Matthew and his brothers were involved in a dispute with the Mosley family in Emanuel County, GA, which climaxed in a public fight between him and Cuyler Mosley. Bowie knives were the chosen weapon. He was shot and killed by a Phillips bystander (a kinsman of Mosley's) when he jumped on his horse (named Satan) to leave after the fight had ended in which he had killed Cuyler Mosley. Due to his large size and strength, he managed to stay on the horse for approximately half a mile before falling off. Indications are that this fight took place at the home of Elisha T. Wilkes on presentday Buck Corbin Road; several men were present, including Williamsons, Mosleys, Phillips, and Wilkes.
He was first buried in the old family burying ground near Pendleton Creek in Emanuel County, GA, which is now lost. His son later had his body exhumed and removed to this cemetery, probably after the death of his widow in the 1870s. Some of his brothers were present and had the casket opened to view the body; they told that his body was petrified and his beard had grown longer after burial.
(The above story was related to me by Jim Williamson, Lemuel Williamson, B.H. Wilkes, and Kermit Phillips, who all told basically the same story.)
He had first married Mary Fountain June 14, 1841, in Emanuel County. There is evidence in records that they divorced.
He married second Mary "Polly" Vaughn March 31, 1844, in Madison County, FL.
Matthew had come back to Georgia to check on his property when he was killed.
Matthew and his brothers were involved in a dispute with the Mosley family in Emanuel County, GA, which climaxed in a public fight between him and Cuyler Mosley. Bowie knives were the chosen weapon. He was shot and killed by a Phillips bystander (a kinsman of Mosley's) when he jumped on his horse (named Satan) to leave after the fight had ended in which he had killed Cuyler Mosley. Due to his large size and strength, he managed to stay on the horse for approximately half a mile before falling off. Indications are that this fight took place at the home of Elisha T. Wilkes on presentday Buck Corbin Road; several men were present, including Williamsons, Mosleys, Phillips, and Wilkes.
He was first buried in the old family burying ground near Pendleton Creek in Emanuel County, GA, which is now lost. His son later had his body exhumed and removed to this cemetery, probably after the death of his widow in the 1870s. Some of his brothers were present and had the casket opened to view the body; they told that his body was petrified and his beard had grown longer after burial.
(The above story was related to me by Jim Williamson, Lemuel Williamson, B.H. Wilkes, and Kermit Phillips, who all told basically the same story.)
He had first married Mary Fountain June 14, 1841, in Emanuel County. There is evidence in records that they divorced.
He married second Mary "Polly" Vaughn March 31, 1844, in Madison County, FL.
Matthew had come back to Georgia to check on his property when he was killed.
Family Members
-
![]()
Martha "Patsy" Williamson Thompson
1811–1901
-
William J. "Bill" Williamson
1814–1857
-
![]()
Andrew Jackson Williamson
1816–1908
-
![]()
Margaret "Peggy" Williamson Morris
1818–1897
-
![]()
Solomon R Williamson
1823–1901
-
Samuel C. Williamson
1828–1862
-
![]()
Rev John J. Williamson
1829–1897
-
![]()
Riley Williamson
1831–1865
-
![]()
George Washington Williamson
1833–1862
-
![]()
Schley H Williamson
1837–1902
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
