His name may appear with Eli first, or Marion firs. Nevertheless, I always heard him go by Eli Matheson first. Marion Eli Matheson was the son of John and Barbara McKenzie Matheson. Barbara McKenzie (1784-1870) was born in Iredell Co., NC. She married John Matheson (Matthewson) ( 1776-1835) Barbara McKenzie Matheson born 1784 in Iredell Co., Nc She was reported to have died 1870 in Franklin, Alabama. Barbara McKenzie's father was Kenneth McKenzie, and her mother was Christian. Christian McKenzie was born 1759 in Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. She was the daughter of Alexander Gordon and Margaret Gordon.

Eli Marion Matheson and Anna Bess/Best were married May 5, 1827 in Lincoln Co., North Carolina. To this union were born the following children:

(l) Mary Catherine Matheson born Oct 23, 1828 in Irdell Co., NC. She married John Harvey Truett in Valleytown, Cherokee Co., NC. She died May 10, 1880 and is buried in Valleytown Cemetery, Andrews, Cherokee Co., NC.

(2) John Alexander Matheson was born May 14, 1829 in Irdell Co., N. C. He married Susan Carolina Scott in 1850 in Clay Co., NC. He died July 2, 1887 and is buried in First United Methodist Church Cemetery in Hayesville, Clay Co., NC.

(3) Emanuel Pank Matheson was born 1831 in Irdell Co., NC.He married Jane Rollins.

(4) Susan Amanda Caroline Matheson was born 1833 in Irdell Co., NC. She married Henry Bradley and they settled in Bryan, Arkansas. They are both buried in Fulton County's Byron Cemetery.They both have tombstones on FAG memorials.

(5) Eli Martin Matheson, JR was born 1836 in Irdell Co., NC He married Sarah Ann Curtis. He died April 20, 1862 and is buried in the Bethel Cemetery, East Knoxville, TN.

(6) Christopher Conley Matheson was born 1840 in Irdell Co., NC. He married Margaret Lonnin.

(7) Elisha Dallas Matheson was born 1844 in Irdell Co., NC. He married Martha Elizabeth Norwood Feb. 23, 1871 in Clay Co., NC. He died April 1, 1926 in Clay Co., NC and is buried in the First United Methodist Church Cemetery in Hayesville, Clay Co., NC.

(8) William Marion Matheson was born Feb. 14, 1847 in Cherokee Co., NC He married Melissa Josephine Hampton. They were married Nov. 16, 1871 in Clay Co., NC. He died Feb. 13, 1911 in Banks Co., GA, and is buried in Grove Level Church Cemetery in Banks Co., GA.

(9) Daniel McKinsey Matheson was born Mar. 21, 1850 in Cherokee Co., NC. He married 1st. Martha Monteith Nov. 17, 1871 in Clay Co., NC. She died and he married Marciller Josephine Crane Nov. 26, 1902 in Cherokee Co., NC. He had moved to Cleveland Co., NC to pastor a church. Marciller died and Daniel married Ida Smith Ledford in 1912. He died Dec. 6, 1930 and is buried in New Home Methodist Cemetery, Casar, Cleveland Co., NC.

(10) Lee Dennis Matheson was born 1853 in Cherokee Co., NC He married Martha Kimble. He died May 27, 1928 and is buried in the First United Methodist Church Cemetery in Hayesville, Clay Co., NC.