Col. John Martin, of Caroline County

Warning

Not the same as Col. John Martin, Sr.

Summary

1. John MARTIN was born 1685, and died 26 JUN 1760. He was the son of 2. Samuel MARTIN and 3. Mary CARNEY. He married Martha BURWELL, daughter of Lewis BURWELL and Martha LEAR. She was born 1703, and died 27 MAY 1738. She was buried in Clifton, Caroline County, America..

Children include

1. Samuel MARTIN b: 1729 in Caroline county, Virginia, America.
2. Lewis Burwell MARTIN b: C. 1736

History

Col. John Martin of Caroline Co., VA, was a member of the House of Burgesses, 1738 and 1740, and later King William County, where he lived 1752-53-54-55-56 (see page 198, Virginia Magazine of History and Biography for Oct., 1905). Col. John and Joseph Martin, whose wife was Susanna Chiles, were of the same family of Martin, and their wives were both kinswomen of Col John Page (1627-1691) family (see page 123, etc., of Family History, including Hughes, Dalton, Martin, Henderson, by Lucy Henderson Horton).

From "Virginia Gazette," January 24, 1750-51: "To be sold, the House and Land whereon Col. John Martin lately liv'd in Caroline County, containing about 2,700 acres. Any person inclinable to purchase may apply to the Subscribers, in King William County, John Martin, Samuel Martin."

Col John lived in Caroline and King William Counties. He appear to have emigrated to VA from England about 1730, but his ancestry is unknown. Some suggest he was of German decent.

(This note may apply to Col John Martin of Ireland):

In the Virginia Gazette for the year 1738 he advertised for a stolen silver pint cup having his arms engraved upon it: "A chevron between 3 half mones," and a ring with J.M.M. engraved on it (John and Martha Martin). He married Martha Burwell, daughter of Major Lewis Burwell of Carter's Creek and Martha Lear, his second wife. John Martin had three sons and four daughters. Old John has huge amounts of land in Albermarle on the Bird. Samuel and Lewis Burwell Martin had less. George and old John must have returned to Ireland. Two of the daughters married in Ireland. Old John boasted to William Byrd that his brother Dr. George Martin had died and he (John) would come into large estates in Ireland. Evidently, brother Dr. George Martin had no children. His will was about 1755 in Ireland. He left 400 L to John and charged him with giving it to the three children of their brother James Martin, who had died earlier.

The State of Virginia confiscated most of old John's land in Albermarle and also that of Samuel and Lewis Burwell Martin. They also confiscated a large number of slaves.

biography

From http://www.turtlebunbury.com/family/bunburyfamily_related/bunbury_f...

COLONEL JOHN MARTIN (D. 1760)

But for the purposes of this history, we are most interested in Samuels third son, and Catherine Bunbury's uncle, namely Colonel John Martin, JP, Burgess for Caroline County, Virginia, from 1730-34 and again from 1738-40. He owned an estate of 2,700 acres in Virginia which was, one presumes, a tobacco farm. Although there are numerous books and journal articles written about various aspects of tobacco, including trade with Great Britain, Frances S. Pollard, Director of Library Services at Virginia Historical Society warned me that there were very few references to Ireland. 'Tobacco from Virginia and the rest of the "Tobacco Coast" was sometimes shipped to Ireland', explained Mr Pollard, 'since the route was shorter, and then transported to London. The Scottish firms, primarily in Edinburgh and Glasgow, did trade actively with the colonies. These English and Scottish ties are reflected in our manuscript collections, and the only tie to Ireland that I could identify is in the Abram Bell & Co. papers. The item is a letter written in 1836 by David Dunlop, a tobacco merchant in Petersburg, concerning a shipment of tobacco to Belfast, Ireland.' Mr Pollard suggested that one source on immigration to the colonies is Allan Kulikoff's From British Peasants to Colonial American Farmers (University of North Carolina, 2000), which provides an overview of Irish immigration to Virginia in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Colonel Martin's wife Martha was the youngest daughter of Colonel Lewis Burwell, member of the Council, of Fairfield, Gloucester County, Virginia.[ix] Martha died on 27 May 1738, aged 35, and was buried at Clifton, Caroline County. The Colonel later lived in Bristol and Dublin and died on 26 Jun 1760.[x] The Colonel and Martha Martin were the parents of George, Samuel, Lewis Burwell and four daughters.

notes

From "Virginia Gazette," January 24, 1750-51: "To be sold, the House and Land whereon Col. John Martin lately liv'd in Caroline County, containing about 2,700 acres. Any person inclinable to purchase may apply to the Subscribers, in King William County, John Martin, Samuel Martin."

Col John lived in Caroline and King William Counties. He appear to have emigrated to VA from England about 1730, but his ancestry is unknown. Some suggest he was of German decent.

(This note may apply to Col John Martin of Ireland):

In the Virginia Gazette for the year 1738 he advertised for a stolen silver pint cup having his arms engraved upon it: "A chevron between 3 half mones," and a ring with J.M.M. engraved on it (John and Martha Martin). He married Martha Burwell, daughter of Major Lewis Burwell of Carter's Creek and Martha Lear, his second wife. John Martin had three sons and four daughters. Old John has huge amounts of land in Albermarle on the Bird. Samuel and Lewis Burwell Martin had less. George and old John must have returned to Ireland. Two of the daughters married in Ireland. Old John boasted to William Byrd that his brother Dr. George Martin had died and he (John) would come into large estates in Ireland. Evidently, brother Dr. George Martin had no children. His will was about 1755 in Ireland. He left 400 L to John and charged him with giving it to the three children of their brother James Martin, who had died earlier.

The State of Virginia confiscated most of old John's land in Albermarle and also that of Samuel and Lewis Burwell Martin. They also confiscated a large number of slaves.

• ********************************* The information below is being posted by Kay K. Jordan. This is from a Martin genealogy by Ann C. Porcher. The section below includes some of my comments (Kay K. Jordan) in square brackets. I submit this information for your review and comments.

RE: John Martin (ca. 1683- ) and Letitia Lewis (parents unknown)

Copied by Kay K. Jordan from Anne C. Porcher, The Martin Family 1680-1934, copyright 1935. [Copy on file at the Jones Memorial Library, Lynchburg, VA.]This book is an update of Samuel D. Martin, Genealogical Record of the Martin Family, 1857.]

NOTE: Material in square brackets [ ] represents comments and inserts by Kay K. Jordan.

In a section labelled Random Notes beginning on p. 40, Porcher wrote:

There has been much confusion regarding two prominent men named John Martin who were both in Virginia between 1680 and 1756; Col. JOHN MARTIN of Caroline County, who married Martha Burwell, and JOHN MARTIN, Gent. of KING WILLIAM county, whose wife was named Letitia.

Col. John Martin of Caroline County was Burgess of Caroline County, from 1738 to 1742, and has also been erroneously credited as being Burgess of King William County from 1732 to 1756. This, however, cannot be as he returned to England around 1750 and died in Ireland in 1760. Some say that it was his son John who was Burgess of King William county but references below will show that he had three sons, George, Samuel, and Lewis and no son named John, unless by a marriage previous to that to Martha Burwell. No such marriage has ever been mentioned.

Porcher's proofs:

Va. Mag. of Hist. and Biog. Vol. 13, 197-9, also Caroline County Records, Vol. 21, pages 249 and 372)

JOHN MARTIN (1683-1756) whose wife was named Letitia, owned land in King and Queen County, and must have been the John Martin who represented King William County or Burgess in the session 1752 to 1754, in which latter year he died and was succeeded by Francis West. John Martin had a patent of land on the Hardware River in Albemarle County, Va., Feb. 24, 1749 (Index of Surveyor's Book, Albemarle County Court).

[Editorial note: the above is in dispute. There were two Col. John Martins. Only one sat in the House of Burgess.]

