Martin, Reuben

Reuben MARTIN (1745 - 1812) and Joanna HIGGINS (1755 - 1827)

my 4g-grandparents

Reuben MARTIN, likely the father of Stephen MARTIN, was probably born about about 1745, possibly in VA, and may have fought in the American Revolution. This is all very uncertain. More is known about his later life.

He was 45 or older in the 1800 US Census, he was old enough to join the army in 1776, and his first child seems to have been born about 1775 in VA. Birthdates claimed for Reuben MARTIN by researchers are 1740, 1745 and 1751.

His wife was Joanna, possibly HIGGINS, origin unknown. Her will was written on 15 Jan 1827 and proved 5 Feb 1827, in Laurens, so she died between those dates.

If Reuben was the son of Henry MARTIN and Mary Ann WHITE, then he was probably born in Fauquier County, Virginia. If Reuben was the son of William MARTIN of Laurens, SC, then he may have been born in Laurens.

In either case, his wife's name was Joanna, mentioned in his will. She was also 45 or older in 1790, hence born no later than 1755. They probably married about 1775, in VA, as their first child was born about 1775-6 in VA. They settled about 1777 in Laurens County, SC, where they raised a large family. They probably lived in Youngs, in the NE part of Laurens County, as several of their descendants were found there.

Most of what is known about this family comes from Reuben's will, shown below. Reuben MARTIN died in 1812, probably shortly before his will was proved, on 5 Oct 1812. Joanna died on 3 Mar 1827 in Laurens, age 72 or older.

DNA Evidence

Currently, 160 of my DNA close matches on Ancestry.com trace their ancestry back to Reuben MARTIN, including 89 descendants of Stephen MARTIN. The remaining 71 close matches are mostly 5th cousins, some 1x removed, descended from 9 of the other children of Reuben. This provides good evidence that I'm a descendant of Stephen MARTIN, and that Stephen is a son of Reuben.

Reuben, son of Henry MARTIN and Mary Ann WHITE of Fauquier, VA

Holtzclaw [H, p. 413] says "There is no further information about Reuben Martin, son of Henry Martin [who was the eldest son of John Joseph Martin, the immigrant], except that he was a Revolutionary soldier." That was published in 1964. A good deal has been uncovered since then, but there is still very little that is known for sure. Martin [M, pp. 67-76] has studied the Deed Books from 18th Century Fauquier County, Virginia, and found several records that are of interest. I find the language of the deeds very confusing. No relationships are given, so if Reuben Martin deeded some land to Benjamin Martin, were they father and son? To further complicate things, this extended family used the names John, Henry, Reuben, Stephen and Benjamin many times. It is never clear which one is which. This difficulty pervades genealogy, but it is especially acute here.

Martin [M, p. 75] names Reuben MARTIN, "who married Joanna ____ and moved away after 1789," as a probable son of Henry and Mary Ann MARTIN. Also, [M, p. 76] cites another source which cites another source, saying "Benjamin, Reuben and Samuel, are shown as having served in the Revolutionary War, and are listed as sons of Henry Martin, eldest son of the immigrant, John Joseph Martin." Finally, [M, p. 75] says "One story states that a Reuben Martin bought land in Laurens County, South Carolina, in 1788...." This helps make the connection between Reuben MARTIN and his son, Stephen G. MARTIN, who was from Laurens County. See the Stephen G. MARTIN page.

Since the connection of Reuben MARTIN to John Joseph MARTIN of the Germanna Colony is uncertain, I should mention that one researcher has claimed him as a descendant of William MARTIN, an immigrant from England. At the very least, we should keep in mind that there were many other MARTINs in Laurens County, with about 9 MARTIN households in the 1790 Census.

Reuben, son of William MARTIN of Laurens, SC

Reuben MARTIN in the Revolutionary War

There was at least one Reuben MARTIN from Virginia in the Revolutionary War. I'm not convinced that the one who enlisted on 6 Jul 1776 is the same one who deserted on 10 Jul 1777. For more about the MARTINs in the American Revolution, see the Revolutionary War page.

Reuben MARTIN in Laurens, SC

Around 1776-7, the family moved to Laurens County, SC, more than 400 miles to the southwest of Germantown. It may be that Reuben moved his family to a safer location before he joined the military. Perhaps he moved after his desertion, to avoid prosecution. Two of Reuben's possible sisters, Sarah and Agnes, also moved to Laurens. I don't know the reason for the move.

Reuben and Joanna probably had 1 or 2 daughters. The 1790 census shows 2 females in the household. In 1800 there is one female under 10. Reuben named his wife Joanna, and 6 sons, in his will.

The Will of Reuben MARTIN, 1812 Laurens County, SC

Reuben MARTIN's will was written on 25 Jul 1808 and proved in Laurens County on 5 Oct 1812, so he probably died in 1812.

The will of Reuben MARTIN mentions his wife, Joanna, and sons Reuben Jr, Joseph, John, Benjamin, Samuel and Stephen. The executors of the will were Henry and Reuben MARTIN. Reuben must be Reuben Jr, but I don't know who Henry was, unless he was the eldest son. Maybe he had already been given his inheritance. It makes no mention of the daughters, as was customary among German-Americans. The will was recorded in Laurens County, SC, and refers to him as Reuben Martin of Laurens County. Part of this document is the will, written on 25 Jul 1808, and signed by Reuben Martin. The rest was written around 29 Oct 1812, probably shortly after his death. The estate, not including land, was valued at over $2,000, which was a lot of money in 1812. I think we can say that Reuben was a prosperous farmer.

I believe this to be the signature of Reuben Martin. It appears at the end of his will, and is in slightly different handwriting than the rest of the will.

