Joseph W. Matthews

1812-1862

Joseph W. Matthews was born in 1812 at Union Grove, Madison Co., near Huntsville, AL. He moved to Benton County, MS in 1832. He was a land surveyor and land speculator. He served Marshall County as Representative in the State Legislature in 1840, State Senator from 1840-48, and was elected Governor of the state of Mississippi in 1848. He died in August 27, 1862 in Fulton County, GA while on a diplomatic mission for President Jefferson Davis of the Confederate States of America. He was a member of the church of Christ (Christian Church) in Holly Springs, MS. His brother, James E. Matthews, also held a state office, was the preacher who baptized Talbert Fanning (co-founder of the Gospel Advocate), and is buried in Tate Co., MS.
Matthews Family Cemetery
The cemetery is located behind a private home at 1994 Hoover Rd., Snow Lake Shores, Benton Co., MS. From the back of the house, follow a well-mowed path for about 1/2 mile. The cemetery is located in the edge of tree line.
Directions
Snow Lake Shores is located on Highway 4 between Ashland and Holly Springs, MS. It is about five miles west of Ashland. When you pass Snow Lake Shores going west, take the next road which is Hoover Rd. and go about two miles to 1994 Hoover Rd. Ask the homeowner at the house on the right for permission and directions to the cemetery.

I plan to return to the cemetery in a few weeks and chalk the tombstone so that it is more readable.

OTHERS BURIED IN THE FAMILY CEMETERY
Matthews, B. A. M., Foot stone
Matthews, Jane C., , 28 Sep 1854, age 62 years
Matthews, Joseph W., 1812, 27 Aug 1862, born near Huntsville Ala. 1812 died at Palmetto Ga. Representative from Marshall Co. in legislature in 1840, State Senator from 1844-1848. Gov. of Miss. 1848-1850. Gov. Matthews spent his manhood here and was loved and honored as a statesman and as a private citizen. Erected 1917 by descendants of his friends and neighbors.
Matthews, M. F. M., Foot stone
Matthews, Martha A., 26 Jul 1851, age 11 months 8 days
Matthews, Robert A., 07 Oct 1851, age 1 year 8 months
Matthews, Samuel W., 12 Jul 1842, age 2 years 7 months
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~msbenton/cemm.htm