(William and Mary Quarterly, Vol 2, Robert de Jarnette).

At Clifton in Caroline County, Va.) on an old Martin estate about seven miles from Bowling Green, is an old grave stone with the following inscription: "Interred beneath this stone is the body of Mrs. MARTHA BURWELL, wife. of Col. John Martin of Caroline County, who departed this life 27th day of May, 1738, in the 36th year of her age, and left three sons and four daughters.

(Va. Mag. of Hist. and Biog. Vol. 21, page 372-3)

On these pages is found a copy of the will of "JOHN MARTIN, of Dublin Ireland, merchant". Quoted in part as follows:

"Brother George devised his lands in Milltown, etc. *********To trustee for my benefit. I have paid the sums to children of Brother James Martin.*********to daughter Agnes Martin 2000 pounds, to son Lewis Martin 500 pounds, to grandson George Barclay 200 pounds, lands at Milltown to eldest son George Martin****to second son Samuel Martin******to third son Lewis, ****eldest daughter Lucy,*****to second daughter Agnes Martin,****and daughter Alicia, otherwise Campbell, etc.

Prerog. Ct. of Ireland, Will Book 1761, Fo. 215.

[Note by Ann C. Porcher (There was a fourth daughter Martha (Patty) who married Mr. Perry).]

(Va. Mag. of Hist. and Biog., Vol. 21, p. 249).

GEORGE MARTIN, of DUBLIN Ireland, Esq., Dr. of Physicke.

Will 29 July, 1746, Proved 3 February, 1755.

To my sister Letitia Campbell 100 pounds for herself and children. To John Galt****to Andrew Stewart of Milltown****to cousin Samuel Martin, of London and nephew Samuel Campbell, Esq., 10 pounds each. Lands in Milltown County Heath, charged with 400 pounds for children of my brother James as follows: Nephew John Martin 100 pounds, niece Agnes Cunningham 200 pounds, niece Letitia Thomas 100 pounds, to be held in trust by Samuel Martin and Samuel Campbell for my brother John Martin and his heirs. Executor John Martin.

Witnesses*****.

Prerogative Court of Ireland, will book 1754-5, Fo.

[Comment by Ann C. Porcher Below.]

This Col. John Martin has been proven to be Col. John Martin of Caroline County, Virginia. The fact that he is made executor of a will in Dublin, Ireland, 1746, indicates that he was not in America at the time.

(William and Mary Quarterly, 2nd Series. Vol. 12, p. 213).

JOHN MARTIN, Sr. (1685-1756) was a member of the Virginia Assembly and son  of Abram Martin, who came from Galway Ireland, and was a Colonial Officer.

[The next 2 items listed by Ann C. Porcher show that John Martin of King and Queen and Caroline County was the attorney for Col. John Martin and his son George Martin who were in England.]

(Virginia's Emigrants, Standard, page 45).

JOHN MARTIN, in Virginia, 1752, of King and Queen and Caroline Counties, was attorney, 1752, for John and George Martin. ("John and George Martin" were Col. John Martin of Caroline and his son George, both then in England.)

(Va. Mag. of Hist.and Biog., Vol. 21, page 372-3)

On October 17, 1752, was recorded for John and George Martin of Bristol, (England), Merchants, (by John Martin, Gent., of Virginia, their attorney), to Thomas Turner, Gent.

The transaction is mentioned in the will of Thomas Turner.

(Virginia Gazette, January 27, 1750-1).

An advertisement signed by John and Samuel Martin of King William County, announces the proposed sale of House and land, where Col. John Martin lately lived in Caroline County, containing 2700 acres.

(Va. Mag. of Hist. and Biog. Vol 13, page 198).

Thomas Turner was of King and Queen County and Hanover Parish.

(Va. Mag. of Hist. and Biog., Vol. 13, page 198).

JOHN MARTIN, made Justice of the Peace for Caroline County, 1732.

All records of King and Queen County have been destroyed, and those of Caroline County, except Court Proceedings. (Order Book).

(Hening's Statutes, Vol. 9, page 526).

"October, 1778. Whereas by the addition of said Parish of Washington to the Parish of Hanover, the present Glebe of the said Parish of Washington, will be in the said Parish of Hanover, it is just and right that the inhabitantce of said Parish of Washington should receive the benefits thereof. Enacted, that the Glebe land with appertenances be, and the same are hereby vested in JOHN MARTIN, John Washington, Thomas Turner and Beckwith Butler, Gents.

As both Col. John Martin of Caroline and John Martin, Gent., were both dead, this must be John Martin (1710-1787), son of John and Letitia Martin.

(Virginia County Records, Vol. 6, page 133).

JOHN MARTIN, Goochland, 1729 400 acres land grant.

JOHN MARTIN, Halifax, 1753, 1616 acres land grant.

(Rent Roll, Kingston Parish, Gloucester County).

JOHN MARTIN, mentioned, 1704

[Ann C. Porcher argues that a note in the William and Mary Quarterly

mistakenly identifies a tract of land advertised for sale in Halifax County

as belonging to Col. John Martin of Caroline County. She states: "This is

erroneous as it is now known that Col. John Martin of Caroline County had

left Virginia before 1750, probably before 1746, for in that year he was

made executor of the will of his brother George Martin in Dublin." She

subsequently argues that this tract of land probably belonged to Abram

Martin, noting that Cumberland Parish once included the area that later

became Halifax County]

(William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 13, page 205).

"Advertised for sale a tract of land in Halifax County, containing 1616

acres, plate, household furniture, some European goods, household goods just

imported a four wheel chaise, a pole chaise, some good old Madeira wine, and

many other things of value. To be sold at the late dwelling house of COL.

JOHN MARTIN in KING WILLIAM County.

JOHN MARTIN, Gent., (1683-1756), of King William County (wife Letitia) was

at the Abram Martin Plantation, June 13, 1755, according to his

daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Marshall Martin's letter to her brother, Thomas

Marshall. At the time Abram Martin was with Col. Washington at Fort

Duquesne. John Martin was ill at the time. 

Abram Martin was a Vestryman of Cumberland Parish, 1746 to November, 1754.

After the French and Indian war he moved to South Carolina and was later

killed by Indians while looking at land in Georgia.

[Ann C. Porcher indicates that she believes that the Captain

John Martin, a sea Captain, May have been the son of Capt. John Martin

(1596-1673) who represented Lower Norfolk County, Va., in 1651 in the

General Assembly.]

(Va. Mag. of Hist. and Biog., Vol. 21, page 243).

In 1676, Capt. John Martin (a sea Captain) is ordered 28 pounds eleven

shillings and eleven pence out of Virginia's public money in England, by the

Grand Assembly.

(Va. Mag. of Hist. and Biog. Vol. 3, page 203) (Queries)

ROBERT MARTIN, born King and Queen County, 1738, Homestead both sides of

Metaponi River.

(Same Vol., page 276).

Capt. JOHN MARTIN had a grant of 4550 acres at Martin's Brandon, Charles

City County. This land was sold 1743.

GEORGE MARTIN and Lewis Wilden 160 acres, and George Martin singly 460 acres

in New Kent County, September 22, 1682. (No. 7, p. 192) 

JOHN MARTIN had 307 acres in Charles City County, Oct. 28, 1697.

JOHN MARTIN 120 acres, on Beverly Run, St. Stephens Parish, King and Queen

County, February 21, 1720 (No. 11, page 51).

JOHN MARTIN, Jr., King and Queen County, 190 acres, July 9, 1724, (No. 12,

page 50).

[Ann C. Porcher comment "If this John Martin, Jr., is John

Martin, Gent. 1683-1756), it would appear that he was son of John, son of

Abram." My comment (KKJ) I will need to review this information in the

original article in order to interpret

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