Martin Blackwelder (abt. 1766 - 1840)

Born about 27 Dec 1766 in Mecklenburg County, Province of North Carolina [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Misenheimer) Blackwelder — married about 1788 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Descendants

Died 27 May 1840 at about age 73 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, United States [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: David Fentress [send private message]

Biography

Martin Blackwelder was a North Carolina colonist.

Martin Blackwelder (see research note about the family name) (see research note about the first and middle names) was born on approximately 27 Dec 1766^[1], probably in Mecklenburg County, Province of North Carolina (unsourced)^[2].

Martin married twice.  First to Elizabeth Misenheimer (1766-1825)^[3][4] or Meissenheimer^[5][2], date unknown but prior to 1789 (based largely on the birth date of first child on 5 Aug 1790 - uncertain - see also the research note regarding the unknown male child), probably in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.  Elizabeth died in 1825 (unsourced)^[2].  Martin then married Elizabeth Corl on 6 Oct 1826 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina^[6] (see research note regarding second wife).  Children :

with Elizabeth Meisenheimer

possible unknown first son (see research note about unknown male child)

Catherine b. abt.1790

Rachel b. 1792

Elizabeth b. 1795

Henry b. 1796

Sarah E. b. 1798

Son Joseph who was mentally handicapped (see research note regarding Joseph)

Charles Reuben b. 1805

Christina b. 1806

with Elizabeth Corl

(none known)

Martin Blackwelder died on 27 May 1840^[1], most probably in Cabarrus County, North Carolina (unsourced) and was buried in Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, USA^[4].

Research Notes

1. "Blackwelder" is a very confusing anglicization of the original family name "Schwarzwalder".  The Schwarzwald (or Black Forest) is a general area in the Grand Duchy of Baden.  Schwarzwalder means someone from that area.  So the first half of the anglicized name has been translated and for the second half of the name, a similar sounding English word has been used.
2. The first and middle names of Martin Blackwelder are unclear and unsourced.  He seems to have been known as "Martin" and this is the name on his gravestone.  The middle name "Wiley" is commonly found in genealogical texts but is completely unsourced.  There is a biography of Martin's first child Catherine which names her father as "Jacob Martin Blackwelder" - "Jacob" is also completely unsourced and highly unlikely as Martin had an older brother named Jacob.  Middle names were not very common in colonial America so no middle name has been used in this profile.
3. The putative place of birth (Mecklenburg County, Province of North Carolina) and the putative place of death (Cabarrus County, North Carolina) are, in fact, the same place.  Mecklenburg County (the area around the towns of Charlotte and Concord) was, in 1792, divided and the area around Concord became Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
4. The sponsor, George Meissenheimer, mentioned in the baptism record for daughter Sarah^[5] is believed to be the brother of Elizabeth (Meissenheimer) Blackwelder.
5. Other than the marriage date and place, nothing is known about the second wife of Martin.  "Corl" may not have been her maiden name.
6. The 1800 census^[7] does not include Martin's wife Elizabeth.  The census does include one slave, which would have been highly unusual for a German family.  One can speculate if maybe the census taker placed the mark for wife Elizabeth in the wrong column.  Daughter Catherine is shown in the under 10 category which discredits a putative 1888 birth date for her.
7. It is unknown when the 1810 census^[8] was enumerated but it was signed as complete on 8 Nov 1810.  It is assumed that daughter Catherine was included - she had married on 18 Apr 1810.  Daughter Elizabeth was enumerated as a member of Martin's family, being between 16 and under 26 years old at the date of enumeration.
8. The 1820 census^[9] was very badly indexed.  It is not difficult to interpret the handwriting in the image as "Martin Blackwelder".
9. There is an unknown male child in each of the census entries for 1790, 1800 and 1810^[10][7][8].  Assuming this is the same child and combining the reported age ranges, this male child would have been born between 1785 and 1790 (probably born in about 1789 since Martin and Elizabeth married in about 1788 (unsourced) and daughter Catherine was born in August 1790).  The unknown male child had left home prior the the 1820 census^[9].  Who he was is an unsolved mystery.
10. There is an unknown male child (probably named Joseph) in each of the census entries for 1810, 1820 and 1830^[8][9][11].  Assuming this is the same child and combining the reported age ranges, this male child would have been born between 1801 and 1804.  The Arslan web site^[3] lists a "Joseph" as the child of Martin and Elizabeth Blackwelder with scant detail :

    "556. Joseph BLACKWELDER (male)

    B. 1800-1810 @ (Cabarrus Co., North Carolina)?

    D. 1841-1844 @ (Cabarrus Co., North Carolina)? [20562]". Note that the start of the date range of Joseph's death (1841) refers to the Minutes of the Cabarrus County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions (1839-1846), who at their Oct 1841 session found "that Joseph Blackwelder is a natural Idiot" and appointed Henry Blackwelder as guardian of Joseph (Joseph would have previously been living with his father who died in 1840) - hence Joseph was alive at Oct 1841.  The reference number 20562 refers to an order of the same court in Jan 1844 appointing an administrator of the estate of Joseph Blackwelder - so Joseph must have died before or in Jan 1844.

11. The image of the 1830 census^[11] is very hard to read and has been incorrectly indexed.  The principal male (line 9 on the census page) should be "Martin Blackwelder Sen'r" and not "Marta Blackwelder".  On the same page (line 1) is a "Marta Blackwelder" which should be "Martin Blackwelder Jun'r" (age 20-29 with a wife of the same age, a 5-9 y.o. son and a 0-4 y.o. daughter).  Martin Blackwelder Jun'r is about the same age as the mysterious son Joseph.  This leads to speculation as to whether Joseph should be renamed Martin Jr. but a better fit for Martin Blackwelder Jun'r is as Martin Sr's nephew (son of Martin's brother Isaac).  The census taker should probably have used Martin the elder and Martin the younger rather than Sr. & Jr.
12. There is an 1840 census entry for a Martin Blackwelder Sr., living alone, which would have been enumerated in the year of Martin's death.  This has not been listed here as a source as it adds little to the story and adds to the confusion as he is listed (almost certainly in error) as a 60 to 69 year old woman - wrong age bracket and wrong gender.
13. The cemetery record source^[1] is taken from the Arslan web site - but I believe (unverified) that the same information can be found in a book by Ruth Blackwelder published in 1979 entitled "Tombstone Records of St. John's Lutheran Graveyard, Cabarrus County ..." David Fentress, 2 Jun 2022.  Note that the age of Martin at death is given in years and months (but not days) but all secondary sources sources seem to have assumed that the number of days was zero (not necessarily a good assumption) and calculated 27 Dec 1866 to be the date of birth.  This calculated birth date has also been used here but marked uncertain.

