English: From The Heritage of Marengo County, Alabama: The Mathers House in Nanafalia, Marengo County, Alabama. Purchased in 1885 by Ebenezer Mathers. The book states that it was built in the early 1800s by a Captain Matthews, from whom Ebenezer bought it.

However, the property the house sits on was purchased from the the Federal Land Office at Demopolis on July 1, 1848 by Caleb B. Williams. He was born in 1806 in South Carolina and died in Nanafalia, Marengo County, Alabama in 1856. Judging by the style of the house (Carolina raised cottage) and his place of origin, the house was most likely built by Williams. At the time of the 1850 census of Marengo County he owned 66 slaves and real estate valued at $10,000.

The first census record of a Matthews/Mathews living in Nanafalia dates to 1880, with Robert W. Mathews, born about 1833 in Alabama. His occupation is listed as "1st Clerk On Steam Boat." In 1850 he was living with his father, Timothy W. Mathews in Wilcox County. In 1860, the entire family was enumerated in Mobile, with Timothy W. listed as a minister, Robert listed as a clerk, and his brother Timothy listed as a steam boat captain.