Joseph Martin

"The Martin surname was already in Lewis County when the first Amish, Joseph Martin, arrived. A widower (wife Barbara Bechler, died in Europe) and his three children, Barbara, Andrew, and Catherine, reached New York City on January 4, 1847. He sailed from Port Havre on the ST. NICHOLAS ship, being 59 days en route, accompanied by his two sons and two daughters and the children's grandmother. They encountered severe North Atlantic storms which causes havoc to the sails to the point of danger. During the voyage the grandmother and one son died and were buried at sea. Sometime between 1847 and 1850 he married Barbara Erbesol, born January 28, 1811, died April 16, 1875. No children were born to them. He purchased land in the town of Croghan, where he resided throughout the remainder of his life. Joseph Martin was born on March 19, 1805, died March 4, 1899, age 93."