Aaron Matson (1770 - 1855)
Born at Plymouth County (MA); died at Newport (NH).
Lawyer, state and national legislator.
Portrait by E. Wyatt Kimball, 1924.
Presented to the State, date unknown.

Matson moved to Stoddard (NH) before 1798, thinking that his new homesite was still in Marlow (NH), where he owned considerable property. After Stoddard and Marlow settled their disputed boundary, Matson supported Stoddard causes and was an honored member of the town. He was a Town Selectman for many years, and also served as Town Clerk. The voters of Stoddard elected Matson to the State House of Representatives nine times (1807, 1808, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1818, 1827, 1828). He was a member of the Governor's Council (1819, 1820, 1821).

In 1821 Matson was elected to the United States House of Representatives (served 1821 - 1825). When he returned To New Hampshire, he kept his house open as a tavern for many years, and served as Judge of Probate in Cheshire county (1831 - 1835).

Matson had one son by his first wife, Frances Carpenter, and a daughter by his second wife, Susan Gilson. Their daughter Ann married the lawyer Edmund Burke, of Newport (NH), and in later years Mr. And Mrs. Matson moved to Newport to be near their daughter and son-in-law. (Burke's portrait is also in State House collections.)

References: Hamilton Child, Gazetteer of Cheshire County, 1736 - 1885 (1885); Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774 - 1989 (1989).