Martin was b. 18 June 1797 in Lexington , SC, son of George Fikes, b.1777, and of Catherine____. Martin married twice , first to Elizabeth "Betsy" Taylor, b. 15 Ma in y 1797 near Charlotte, SC, and died 28 Dec. 1865 in Lauderdale Co. MS. He then married on 12 Oct 1867 Elizabeth A. Coatney, who died in 1876 in MS. (Older members of the family think the name could have been "Courthey", but we have no proof.)
He d. 14 June 1873 in Lauderdale, Co. MS and possibly was buried there. His will was in probate in Aug, 1873 in Lauderdale, Co. A.J. Fikes, oldest child of William Henderson Fikes & Martin's first grandson was appointed administrator of the estate of Martin.
Martin bought land with John Fikes as early as 1814 in Lexington, SC. John 2 years younger than Martin is thought to be a brother to Martin. John's son Tyre is listed in the 1850 Bibb Co. AL census as a "cousin 22 yrs old" living in the household of William Henderson Fikes, Martin's oldest son; therefore, this would seem almost certain to make the two men brothers.
Martin and John both lived in Perry Co. AL in 1830-1840, and again they bought land in adjoining townships 18 and 19, Range 8 and 9. Perry Co. was formed in 1819 when the Federal Government moved the Indians out, and this area became known as the Cahaba Land area and was open to settlers.
Martin moved into Bibb Co. AL in time for his family to be counted in the 1850 census there. John, however, remained in Perry Co. for a time, making the first time they had been separated since about 1800. John with sons Hiram & Tyre then moved north into Hamilton Co., AL and still later into Itawaba Co., MS in the Fulton Tupelo area.
Martin's know brothers were Michael, Jesse, Daniel, Joseph, Ezra and all but Ezra (sometimes called "Espy" by his family) are listed in the 1850 Bibb Co., AL census. Ezra moved into Scott Co. MS directly from Perry Co. AL in the late 1850s (1856 or 1857) and bought land that is still in the possession of his descendents in 1988. Brother Michael and family remained in AL; brother Jesse and family continued to live in MS, but Jesse's oldest son James D., went in to AR. Bro. Daniel moved into the Fulton area of Itawamba Co. MS in the late 1860s. Martin had four sisters, but their names have been lost by marriage and time.
Martin Fikes and Elizabeth Taylor had three children to live to adulthood: William Henderson, Emauel Martin and Mary A.E. (It is thought that Mary Ann Elizabeth is her full name, but she is always referred to as "Mary A.E.")
In1860 these three children named above are shown on the MS census. They bought land in Lauderdale, Jasper, and Clarke Cos. and were farmers.
After the War Between the States, Martin's two sons and daughter Mary left MS traveling to TX through upper MS, AR, and across OK. Family tradition has them and most of their children crossing the Red River into TX on 29 Mar 1869. (Martin, their father, remained in MS.) This trip was made by ox team pulling a wagon. They had some mules and a few horses and the trip extended well into the third year. They stopped along the way and worked when possible but spent much time repairing their equipment.
William Henderson went to Milam Co. TX; Emanuel Martin settled in The Grove, a small community in Coryell Co. Mary A.E. lived with Emanuel. Many have wondered why they would undergo the hardships of a long and arduous trek to TX. It is possible, aside from the pioneer spirit of bettering their lot, that they were looking for a higher, dryer climate. Quince, son of Emanuel, died in TX. hemorrhaging to death near Eden on the road from San Angelo, but it has been conjectured that his death may have been tuberculosis -related. Also, Salathial and Emaline, Quince;s siblings died young; again, some believe that they may have had TB, though we have no record on this.
After Martin's death and the probation of his will - delayed by court action - it was oricesses and filed. The three children got $300. altogether, or that amount apiece. The will was lost in court, but a summary of court action pertaining to it is attached.
Info taken from "The Fikes Family Record and some collateral lines" by Scott Fikes.
Added by Maryann Randolph Fikes on 4/27/2013
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Martin is 25 degrees from Herbert Adair, 23 degrees from Richard Adams, 19 degrees from Mel Blanc, 26 degrees from Dick Bruna, 16 degrees from Bunny DeBarge, 34 degrees from Peter Dinklage, 17 degrees from Sam Edwards, 18 degrees from Ginnifer Goodwin, 21 degrees from Marty Krofft, 14 degrees from Junius Matthews, 15 degrees from Rachel Mellon and 19 degrees from Harold Warstler on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
F > Fikes > Martin Luther Fikes
Categories: Lexington, South Carolina
Thanks for any help.
William Henderson 1819-1894 Emanuel Martin 1821-1884 Mary Ann Elizabeth 1823-
Martin Luther had 2 sons with the middle name of Luther, one by his first wife and one by his 3rd wife. There were several Luthers, to determine which one you are referring to I would need more information. What time frame are you referring? E-mail me at [email address removed] Betty