Levisa Stafford and Hiram Matthews

11.  Levisa Stafford³  (William¹, James²) b. between 1790 and 1800¹ in Ohio;² d. 14 June 1837 in Morgan County, Indiana;² married Hiram Mathews in Highland County, Ohio on 18 November 1819.^3,4 

Hiram Matthews was born in 1797 in North Carolina.⁵  He served in the War of 1812.⁵ This family lived about 3 miles south of Mooresville in Brown Township.  Hiram Matthews and his brother, James Matthews are listed in the 1830 Morgan County, Indiana census.¹ The enumeration for Hiram's household shows the following members:

• 1 male, aged 30-39 [birth years = 1790-1800]

• 1 female, aged 30-39 [birth years = 1790-1800]

• 2 males < 5 [birth years = 1825-1830]

• 1 male 5-9 [birth years = 1820-1825]

• 1 female < 5 [birth years = 1825-1830]

• 1 female 5-9 [birth years = 1820-1825]

This enumeration suggests that Hiram and Louisa Matthews nee Stafford were the parents of 5 children by 1830.¹ Further research is needed to determine if this is correct and if they had other children prior to Louisa's death in 1837.  Some biographical information is available about Hiram Matthews.  He was described as a civic minded man and served as a Justice of the Peace in Morgan County.  According to Noah J. Major, he was the JP of Harrison Township and served as early as June 1822.⁶  The same book contains a short biographical sketch on page 433:

"In 1836 Hiram Matthews represented Morgan county [as a state representative].  He came from North Carolina about the year 1820.  He was in the county's organization and was one of the four justices of the peace elected in the beginning and commissioned by Governor Jennings, May 22, 1822.  From this time on Mr. Matthews was associated with the county and township affairs almost to the day of his death.  As executor and administrator he settled many estates and was often guardian.  He was a man to be fully trusted at all times, under all conditions.  He was of a sedate turn of mind, generally keeping his own counsel.  He made agriculture his principal business, and his farm three miles south of Mooresville is still known as "Judge Matthews Place."  He was twice married and brought up a family greatly respected.  He was a Whig, a Republican and a valuable citizen.  He lived to the ripe age of eighty-three years."

By 1840, Levisa Matthews nee Stafford was deceased and Hiram had married a second wife.  Her name was Anna Stuart, a native of Scotland.  They were married in Morgan County, Indiana on 06 September 1838.⁶  

The enumeration for Hiram's household in 1840⁷ shows the following members:

• 1 male, aged 40-49 [birth years = 1790-1800]

• 1 female, aged 30-39 [birth years = 1800-1810]

• 1 males 5 - 9 [birth years = 1830-1835]

• 2 male 10-14 [birth years = 1825-1830]

• 1 male 15-19 [birth years = 1820-1825]

• 1 female 5-9 [birth years = 1830-1835]

• 1 female 15-19 [birth years = 1820-1825]

The enumeration for Hiram's household in 1850⁸ shows the following members:

• Hiram Matthews, age 52, born in N.C.

• Anna Matthews, age 42, born in Scotland

• Calvin Matthews, age 21, born in Indiana

• Seth Matthews, age 18, born in Indiana

• Adaline Housand, age 11, born in Indiana

• Jane Maxwell, age 52, born in Kentucky

• Hannah Medley, age 25, born in Ohio

• Nathan Moss, age 12, black, born in N.C. 

In the household immediately following Hiram Matthews is a household for Joel and Eliza Matthews, presumed to be the son of Hiram and Levisa Matthews nee Stafford:

• Joel Matthews, age 52, born in Indiana

• Elizabeth Matthews, age 22, born in Indiana

• Eliza Matthews, age 2, born in Indiana

• Milliard F. Matthews, age 1, born in Indiana

• Calvin Matthews, age 1/12, born in Indiana

This branch of William Stafford's line ends with Levisa Matthews nee Stafford.  At this time no further research of this line is planned.

The following records are needed to document Levisa Stafford and Hiram Matthews lives:

• Marriage record for Hiram and Levisa Matthews nee Stafford - Highland County, Ohio

• Marriage record for Hiram and Ann Matthews nee Stuart - Morgan County, Indiana

• Hiram Matthews military pension file for service in War of 1812.

• Probate records for Hiram Matthews, Morgan County, Indiana

• Deed records

• Land patents