Contents |
Martin Greer was born about 1766 In Bedford County, Virginia. He was the son of Benjamin Greer and Rachel Lowe. His date of birth is estimated from his first appearance in tax records in 1787 Franklin Co., VA.
Martin married Mary Wright in 1788 in Bedford County, Virginia. She was the daughter of Joseph Wright of Bedford Co. As there are no deeds recorded for them in Franklin Co., it's probably safe to assume they lived somewhere on a parent's land. Martin was one of the executors of his father's will in Franklin Co., also in 1788. They disappear from Franklin Co. records after 1788 and no other records have been located prior to a land purchase in Davidson County, Tennessee in 1800. However, there is a record from 1825 Franklin Co. in which the executors of Martin's estate sold 15 acres that had been inherited from Mary's father.
Martin first appears in land records for Davidson Co. in 1800, when he purchased 100 acres on South Harpeth River. In 1812, he acquired another 179 acres on Richland Creek. Both locations are just west of Nashville, TN but it is likely the two tracts were not adjoining. Therefore Martin's residence is still uncertain. The Richland Cr. location is probably closer to the West Meade subdivision reported to be a possible burial site.
Martin wrote his will (below) in 1822. His burial site is probably unmarked but may be located within the Greer Cemetery on a hillside behind 113 Groome Drive (near Vaughn's Gap Road) in West Meade subdivision of modern southwest Nashville, Tennessee.
Additional research needs to be completed to verify the birth locations for Martin's children. Since he does not appear, even once, in Franklin Co. tax lists after 1788, it seems unlikely any of his children were born there. Birth locations for children born after 1800 are most likely in Davidson Co., TN.
Davidson County, Tennessee Will Book 8, p. 123-124; 11 March 1822 (written), July 1822 (exhibited in Court), 3 September 1822 (recorded); State of Tennessee, Davidson County - Be it remembered that I Martin Greer being in fear of God and of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament in the following manner, To wit, Item 1st, I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Nancy May one horse and saddle, feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, two ewes and lambs being the property already delivered her after marriage. Item 2nd, I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Joseph Greer one horse and saddle, feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, two ewes and lambs being the property already delivered him after marriage. Item 3rd, I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Benjamin Greer one horse and saddle, feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, two ewes and lambs being the property already delivered him after marriage. Item 4th, I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Polly Vaughn one horse and saddle, feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, two ewes and lambs and no more till after mine and her mother’s death then she the said Polly Vaughn is to have ten pounds and no more forever. Item 5th, I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Green B. Greer one horse and saddle which he has received, also feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, two ewes and lambs. Item 6th, I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Elizabeth Greer one horse and saddle which she has received, also feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, two ewes and lambs. Item 7th, I give and bequeath unto my beloved son James W. Greer one horse and saddle feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, two ewes and lambs. Item 8th, I give and bequeath unto my beloved son William H. Greer one horse and saddle feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf, two ewes and lambs. Item 9th and Lastly, it is my will and desire that all the residue of my property both real and chattel remain in the hands and possession of my beloved wife Mary during the term of her natural or widowhood to support her and my children and school them and at the time of her death or marriage of my beloved wife all the property both real and personal that is left in the hands and possession of my beloved wife with its increase belonging to my estate be sold at public sale and the monies collected from such sales, also all debts due me by bond, note or otherwise to be equally divided amongst my children both male and female except Polly Vaughn to them and their heirs forever. And I do ordain nominate and appoint my two beloved sons Joseph Greer and Benjamin Greer with my beloved wife Mary Executors to this my last will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 11th day of March 1822. [Signed] Martin Greer; In presence of Robert Thomas, Alex. Waites Postscript. It is to be understood that all the Items bequeathed until my beloved children in the within will be delivered to them when at lawful age or marriage but in case my beloved wife die or marry before they all arrive at Lawful age, then in that case each one to receive their dividend at her death or marriage. [Signed] Martin Greer; State of Tennessee, Davidson County Court July Sessions 1822, A paper writing purported to be the last will and testament of Martin Greer deceased was produced in court for probate and proven thus Robert Thomas and Alexander Waites the subscribing witnesses thereto being duly sworn say they became such in the presence of the Testator and at his request and that they believe he in his right mind at the time he executed the same. Ordered that the said paper writing be admitted to record as such will of said Martin decd. Whereupon Mary Greer, Joseph Greer and Benjamin Greer the executrix and executors named in said will came into open court and gave bond of ten thousand dollars with John Demoss, Wilkins Whitworth, Daniel A. Dunham and Abraham Demoss their securities for the faithful discharge of the trusts in them and Qualified according to Law. Ordered that they have letters testamentary granted to them.
This profile once suggested that Martin Greer had married Elizabeth Knowlton. Since she apparently lived in New Hampshire and there is no evidence Martin Greer ever lived that far north, Elizabeth has been removed form Martin's profile.
It has been suggested that Martin had the middle name "Henry". Since no evidence of such has been found in any original record, that middle name has been removed from this profile.
There is a 12 year gap in records for Martin. He is last recorded in Franklin Co., VA in 1788 and then appears buying land in Davidson Co., TN in 1800. Eventually it would be nice to figure out where he and his family lived in the interim.
See also:
May 18, Martin Greer, 0,1,0,0,1,0; 1788B Moses Greer (White >16, Black >16, Black >12, Horses); April 10, Martin Greer, 1,0,0,1
Have you taken a DNA test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.
Martin is 25 degrees from Herbert Adair, 21 degrees from Richard Adams, 16 degrees from Mel Blanc, 24 degrees from Dick Bruna, 18 degrees from Bunny DeBarge, 31 degrees from Peter Dinklage, 16 degrees from Sam Edwards, 14 degrees from Ginnifer Goodwin, 18 degrees from Marty Krofft, 13 degrees from Junius Matthews, 11 degrees from Rachel Mellon and 18 degrees from Harold Warstler on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
G > Greer > Martin Henry Greer
Categories: Greer Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee