William Wier Martin

Birth: Jun. 24, 1842

Abbeville County

South Carolina, USA

Death: Jul. 16, 1909

Seale

Russell County

Alabama, USA

Soon after his father's 3rd marriage (to Elinor Jebb: Jan 1858), 16 year old William was put in charge of an old-fashioned wagon train (early Dec 1859), moving carriages and wagons, with slaves driving the mules, horses, and cattle from near Carmel Presbyterian Church, near Easley, South Carolina to Columbus, GA - about 215 miles. They camped out at night and the trek took about a month.

In April 1861 at age 18, William left home without his father's knowledge or approval to volunteer in the CSA. He joined Capt Peyton Colquit's company of the Columbus City Light Guards. Later wounded five different times but survived. Once he was wounded and captured, then exchanged 1 Confederate for 2 Union soldiers. His last wound disabled his left hand so he was furloughed and sent home.

After the war he was a farmer but was not particularly successful. He became disallusioned with farming after the death of his first wife (1873) who left him with 3 small children, the oldest about 4, the youngest a week old. Then he became manager of a farming operation owned by his eventual father-in-law, Edward Reese, of Russell County, AL. (ABOVE PARAGRAPHS PART OF A TRIBUTE WRITTEN IN 1926 BY HIS HALF BROTHER, CHARLES THOMAS MARTIN.)

First wife was Emma O'Neal; second wife was Elizabeth Reese.

William had 3 children with Emma and 7 with Elizabeth.

Family links:

Parents:

 William N Martin (1818 - 1893)

 Anne Wier Martin (1819 - 1842)

Children:

 Willie Mae Martin (1888 - 1924)*

Spouses:

 Emma O'Neal Martin (____ - 1873)

 Elizabeth Reese Martin (1853 - 1945)

Burial:

Seale United Methodist Church & Cemetery

Seale

Russell County

Alabama, USA

Plot: Grave #C66