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PROMINENT CITIZENS

WALTER MATHEW

Updated:  24 September 2011 

Mr Walter Mathew, or Mayre, was perhaps not so prominent a citizen of Plymouth as his wife became.

In 1603 the Mayor of Plymouth was Sir Richard Hawkins and Mr Mathew was his servant.  Likewise, Mrs Mathew was servant to Lady Hawkins.

Not surprisingly, when Mr Walter Mathew was chosen as Mayor for 1604-05, with his good lady wife thus becoming Lady Mayoress, this rather upset Lady Hawkins, who declined to 'sit below' a person who had just lately been her maid servant.

Lady Hawkins tried to 'keep the upper hand' but so did Mrs Mathew, which resulted - so it is said - with her Ladyship giving Mrs Mathew 'a box on the ear'.  This caused great excitement in the Borough but when the peace was again restored Sir Richard gave the Corporation a house somewhere in Market Street 'for satisfaction'.

 

Source:

"Brindley, Robert, "The Plymouth, Stonehouse & Devonport Directory: Chronological Events", W Byers, Devonport, 1830.

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

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