Mary Jane Rowland and Matthew Underwood
Mary Jane Rowland was born around 1814 in Virginia and died sometime after 1880. She married Matthew Underwood on 19 October 1836 in Rutherford County. In the 1837 tax records for Rutherford County, Matthew is listed as living in Civil District 12, in the southwest corner of the county. Matthew and Mary Jane continued to live in Rutherford County for a while, where they were enumerated in the 1840 census; their family seems to have included Matthew (between 20 and 30), Mary Jane (also between 20 and 30), and three children (one boy and two girls all under the age of five), but also two other males, one between 20 and 30 and another between 15 and 20 (possibly brothers either of Matthew or Mary Jane).
We don't yet know who Matthew's parents or siblings were. In 1830, there are several Underwoods living near John Rowland who are potential candidates for Matthew's parents. These are Jerry Underwood (two sons, 10-15 in 1830); Nathaniel Underwood (two sons, 15-20, one son 10-15); and Rebecca Underwood (two sons, 20-30). Elsewhere in the county, Levi Underwood also had sons who might fit, as did William Underwood. The 1836 and 1837 tax records for Rutherford County show only four Underwoods in District 12, where the Rowlands tended to live: James, Abel, William, and Matthew (with Matthew appearing only in the 1837 rolls).
By 1850, Matthew and Mary Jane had moved to neighboring Marshall County, where they were enumerated in the northernmost part of te county in the 1850 census. By 1860, however, Matthew had died, and Mary Jane and her children returned to Rutherford County, where she continued to live through 1880, when she was enumerated with several adult children and her unmarried sister, Emeline.
Mary Jane Rowland (b. 1814, VA - d. aft 1880, prob. Rutherford, TN)
m. 19 Oct 1836, Rutherford, TN
Matthew Underwood (b. 1812, TN - d. bet 1850/1860, TN)
Children:
i. William L. Underwood ("Bill") (5 Aug 1836-9 Mar 1922, Rockvale, Rutherford, TN; m. Sarah J. Eastwood
ii. M.E. Underwood (Mary E. Underwood?) (1838-after 1860)
iii. unknown female Underwood (1839-bet 1840-50)
iv. Jno. M. Underwood (1842-after 1860)
v. Joseph E. Underwood (20 Sep 1843-14 Oct 1923, Rutherford, TN); m1. Susan L. (unknown); m2. Laura "Dillie" Beasley
vi. Emily M. Underwood (Jan 1845-17 Oct 1908,, Rutherford TN); never married
vii. James Greenbery Underwood (Jan 1847-after 1900, Rutherford TN); never married
viii. Elsy J. Underwood (1848-by 1860)
ix. Thomas Underwood (ca. May 1850 - d. 1896?); m1. unknown; m2. Sarah Hayes ("Sallie" Hayes)
x. Christopher Columbus Underwood ("Lum") (7 Jan 1850-3 Oct 1935, Rutherford TN); m1. Lucinda West; m2. Josephine Rowlett
xi. M.C. Underwood (female) (1852-after 1860)