The Will of Joanna MARTIN, 1827 Laurens County, SC

Joanna's will was written on 15 Jan 1827 and proved 5 Feb 1827, in Laurens, so she died between those dates. The will names several persons of interest, but does not specify any relationships. The executors were Henry MARTIN (probably her eldest son), James B. HIGGINS (possibly her brother) and Jeremiah BALL.

Parcels of land from Joanna's estate were given to: Reubin, Hampton PARSON, Samuel MARTIN, Stephen MARTIN, Henry MARTIN, Larkeng MARTIN, John BALL, Benjamin MARTIN, Martin BALL. Other valuables were left to Martin BALL, Daniel Wally & Martin BALL, Ambrose Gertrude & B. MARTIN, Nancy MARTIN.

I suspect that Reubin, Henry, Samuel, Stephen and Benjamin MARTIN were sons of Joanna, still living in 1827. I don't know who Larkeng was. Nancy MARTIN could be Nancy (GARRETT) MARTIN, the widow of Joanna's son Joseph MARTIN, who died in 1823. John and Jeremiah MARTIN are absent. Maybe one of them was Larkeng?

Youngs Township, Laurens County, SC

The first white settler in what is now Laurens County was John DUNCAN, a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, who came from PA in 1752. The early settlers were Scots-Irish immigrants from PA, MD and VA. It was the scene of several major battles in the American Revolutionary War. Laurens County was organized in 1785, one of 6 counties formed from the old 96 District. The first US Census, taken in 1790, counted 9,337 people in Laurens County.

Reuben MARTIN first came here from VA about 1776-7, during the war. He purchased property in 1788, and appeared with a wife and 6 children in the 1790 US Census.

Many of the descendants and relatives of Reuben and Joanna can be seen in the 1883 map of Youngs Township, making it seem likely that Reuben and Joanna themselves lived there. The biography of Reuben MARTIN (above) mentions that "He was the head of the Martins around Warrior Creek." In the lower left corner of the map we see a church marked "Warrier Creek" with nearby J. R. MARTIN. The Warrior Creek Baptist Church is still there, in Gray Court, Laurens, SC (34.604790, -82.034114).

In 1934 an "accident occurred on the Gray Court-Ora road, about a mile from Martin’s Cross Roads and about six miles east of Gray Court." So there was a place called Martin's Cross Roads, about where Warrior's Creek Baptist Church was located. Martin Crossroads lies at the intersection of Ora Road and Warrior Creek Church Road.

MARTINs on the 1883 Map:

A. J. MARTIN (center, near church) could be grandson Andrew MARTIN (1804 - 1886), although he seems to have removed to MS. It could be Alvin Jonathan MARTIN (1854 - 1927), g-grandson, who lived all his life in Laurens County.

B. A. MARTIN (lower right, near Beaverdam Cr.) could be grandson Benjamin MARTIN (1818 - 1881), who lived his whole life in Laurens County.

F. B. MARTIN (center, near church) is probably g-grandson Fountain Benjamin MARTIN (1845 - 1910)

G. W. MARTIN (lower right, near FOWLER's Mill)

Mrs. J. MARTIN (Pleasant Mound) could be Manima (GARRETT) MARTIN (1808 - 1881) widow of grandson Jeremiah MARTIN (1802 - 1872), who lived his whole life in Laurens County.

Rev. Dr. J. A. MARTIN (Pleasant Mound) was preacher at Warrior Creek Baptist Church in 1902, but I don't know if he is related to Reuben.

J. B. MARTIN (center, near Beaverdam Cr.)

J. P. MARTIN (center, near church)

J. J. MARTIN (mid right) possibly grandson Joseph Jasper MARTIN (1840 - 1895) although he removed to GA, and later TX.

J. R. MARTIN (next to Store, at Warrier Creek)

M. MARTIN (lower left) could be g-grandson Marion Alexander MARTIN (1834 - 1916) who later moved to Anderson County, SC. Could be grandson Milton MARTIN (1822 - ?).

Mrs. M. MARTIN (Pleasant Mound)

P. B. MARTIN (center, near Beaverdam Cr.)

P. F. MARTIN (lower right, near FOWLER's Mill)

P. H. MARTIN (mid right)

R. MARTIN's est. (below center, on Beaverdam Cr.) could be grandson Reuben MARTIN (1820 - ?).

Near the center appears the name J. B. HIGGINS, possible a clue to the family of Joanna HIGGINS.

Several properties under the surname of RIDDLE appear in the upper part of the map. These are undoubtedly related to Newton RIDDLE, who married Frances Elizabeth MARTIN, granddaughter of Reuben and Joanna.

Several GARRETTs may be related to Fanny GARRETT, possible 1st wife of son Stephen A. MARTIN.

A. BURDETTE, Rev. BURDETTE, and Mrs. E. A. BURDETTE are probably related to Samuel Isaac BURDETT (1838 - 1922), husband of granddaughter Sarah Jane MARTIN (1841 - 1888). Although Samuel and Sarah were both born in GA, their fathers were from SC.

Census Data

The First US Census in 1790 has the family in Laurens County, SC. Reuben had a family of 8, plus 2 slaves.

The male 16 or over must be Reuben Sr, and Joanna must be one of the 2 females. That leaves 5 boys and 1 girl. The boys would be the ones named in Reuben's will: Henry, Reuben Jr, Joseph, Benjamin, and John, and the one girl would be Jemimah. Sarah, Samuel and Stephen were not born yet. The family also had 2 slaves in 1790.

On the same page of the 1790 Census for Laurens, SC is the family of Lazarus HITT, a name which matches one of the descendants of the original Germanna settlers. He was married to Agnes MARTIN, according to marriage records. This strengthens the possibility that Agnes was a sister of Reuben. The HITT family had no slaves.

