Surry County North Carolina Probate Records, Vol. 6, 1867-1899, Page 3

According to a paragraph in the The Heritage of Stokes County, NC by the Stokes County Historical Society, as written by Frances Pell Martin, page 358, Thomas is buried near Westfield. He was traveling, got sick, died and was buried near where Glenn Payne then lived. His burial location is unknown. Perhaps it was the Hiram J. Short family who took Thomas in and cared for him during his last illness, since it is Hiram J. Short who goes to court to prove Thomas's death.

Thomas Martin Decd last will proven 25^th January 1869

A.D. 1868, December 28^th

After revoking all former wills I declare and publish this my last Will and Testament.

I give and bequeath to my wife Malinda Martin all of my property now in possession or to which I may have any claim now or hereafter whether real or personal or mixed to be enjoyed or possessed by her. Except a tract of land in the County of Stokes being on the waters of the little Yadkin adjoining of the lands of William Jackson and Martin Gorden which I do give and bequeath to my little freed negro boy William now living with me to have and to hold for his own use and benefit.

Thomas Martin

North Carolina, Surry County

Probate Court this 25^th January 1869

The within paper writing was produced before me at my office in Dobson on this 25^th January 1869 and offered for probate and the same was duly proven by the oath of Hiram J. Short who proved the death of the testator Thomas Martin and James C. Norman who proved the finding of this paper writing amongst the valuable papers of the Deceased in his dwelling house and John ?D. Smith, Joseph Holensworth, H. J. Short and A. H Joyce all of whom upon oath proved that the paper writing the signature thereto and every part thereof is in the proper hand writing of the said Thomas Martin deceased upon which proof the same is adjudged to be the last Will and Testament of said Thomas Martin deceased and is admitted to probate and ordered to be recorded and filed in the files of the Court. Witness: A. H. Freeman Judge of the probate court of Surry County at office this 25^th January 1869.

A. H. Freeman Probate Judge