Sheridan Hollow in Albany in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Matthews House
334 Clinton Avenue
Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 24, 2026
1. Matthews House Marker
Built in 1875 and home of James C. Matthews, 1875-1930. First African American to graduate Albany Law School and to be elected NYS judge.
Erected 2024 by Historic Albany Foundation. (Marker Number 2.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Historic Albany Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location. 42° 39.667′ N, 73° 45.725′ W. Marker is in Albany, New York, in Albany County. It is in Sheridan Hollow. It is on Clinton Avenue (U.S. 9) west of Henry Johnson Boulevard, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 334 Clinton Avenue, Albany NY 12206, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York and in the Capital District. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Chapman House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); 29 Lexington Avenue (approx. 0.2 miles away); Spanish-American War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); 10th Ward War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Townsend Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Henry Johnson (approx. 0.3 miles away); Washington Avenue Armory (approx. 0.3 miles away); 397 State Street (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albany.
Regarding Matthews House. James Campbell Matthews (1844–1930) was a pioneering African American attorney, civil rights advocate, and jurist. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, he moved to Albany as a child. After losing both parents in 1861, he received support from two prominent Quaker abolitionists, Lydia Mott and Phebe Hoag Jones, and was subsequently adopted by Francis Van Vranken, an Albany barber.
Matthews graduated from Albany Academy in 1864 and Albany Law School in 1870, becoming the law school's first Black graduate. He was admitted to the New York bar in 1871
Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 24, 2026
2. Matthews House
In 1872, Matthews participated in a legal challenge to Albany's segregated public schools on behalf of William Dietz, whose children had been denied access to integrated schooling. Although the lawsuit was initially unsuccessful, continued community advocacy led to the desegregation of Albany's public schools in 1873. Matthews later successfully advocated for state legislation protecting the employment rights of Black teachers.
In 1885, President Grover Cleveland nominated Matthews to succeed Frederick Douglass as Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia. Matthews briefly held the position through a recess appointment, but his nomination was rejected by the United States Senate.
In 1895, Matthews was elected judge of Albany's Recorder's Court, becoming New York State's first African American judge. He served until 1899 and subsequently continued his legal practice.
Matthews lived at 334 Clinton Avenue from 1875 to 1930. His career reflects the interconnected efforts of Albany's Black community, abolitionist networks, and civil rights advocates to expand educational, professional, and
Photographed by Trudi Jacobson, October 24, 2026
3. Matthews House Marker
(sources)
— Albany Law School. James Campbell Matthews (Class of 1870).
— Historical Society of the New York Courts. James Campbell Matthews.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. This page has been viewed 24 times since then. Last updated on November 6, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 24, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