Also in the 1790 Census, in Laurens County, we have the William BALL family. There was a Sarah MARTIN who married William BALL in Fauquier, VA, in 1769. The family showing up here in Laurens is another coincidence, lending credibility to the possibility that Sarah is a sister of Reuben MARTIN.

The MARTIN family is still in Laurens County, SC in 1800. My guesses are in square brackets.

There are two women over 45. One is Joanna, and the other could be a sister of Reuben or Joanna. Reuben's mother was already deceased, but it could be Joanna's mother. Or possibly just a friend, or servant. Henry and either Joseph or Reuben Jr had left home.

The 1810 US Census has Reuben and Joanna still in Laurens County. Most of their children had left home. They had 5 slaves in 1810. On the same page is the family of Daniel MARTEN, possible a brother.

Carved in Stone

The Martin Cemetery lies less than a mile north of Martin Crossroads, on Bramlett Church Road, near State Highway 92, has at least 75 graves. There are 65 listings here and 10 more listings here. A few are shown below. I'm describing the information on the stone, not the additional information provided by the contributors on Find A Grave.

Descendants

1 Reuben MARTIN b: abt. 1745 in VA or SC, d: 05 Oct 1812 in Laurens, SC

+ Joanna HIGGINS b: bef. 1756, m: 1775 in Fauquier, VA, d: 03 Mar 1827 in Laurens, SC

......2 Henry MARTIN b: Abt. 1776 in Fauquier, VA, d: Apr 1860 in Laurens, SC

...... + Frances Tasker BALL b: 1782 in Laurens, SC, m: 1800 in Laurens, SC, d: 17 Mar 1871 in Laurens, SC

......2 Jemimah MARTIN b: 1777 in Laurens, SC, d: 29 Sep 1843 in Laurens, SC

......2 Reuben Henry MARTIN Jr b: 18 May 1779, d: 25 Jan 1813

...... + Milly b: 1782 in SC

...... + Clarissa MARTIN

......2 Joseph MARTIN b: 1785 in Laurens, SC, d: Aug 1823 in , Laurens, SC

...... + Nancy C GARRETT b: 04 Dec 1788 in Laurens, SC, m: 28 Apr 1807 in Laurens, SC d: 01 Mar 1885 in De Kalb, GA

......2 Benjamin MARTIN b: 23 Apr 1787 in Laurens, SC, d: 14 Jul 1845 in Laurens, SC

...... + Rebecca HIGGINS b: Oct 1784 in Laurens, SC, m: 1808 in , Laurens, SC, d: 11 Oct 1835 in Laurens, SC

......2 John Garrett MARTIN b: 1789 in Laurens, SC, d: 1833 in Laurens, SC

...... + Elizabeth ?? m: Abt. 1810

......2 Sarah Sally MARTIN b: 21 Feb 1792 in , Laurens, SC, d: 26 Jul 1855 in , Laurens, SC

...... + Hampton Grant PARSONS b: 14 Sep 1786 in Laurens, SC, m: 1810 in Laurens, SC, d: 28 Aug 1862 in Laurens, SC

......2 Samuel L. Neulan MARTIN b: 20 Nov 1797 in Laurens, SC, d: Feb 1875 in Reed Creek, Hart, GA

...... + Abigale L DOWNEY b: 1798 in VA, m: 1820 in Laurens, SC, d: Dec 1850 in Anderson, SC

...... + Nancy Millicent STONE b: 29 Jun 1844 in Greenville, SC m: 18 Jan 1866 in Hart, GA, d: 01 Nov 1894 in Anderson, SC

......2 Stephen A. MARTIN b: 05 Jun 1798 in Laurens, SC, d: 24 Sep 1866 in DeKalb, GA

...... + Elizabeth Francis GARRETT b: 1810 in SC, m: 1820 in Laurens, SC, d: 1837 in Decatur, DeKalb, GA

...... + Sarah CROWLEY b: 12 Jul 1812 in GA, m: 1842 in Dekalb, GA, d: 16 Jul 1878 in Shallowford, DeKalb, GA

Very little is known about Reuben MARTIN with any certainty. If he had not named his wife, Joanna, and sons Reuben Jr, Joseph, John, Benjamin, Samuel and Stephen, in his will, this family would probably be an impassable dead end. The will does not mention the possible eldest son, Henry, so a separate argument must be made for him. The will also neglects to mention any daughters, of whom there is no other evidence. The following sections cover the probable children of Reuben and Joanna MARTIN.

1. Henry H. MARTIN (1776 - 1860) seems to have been the eldest son, and was an executor of his father's will, along with his brother, Reuben Jr. The 1850 US Census says he was 74, hence born about 1776, in VA. This is consistent with previous censuses, except the 1820 US Census, which has Henry in the "45 and over" category. The 1820 Census was taken on 7 Aug 1820, and the the 1850 Census on 28 Nov 1850, so one of them is slightly in error. The discrepancy as to Henry's date of death is greater, as explained below. He died about 1857-60.

Henry MARTIN's wife was Francis, born about 1782-3 in VA. She is said to have been his 1st cousin, Francis Tasker BALL, daughter of William BALL and Sarah Agnes MARTIN. Francis may not have been Henry's 1st wife. He does not seem to have had a wife in 1830, and his wife in 1810 was in the "16 thru 25" category, when Francis would have been 27 or 28. The 1st wife was the mother of Henry's children.

Henry MARTIN and his father Reuben MARTIN are consecutive in the 1800 US Census. Henry and his wife were in the 16-25 category, so they were both born roughly between 1775 and 1784. They had no children in 1800.

Henry MARTIN is again found in the 1810 Census, age 26-44. His wife (?) is still 16-25. Maybe a second wife. They have 2 girls and 1 boy under 10.

In 1820 the family has added 3 more girls. The oldest son is in the 16-18 category, so he was born 1802-4. I think there is a mistake: 2 males and 6 females make 8.

In the 1830 Census there was one Henry MARTIN, in the 50-59 age group, so he was born between roughly 1771 and 1780, consistent with previous censuses. His wife must have died, as he was the only one in the household over 19. There were 10 people in the household, including 2 slaves. The 1830 Census also had a H. MARTIN, age 60-69, too old to be our Henry.

The 1840 Census has Henry MARTIN age 60-69, with a (possibly 3rd) wife. One woman 20-29 and a boy and girl 15-19 are possibly Henry's children, but the girl under 5 is probably a grandchild. They also had 3 slaves. Listed next in the census is Jerry MARTIN, age 30-39, probably a son of Henry.

In the 1850 Census, there were 3 MARTIN families that were almost consecutive, hence probably related. The middle one is the Henry MARTIN family, almost certainly the same one that has appeared in the previous censuses. We find that Henry's wife's name in Francis.

I'm guessing that Jeremiah in 1850 is Jerry in 1840, and that he is the son of Henry and Francis MARTIN. He was born about 1802, and I find room for him in the previous censuses. I would make a similar guess for Benjamin, but I don't see room for him. Jeremiah has a gravestone in the Jeremiah Martin Family Cemetery, in Laurens. He was born 15 Oct 1802, and died 23 Sep 1872. Jeremiah's wife Manima has a gravestone next to his. Manima was born 24 Nov 1808 and died 22 Dec 1881.

Because of a numbering error in the 1850 Census, the Anderson MOORE family, between the Jeremiah MARTIN and Henry MARTIN families, also had number 1729. Since the MOORE family is surrounded by MARTINs, they could be related. In particular, Jane MOORE (56) could be a daughter of Reuben and Joanna MARTIN.

Benjamin MARTIN, born about 1815, was probably a nephew of Henry. His wife, Jane, is buried in the Martin Cemetery, in Laurens. The gravestone inscription indicates that she died on 2 Aug 1879 at age 63 years, 2 months and 22 days, so she was born 11 May 1816. The 1850 Census, above, says she was 30, but based on the gravestone, she was 34. It may be that Benjamin was born 8 May 1818 and died 2 Aug 1881, if this gravestone is his. This Benjamin MARTIN was a Sergeant in the Confederate Army, in I Hagood's Infantry, Company H.

The 1850 Slave Schedule for Laurens County had one Henry MARTIN with 3 slaves: 1 female, age 20, and 2 males, age 12 and 15. He was listed consecutively with Jeremiah MARTIN and Benjamin MARTIN. See the section on MARTIN Slaves, near the bottom of this page.

There is some confusion regarding the date of Henry MARTIN's death. The record above, on the left, indicates that the will was probated on 13 Mar 1857. It would follow that he died before that date. However, looking at the actual will, it was written on that date, not probated. Another document dated 6 Jun 1859, entitled Warrant for Appraisement, refers to "Henry Martin deceased." The Mortality Schedule in the 1860 US Census, above on the right, says that Henry died in Apr 1860. It also says he was born in SC, which must be a mistake. Probably all we can say is that he died between 13 Mar 1857 and 1 May 1860.

Henry wrote his will on 13 Mar 1857 in Laurens. He named his wife, Frances. He named his sons, Jeremiah MARTIN and Henry H. MARTIN, as executors. (The middle initial is sloppy - it is probably an H.) He also mentioned his daughter, Elizabeth BALL, and her daughter, Joannah. Henry also mentioned his "other children" who were to get equal shares.

The 1860 US Census has some mistakes. Jeremiah and Francis should be 57 and 77-8, but here they are both 67. Elizabeth is still living with her mother, although she is called Elizabeth BALL. Joanna is Elizabeth's daughter, but they were both named MARTIN in 1850.

The 1870 US Census has Francis MARTIN listed next to Jeremiah, and family. Francis has a servant, Johanna BALL, undoubtedly related in some way. Johanna is the only one marked as illiterate. Family #133 is a black family, with head-of-household Alfred MARTIN, age 45. They may be former slaves of the MARTINs.

This gravestone in the Jeremiah Martin Family Cemetery is purported to be for Francis BALL, wife of Henry MARTIN. The inscription reads:

So this Francis was born about 1780-1. I don't know why she was absent in the 1830 Census, unless she was Henry's 2nd wife, and it was the first wife who appeared in 1800, 1810 and 1820.

1 Henry MARTIN b: Abt. 1776 in Fauquier, VA, d: Apr 1860 in Laurens, SC

+ Frances Tasker BALL b: 1782 in Laurens, SC, m: 1800 in Laurens, SC, d: 17 Mar 1871 in Laurens, SC

......2 Margaret MARTIN b: 1801 in SC, d: 1880 in Laurens, SC

...... + John S SPARKS b: Jan 1831 in Adair, KY

......2 Jeremiah MARTIN b: 15 Oct 1802 in Laurens, SC, d: 23 Sep 1872 in Laurens, SC

...... + Manima GARRETT b: 24 Nov 1808 in Laurens, SC, m: 1828, d: 22 Dec 1881 in Laurens, SC

......2 Elizabeth S MARTIN b: 10 Dec 1810 in Laurens, SC, d: 1850

...... + Harrison BALL b: 14 Jan 1814 in Laurens, SC, m: Bet. 1857–1867, d: 1860 in Laurens, SC

