George Mathews (Georgia)

George Mathews (Georgia)

George Mathews (August 30, 1739 – August 30, 1812) was an United States pioneer from Virginia and western Georgia. He served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, and afterward as 20th and 21st Governor of Georgia, intermittently serving one term in the U.S. Congress. In later life he led a filibuster expedition to capture Florida for the United States.

Born in Augusta County, Virginia, Mathews spent his early life as a merchant and planter on the Virginia frontier. He gained battle experience as an officer in the Battle of Point Pleasant of Lord Dunmore's War. He was a Colonel during the American Revolution during which he spent several years as a Prisoner of War, being captured in the Battle of Germantown.

After serving as Governor, Mathews was assigned by President James Madison a covert filibuster operation to incite an insurrection in East Florida and capture the territory for the United States. This initiative has been referred to as the Patriot War and the Other War of 1812.

Mathews had launched the insurrection, capturing a Florida island, before the secret mission would be recalled. At renouncement of his 1811 filibuster expedition, Mathews set out to Washington DC to confront President James Madison on the decision. He would die before reaching the Capital. Mathews is buried at St. Paul's Church in Augusta, Georgia.