Thomas Martin (abt. 1740 - abt. 1797)

Born about 11 May 1740 in Colony of Virginia [uncertain]

Husband of Rachel (Caffery) Martin — married about 1766 in Bedford, Virginia [uncertain]

Descendants

Died about 1797 at about age 56 in Botetourt, Virginia, United States [uncertain]

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Biography

Thomas is estimated to have been born about 1740. He married Rachel Caffery around 1766, probably in Bedford, Virginia.^[1] However, his residence was not stated when he made his first appearance in the record books of Bedford in 1770 with the purchase of 200 acres on Stonewall Creek in the area of present-day Appomattox.^[2] He was accompanied by David Martin, possibly a brother, who patented a neighboring 430-acre tract on the ridge between Stonewall Creek and Wreck Island Creek around the same time.^[3]

Note: It is not known where Thomas and David came from before arriving in this area, but they could not have been the sons of James Martin of Amherst, whose son David went to Surry, NC. This David remained on Wreck Island Creek until he died in 1807.^[4]

Long before David died, Thomas moved away from Stonewall, first to the area of present-day Thaxton in 1777,^[5][6] then to the area of present-day Hardy Ford in 1786,^[7][8] when he began buying and selling land there on both sides of the river,^[9][10] near another apparent brother or close relative, William Martin of Franklin, Virginia.

Thomas and Rachel were described as of the County of Stokes in the State of North Carolina when they sold the remainder of their land in Virginia in 1794.^[11] Their residence in January of 1795 when Rachel relinquished her right of dower wasn't clearly stated, but they appear to have been back in Bedford or a neighboring county, as only Bedford, Virginia officials were involved in taking her statement at an undisclosed location.^[12][13] It appears that they resided in Stokes for less than a year because they left no records at all in that county. Thomas did not pay taxes in Stokes in 1793, 1794 or 1795, seemingly proving that their time there was quite brief.^[14] It is likely that he was there with a relative, Abraham Martin, but their exact relationship (if any) is unknown. Abraham interacted with a "cluster" of Martins in Botetourt that included Johnson Martin (abt.1750-bef.1818) & Josiah Martin (abt.1770-1820).

Many researchers believe that Thomas died in Stokes, NC in 1794, but this is proven false by the January 1795 questioning of Rachel, who was privily examined... apart from her husband, who was clearly still alive for this to be true.^[12] He was, however, almost certainly dead before 8 Jun 1802, when Rachel and (their daughter?) Mary Anne Martin, then residents of Botetourt, Virginia, received a Deed of Gift from William Lewis & James Mason for 178 acres on the north branches of the Roanoke (Staunton) River.^[15] No relationship with these men is apparent, so it is possible that Thomas negotiated for this land, but died before Lewis and Mason received their grant for it on 20 Dec 1799.^[15][16] It is possible, but unlikely, that Thomas was the man by that name who died in neighboring Montgomery, Virginia in Aug 1801. It is unlikely because that Thomas lived there with his brother Jonathan Martin for nearly three decades before his death, leaving Jonathan and an apparent widow named Rebekah to administer his estate.^[17]

Given the residence of his widow in 1802 and the fact that they both were back in Virginia by 1795, it appears that Thomas died in Botetourt sometime in between these two records. It is possible that his son Caffery's brief excursion from Bedford to Botetourt in 1797 had something to do Thomas' death there, but no probate records have yet been found.^[18]

Research Notes

Thomas appears to have been of age and able to serve, but there is no known evidence that he did serve in the Revolution, or that he ever held military rank of any kind. The DAR has nothing on this man. It is not known where he came from before appearing in the record books of Bedford, Virginia, but it is safe to assume that he was born somewhere in that colony. No record of him has yet been found in Stokes, NC, and the Find-a-Grave page that says he is buried there contains no evidence at all to support the claim--nothing but a tiny picture of a blank stone.^[19] It is likely that the belief that he died there in 1794 evolved from the fact that 1794 was the year of the last record he left in Bedford, Virginia, and he stated then that he was residing in Stokes, NC at that time.^[11]

David & William Martin / Gideon & Stephen Martin

Note: The following discussions of different groups or "clusters" of Martins are presented here without citations. Every detail presented here has been properly cited, sourced & linked in the respective profile for each man mentioned and linked below.

The fact that Thomas and David Martin (bef.1745-abt.1807) first appeared in Bedford, Virginia records acquiring adjacent tracts of land at the same time is a strong indication that they were closely related, but there is no direct proof of their exact relationship. There are no records of any interaction between them after Thomas sold his land that adjoined David's and left the Stonewall Creek area in 1777. It is interesting that he ended up very near where William Martin (abt.1740-abt.1827) was living near Hardy Ford in Franklin County by 1786. Many researchers have confused and conflated the families of these two men. It is certainly possible that they were closely related, but again we have no proof.