......2 Sarah "Sallie" MARTIN b: 1815 in Laurens, SC, d: 18 Oct 1878 in Pontotoc, Pontotoc, MS

...... + John BALL b: 19 Oct 1816 in Laurens, SC, d: 16 May 1899 in Gray Court, Laurens, SC

......2 Minerva MARTIN b: 12 Apr 1818 in Laurens, SC, d: 1870 in Spartanburg, SC

...... + Pinckney BOWEN b: 04 Dec 1812 in Fountain Inn, Laurens, SC, m: 06 Jun 1834 in Fountain Inn, Laurens, SC, d: Bef. 21 Dec 1853 in Fountain Inn, Laurens, SC

......2 Frances P MARTIN b: 09 Aug 1821 in Laurens, SC, d: 30 Nov 1883 in Laurens, SC

...... + Lanson OWENS b: 03 Jul 1809 in Laurens, SC, m: 11 Feb 1851 in SC, d: 04 Mar 1894 in Laurens, SC

......2 Henry Hitt MARTIN b: 1825 in Laurens, SC, d: 07 Aug 1863

...... + Frances "Fanny" GARRETT b: 1828 in Laurens, SC, m: 08 Jun 1843 in Laurens, SC, d: 1928 in Laurens, SC

Among my DNA close matches are 3 that trace their ancestry back to Henry MARTIN. One is a 5th cousin, with 7 cM in common, descended from James F. MARTIN. Two more are 5th cousins 1x removed, with 8 cM and 9 cM in common, descended from Mirena M. MARTIN. This is more evidence that Henry is a son of Reuben.

The death record for a retired merchant, John W. MARTIN says he was born 8 Jun 1850 in Laurens, and died 12 Oct 1917 in Woodruff, Spartanburg County, SC. His parents were Jeremiah MARTIN and Manima GARRTETT, both born in Laurens.

The death record for a farmer, Alvin Jackson MARTIN says he was born 21 Apr 1854 in SC, and died 17 Oct 1927 in Youngs, Laurens, SC. His parents were Jeremiah MARTIN and Manima GARRTETT, both born in SC.

Sisters Elizabeth and Sarah MARTIN married their 2nd cousins, brothers Harrison and John BALL. They were all great-grandchildren of Henry Andrew MARTIN (1720 - 1780) and Mary Ann WHITE (1720 - 1782).

Henry Hitt MARTIN died on 7 Aug 1863, at age 37 or 38. I don't know if he died in the war. He left a fairly large estate, and his will was contested.

2. Jemina MARTIN was born about 1777-80 in Laurens, SC, and died 29 Sep 1843 in Laurens, SC, age 65 or 66. She married George BALL in 1799, Laurens, SC. George BALL was born about 1777 in Lancaster, VA, and died Feb 1817 in Laurens, SC, age 40. So George BALL died young, and left his widow with 10 children.

This is one of many connections between the MARTIN and BALL extended families. Brother and sister Henry and Jemina MARTIN married sister and brother Frances and George BALL.

The 1810 Census is confusing. They should have 4 girls under 10. I don't know who the female 10 thru 15 was.

At least 4 of the 10 children of Jemina and George made their way to Pontotoc County, MS.

1 Jemina MARTIN b: 1777 in Laurens, SC, d: 29 Sep 1843 in Laurens, SC

+ George BALL b: 1777 in Lancaster, VA, m: 1799 in Laurens, SC, d: Feb 1817 in Laurens, SC

......2 John BALL b: 1795 in Saluda River, Laurens, SC, d: 1834 in Laurens, SC

...... + Narcissa WATTS b: 1801 in Laurens, SC, m: 1829, d: 1875 in Laurens, SC

......2 Henry M. BALL b: 11 May 1800 in Laurens, SC, d: 1870 in Union, LA

......2 George J. BALL b: 05 Jan 1801 in Laurens, SC, d: 27 Sep 1867 in Weimar, Colorado, TX

...... + Martha OVERBY b: Abt. 1795 in Laurens, SC, d: 30 Apr 1881 in Washington, TX

......2 Elizabeth BALL b: 1802 in Laurens, SC, d: 1860 in Magnet Cove, Hot Springs, AR

...... + Anthony Griffin BUTLER b: 1790 in Laurens, SC, m: 1822 in Laurens, SC, d: 1845 in De Kalb, GA

......2 Polly BALL b: 1804, d: 24 Apr 1890 in Pontotoc, MS

......2 Sarah BALL b: 1805, d: 1875

......2 Reuben S. BALL b: Bet. 1807–1812 in Laurens, SC, d: 1888 in GA

...... + Hannah Haney MARTIN b: Abt. 1815 in Laurens, SC, m: 1836 in Laurens, SC, d: 14 Oct 1860 in Summerville, Chattooga, GA

......2 Mary Joanna BALL b: 15 Jun 1807 in Laurens, SC, d: 24 Apr 1890 in Pontotoc, MS

...... + Thomas HILL b: 1805 in SC, m: 1834 in SC, d: 04 Jan 1845 in Laurens, SC

......2 Martha BALL b: 1813 in Laurens, SC, d: 26 Sep 1861 in Cherry Creek, Pontotoc, MS

......2 Joseph Martin BALL b: 19 Feb 1813 in Laurens, SC, d: 21 Nov 1888 in Pontotoc, MS

...... + Sarah BALL b: 20 Jan 1815 in Laurens, SC, d: 18 Oct 1874 in Pontotoc, MS

Joseph Martin BALL married his 1st cousin, Sarah BALL, daughter of Lewis BALL and Sarah HITT. Joseph also had a sister named Sarah BALL, 10 years older than his wife, Sarah (BALL) BALL.

