Name/Title
Roderick Edward MathesonEntry/Object ID
969.10.1Description
Roderick Edward Matheson Jr.
This is painted on a wooden panel (pine) and has the subject's name and the date on the back, burned into the wood. It is dated "Perth, U.C. May 1842, painted by W. Finsley". the frame appears to be the original and is gold leafed with later touch ups of gold paint, but not badly done. Roderick Edward stands in front of a red drapery, dressed in a sombre black suite with white shirt and black stock. He is holding a sealed letter in his left hand. the paint surface is a bit checked but on the whole it is in good shape. The two original metal hanging rings are at the top of the frame. Roderick Edward was the eldest son if the Hon. Roderick Matheson and his first wife (Robertson).
Roderick Edward
born: February 14, 1825, Perth, second of twin boys.
died: July 2, 1901, Drummond Township.
buried: Elmwood Cemetery.
· Reeve of South Sherbrooke Township, 1847–49; reeve of Montague Township,1850–52, and managed father’s store at Old Sly’s; reeve of Perth, 1855–56; warden of Lanark and Renfrew Counties, 1855.
· Captain and adjutant 1st Battalion of Lanark Militia, 1850; member, Masonic Lodge, 1853–68.
· Assisted in his father’s store in Perth, but the latter thought he was not amounting to anything, so he “put him out on the farm” on Lot 6, Concession 1, of Drummond Township in 1862; he was a farmer here for the remainder of his life.
· Married Jane Farrell (1835–1910) on July 1, 1865, in Drummond Township; had eight children and adopted a ninth.
Note: Roderick Matheson’s will of 1863 reveals much of the relationship between the father and his son. The father states that the son has already received more than his share of the estate and shall receive no more, excepting the deed to his own farm. He notes that his son seemed impatient for his father to die so he could inherit the house, which he told his brother would make a good tavern, while he told his sisters that he would turn them into the street when he got the property. He was ordered not to bother his brothers and sisters and not to interfere with the management of the estate.
Note:
There was a twin brother who died at the age of eight from being struck by a log falling from a passing sleigh/wagon. They were the only children of the first marriage. Mr. Marshall Matheson is the great grandson of Hon. Roderick Matheson.
John Robertson
born: February 14, 1825, Perth, first of twin boys.
died: January 28, 1833, Perth.
buried: Craig Street Cemetery.
· Killed in an accident on the way to school, in which he was apparently struck by a log falling from a passing sleigh.Dimensions
Height
15-1/2 inWidth
13-1/4 in