Thomas Mathews (politician)

Thomas Mathews
7th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office 1782–1793
Preceded by	Joseph Prentis
Succeeded by	John Wise
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates for Norfolk County
In office December 2, 1799 – November 30, 1800 Serving with Robert Butt
Preceded by	James S. Mathews
Succeeded by	James Callis
In office December 4, 1797 – December 2, 1798 Serving with Robert Shelton
Preceded by	Thomas Newton Jr.
Succeeded by	James S. Mathews
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates for Norfolk Borough
In office May 3, 1784 – November 10, 1794
Succeeded by	Thomas Newton
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates for Norfolk County
In office May 7, 1781 – May 4, 1783 Serving with Thomas Newton Jr.
Preceded by	James Taylor
Succeeded by	John Kearns
Personal details
Born	c. 1742 Saint Kitts, West Indies
Died	1812 Near Norfolk, Virginia
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	Virginia provincial militia
Years of service	1776-1783
Rank	Brigadier General
Battles/wars	American Revolutionary War  • Battle of Great Bridge  • Battle of Yorktown

Thomas Mathews (1742–February 20, 1812) was an American Revolutionary War general and Virginia lawyer and politician. For almost two decades (with minor interruptions), Mathews represented variously Norfolk Borough and Norfolk County in the Virginia House of Delegates, and served as that body's Speaker from 1782 until 1793.^[1][2] He also represented Norfolk at the Virginia Ratifying Convention of 1788.