The Mathews family of Biglerville and the Biggs family of Gettysburg had a strong pre-war bond. At least one source suggested that Edward Mathews and Basil Biggs might have family connections in Maryland. Biggs was known to bring travelers on the Underground Railroad to Edward Mathews who hid them among Quaker friends in Biglerville before conveying them to other locations or helping them set up at the Yellow Hill Settlement. Some time in the 1860s, the families became in-laws when Nelson Mathews married Hannah Biggs.

Nelson and Hannah continued their parents’ legacy. Nelson joined the 127th USCT, participated in the Siege of Petersburg, and saw action around Appomattox. The following report from the official records details some of their actions.

*********************************************************************** “Report of Lieut. Col. James Givin, One hundred and twenty-seventh U. S. Colored Troops. HDQRS. 127TH U. S. COLORED TROOPS, Near Petersburg, Va., April 22, 1865. SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the One hundred and twenty-seventh Regt. U. S. Colored Troops in the recent active campaign: On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 29, 1865, the regiment was for the first time drawn up in line of battle, with a prospect of engaging the enemy on the west side of Hatcher’s Run, and in support of Foster’s division, Twenty-fourth Army Corps. Skirmishing continued throughout the night, but the regiment was not engaged.

At night a detail of 500 men was engaged in throwing up breast-works. At daylight again formed line, and at 9.30 a.m. 30th was relieved by the Forty-fifth U. S. Colored Troops and ordered to the rear to rest, but before reaching camp was ordered, with the Fort-first U. S. Colored Troops, to the right to relieve Col. Fairchild’s brigade, Twenty-fourth Corps. Here threw up another line of works, connecting with the line thrown up the night previous and perpendicular to the old line of the Army of the Potomac. At night slept on arms, and one the 31st resumed strengthening line of works.

April 1, remained in same position. April 2, entered rebel works, moved up to Battery 435, and formed for charge on right of brigade with one “group of fours” from each company advanced as skirmishes. In this position the regiment sustained a severe fire, but owing to inaccuracy of the rebel marksmen only three men were wounded, none killed. The position of the regiment being considered by the brigadier-general commanding division (on personal inspection) too much exposed, he ordered me to place it in a safer position, when I advanced about 100 yards to the foot of a hill.

After remaining in this position for some time the brigade was withdrawn. At daylight on the 3d moved with the division through the enemy’s works at Battery 45 and entered Petersburg, thence out the Cox road to the intersection of the South Side Railroad. April 4, marched to Wilson’s Station; April 5, to Blacks and Whites; April 6, to Rice’s Station. April 7, by a circuitous route entered Farmville. April 8, marched day and night, and at daylight arrived in front of the rebel army near Appomattox Court-House.

April 9, was ordered to guard the ammunition train of the Twenty-fourth Corps (to which at that time the brigade was attached); convoyed it close to the skirmish line until the enemy surrendered. During this very severe march regimental commanders had a fine opportunity of judging of both officers and men. The majority of the officers of this regiment proved themselves worthy of the trust reposed in them.

The services of Capt. E. N. Willard, who acted as major, were invaluable; although sick he did not leave his post until after the surrender. Capt.’s Tinkham and Stanfield, Lieut.’s Markley, Harding, and Stewart deserve special mention. The men, though short of rations and almost worn our with fatigue, moved on without a murmur as long as there was an enemy to follow, and proved themselves to be a body of men upon whom the Government can safely rely in her hour of peril. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAMES GIVIN, Lieut. Col. 127th U. S. Colored Troops, Cmdg. Regt. Lieut. JAMES M. LYON, Acting Adjutant-Gen. Source: Official Records CHAP. LVIII.] THE APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN. PAGE 1240-95 [Series I. Vol. 46. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 95.]”

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Nelson and Hannah were known to have one child, George, who died in infancy. After Basil Biggs bought property on the Taneytown Road, Nelson and Hannah moved to that property and settled there where they remained deeply involved with their church and community. The Mathews and Biggses were jointly involved in the Sons of Goodwill, which established the Lincoln Cemetery and provided other services and support to black community members and veterans of the USCT.

When Nelson passed away in 1910, he was remembered as a prominent member of the community. He was buried in the cemetery that he and his family helped form. Hannah joined him thirteen years later.