The immigrant ancestor, Philip Mathias (Johan Philip Mattes) (1744-1834), was born in the area of Rhine Palatine. He came to Philadelphia in 1764. In 1769 he married Anna Catherine Kinzel in Cleona/Annville, Lebanon Twp., Lancaster Co., Pa. A chapter is devoted to each of his seven children and descendants. A long chapter is also devoted to the Wrights, who are multiply related to the Mathiases. These Wrights stem from an early Wright family of Baltimore Co., Maryland. Descendants live in Pennsylvania, Kansas, Colorado and elsewhere.