For the U.S. HEW secretary, see F. David Mathews; for a similar name, see David MatthewsDavid Mathews (c. 1739 - 1800) was a lawyer and politician from New York City. He was a Loyalist during the American Revolutionary War and was the 43rd and last Colonial Mayor of New York City from 1776 until 1783. As New York City was the center of British control of the Colonies during the war, he was one of the highest ranking civilian authorities in the Colonies during this period.