Nicholas Martiau

• born 1591 in France
• will dated 1 March 1656, proved 1657 in VA.
• Married Isabella Beech; Jane, widow of Edward Berkeley

Children

1. Sarah Martiau, married William Fuller
2. Mary Martiau, married John Scarsbrook
3. Elizabeth Martiau, married George Reade

A French engineer, Nicholas Martiau was hired by the Virginia Colony in 1620 to survey and patent the land near what is now Yorktown, which led in 1632 to the establishment of a fort at Middle Plantation, later Williamsburg. Sources: Stoudt, Nicholas Martiau: The Adventurous Huguenot; Jamestown Society, "Nicholas Martiau," www.jamestowne-wash-nova.org; Sorley, Lewises of Warner Hall

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Nicholas Martiau was a Frenchman who immigrated to the English colony of Virginia in the 17th century. Nothing is known of his youth except that he has learned to read by studying the Gospels and the Bible. At the same time he impregnated the doctrine of Calvin, and he learned to speak English. But it is likely that, because of political and religious context of the time, he was forced into exile in England since it contains his signature on a register and a Huguenot church. In January 11, 1619, he was naturalised English. He married Englishwoman Jane Berkeley, daughter of Edward Berkeley. Nicholas and Jane had children, one of whom was a daughter Elizabeth Martiau (Martian).

On May 16, 1620, Nicolas Martiau, aged 29, left England on the Francis Bonaventure in August 1620 and arrived in Jamestown which he built fences defense which allowed the city to be spared in a massacre by the Indians in 1622. The success of this action earned him the title of "master engineer fences". - Wikipedia

http://www.nicolasmartiau.org/

Birth: 1590/1591

 Of, York, Yorkshire, England   

Christening:   1619 

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Justice and Burgess of York.

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Of Yorktown, VA, USA

"A Frenchman, who came to Virginia and naturalized both himself and his name..." [to Martian]. "Nicholas Martian was the first owner of the land on which Yorktown was established, was of French birth, a Protestant, and a naturalized citizen of England, was in Virginia 1621 with a wife an two children, married second after 1625, Jane widow of Lieutenant Berkley, married a third time, 1645, Isabella Beech, divided his estate between his daughters Elizabeth, with of Col George Reade; Mary, wife of Col. John Scasbrook; and Sarah, wife of William Fuller, Governor of Maryland. All three daughters were by Elizabeth, his first wife. Nicholas Martian's will is dated March 1, 1656 and is recorded in York County 1657."

Quote from Lewises, Meriwethers and Their Kin

Nicolas Martiau

1591 - 1657

"Father of Yorktown"

Captain of Militia, Yorke Shire Justice, Burgess, Military Engineer, Planter and Wine Maker

Nicolas Martiau and 16 of his family members were reinterred from the family burial site on Buckner Street to this site in 1936. This marker is dedicated to Nicolas Martiau, 1591 - 1657, upon whose land the Town of Yorke was founded in 1691. He was the earliest American ancestor of General George Washington and Governor Thomas Nelson. Dedicated May 22, 1993Nicolas Martiau

1591 - 1657

"Father of Yorktown"

Captain of Militia, Yorke Shire Justice, Burgess, Military Engineer, Planter and Wine Maker

Nicolas Martiau and 16 of his family members were reinterred from the family burial site on Buckner Street to this site in 1936. This marker is dedicated to Nicolas Martiau, 1591 - 1657, upon whose land the Town of Yorke was founded in 1691. He was the earliest American ancestor of General George Washington and Governor Thomas Nelson. Dedicated May 22, 1993

http://www.carolshouse.com/cemeteryrecords/grace/ --------------------

Links

• http://www.glenncourt.com/genealogy/fam_martiau.php