I want to add to your quest. My grandfather was John Mathis (d. 1964 Crisp County, GA). He had a brother Willie Mathis who died in Baldwin County (Prisoner in the 1970's). The part that is interesting is that my Mathis family (Nick, Rube and Nick II) may have come out of Washington County into Sumter County with the family of Shade Wright. (history book: Twisted Roots, by Ollie Wright Williams)

My great-grandfather's name is listed as Mathews on his death certificate (Oct. 1960). He is also listed as Mathews on the 1910 census in the Lee County area with his wife Annie L.

The descendants of Willie Mathis still live in the Warner Robins area.