Person:Henry Matteson (1)

Was from Denmark and settled in East Greenwich, RI in 1685.

BIOGRAPHY: Henry Matteson is believed to have been the first Matteson to come to America and is the ancestor of nearly all Mattesons in America. Believed to have been of Danish origin. He lived on Prudence Island,RI,then came to East Greenwich, RI after the King Phillips War. Henry married Hannah Parsons of England in 1670. Henry and Hannah had a daughter,Hannah,and six sons,Henry, Thomas, Francis, Joseph, Josiah,and Hezekiah. Henry died in 1690. After Henry's death, Hannah sold her land to George Vaughn. Henry is believed to have been buried in the Vaughn Lot in East Greenwich,RI,located on the site of the former Rocky Hill State Fair.

DEATH: Transcribed by Marge Matteson Will of Captain Henry Matteson Dated June 18, 1751, Proved April 25, 1752 Source: West Greenwich, RI Wills Vol 1 pages 74-75 In the name of God amen the Eighteenth day of June in the Twenty fifth year of his majesties Reign George the Second King of Great Britain and in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and fifty one I Henry Matteson of West Greenwich In the County of Kent In the Colony of Rhode isLand & a miller Being Sick and weak of Body But of a Sound disposing mind and memory Thanks be Given to God for the Same and Calling to mind the mortality of my Body and Knowing that it is appointed to all men one to dye do make and ordain this to Be my Last will and testament that is to Say Princably and first of all I Recommend my Spirit into the hands of God that Gave it and my Body to the Eart to be Buried in a Decent Christian manner att the Descrition of my Executors here after named and as touching Such my worldly Estate where with it hath Pleased God to Bless me with in this Life I Give and Dispose of the Same in The following manner and form and first my will is that my Just Debts and furinal Charges be Paid out of my Movable Estate Imprimis I Give unto my Beloved Wife Judeth Matteson all the Remaining Part of my movable Estate Dureing her Natural Life or Widowhood and after my * wife Deceas or marriage I Give to my Grandaughter Rosanna Hall my Great Iron Kittle I Give unto my Grandson Peleg Sweet ten Shillings in Money Thinking it a Sofican Porton with what His Mother hath already hadd to be Paid to him by my Executors ** after my * wifs Decease I Give and Bequeath all the rest of my movable Estate To be Equally divided Amongst my Six Sons and my Daughter Mary Weaver and the Heir of my daughter Judeth Andrew deceased and I also Constitute ordain and Appoint my well Beloved Son Henry Matteson and my Son Jonathan Matteson to be my Sole Executors of this my Last will and Testamen to Execute the Same as a fore * and I do utterly Disalow Disanul and Revoke and make Void all and Every other will or wills Executor or Executor Here to fore named or made or by me caused to be made or named Ratifying and Declaring this and no other to be my Last will and Testamen :

In witness Where of I Have ^here^ unto Set my hand and affixed
my Seal the Day and year a bove written Signed Sealed Published Pronounced and Declared to be the Last Will and Testamen of Henry

Matteson the Subscriber his In Presence of Henry HM*** Matteson Seal Preservid Hall mark Griffen Sweet her Priscilla X Sweet

                        Mark

The witnesses To the above will appeared Before the Town Council of West Greenwich April 25th Day 1752 and declared on oath that they saw the above testator Henry Matteson Signe Seal Publish Pronounce and Declear the Same to Be his Last will and testament and that he was in his Perfect mind and memory according to the Best of their under standing and that in his Presence they signed as witness es at the same time and their fore * will is alow a Probate and Proved according to Law Signed by order of Council: symbol Griffen Sweet Council Clerk s with a small d attached to the top right part of loop. Abbreviation for “said”

• • in one yea was originally written and then crossed out.
    • Henry's mark is an H with the M sharing the right hand side of the H