Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 edition. Excerpt: ... R. STOCKETT MATHEWS During the latter half of the nineteenth century no more astute or brilliant lawyer practised at the Maryland bar than R. Stockett Mathews. As a pleader, a cross-examiner of witnesses and a deep and logical reasoner, he was excelled by none, and although it is now more than twenty years since his imposing presence was last seen among us, there are those to whom it was once familiar who claim that he was without an equal. Mr. Mathews was the grandson of Dr. William Mathews, an Irish gentleman of distinguished connections, who came to this country at the close of the eighteenth century and married Ann Penrose, of Philadelphia. After her death he removed to Baltimore and married Eliza, daughter of John and Deborah (Ridgely) Sterrett. The former, a leading merchant of Baltimore, was the son of James Sterrett, the first of the name who settled in Maryland, while the latter was the daughter of John Ridgely, eldest son of the first owner of the place known as "Hampton" in Baltimore county. Dr. Mathews was a man of high character and great reputation as a physician. He and his wife were the parents of five sons and three daughters; one son John S., married Sophia, daughter of Dr. Joseph Hall, of South River, and granddaughter of William Sellman, of Anne Arundel county; among the children born of this marriage was a son, R. Stockett, mentioned below. R. Stockett Mathews, son of John S. and Sophia (Hall) Mathews, was born July 4, 1827. He received a classical education at Rock Hill College, and in 1845 commenced the study of law in the office of S. Teackle Wallis, who was even then regarded as one of the brilliant ornaments of the Baltimore bar. Mr. Mathews had hardly more than entered upon his course of study when it was...
