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Martin Henry Greer (abt. 1766 - bef. 1822)

Martin Henry Greer
Born about in Bedford County, Virginiamap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 25 Feb 1788 in Bedford County, Virginiamap
Descendants descendants
Died before before about age 56 in Davidson County, Tennessee, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 19 Mar 2016
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Contents

Biography

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.

Children

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.

  1. Nancy Greer b: 2 Jan 1789 in Franklin County, Virginia?
  2. Joseph Greer b: 30 Dec 1792 in Franklin County, Virginia?
  3. Benjamin Greer b: Mar 1794 in Franklin County, Virginia?
  4. George Greer b: c. 1796 (not mentioned in Martin's will)
  5. Mary "Polly" Greer b: in Franklin County, Virginia?
  6. Elizabeth P. Greer b: Bet 1794 AND 1804 in Davidson County, Tennessee
  7. James Wright Greer b: 1802 in Davidson County, Tennessee
  8. William Henry Greer b: c. 1807 in Davidson County, Tennessee
  9. Greenberry "G. B." "Berry" Greer b: 16 AUG 1808 in Davidson County, Tennessee

Martin's Will

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.


Research Notes

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.

Sources

See also:

  • Franklin County, Virginia Will Book 1, page 17-19; 28 December 1787, Will of Benjamin Greer mentions: "Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Martin Greer the first living Child of Negro wench called by name Jude & no more...Lastly, I constitute and Appoint my well beloved wife Mary Greer Executrix and my son Martin Greer Executor...At a Court held for Franklin County on Monday the 2nd day of June 1788, the within last Will & Testament of Benjamin Greer was exhibited in Court by Mary Greer Executrix and Martin Greer Executor". Martin is also mentioned in the bond for estate administration.
  • Ency. of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol. VI, Virginia (not Quaker marriages); 25 February 1788, Greer, Martin & Mary Wright, dt of Joseph Wright. Bedford reel 7, p. 571.
  • Franklin County, Virginia Will Book 1, page 17-19; 28 December 1787 (proved 2 June 1788); Will of Benjamin Greer includes: "Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Martin Greer the first living Child of Negro wench called by name Jude & no more" and "Lastly, I constitute and Appoint my well beloved wife Mary Greer Executrix and my son Martin Greer Executor of this my last Will and Testament"...
  • Franklin County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1786-1803, Binns Genealogy, 2007; 1787A, Moses Greer (White >21, White <21, Black >16, Black <16, Horses, Cattle);

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

  • Davidson County, Tennessee Deed Book E, p. 268; 25 October 1800, Henry Shewder to Martin Greer, 100 acres on South Harpeth River. Wit: Thomas Dellahunty, Robert Hewitt.
  • Davidson County, Tennessee Deed Book I, p. 410-411; 27 August 1812, Martha Northern Administratrix and John Edmiston Administrator to the estate of John Kirkpatrick Decd to Benjamin Greer, for $300 paid to Kirkpatrick in his lifetime, 100 acres on Richland Creek adjoining Martin Greer, James Thompson and Thomas Shannon. Wit: William Mullin, William Compton.
  • Davidson County, Tennessee Deed Book I, p. 411-412; 26 August 1812, Martha Northern Administratrix and John Edmiston Administrator to the estate of John Kirkpatrick Decd to Martin Greer, all of Davidson Co., 179 acres on waters of Richland Creek adjoining Kirkpatrick, Benjamin Greer, the spring where Martin and Benjamin Greer get water, James Thompson, Thomas Finney, Inman and Harding. Wit: William Mullin, Ezekiel Inman.
  • 1820 Federal Census, Davidson County, Tennessee; Martin Greer; 2 males 10-16, 1 male 16-26, 1 male >45, 1 female 16-26, 2 females >45.
  • Davidson County, Tennessee Will Book 8, p. 151; 18 December 1822, Inventory of Martin Greer; mentions 3 slaves Barn, Andrew and Charlotte.
  • Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 11, p. 112; 7 February 1825, Greenberry Greer, attorney for Mary Greer, Joseph Greer and Benjamin Greer executors of Martin Greer Decd, of Davison Co., TN to John Wright, Senr of Franklin, 15 acres being land allotted to Mary Greer, wife of Martin Greer, by Commissioners of Bedford Co. to divide the lands of Joseph Wright Decd [Signed] Green B. Greer.
  • Capenoch TREE Ralph Terry's SOURCES:
  • O'Quin, Bertie, compiler. The Descendants of Aquilla Greer, Sr. 1719-1790 (August 2005)
  • Royal Heritage of the Greers, 1982, by Carolyn Beal, page 41.
  • Greer Kinsmen by J. B. Bell, 1986, page 113 as per Carolyn Beal
  • William Greer Peck, as per Greer's That Got to America, 1987, by Julian Greer.




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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Martin by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. Y-chromosome DNA test-takers in his direct paternal line on WikiTree: Mitochondrial DNA test-takers in the direct maternal line: It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Martin:

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Categories: Greer Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee