PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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For more than thirty years Mr John Williams Matthews was the Superintendent Registrar for Plymouth. He succeeded the first Superintendent Registrar, Mr William Pridham. John Williams Matthews was born on October 23rd 1833, the son of mining agent Mr Joseph Matthews and his wife, formerly Miss Elizabeth Williams. He married Miss Emma Coryndon at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth, on August 25th 1855. Sometime around 1864 he joined the legal partnership which became Messrs Rooker, Lavers and Matthews. Soon afterwards Mr William Lavers was forced by ill health to retire. As if dogged by bad luck, in 1874 Mr Alfred Rooker, who was at the time Mayor of Plymouth, died suddenly while on holiday in the Holy Land, leaving Mr Matthews as the senior partner. He was then joined by his son, Mr Coryndon Matthews, and others, the partnership going through several changes of title. The practice was based at 6 Frankfort Street, which was thus the Register Office. In addition to his duties as Superintendent Registrar, Mr Matthews was Clerk to the Board of Guardians and one of the founders of St Andrew's Parochial Schools. Through his wife being a friend of Mrs W Saunders, he was invited to the inaugural discussions on the founding of Plymouth's first daily newspaper, the Western Morning News. He became one of its first shareholders and following the sudden death of Mr Edward Spender, he became joint managing director with Mr E Russell Rendle, Mr Spender's brother-in-law. Mr Matthews was also largely responsible for enabling the South Devon and Cornwall Blind Institution to move from cramped premises in Cobourg Street to a fine new block of buildings on North Hill. In 1906 he retired from his post as Superintendent Registrar and was succeeded by Mr Ernest Frank Anthony. Mr John Williams Matthews died at his home, Ermewood, Ivybridge, on Friday April 3rd 1914 following a sudden attack of paralysis. He was survived by his widow and their four children, Coryndon, Alfred, Emma and John.
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