Mathias de Sousa came to Maryland as an indentured servant to Father Andrew White. He was described in the records as a mulatto, which meant he was of mixed race, probably African and Portuguese. He served the Jesuits for four years and then gained his freedom in 1638. Once free he earned a living as a fur trader and sailor. In 1641 the Governor issued a call to all freemen to attend the meeting of the Maryland Assembly, either in person or by proxy. All freemen could vote. A “Matt das Sousa” is documented as being present at that meeting which further indicates he was a citizen and no longer a servant. Racial categories at that time are unclear, but two references to him as “mulatto” or “molato” has led to conjecture that he may have been of mixed African and Portuguese heritage. If so, he may be the first person of at least partial African descent to be recorded as attending a meeting of the Maryland Assembly.