The third Martin to arrive in Bedford at the same time as Thomas and David was Gideon Martin (bef.1750-), who appears to have been related to the fourth Martin to arrive in that "cluster," Stephen Martin (1765-1857). Stephen is the only one of these four who can be positively connected back to older generations of Martins in other parts of Virginia. Even if Gideon was from the same family, though, we again have no proof that Thomas, David or William were related to Valentine Martin of Cumberland.

Abraham, Johnson, Josiah & David Martin / James Mason / Stokes, NC / DNA

The cluster of Martin men in Botetourt, Virginia, where Thomas is believed to have died are a very interesting and confusing bunch. The oldest of the ones who lived in Botetourt was Johnson Martin (abt.1750-bef.1818), who was also the first to arrive in that county, during or immediately following the Revolution. He appears to have come straight to Botetourt from the Townfork Settlement area of Surry, North Carolina that was carved off to form Stokes County, NC in 1789,^[20] where he was closely involved with Abraham Martin (1729-abt.1815). Johnson & Abraham's relation is unproven, but the marriage between Johnson's "spinster" daughter to Abraham after the death of his first wife was almost certainly inappropriate by today's standards...

The second to arrive in Botetourt was Josiah Martin (abt.1770-1820), whose arrival coincided with the time and exact location of Thomas' family when he died there circa 1797. Josiah appeared in the tax lists in 1796, apparently next to Johnson (whose name was misrecorded as 'Joseph'), then in 1797 listed directly below Charles Caffery Martin, who was sandwiched between Josiah and Maj. James Mason (1752-abt.1808). Both Josiah and Johnson lived on Mason's Creek, which was almost certainly a name that referenced James Mason, who was first Sheriff, then Coroner of Botetourt. He was the same James Mason who gifted land to Thomas' widow, and here was Thomas & Rachel's son Caffery apparently living with Mason on land that he had just patented in 1796. Josiah didn't own land here until several years later, so it is possible that he was also there on Mason's land while prospecting for his own adjoining patent that wouldn't come until 1803... What was the connection to James Mason? After the death of his first wife and a few years before he too died, Josiah moved to Stokes, NC where he married Abraham Martin's daughter's niece.

The last to arrive on yet another adjoining tract was David Martin (abt.1780-1830), who was about a decade younger than Josiah and a generation younger than Johnson. His relation to them remains unknown. He was not an heir to any of the others, including Thomas (or rather, his wife Rachel)*, but his genetic connection to the family of Thomas has been proven by Y-DNA, both men having descendants in Y-DNA Haplogroup R-YP658. David & Josiah's families were tightly intertwined with several unrecorded deeds between them, followed by chancery suits to sort it all out later.

* David was alive and in the area, but was not involved in the 1812 sale of Rachel's land by her children.

Bedford & Franklin, Virginia Records

• 24 Feb 1770, This Indenture... between W'm McBridge of the parish of Russel and County of Bedford of the one part & Thomas Martin of the other part... for 8£ and for other good causes, 200 acres in Bedford on both sides of Stonewall Creek; witnesses: John Merrit, Richard Oglesby, William Walker & Thomas Oglesby.^[2]
  • __ ___ 1777, Thomas Martin of Bedford to Alexander McPhearson for 120£, 200 acres in Bedford on both sides of Stonewall Creek; no witnesses; recorded 23 Aug 1779.^[21]
    • 27 Aug 1771, he might have been the Thomas Martin who was allotted one day of attendance and travel of 90 miles to testify in the case of Craig vs. Moorman, but there was a contemporary Thomas Martin not far away in what is now Sherwill.^[22]
    • 25 May 1772, Thomas and his apparent brother, David Martin, were both allotted one day's allowance for participation in the case of Fear vs. Walker, along with others of their Stonewall Creek neighbors John Merritt, William Walker, Hugh Hairston & Andrew Turner.^[23]
• 19 Apr 1777, Abraham "Abram" Sharp of Bedford to Thomas Martin of same for 70£, 200 acres on both sides of Little Otter adjoining Cary, Mead & Adam Sharp; witnesses: D'd Bear, Joseph Dickson, Edmun Fair, Charles Moorman, George Dooley & James Kasey.^[5]
  • 22 May 1780, Thomas Martin & ux Rachel to Boyce Eidson for 1,200£, 200 acres on Both Sides of Little Otter adjoining Cary, Mead & Adam Sharp; no witnesses.^[24]
• 22 Mar 1779, George Walton of Prince Edward to Thomas Martin of Bedford for 20£, 180 acres on the head branches of Little Otter adjoining Sharp, Cary & Ewing; witnesses: Josh Early, Isaac Rentfro, Justanian Wills & Alex'r Cummins.^[6]
  • 17 Oct 1780, Thomas Martin & ux Rachel of Bedford to Thomas Dooley of same for 1,000£, 180 acres on the Head Branches of Little Otter River adjoining Cary, Sharp & Ewing; witnesses: John Gill, D. Beard, Ja's Turner & Jn'o Campbell.^[25]
• 28 Sep 1786, Arthur Cooper of Bedford to Thomas Martin of Franklin County for 100£, 50 acres on the South side of Stanton River adjoining the paths to Randolph Richardson & Thomas Payne, Brookes, Rosses old line & up the river to the Island Ford; witnesses: Moses Hudgens, Charles Caffery Martin, Richard Richardson, Josiah Meador, Jesse Meador & Joab Meador.^[7]
• 13 Jul 1787, Turner Richardson of Fluvanna to Thomas Martin of Franklin for 30£, 100 acres in Franklin on the South side of Stanton River adjoining Richard Richardson, the Ridge Path to Randolph Richardson, Young & David Ross; witnesses: John Bratcher Jun'r, Richard Richardson, Charles Caffery Martin, Jessee Meador & Charles Bratcher.^[8]
  • 28 Sep 1787, Thomas Martin of Franklin to John Early of same for 100£, 150 acres in Franklin on the South side of Stanton River adjoining Richard Richardson, the road to Randolph Richardson, Thomas Paynes Path to the Island Ford then down the river; no witnesses.^[9]

  Note: Thomas might never have paid taxes in Franklin County. His oldest son Caffery was taxed there in 1787, while still under age 21, and again in '88, by then over age 21, and '89, but unless he was misrecorded as Thomas Mountain in 1787, Thomas was missing from the lists in all years, including 1786-89, covering the period from the formation of that county until well past these deeds that referred to him as of Franklin.^[26]

• 14 May 1788, James Enis of Bedford to Thomas Martin of same for 100£, 135 acres on the Waters of Stanton adjoining Pates Road; witnesses: Roland Atkins, Philip Boyd & Rachel Martin.^[10]
  • 10 Sep 1794, Thomas Martin & ux Rachel of the County of Stokes in the State of North Carolina to James Wood of Botetourt for 40£, 100 acres a part of a larger Tract of 270 Acres granted to Gilbert Harold and by the said Harold conveyed to James Enis & by Enis convey'd to the said Martin... adjoining Campbell; witnesses: Daniel James, Charles Caffery Martin & Christian Vineyard (who signed in German script); proved in court 22 Sep 1794 by all three witnesses.^[11]

    Note: the metes & bounds given in this deed do not at all match the 14 May 1788 deed from Enis, which appears to have been split and resurveyed as this tract and part of the following one:

    • 10 Sep 1794, Philip Boyd & ux Sarah and Thomas Martin & ux Rachel of Stokes, NC to Christian Vineyard of Botetourt for 50£, 103 acres, part of two tracts on the drains of Staunton River adjoining Pates path... by the path Corner to Martins Survey and Boyds... James Woods Division; witnesses: Daniel James, Charles Caffery Martin, James Wood & Dabney Cooper.
      • [Includes part of 1787 190-acre grant to Philip "Board"].^[27]

      20 Sep 1794, Philip Boyd & ux Sarah of Bedford to Christian Vineyard of same for 50£, 130 acres on the drains of Staunton River and is the tract whereon the said Boyd now dwelleth adjoining Brachers path, Roland Adkins, Bratchers Road, John Philip Weaver & Coopers path; no witnesses.^[28]

    • 3 Dec 1794, Virginia to wit, The Commonwealth of Virginia to David Saunders & William Harris Gentlemen of the County of Bedford... Whereas Philip Boyd & Sarah his Wife and Thomas Martin & Rachel his wife... sold and conveyed to Christian Vineyard... 103 acres in Bedford... and whereas Rachel Martin wife of the said Thomas Martin cannot conveniently travel to our County Court of Bedford...

      2 Jan 1795, Virginia, Bedford County to wit, In Obedience to the within commission to us directed we did go to Rachel Martin the wife of Thomas Martin and privily examined her apart from her husband...^[12]

      Note: There is no mention of any location other than Bedford, Virginia in this pair of records. If Rachel were in a different state at the time, it would have been customary for the officials of Bedford, VA to coordinate this acknowledgement and dower release with officials in the other state and county, but in this case, the only men involved were clearly Gentlemen of the County of Bedford, as stated, strongly implying that they were back in Bedford or a neighboring county by then.^[13] This 1795 record leaves considerable doubt about the claims that her husband Thomas died in Stokes, NC and that he died in 1794.

    • 25 Feb 1799, Charles Caffery Martin & ux Susannah of Bedford to Christiana Wynard administratrix of the Estate of Christian Wynard Deceased and Christian Wynard admr of the same of the County of Botetourt for 6£, 12 acres in Bedford adjoining Bratchers Road; witnesses: John Brooks, Thomas Bandy & John Wynard.^[29]

Sources

1. ↑ Rachel was still single when she proved a deed in court on 26 Mar 1765, but was married soon after to Thomas Martin, based on the age of their oldest son.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Bedford, Virginia, Deed Book 3, pp. 391-392.
3. ↑ Land grant 16 February 1771; Martin, David. grantee; Location: Bedford County; Description: 430 acres on both sides of Little Wreck Island Creek including the head branches thereof and including one head of a branch of Great Wreck Island Creek; Source: Land Office Patents No. 39, 1770-1771, p. 265 (Reel 39).
4. ↑ Campbell, Virginia, Will Book 2, pp. 337-339.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Bedford, Virginia, Deed Book 6, pp. 394-395.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Bedford, Virginia, Deed Book 6, pp. 400-401.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Franklin, Virginia, Deed Book 1, pp. 278-280.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Franklin, Virginia, Deed Book 1, pp. 280-282.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Franklin, Virginia, Deed Book 1, pp. 280-282.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} Bedford, Virginia, Deed Book 9, pp. 357-358.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2} Bedford, Virginia, Deed Book 9, pp. 362-363.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2} Bedford, Virginia, Deed Book 9, pp. 478-479.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} Hening's Statutes at Large; LAWS OF VIRGINIA, OCTOBER 1748−−22th GEORGE II; pp. 410-411 states:
    • VI. And that where any feme covert cannot conveniently travel to the general court, or county court, to acknowledge her deed for passing away her estate, it shall be lawful for the clerk of the general court, or of any county court, to issue a commission to two or more commissioners, being justices of the peace in the [county] where such feme resides, for receiving the acknowledgment of any deed of such feme covert, for passing her estate in any lands, tenements, or hereditaments; and such deed acknowledged before them, after they shall have examined her privily, and apart from her husband, touching her consent and thereof certified, the judges before whom such commission shall be returnable, shall be recorded, together with the commission and return, and shall be as effectual as if the same had been personally acknowledged in court, by such feme covert: And where any such deed shall have been heretofore acknowledged before commissioners, and they have certified the privy examination and acknowledgment as aforesaid, the same is hereby likewise declared to be valid, and so shall be adjudged, deemed, and taken.
14. ↑ Stokes, North Carolina, Tax Records, 1790-1945; in particular see Abraham Martin's family in 1794 & 1795.
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1} Botetourt, Virginia, Deed Book 7, pp. 735-736.
16. ↑ Land grant 20 December 1799; Location: Botetourt County; Grantee(s): Mason, James and Lewis, William; Description: 700 acres on the waters of Roanoak adjoining the land of David Ross, known by the name of Fort Lewis Tract, and the lands of Wm. Walton, and John Cole; Source: Land Office Grants No. 44, 1799-1800, p. 29 (Reel 110).
17. ↑ Exhaustive research is available in the Research Notes of Jonathan's profile.
18. ↑ See the tax list analysis in the research notes of Caffery's profile for details.
19. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #13108086
20. ↑ Atlas of Historical County Boundaries; The Newberry Library; Interactive Map of North Carolina.
21. ↑ Bedford, Virginia, Deed Book 6, pp. 297-298.
22. ↑ Bedford, Virginia, Order Book 3, pp. 784-787.
23. ↑ Bedford, Virginia, Order Book 4, pp. 26-34.
24. ↑ Bedford, Virginia, Deed Book 6, pp. 416-417.
25. ↑ Bedford, Virginia, Deed Book 7, pp. 28-29.
26. ↑ Franklin, Virginia, Personal Property Tax Lists for 1786, 1787, 1788 & 1789.
27. ↑ Land grant 18 July 1787; Board, Philip. grantee; Location: Bedford County; Description: 190 acres on the watars of Stanton River; Source: Land Office Grants No. 13, 1787, p. 265 (Reel 79).
28. ↑ Bedford, Virginia, Deed Book 9, pp. 399-402.
29. ↑ Bedford, Virginia, Deed Book 11, pp. 170-171.