John Matthews (c. 1763 – 20 August 1832) was a Canadian military officer and politician who served as captain in the Royal Artillery and represented Middlesex County in the Parliament of Upper Canada from 1824 to 1830.
He quit the artillery during the Napoleonic Wars to become a farmer, but returned after the post-Napoleonic depression caused an agricultural crisis.
Matthews settled in Queenston, Upper Canada, while he negotiated with Maitland for the site of the military colony.
This caused Matthews to believe that the province of Upper Canada was ruled by an inner circle of closely connected families and friends.
[2] Matthews, along with John Rolph, was elected to represent Middlesex County in the 9th Parliament of Upper Canada in 1824.
[1] He initially declined to run for re-election to represent Middlesex County in the 10th Parliament, citing ill health.
[4] He was outspoken in his belief, and his colleagues in the Upper Canadian parliament referred to him as "the Reverend John Matthews" because of his constant preaching.