Sources

^{[3] [2] [10] [5] [7] [8] [9] [11] [6] [1] [4]}

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Cabarrus Co., Mount Pleasant, St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery records.  This is a set of gravestone transcriptions recorded on the Arslan web site in the "North Carolina (Cabarrus County)" sub-page on page 97.  For Martin the record say :
   "Blackwelder, Martin d. 27 May 1840 (age 73y-5m) #55".  This calculates to born 27 Dec 1766 if one assumes that the number of days is zero - probably a bad assumption. Note that some of the these grave transcriptions were transcribed by Mark B. Arslan himself on 20 Oct 2000 but that does not include the entry for Martin which was "taken from other (unspecified) sources".
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Book: "The Blackwelder and allied families from Cabarrus to the land of the Illini : a genealogy of the descendants of Caleb Blackwelder and his wife, Betsey Phifer".  Compiled by Deward Charles Williams of Edwardsville, Illinois.  Self published by the Mimeograph Process in June 1947.  The document can be downloaded here and can also be found (in a less usable format) at the Hathi Trust website.  It is difficult to asses the reliability of the document but it presents as a serious work based on interviews and years of research by the author.  While this needs to be considered a secondary source, it contains a number of references to primary sources.
   Concerning Martin Blackwelder, this document says on pages 34 and 35 :
   "13. MARTIN BLACKWELDER, son of (5 [=Calb Blackwelder II]) and his wife, Betsey Phifer, was b. in that part of Mecklinburg Co. N.C. which in 1792 became Cabarrus, on Adams Run about Dec. 27, 1766, being at the time of his death on May 27, 1840, 73 years, 5 months of age.  He was twice married, his first wife being, it is said, Elizabeth Meisenheimer (was she daughter of George and Sarah?) who died 10-25-1825 at the age of 59 years, 1 month, and 29 days.  Martin mar. (2) 10-6-1826 Elizabeth Corl.  (See Cabarrus Co. Marriage Bonds.)
   References to Martin Blackwelder in the Cabarrus County Court Records are as follows:
   On 4-18-1798 Henry Weaver was appointed overseer of the road from the forks of the Fayetteville Road near Martin Stough's to Buffalo Creek in the place of Martin Blackwelder.
   January Session, 1812, Division of Land, File C-D-E-F, Martin Blackwelder was one to help in the division of Melcher Fogleman's estate.
   In 1819 he assisted his brothers Daniel and Jacob, and his nephews George and Charles in the division of Peter Quillman's ESTATE.  (Peter Quillman's sister, Elizabeth, had married Martin's brother, Jacob Blackwelder.)  (See Division of Lands File Q-R-S in the Concord Court House, N.C.)
   With his brother, Isaac, he was witness to their brother Daniel's will.  (See Pleas and Quarter Sessions Book 2, p. 48.
   Jury service, 7-23-1794 (Cabarrus Co. Minutes 1793-97, p. 58).
   Jury service, 10-21-1794 (Cabarrus Co. Minutes 1793-97, p. 63).
   Jury service, 10-22-1801 and 7-23- same year.
   In the 1790 Census for Mecklinburg County, N.C., page 161, besides himself and wife, a son under 16 is listed.  He administered the estate of his father, Caleb, the immigrant, who died September 26, 1794.  The estate was administered October 22, 1794, Martin producing his brother Isaac and Peter Quillman as sureties.  He died Cabarrus Co. N.C. May 27, 1840 at the age of 73 years and 5 months.
   Four and possibly five of his daughters came to Illinois in the early days, their descendants becoming prominent citizens of Montgomery County, that state."
   This is followed by a detailed listing of the 7 children of Martin and Elizabeth (Meisenheimer) Blackwelder - an overview is given on thw same page 35 and the details of the children are to be found starting on page 63.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Blackwelder Web Site by Mark B. Arslan.  Blackwelder/Schwarzwalder Genealogy - descendants of Johannes Schwarzwalder) and Elisabetha Maushardt - pages for Descendants of Martin Blackwelder and Elizabeth Meisenheimer dated 20 Aug 2008.  The web site and its downloadable family genealogies are Mr. Arlan's compendium of the research done on this Blackwelder family.  While this needs to be considered a secondary source, it is distinguished by a amazing number of references to primary sources and original research.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Find A Grave: Memorial #29685356 for Martin Wiley Blackwelder (accessed 21 Apr 2022) maintained by LoRetta Hughes (contributor 46865226).
   The gravestone is depicted and reads "memory of, MARTIN BLACKWELD ..., who departed this ...".  The stone is badly decayed on the right hand side.  If there were ever dates, they are now below ground or broken off.
   The entry says "Martin Wiley Blackwelder, Birth 27 Dec 1766, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Death 27 May 1840 (aged 73), Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Burial Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, USA".
   Links to memorials for spouse, both parents, five siblings and six children are provided.
   Additional text reads: "Son of Caleb Blackwelder (Schwarzwalder) & Elizabetha "Betsey" [Phifer] Blackwelder
   Married Elizabeth Meisenheimer about 1789
   Children:
     Catherine [Blackwelder] Carriker
     Rachel [Blackwelder] Lipe
     Elizabeth [Blackwelder] Carriker
     Henry Blackwelder
     Sarah [Blackwelder] Lingle
     Charles Reuben Blackwelder
     Christina [Blackwelder] Lipe".
     Henry Blackwelder
   No sources are given for the information in the entry nor for the information in the additional text.  Given the lack of readable dates, one cannot be certain that this is the grave of the Martin Blackwelder who is related to the children and other relatives mentioned, though this seems probable.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Church baptism record This is a transcription of the baptism records of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Concord, North Carolina for the periods 1797-1799 and 1812-1850.  This can be read on-line in the FamilySearch "Catalog" under Cabarrus County, North Carolina, church records.  The entry for "Sarah Blackwelder" is at the top of the page in image # 9.  This says that "Martin Blackwelder" and his wife "Elizabeth (Meissenheimer)" had their child "Sarah" (born 24 Oct 1798) baptized on 7 Apr 1799.  Sponsors were George Meissenheimer and his wife Sarah.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979 database, FamilySearch (14 February 2020), Martin Blackwelder, 1826.  This says that "Martin Blackwelder" married "Elizabeth Corl" on 6 Oct 1826 (date of bond) in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Bondsman was "Isaac Davis" and witness was "Daniel Coleman".
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} United States Census, 1800 database with images, FamilySearch (accessed 24 April 2022), Martin Blackwelder, Salisbury, Cabarrus, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 708, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 29; FHL microfilm 337,905. This shows :

