David Matthews (mayor)

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For other people named David (or Dave) Matthews see David Matthews (disambiguation)

David Matthews was an American lawyer and politician from New York City. He was a Tory during the Revolutionary War and was Mayor of New York from 1776 until 1783.

Matthews lived in Flatbush and was mayor, in 1776, when he was implicated in a plot to kidnap George Washington, then Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. The governor of New York, William Tryon, and Matthews (both Tories), were involved in the plot, as was one of Washington's bodyguards, Thomas Hickey,

The New York provincial congress ordered his arrest for "being Engaged in a Conspiracy against the Authority of the Congress and the Liberties of America."^{[citation needed]} He was captured by Nathaniel Greene's men on June 22, 1776, but escaped to return to New York.

When British forces occupied the city in August 1776, Matthews resumed his office as mayor. When the British evacuated on November 10, 1783, he fled with other loyalists to Nova Scotia.

Preceded by Whitehead Hicks

Mayor of New York City 1776—1783

Succeeded by James Duane