In April 1881, William Matthews was an annuitant, aged 75, living in the High Street.

William was born at Stockland, Devon, in about 1806, the son of Richard and Mary. On 30 September 1841, William married Jane Coombes at Wincanton. By March 1851, he was a gatekeeper at Thornford Road Turnpike Gate, Sherborne. In April 1861, he was a gatekeeper at Kingstone Gate, Dowlish Wake. Jane died within the next ten years.

In April 1871, William was a toll collector living at Edgarley Road, Glastonbury. By April 1881, he had moved to Hardington to live with his brother, Thomas. When Thomas died in 1880, William lived alone.

No record of his death has been found.