   "Martin Blackwelder"

   1 male under 10 (probably Henry)

   1 male of 10 and under 16 (unknown son)

   1 male of 26 and under 45 (probably Martin)

   4 females under 10 (probably Catherine, Rachel, Elizabeth, Sarah)

   1 slave

   Note that wife Elizabeth is not included!
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3} United States Census, 1810 database with images, FamilySearch (accessed 24 April 2022), Martin Blackwelder, Cabarrus, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 371, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 39; FHL microfilm 337,912. This shows :

   "Martin Blackwelder"

   2 males under 10 (probably Reuben and Joseph<?>)

   1 male of 10 and under 16 (probably Henry)

   1 male of 16 and under 26 (unknown son)

   1 male of 26 and under 45 (probably Martin)

   1 female under 10 (probably Christina)

   1 female of 10 and under 16 (probably Sarah)

   2 females of 16 and under 26 (probably Catherine and daughter Elizabeth)

   1 female of 26 and under 45 (probably wife Elizabeth).

9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3} United States Census, 1820 database with images, FamilySearch (accessed 25 April 2022), Starlin Blackwatear, Cabarrus, North Carolina, United States; citing p. , NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm. This shows that :

   "Starlin Blackwatear"

   1 male of 10 and under 16 (probably Reuben)

   1 male of 16 and under 26 (probably Joseph<?>)

   1 male of 45 and upwards (probably Martin)

   1 female of 10 and under 16 (probably Christina)

   1 female of 45 and upwards (probably wife Elizabeth).

10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} United States Census, 1790 enumerated in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States, Page Number 368, Line Number 42363, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration publication number M637.  This shows :

    "Blackwelder, Martin"

    1 male of 16 and upwards (probably Martin)

    1 male under 16 (unknown)

    1 female (probably wife Elizabeth)

11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2} "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5M-YNQ : 20 February 2021), Marta Blackwelder, Cabarrus, North Carolina, United States; citing 195, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 119; FHL microfilm 18,085. The image for this census page can be found here. See research note for this census. The census shows :

    "Marta Blackwelder Sen'r"

    1 male of 20 and under 30 (probably Joseph<?>)

    1 male of 60 and under 70 (probably Martin)

    1 female of 40 and under 50 (probably Martin' second wife Elizabeth Corl)