John Martin

• General Notes
  • ID: I3065
    Name: John MARTIN
    Sex: M
    Birth: Bef 1750
    Death: 1788 in Halifax Co.,VA 1
    Note:
    According to the clerk at the Halifax Circuit Court, John operated an ordinary during the 1760's, and was constable during the 1770's. But further research is required to be sure he isn't being confused with one of the other John Martins in Halifax at the time.
    
    John Martin purchased for 500 pounds 200 acres along Lawson Creek in Halifax Co., VA, from George Wiley on 15 Jun 1780. The property surveyed out to 209 acres just south of the Dan River, between Irwin's Ferry Road to the north and Lawson Creek to the south. (Halifax Co., VA, Deed Book 12, page 29).
    
    The following spring John's property would be a front seat to history, at the time one of the most riveting scenes of the Revolutionary War. A ragged American army retreated northeast up Irwin's Ferry Road past John's house in Feburary 1781 to escape the superior British army, and crossed the Dan River at Irwin's and Boyd's Ferries a short distance away. But the British could not follow across the flooded river, because the Halifax Militia spent weeks preparing the boats, and once the Americans were across, made sure no boats remained for the British.
    
    The generals of both armies used Wiley's Tavern as a headquarters not far from John's property. The Tavern was run by William Wiley, father of George Wiley who sold the property to John. Both Wileys were in the army at the time, but so far no records have been found detailing John's involvement.
    
    The Americans regrouped at the Old Halifax Courthouse and recrossed the Dan at Irwin's Ferry, again passing through John's property and then beating the British 70 miles southwest at Guildford's Court House in North Carolina. Jonathan was 12, but no family records of the action have been identified, and no family stories are passed on.
    
    John died seven years later in 1788, but it is not yet known when or where his wife Margaret died. On 28 July 1788 George Wiley appraised the estate of John Martin, and he left a will claiming his wife would receive one third of his property, and the rest would be equally divided among his seven heirs. Upon his wife's death, her property would be equally divided among the seven heirs. While not recorded as usual, the will was used as evidence in a court action in 1815 proving Jonathan Martin had been an heir who was not included in the sale of John's property in 1807.
    
    Five of the seven heirs are identified: three boys and two girls: Jonathan, Edmond, John, Margaret, and Susannah. Margaret's 1797 marriage to William Finn was witnessed by Elizabeth Martin (there were no known sisters-in-law of family members by that name at the time).
    
    John's property was first divided among four heirs in 1807, and later amended to include his wife and first son, Jonathan. John's wife, Margaret, had most likely died by the sale in 1807, but was later included to provide Jonathan with his one- seventh of that inheritance. Jonathan left the state around 1803, and on 18 Nov 1807, Edmond, John Jr., Susannah, their spouses, and sister Margaret sold John's entire 209 acres to neighbor James A. Glenn for 72 pounds, claiming it was the inheritance of the four sellers. (Halifax Co., VA, Deed Book 21, page 633).
    
    Glenn died in 1811. By court order on 19 Jul 1815, 78 acres, or one third, of the 209 acres was reassigned to John's widow Margaret, and one seventh of the remainder, or 18 acres, was reassigned to son "Jonah" or Jonathan. Combined with one seventh of Margaret's third, Jonathan's total inheritance was around 29 acres. The rest of the property was kept by Glenn's heirs. (Halifax Co., VA, Plea Book 32, page 193).
    
    Three months later on 21 October 1815, Jonathan, while living in Jackson Co., GA, sold to Benjamin H. True 27 acres of John's property for $100. The deed was filed in Jackson Co., GA, where the deal was made (Jackson Co., GA, Deed Book F, page 179).
    Change Date: 29 OCT 2006 at 21:45:38
    
    Marriage 1 Margaret
    Children
    Jonathan MARTIN b: 1767 in Virginia
    Edmond MARTIN b: 1772 Or 1773 in Halifax Co.,VA
    John MARTIN b: 1776 Or 1777 in VA
    Margaret MARTIN b: 1779 in Halifax Co.,Virginia
    Susannah MARTIN
    
    Sources:
    Title: Circuit Court Clerk; Halifax County, VA
    Abbrev: Circuit Court Clerk; Halifax County, VA
    

Click here for details of John's family with Margaret (Martin)

Source/Citation

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This page is within a frameset. View the entire genealogy report of Martin families, or surname index of Martin pedigrees or report summary Martin heritage from 'Beth Anne Christian Layland - Family Legend'.
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