All of the seven surviving Matthew children attended George and Katherine Matthew's 50^th anniversary celebration in 1918, where they presented this brief poem, each reciting a verse that characterized his or her profession:

Elsie:

Mine is the dearest privilege and nearest of all to your heart

To keep the home fires burning, I have taken the daughter's part.

William:

It is mine to continue my father's work and search in the leaves of stone

To decipher the records of worlds long past and to make their story known.

Bessie:

Your love of music, oh mother mine, is the part I chose for my own

To play, to teach, and to help my man; to compose the songs you have known.

George:

A noble talent you gave me, to employ as best I could

And I teach my boys, as you taught me; to be wise and strong and good.

Harrison:

To do my share in the business world was the part assigned to me

But now I have answered a higher call – to defend our liberty.

I have taken the place of my brother who died in the battle across the main

And I've vowed to do my uttermost; that he shall not have died in vain.

Robin (deceased):

I am with you in spirit here today, though you cannot see my face

I have cast no shame on your honoured name, but have done as became my race.

Charlie: 

I have taken my part in the business mart and the talent you gave to me

Aids the farmer to make his wide-stretched fields green with fertility.

Jack:

I too am aiding the same good work and giving the best in me,

To help in feeding a starving world: Here and across the sea.

From the  Matthew fonds, New Brunswick Museum Archives and Research Library  S105, F66.