Revolution Patroits and Descendents, Vol. I, Page 201." Jon continued, "I have a copy of a letter written in 1905 by Dr. Tom Matthews, son of Rev. Willis Dickenson Matthews, and grandson of James and Nancy Dickenson Matthews which stated: "Rev. Willis Dickenson Matthews moved with his father (James) when a boy to Pendleton District, SC, to live near Rev. Willis Dickenson, his uncle (Nancy's brother) after whom he was named."



gggrandfather of Rufus Matthews Willis D was a circuit Riding Methodist Minister. His father died when he was 6 years old and he went to live with his Uncle Willis Dicke(i)nson who no doubt was an influence into his entering the ministry. In 1855 he removed his family from Georgia and settled in Tallapoosa County,AL. where he became Presiding elder of the North Alambama Conference and was an Alabama State Senator.





WDM had an uncle named Willis Dickenson, and two cousins: A. Dickenson and J.P. Dickenson. When WDM was a boy his family removed to Pendleton Dist SC, and lived near his Uncle Willis Dickenson.