In this first episode of Season Eleven, host Andrew Martin is joined by family historian John Mathues. He hears how John only recently got hooked on researching his family’s history, hears about his wonder of the spelling of his last name, and why he thinks Warren Zevon’s 1978 song ‘Lawyers, Guns and Money’ describes his family tree well.
Listen to the episode
S11EP01 – 'The Judge' with John Mathues – The Family Histories Podcast
Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and others…
The Life Story – Noah Davis
John has chosen to tell the life story of his 3x Great Grandfather, Noah Davis, born circa 1818, in Albion, New York. Noah is a man whose life leads him into law where he is mentored and goes on to become a judge.
Despite narrowly missing out on for the New York Senate seat in 1867, he ends up being elected to the US House of Representatives in 1868, and then ends up being nominated by US President Ulysses S. Grant (who served from 1869 to 1877) to be the next US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Meanwhile, on a similar rise of power was fellow politician William Magear Tweed (better known as ‘Boss Tweed’), on an opposing side to Noah, and President Grant’s nomination put Noah in direct line to break through Tweed’s iron-gripped corruption, and convict him.
The Brick Wall – Huldah Taylor
John is really puzzled by Huldah Taylor and her parents of Suffield, Connecticut, USA.
He knows Huldah is born in 1758, but there’s not clear evidence that her father is called Gad Taylor, as he’s seen some other family trees that point to other names. In addition, he’s found a Gad but their age doesn’t fit with Huldah’s birth date and he can’t find a marriage.
John’s Taylor family are found in Suffield, Connecticut, USA, but do they originate from elsewhere?
If you think that you can help John with a clue or a research idea, then you can send him a message over at his Bluesky account or alternatively, you can send us a message and we’ll pass it right along.
In the meantime, John accepts Andrew’s offer of help, but is skeptical that i’ll actually work….
Episode Credits
- Andrew Martin – Host and Producer
- John Mathues – Guest