Not alot is known of Alexander. He was a doctor and had a partnership with Dr William Belcombe, at a private asylum known as 'The Retreat' at Clifton near York.
He hit the headlines in 1819 when a former patient, Jane Horsman of York took Mather, Belcombe a others to court for wrongful imprisonment.
She was represented by Jonathan Gray, Solicitor. The family business had many connections to Elvington.
Jane won and Mather and his associations were ordered to pay £50 each in compensation.
He married twice, his first wife was Elizabeth Barker and they were married on the 26th October 1782 at St Cuthberts York.
He then married Rebecca Clough on the 1st October 1810 at St Michael le Belfry, York.
He had Brinkworth Hall either built or rebuilt in the 1820's, I favour the later as the building consists of many different periods.
He died at Brinkworth on the 17th January 1826, his wife, Rebecca followed him in August of the same year.
They are both buried in the churchyard at Elvington.
There is a headstone erected by family member and also a tablet on the wall inside the church.
The following is from the East Riding Archives website (see Links page)
Gray, Dodsworth and Cobb Solicitors
Probate of the will and codicil of Alexander Mather of Brinkworth Hall, Elvington.
4th August 1826
Executors: Rev James Sergeantson, Isaac Grayson, William Pickard, Francis Metcalf, James Richardson the younger.
Beneficiaries: Wife Rebecca, sister-in-law Mary Barker, Rev Isaac Grayson and wife Mary, James Sergeantson and his son James, god-daughter Emma, William Pickard, Rev Francis Metcalf, James Richardson the younger, David Eaton, William Belcombe, godson William Milne, coachamn William Wride, gardener William Baines
Property: Land at Brinkworth and Elvington
Witnesses: William Dickson, Thomas Pattison, James Goodyear
Will dated 22nd July 1824
Probate 4th August 1826