Matthew Cotton

Matthew Cotton was buried in the Dark Cloister area of Westminster Abbey on 16th August 1750 aged 56. A child with this name was baptised in St Margaret's Westminster on 3rd July 1692, son of Matthew and his wife Sarah, so this may be the same man although his age is slightly different from that recorded at the burial. He was an Abbey Almsman from 1748-1750. The almsmen at this period were usually retired military men of good character who were given charitable donations by the Abbey authorities and they attended services in the church and wore special gowns. 

His son Matthew was also an almsman from 1767-1800 and was buried with his father on 16th October 1800 aged 69. His will shows he was formerly of Southwark and then moved to St Mary's parish in Lambeth. Ann his wife was buried on 2nd January 1793 aged 52. Bequests in his will were to his children Ann, wife of Edward Martin, tailor of Gravesend in Kent, Joan Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Shave, Matthew, Frances, Sarah and William-Miles. An infant daughter Mary Ann had been buried on 16th June 1772. Catherine, his sister, was buried on 1st February 1740 aged 18.

There are no memorials or readable gravestones for the family. A Thomas Cotton was also an almsman from 1746-1757 but it is not known if he was a relation.