Timothy C. Matlack (b. 1812 - d. 1898)

Timothy C. Matlack, like his parents, was born in Pennsylvania. He was born in 1812. He married Susan Upperman at First Presbyterian Church on July 23rd, 1833. Susan Upperman was two years younger then he. She and her parents were all born in Pennsylvania. The Uppermans were an old Kensington family that was intermarried with a number of the shipbuilders and fishing families from the area. Although the Matlacks were married at First Presbyterian in 1833, the "Roll of Members" book has them both becoming members in June of 1837, a full four years after marrying. There appears to have been several Matlack families in the church at this time period, so that might be the cause for the confusion.

Timothy C. Matlack was listed as a carpenter on the 1880 Federal Census, but he was much more then a just a carpenter. He was an expert builder as well. Matlack was a one time elder and trustee of the church during the time in 1857 when the new church was being built. The architect selected was Samuel Sloan, a prominent architect of 19th Century Philadelphia. The building operations were not done under contract but were supervised by Matlack himself. Apparently Matlack's overseeing of the building of the church is why the stainglass window in his honor has a picture of the church on it, unlike the other 11 windows, which are more typical of stainglass windows with religious themes.

Matlack's son, John Matlack, wrote a history of the church that was published serially in the church's "Herald" magazine about 1908, which stated that his father Timothy was a tempered builder, who apparently never lost his temper, except for the day when one of the cables broke on the riggers that were erecting the steeple of the church.

Besides overseeing the building of the current church structure, Timothy C. Matlack was extremely committed to church service. He became involved in the musical aspects of the church having served as the chorister before the church paid Mr. James G. Whilt, to take over this duty. In the historical records of the church it is often said that Timothy C. Matlack was an outstanding member of the church. The evidence of his efforts is shown in his involvement as a church elder, a trustee, a leader of the Choral Society, and superintendent of the Sabbath School.

Matlack first starts to appear in the city directories in the year 1845, as a carpenter living at Montgomery above Front Street, in Kensington. Although changing addresses several times over the years, Matlack would stay in the general area between Front Street and Second, and Oxford to Montgomery. He was listed at Hope Street above Oxford, Putnam at the corner of Hope, the finally at 106 Putnam Street, which was a small street that ran from Front to Second Street, between Oxford and Montgomery. From 1845 through 1890, for a full 45 years, Matlack was listed as a carpenter. By the 1890's, when he would have been in his 80's, he stopped being listed. He would eventually die on February 9th, 1898.

Timothy C. Matlack and his wife Susan had a number of children, but only Mary E. Matlack was listed as living with them on the 1880 Census. Mary E. Matlack was born about 1833. She was listed as single and working as a "Tract Distributor". Mary Matlack at one time was in charge of the infant department of the Sabbath School

Besides their daughter Mary, there was the son John Matlack, who wrote the history of the church in 1908. John Matlack, like his father, was also active in the church, serving as an elder, a member of the Board of Trustees, a Sunday School Superintendent, a librarian for the Sabbath School, a teacher for the Sunday School, Choir Master, and like his father, a chorister. He was considered by the church as one of the finest lay leaders that a church could have.

There were several other Matlack families in the general area where Timothy C. Matlack lived and undoubtedly there were other children of his, but until further research is done, it is only speculation.

Timothy C. Matlack, b. 1812; m. 7-25-1833 at First Presbyterian Church of Kensington; d. 2-9-1898
+ Susan Upperman, b.1816; d. ?
1. John Adam Matlack, b. ?; bapt. 4-4-1837 at First Presbyterian Church of Kensington; m. 2-25-1858 at First Presbyterian Church of Kensington; d.?
+ Martha B. Miller, b. ?; d. ?
2. Mary E. Matlack, b. 1833; d. ?