Martin, Henry

Henry MARTIN (1720 - 1780) and Mary Ann WHITE (1720 - 1782)

probably my 5g-grandparents

Henry MARTIN was probably the eldest son of Johan Jost MERTEN, the immigrant, who became John Joseph MARTIN in America. The main sources I rely on here are [H] and [M], which rely, in turn, on the deeds and other records from Colonial Virginia. Henry was born in what is now Fauquier County, Virginia, probably around 1720.

Many researchers have claimed that Henry's wife was Mary Ann WHITE, or HITT (1715 VA - 1782 VA), married about 1740. Based on land records, [M, p. 69] concludes that Henry and Mary Ann had at least 3 sons: Samuel, Reuben and Benjamin. The evidence for sons Peter, Joseph, Joel and Jacob, and daughters Agnes, Sarah and Ann, is inconclusive. See [M]. Reuben MARTIN was my 4g-grandfather.

Henry took part in the French & Indian Wars of 1761, and was also cited as a Patriot for providing goods to the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. His sons Samuel, Reuben and Benjamin all took part in the American Revolution. See the Revolutionary War page for more information.

Samuel MARTIN, probably the eldest son for Henry and Mary Ann, was born in Fauquier County, and moved to Woodward County, Kentucky, before 1782. He married Lucy, and later Susannah. His will was dated 21 Oct 1818, so he was still living at that time, in Woodford County. He left his property to his wife, Susannah, and sons, Benjamin and Elijah, and unnamed daughters. His estate was appraised in Oct 1824, so he had probably died shortly before that. His unmarried daughter, Letitia MARTIN, died in 1832 in Woodford. More information is in [M, pp. 69-70].

Benjamin MARTIN, another son of Henry and Mary Ann, was born 8 Jul 1758, in Fauquier County, Virginia, as stated in his pension application. This document (see the Revolutionary War page) also gives details of his life and military service. He lived with his father, Henry MARTIN, until 1 Sep 1775, when at age 17, he joined the Minute Men. He moved to Kentucky in 1795, and settled about 8 miles east of Lexington, Fayette County, KY. Then in 1812 he moved to Barren County, KY.

Benjamin MARTIN married Nancy KEMPER on 20 Jun 1780 or 1781, in Fauquier County, VA. Nancy KEMPER was a daughter of Henry KEMPER, a descendant of original Germanna colonists, and Letitia WHITESIDES.

Benjamin, Nancy, and some of their descendants are buried in Martin Cemetery #1, Finney, Barren, KY. The name on Benjamin MARTIN's stone is James Benjamin MARTIN. These dates have been transcribed from the gravestones, and although no photos of the gravestones are included, I am assuming that the transcriptions are accurate.

1 Henry MARTIN b: 1720 in Germantown, VA, d: 1781 in Fauquier, VA
+ Mary Ann WHITE b: 1715 in Fauquier, VA, m: 1740 in Fauquier, VA, d: After 1782 in Fauquier, VA
...2 Samuel MARTIN b: Before 1751 in Fauquier, VA, d: 1824 in Woodford, KY
+ Lucy
+ Susannah
3 Benjamin MARTIN
3 Elijah MARTIN
3 Letitia MARTIN, d. 1832 in Woodford, KY
...2 Reuben Henry MARTIN b: 1751 in VA, d: 1812 in Laurens, SC
+ Joanna HIGGINS b: 1755 in Fauquier, VA, m: 1775 in Fauquier, VA
3 Reuben MARTIN Jr b: 18 Mar 1814, d: 27 May 1879
+ Jane HANNA b: 28 Dec 1834, d: 1 Feb 1897
+ Matilda COX b: 17 Feb 1822 d: 13 Oct 1855
3 Joseph MARTIN
3 John MARTIN
3 Benjamin MARTIN b: 8 May 1818, d: 2 Aug 1881
+ Jane b: 11 May 1816, d: 2 Aug 1879
3 Samuel MARTIN
3 Stephen G. MARTIN b: 1798 in Laurens, SC, d: 24 Sep 1866
+ Sarah CROWLEY b: 1812 in GA, m: Before 1740, d: After 1860
...2 James Benjamin MARTIN b: 08 Jul 1758 in Fauquier, VA, d: 20 Sep 1838 in Finney, Barren, KY
+ Nancy KEMPER b: 27 May 1760, Fauquier, VA, m: 20 Jun 1780 or 20 Jun 1781 in Fauquier, VA, d: 09 Jun 1841 in Barren, KY
3-Letty MARTIN b. 4 Apr 1782, d: Before 1838
3-Nathan MARTIN b. 3 Sep 1783, d. 17 Apr 1842, Finney, Barren, KY
+ Nancy BRITE b: 19 Nov 1802, d: 30 Mar 1863 in KY
3-Betsey MARTIN b. 21 May 1786
3-Elizabeth MARTIN b. 1788, Lewis, TN, d. 1880, TN
3-John MARTIN b. 13 Nov 1788
3-Mary MARTIN b. 1 Aug 1790, d: 15 Nov 1852
+ Andrew Hynes COLE b: 20 Apr 1786, d: 9 Apr 1874
3-Nancy MARTIN b. 4 Sep 1792
3-Rebeckah MARTIN b. 3 May 1798, Barren, KY
3-Benjamin H. MARTIN b. 10 Jul 1800, Barren, KY, d. 22 Dec 1863, Barren, KY
+ Mary MARTIN b: 29 Aug 1816, d: 26 Dec 1895 in Barren, KY
3-Lucinda MARTIN b. 6 Jul 1802, Barren, KY

The main reference [M] relies heavily on the books of deeds for Fauquier County. These give information about properties, including the names of landowners, and the dates when the bought or sold land. They don't generally give other identification of landowners, so we don't know which Peter MARTIN, e.g., is referred to, or how he is related to anyone else. Fortunately, the name Reuben is uncommon enough that it has been possible to trace Reuben and his wife Joanna, who are my chief interest, since they are identified as my ancestors, based on DNA tests.

Germanna and German ? (the second word may be "town") can be found, just northeast of center, on this 1751 map. The Great Wagon Road, a major thoroughfare, is marked in red. This was the first map that accurately showed the Allegheny Mountains. Their long ridges run generally from southwest to northeast, with gaps. This peculiar geography affected all aspects of travel, both military and civilian. The image is in the public domain, and larger versions can be found here.

Sources:

[H] Ancestry and Descendants of the Nassau-Siegen Immigrants to Virginia 1714-1750, by B.C. Holtsclaw, 1964

[M] A Martin Genealogy/Tied to the History of Germanna, Virginia, by William A. Martin, 1995

Last updated 22 Jul 2022 by William Haloupek. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.