Admiral Thomas MATHEWS

[mikemat]

Legend has it that I am descended from Admiral Mathews.

I inherited a gentleman's staff which was to have belonged to him.

However, after a lot of research I have come to the conclusion that his male line died out with his grandson, also called Thomas.

The admiral was a well known and controversial figure yet very little is known about him except for his court martial.

Does anybody know of a source to verify whether he had any male heirs except his son and grandson?

I have a copy of his will but the text is incredibly difficult to read, albeit neat and pretty.

[ChristineR]

It is always easier to work backwards from yourself, through your own line. If you are descended from him it will be obvious (one way or another) as you get closer.

A surname is not necessarily only through the male line, sometimes a woman's husband took on his wife's surname if there was an inheritance.

ChristineR