3. Reuben MARTIN Jr first appeared in the 1810 US Census, in the 26-44 age group, so he was born between 1766 and 1784. He is probably the Reuben mentioned as a son in the 1812 will of Reuben MARTIN Sr.

I don't know whatever happened to Reuben Jr. It seems that he had a wife, born 1785 to 1794, and 4 sons under age 10, in 1810, Laurens.

4. Joseph MARTIN

The 1810 Census has a Joseph MARTIN household in Laurens County. Joseph and his wife are both 16-25, so they were born between 1785 and 1794. There are 2 boys: one under 10, and one 10-15. The older boy is too old to be their son, so he is probably a nephew of other relative.

In 1820 there are 2 Joseph MARTIN households in Laurens County. The first Joseph and his wife are 26-44, so they were born between 1776 and 1794. They have 2 girls: one under 10 and one 16-25. The second Joseph and his wife are also 26-44, but they have 4 boys: 3 under 10 and one 10-15. So it looks like the second Joseph MARTIN is the one we saw in 1810.

5. John MARTIN was born about 1789 in Laurens County, SC, and died about 1833, also in Laurens. His wife's name was Elizabeth. There were several John MARTINs in Laurens, and I have had trouble sorting them out.

The 1810 US Census had 1 John MARTIN in Laurens County. He was in the 16-25 age group, so he was born roughly between 1785 and 1794. He appears to have a wife in the same age group, and a son under 10.

In 1820 there were 2 John MARTINs in Laurens County, both in the 26-44 category. Both had large families; one had 8, the other 12. Neither had any slaves.

The 1830 Census had 3 John MARTIN households. One John MARTIN was 20-29, so he was born between 1801 and 1810, too young to be the John MARTIN we saw in the 1810 and 1820 Censuses. The other 2 John MARTINs were 40-49, and had almost identical households, of size 15. I suspect that this family was recorded twice.

This is probably the Daniel MARTIN who was born 16 Aug 1806 and died 28 Oct 1881, according to his gravestone in New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery, in Laurens.

6. Benjamin MARTIN was born 23 Apr 1787 in Laurens, SC, and died 14 Jul 1845, also in Laurens, SC, age 58. He married about 1808 to Rebecca HIGGINS, undoubtedly related to his mother, Joanna (HIGGINS) MARTIN. Rebecca HIGGINS was born Oct 1784 in Laurens, and died 11 Oct 1835 in Laurens, age 51.

Benjamin MARTIN and his wife Rebecca are buried side by side in the Martin Cemetery, Laurens County, South Carolina. Their gravestone inscriptions are as follows:

Benjamin's will refers to his beloved wife Sarah MARTIN, so he had remarried. The was probated on 1 Aug 1845, and it was contested at that time. Apparently the executors, Benjamin's sons Fountain MARTIN and Reuben MARTIN, had excluded Benjamin MARTIN Jr from the will. The grounds are not clear to me, but somehow he had not participated in the process of witnessing the will. So there was a proceeding with Fountain MARTIN and Reuben MARTIN vs Sarah MARTIN, Benjamin MARTIN Jr, Washington MARTIN, Samuel MEREDITH and Lucinda his wife, Harrison DRUMMOND and Rebecca his wife, J. F. LINDSEY and L. P. his wife. This seems to imply that, in addition to Fountain and Reuben, his children were Benjamin Jr, Washington, Lucinda, Rebecca and L. P.

In 1810 Benjamin would have been 22 or 23. The only Benjamin MARTIN in Laurens County was in the 16-25 category, so this looks like the right one. It looks like he has a wife, also 16-25, and 2 children under 10. There is also a girl 10-15, probably too old to be a daughter, so probably a sister or other relative. My comments are in square brackets.

The 1820 Census still has only one Benjamin MARTIN in Laurens County, and he is in the 26-44 category, which would be correct, as we expect him to be 32 or 33. He has a large family, with 5 slaves.

In 1830 there were 2 Benjamin MARTINs in Laurens County, both in the 40-49 age category, and both with households of 17, with several slaves.

In 1840 Benjamin and Rebecca are 50-59, and 3 of their sons are living with them. There is also an older woman, 70-79, probably the mother of Benjamin or Rebecca. They also have 17 slaves, which probably means a large farm.

1 Benjamin MARTIN b: 23 Apr 1787 in Laurens, SC, d: 14 Jul 1845 in Laurens, SC

+ Rebecca HIGGINS b: Oct 1784 in Laurens, SC, m: 1808 in Laurens, SC, d: 11 Oct 1835 in Laurens, SC

......2 Fountain MARTIN b: 08 Feb 1808 in Laurens, SC, d: 29 Apr 1875 in Laurens, SC

...... + Martha DRUMMOND b: 06 Jan 1807 in Spartanburg, SC, m: 1825 in Laurens, SC, d: 21 Nov 1887 in Laurens, SC

......2 Lucinda MARTIN b: 20 Oct 1810 in Laurens, SC, d: 01 Oct 1853 in Laurens, SC

...... + Samuel MEREDITH b: 11 Apr 1800 in Laurens, SC, m: 1828 in SC, d: 12 Oct 1874 in Laurens, SC

......2 Reuben MARTIN b: 18 Mar 1814 in Laurens, SC, d: 27 May 1879 in Laurens, SC

......2 Rebecca MARTIN b: 08 Mar 1817 in Laurens, SC, d: 04 Aug 1883 in Spartanburg, SC

...... + Harrison E. DRUMMOND b: 10 Jun 1817 in Spartanburg, SC, m: 30 Jan 1836 in Spartanburg, SC, d: 09 Feb 1856 in Spartanburg, SC

......2 Benjamin MARTIN b: 08 May 1818 in Laurens, SC, d: 02 Aug 1881 in Laurens, SC

