Lacy Dowling daughter of Dempsey Dowling and Martha Stokes was born on Nov 23, 1804 in Jeffries Creek, Darlington Dist, SC. She. Lacy Dowling, daughter of Rev. Dempsey Dowling, was born in theDarlington Dist of SC on 3 Nov 1804. She later became engaged toElisha Matthews. In 1824, Elisha came to southeast Alabama to teachschool for a short period of time. He was fascinated with theterritory. After returning to SC, he convinced Lacy to marry him andreturn to Alabama. She married Elisha Matthews on Christmas eve,24 Dec 1824. This was only two days after the far off Alabamalegislature was proclaiming a new county 'to be called Dale'. Thefollowing month, Lacy left Jefferies Creek with husband Elisha and alarge caravan, composed primarily of his kinfolks. The destinationwas Dale Co AL where Lacy resided until her death. Elisha's father,Moses Matthews, Jr. was captain of the wagon-train. It is givenbut to few to attain the ---ge or to fill the measure of usefulnesswith which this departed mother of Israel was honored. The -rge andsorrowing concourse that attended her obsequies attested the esteem inwhich she was held by her neighbors and friends. In the funeralcortege were more than two hundred of her immediate relatives, and alarge number of her former slaves. Mrs. Mathews leaves surviving hernine children, forth-nine grandchildren and forty-five greatgrandchildren. The grief-stricken husband in his loneliness andbereavement has one incerest condolence. The companion of nearlysixty years, the sharer of his joys and sorrows, has ben takenfrom himand the light and happiness of his life has been removed. But theLord gave and the Lord hath taken away, and we doubt not our venerablefriend can say with christian resignation blessed be the name of theLord. (83).

Lacy Dowling was listed in the household of Dempsey Dowling in the census in 1810 in Darlington Dist, SC. female 1/3 <10.¹

Lacy married Elisha Matthews son of Moses Matthews and Mary Ann Truitt on Dec 23, 1824 in Jeffries Creek, Darlington Dist, SC.

She died on Oct 25, 1884. She was buried in Claybank Cem, Ozark, Dale Co, AL.

Elisha Matthews was the son of Moses Matthews Jr. (c. 1775- ) and Mary Ann Truitt ( - ). He and Lacy Dowling had the following children: