James Campbell Matthews (1844 - 1930) [ Section 29 Lot 95]
First black law student at Albany Law School, First black male graduate from a law school in New York State, First elected black judge in the United States, Lawyer to the case which desegregated Albany public schools, Successfully lobbied NYS Governor Grover Cleveland on a bill to protect the rights of black teachers
James Campbell Matthews was born on November 6, 1844, in New Haven, Connecticut. One of seven children, Matthews was the son of William W. & Esther A. Matthews. His family moved to Albany around 1850 which had a thriving African American community, and one of the main cities for abolitionists within the northeast. In 1857, his parents died and raised by Lydia Mott and Phebe Jones, two of the more predominant white abolitionists in Albany. In his late teens, Matthews was adopted by Francis Van Vranken, another black barber in Albany.
While growing up the school within the City of Albany were segregated. However, he did attend all-white public schools, thanks in part to William Rice, a Democratic member of the Board of Education. He later attended Albany Academy after winning a scholarship. Though initially reluctant in accepting him, Matthews he excelled while enrolled into the school; he was the recipient of the Beck Literary Medal for writing. He graduated from Albany Academy in 1864.
In 1866 Matthews became a clerk, and later bookkeeper for the Black merchant Adam Blake, who operated the Congress Hotel, later establishing the Kenmore Hotel on North Pearl Street. During this time he studied law with the Albany attorney Jacob Werner. A few years later he enrolled into Albany Law School, becoming the first black person to attend in New York State, graduating in 1871. Today Albany Law School honors Matthews with a faculty member holding the title of the James Campbell Matthews Distinguished Professor of Jurisprudence. Albany Law School served as another first in when Kate Stoneman graduated in 1898 and became the first female in New York State.
One of Matthews first cases was for William Dietz, a “wealthy and prominent Afro-American merchant from Arbor Hill.” Dietz had taken Matthew under his wing years prior, both served as delegates to the 1864 National Convention of Colored Men in Syracuse. The case involved the Albany school board, and Dietz wanted them to permit his children to attend School 6, a non-segregated school. In 1872, the result of the case led to the desegregation of Albany public schools.
In 1875 he married Adella Duplessis of New York City. They had one son, Charles D. Matthews. The family resided for many years at 334 Clinton Avenue, later living in the Pine Hills neighborhood.
Matthews was nominated by President Grover Cleveland in 1885 to take over the position of the Recorder of Deeds of the District of Columbia, which was being vacated by Frederick Douglass. Cleveland was familiar with work that Matthews was doing in Albany; while serving as governor of New York, Cleveland was lobbied by him on a bill to protect the right of black teachers within the state. However, Matthews nomination was blocked by the Republican-controlled Senate because he “actively sought to influence Albany Republicans to switch parties” though others claim it was because he did not actively live within the District at the time.
He did aspire to political office, running for judge of the Albany County Recorder’s Court. His run in 1895 led to an endorsement by the The New York Times, “...Intellectually and as a lawyer he rises head and shoulders above many of his white brethren in the same profession. He is putting up a lively canvas and by his active work and sound reasoning is doing much to brush away the prejudice whice at first existed against his candidacy.” Matthews won the election and served for four years. In 1899 a Republican won the election, the first time a someone in sought the office in over 20 years.
Matthews returned to practice law until the 1920s, most notably dealing with cases involved with insurance companies, mortgages, and personal estates.
On November 1, 1930, Matthews passed away. He is buried near Cypress Pond alongside his wife and son. His parents and siblings are buried in Section 99, Lot 10.