...... + Jane MADDEN b: 11 May 1816 in SC, d: 02 Aug 1879 in Laurens, SC

......2 Levinia Permelia MARTIN b: 04 Jul 1820 in Laurens, SC, d: 08 Nov 1852 in Choctaw, MS

...... + Taliaferro "Toliver" Francis LINDSEY b: 1816 in Christian, KY, m: 1840, d: Aft. 1880 in Montgomery, MS

......2 George Washington MARTIN b: 05 Jul 1828 in Laurens, Laurens, SC, d: 05 Mar 1898 in SC

...... + Caroline Sarah "Carrie" HIGGINS b: 19 Nov 1828, d: 16 Jan 1905

+ Sarah m: aft. Oct 1835

In 1850 Rebecca and Harrison DRUMMOND lived in Spartanburg County. The writing is sloppy - Mary's age could be 77 or 97, and Benjamin G looks like 1/4 but maybe is 74.

The 1860 US Census has a large MEREDITH household in Laurens County. No township is stated, but the nearest post office is Pleasant Mound. The only person in the household with an occupation is a farmer, Samuel MEREDITH, who was the widower of Lucinda MARTIN. Samuel owned real estate valued at $1,500 and personal estate $38,000, so he could easily afford to support this large household. The only ones to have attended school in the past year were the 19- and 21-year-old. It is curious that Washington DRUMMOND was unemployed, at age 30.

There is a military marker for Benjamin Jr in the Martin Cemetery, which appears to be more recent. The Inscription:

George Washington MARTIN was usually called Washington. In the Civil War, he served as a Private in the 5th South Carolina Infantry, Company B. He later married Carrie HIGGINS, widow of a soldier killed in the Civil War, who had 8 children.

7. Samuel L. Neulan "Old Shad" MARTIN was born 20 Nov 1799 in Laurens, SC, and died Feb 1875 in Reed Creek, Hart County, GA. He married (1) about 1820 in Laurens, to Abigale L DOWNEY, who was born about 1798 in VA, and died Dec 1850 in Anderson County, SC. He was about 20 and she was about 22. They had about 13 children, and lived in Laurens County, SC. After Abigale died, Samuel removed to Hart County, GA, and married (2) on 18 Jan 1866 to Nancy Millicent STONE, who was born 29 Jun 1844 in Greenville County, SC, and died 01 Nov 1894 in Anderson County, SC. So he was 66 and she was 21 when they married. They had 7 children, in Hart County, making a total of 20 for Samuel.

Hart County, GA shares a border with Anderson County, SC, and is not far from Laurens County, SC.

There were 2 Samuel MARTIN households in Laurel County in 1820. The first Samuel and his wife were in the 26-44 age group, so they were born between 1776 and 1794. They had 2 daughters, under 10. The second Samuel and his wife were in the 16-25 age group, so they were born between 1795 and 1804. They had a son, under 10. I am inclined to believe that the first Samuel is the right one, since he is listed next to Stephen MARTIN, who would be his brother.

In 1830 only 1 Samuel MARTIN remained in Laurens County. He and his wife were 30-39, hence both born between 1791 and 1800. This could match the ages of either Stephen MARTIN from the 1820 Census. However this Stephen has 1 son and no daughters 10 or older, which points to the older Stephen. In 1830 the family has 2 boys and 7 girls, and presumably, one of the older boys has left home.

Between 1851 and 1857, the family moved to Hart County, GA.

1 Samuel L. Neulan "Old Shad" MARTIN b: 20 Nov 1799 in Laurens, SC, d: Feb 1875 in Reed Creek, Hart, GA

+ Abigale L DOWNEY b: 1798 in VA, m: 1820 in Laurens, SC, d: Dec 1850 in Anderson, Anderson, SC

......2 Sarah Ann MARTIN b: 1817 in Edgefield, Edgefield, SC, d: 25 Feb 1897 in Le Flore, Le Flore, OK

...... + Samuel Martin GENTRY b: 1815 in Edgefield, Edgefield, SC, m: 1937 in Lowndes, MS, d: 25 Feb 1897 in Wister, Le Flore, OK

......2 Baby Girl MARTIN b: 1821, d: 1821

......2 John MARTIN b: 1822 in SC

......2 Baby Boy MARTIN b: 1823, d: 1823

......2 Pomelia Millicent MARTIN b: 18 May 1824 in Laurens, SC, d: 20 Aug 1906 in Hartwell, Hart, GA

...... + Elijah Teague WILSON b: 1820 in SC, d: 18 Jul 1856 in Franklin, GA

...... + John E. SMITH m: 05 Jun 1859 in Franklin, GA

......2 Mary Ann MARTIN b: 1827 in Laurens, SC, d: Mar 1894 in Stephens, GA

...... + John William COLE b: 1826 in Anderson, SC, m: 23 Dec 1850, d: Mar 1870 in Hart, GA

......2 Sarah Jane MARTIN b: 23 Sep 1829 in Laurens, SC, d: 04 Feb 1919 in Hartwell, Hart, GA

...... + William C. WILSON b: 1831 in SC

......2 Jemimah I. MARTIN b: 23 Sep 1829 in Laurens, SC, d: 26 May 1905 in Hart, GA

...... + John Crossin MCCONNELL b: 26 Apr 1826 in Anderson, SC, m: 15 Jan 1856 in Hartwell, Hart, GA, d: 20 Oct 1861

...... + J. W. OBARR m: 11 Feb 1864 in Hart, GA

......2 Jeramiah Wando MARTIN b: 1832 in Laurens, SC, d: 05 Jun 1893 in Bowie,TX

...... + Mary Jane SULLIVAN b: Apr 1835 in Anderson, SC, m: 18 Nov 1855 in GA, d: Abt. 1905 in Bowie, TX

......2 Samuel L. Neulan MARTIN b: 24 Jul 1834 in Laurens, SC, d: 13 Jul 1909 in Bowie, TX

...... + Eliza Jane WELDON b: 07 Jul 1837 in Franklin, GA, m: 03 Aug 1854 in Hartwell, Hart, GA, d: 05 Feb 1906 in DeKalb, Bowie, TX

......2 Joseph Jasper MARTIN b: 1840 in Anderson, SC, d: 03 Mar 1895 in Hubbard, Bowie, TX

...... + Nancy Jane MADDEN b: 01 May 1844 in Elbert, GA, m: 10 Apr 1862 in Hartwell, Hart, GA, d: 06 Oct 1880 in Carnesille, Franklin, GA

...... + Julia Ann ASHLEY b: Sep 1849 in Anderson, SC, m: 28 Mar 1881, d: 03 Mar 1895 in Bowie, TX

+ Nancy Millicent STONE b: 29 Jun 1844 in Greenville, SC, m: 18 Jan 1866 in Hart, GA, d: 01 Nov 1894 in Anderson, SC

......2 Reuben Henry MARTIN b: 18 Jan 1867 in Hartwell, Hart, GA, d: 31 Aug 1948 in Reed Creek, Hart, GA

...... + Annie M SMITH b: 09 Apr 1872 in SC, m: 25 Oct 1888 in Hartwell, Hart, GA, d: 06 Sep 1944 in Hartwell, Hart, GA

......2 Elizabeth Jane MARTIN b: 31 Oct 1868 in Hartwell, Hart, GA, d: 15 Feb 1937 in Newport News, VA

...... + Charles Robert A. HERRING b: 03 Apr 1851 in SC, m: 11 Apr 1886 in SC, d: 14 Jan 1918 in , Franklin, GA

......2 Rebekah Drucilla MARTIN b: 09 Aug 1870 in Hartwell, Hart, GA, d: 25 Jun 1944 in Hackleburg, Franklin, AL

...... + James Franklin BAKER b: Nov 1869 in GA, m: 11 Dec 1887 in Hart, GA; went missing 1929 in Franklin, AL

......2 Louis F. MARTIN b: Abt. 1871 in GA

......2 Martha Lucinda MARTIN b: 09 May 1873 in Hart, GA, d: 15 Mar 1940 in Reed Creek, Hart, GA

...... + John William BAKER b: 22 Sep 1858 in Hart, GA, m: 04 Oct 1894 in Hart, GA, d: 29 Nov 1951 in Reed Creek, Hart, GA

......2 James Alexander Carson MARTIN b: 10 Jan 1874 in Hartwell, Hart, GA, d: 03 Jun 1946 in Hartwell, Hart, GA

...... + Tallulah Aldean O'DELL b: 07 Dec 1872 in SC, m: 15 Jan 1893 in Hart, GA, d: 16 Jul 1952 in Hartwell, Hart, GA

......2 Newton Claudius MARTIN b: 06 Jun 1874 in GA, d: 30 Sep 1945 in Kern, CA

There is a discrepancy regarding Sarah Jane MARTIN that I am still working on.

Also, it is strange that the family had a Sarah Jane and a Sarah Ann.

I doubt if Nancy had a child on 10 Jan 1874 and another on 6 Jun 1874. One of those dates must be wrong.

Are James BAKER and John BAKER related?

8. Stephen MARTIN (1798-1866)

By 1830 Stephen MARTIN and family had moved to De Kalb County, Georgia. Stephen was my 3g-grandfather.

See the Stephen MARTIN page.

MARTIN Slaves

The main indicators of wealth in early 19th Century SC were land and slaves. While it might be a source of pride to find that your ancestor was a large landowner, finding that he was a large slave owner may replace that pride with shame. Even so, we want to know the truth, good or bad.

Reuben MARTIN owned a small number of slaves. His estate in 1812 included 6 slaves. Many of his sons and grandsons did not own any slaves, but several did.

Below is a summary of the data I have found on the MARTIN slaves. All slaves were black, and lived in Laurens County, SC, except where otherwise noted.

1790: Reuben MARTIN Sr owned 2 slaves.

1800: Reuben MARTIN Sr owned 5 slaves.

1810: Reuben MARTIN Sr owned 2 slaves, and his son-in-law George BALL owned 5 slaves.

1812: The estate of Reuben MARTIN Sr included 6 slaves, valued at $1,330.

1820: Joseph MARTIN owned 1 slave, and his brother Benjamin MARTIN owned 5 slaves. These may be the same 6 slaves in the Reuben MARTIN estate.

1830: Henry MARTIN owned 2 slaves, George BALL owned 11 slaves, Benjamin MARTIN owned 7 or 9 slaves, Stephen MARTIN owned 1 slave (in DeKalb County, GA)

1840: Henry MARTIN owned 3 slaves, Benjamin MARTIN owned 17 slaves. Stephen MARTIN owned 9 slaves (in DeKalb County, GA)

Sources

[B] Germanna History By: John Blankenbaker

[G] Germanna First Colony

[GF] The Germanna Foundation

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

[HLC] History of Laurens County, South Carolina, from Townsquare Publications

[JHM] Joanna (Higgins) Martin's will (1827) (requires Ancestry.com license)

[L] Laurens County, SC Historical Maps

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

[WCBC] Warrior Creek Baptist Church History

[XW] X (or W) marks the spot, on the Legal Genealogist blog

Last updated 15 Apr 2021 by William Haloupek. Contact haloupek at gmail dot com.