Robert Matson

Robert Matson (born January 1796. In Bourbon County, Kentucky - died January 26, 1859 in Fulton County, Kentucky) was a plantation owner in Kentucky who also owned a farm in Illinois. He was a veteran of the War of 1812 and a slave owner. He was also a two term legislator in the Kentucky legislature. In Illinois in 1847 he was represented by Abraham Lincoln, then a lawyer, in the Matson Trial, a freedom suit legal dispute over ownership of slaves (a mother and her daughters) in the free soil state of Illinois.

Matson was the son of James Matson and Mary "Mollie" Peyton of Virginia. He married Mary Ann Corbin of Virginia on 23 November 23, 1848 in Gallatin County, Illinois. She was born in Virginia on May 4, 1821. They had six children.

Matson was a Lieutenant in Robert Pogue's 4th Regiment of volunteers from Kentucky during the War of 1812. He later served the Kentucky Militia where he may have been commissioned as a General. He served in the Kentucky State Legislature representing Bourbon County during the 1832 and 1834 sessions.

The two judges deciding the case of whether his slaves were in transit in Illinois or were free based on state law concluded they were free. The family moved to Liberia months later and Matson returned with his new wife to Kentucky.

Matson is buried at the Matson family cemetery in Hickman, Kentucky.

See also
History of slavery in Illinois

References

Category:1796 births
Category:1859 deaths
Category:American militiamen in the War of 1812
Category:American slave owners
Category:People from Bourbon County, Kentucky
Category:Members of the Kentucky House of Representatives