David Martin (abt. 1691 - 1784)

Born about 1691 in Bern, Schallenberg, Rueschegg, Switzerland [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Anna (Weber) Martin — married about 1720 (to about 1727) in Heiliges Römisches Reich [uncertain]

Husband of Barbara (Herr) Martin — married 1732 in Manor Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Husband of Anna (Groff) Martin — married 1742 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 10 Nov 1784 at about age 93 in Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Palatine Migration WikiTree [send private message], Ryan Myers [send private message], Cindy Butler [send private message], Deeann Kronenwetter [send private message], and Lamar Martin [send private message]

David Martin was a Palatine Migrant. Join: Palatine Migration Project Discuss: palatine_migration

Biography

Birth : David is often reported to have been born in 1691 in Switzerland "in der Vorfolgungszeit" ("the days of persecution") ^[1] although at least one researcher (descendant Darvin Martin) argues that, based on the ages of his children, David was probably born closer to 1700 and possibly in between siblings Christian and Hans Heinrich.

Parents : One source records that David and his brother, Jacob, were sons of Andrew Martin, who is believed to have been imprisoned in Switzerland for his faith and who emigrated in 1745, some 18 years after his sons. ^[1] However, other sources record that he was the son of Christian Martin, ^[2] who emigrated in 1732 aboard the Plaisance and is believed to have lived with David until his death in 1748. (Sources needed to clarify / confirm.)

Arrival in Pennsylvania : David was a Mennonite and fled Switzerland, spending some time in the German Palatinate, before emigrating to Pennsylvania at the invitation of William Penn. He arrived in Philadelphia on 30 Sep 1727 ^[1] aboard the Molley ^[3] (Capt. John Hodgeson) which had sailed from Rotterdam, Holland, carrying 70 families (about 300 persons, including a Jacob Martin) who had all come from Switzerland via the German Palatinate.

Land : A survey warrant was granted to David Martin on 10 Feb 1738/9 ^[4] and returned on 21 Feb 1738 for 370 acres of land in Conestoga, between the properties of Henry and Jacob Weaver. The land had previously been surveyed on 24 Oct 1726. ^[5] Oral tradition was that the Weber brothers had reserved this tract of land for their "brother-in-law" David Martin. However, the land is reported to have been surveyed in 1726 to Henry Miller, and one researcher (descendant Darvin Martin) argues that David probably inherited this land instead through his marriage to Henry Miller's widow.

The land is described in a 1936 family history as follows : They resided 3/4 mile N. of Blue Ball along Blue Ball Run in East Earl Twp., Lancaster Co., PA. Here he had a plantation of 370 acres, plus 6% given free for roads, equals 392.2 acres for 57 pounds, 7 shillings purchased from the Penn family, Proprietors of the Penna. Colony. The Blue Ball Run flows through this plantation from North to South separating it into 2 equal parts, an Eastern and a Western division. On the Eastern border of their land was erected the 1st substantial Mennonite Meeting House at Weaverland 1766, upon which stands the present Weaverland Church building. ^[3]

Marriage and children : David is reported to have married more than once, although different sources record different wives and marriages. Further research is needed to clarify.

His first wife is said to have died at sea ^[1] in 1727. She is frequently reported to have been Anna Weber, sister to the Weber brothers whose land in Lancaster county bordered David's, but no records exist to prove this oral tradition. ^[2]

After his arrival in Pennsylvania, David married Barbara Herr,^[1] daughter of Abraham and Anna (Bare) Herr, and widow of Henry Miller whose land David patented in 1738. Barbara brought into the marriage a daughter, Susannah, and two sons, Henry and Abraham.

David and Barbara had nine children before her death, shortly after the birth of her last child on 8 Aug 1742 ^[1] :

1. Christian Martin (1731 - 1804) ^[1]
2. David Martin (1733 - 1819) ^[1]
3. Jacob (b.1734) ^[1]
4. Barbara (b.1735) ^[1]
5. Martin Martin (1736 - 1811) ^[1]
6. John (b.1738) ^[1]
7. Elizabeth (b.1739) ^[1]
8. Henrich Martin (1741 - 1825) ^[1]
9. George Martin (1742 - 1829) ^[1]

David then married Anna Groff and had three children with her ^[1] :

1. Samuel (b.1745) ^[1]
2. Michael Martin (1747 - 1831) ^[1]
3. Abraham Martin (1749 - 1815) ^[1]

After Anna's death, David remarried to Elizabeth Herr Miller ^[1] or Martin ^[2], but no children are recorded from that marriage.

Death : He died on 10 Nov 1784 in Earl Township, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and is buried in the Weberthal Cemetery, Weaverland, Lancaster County. The original grave marker is no longer legible, but a marker placed in 1947 by descendants reads :

David Martin, a Swiss German, born in 1691, arrived at Phila, PA, Sept 30, 1727, died Nov 10, 1784, Erected to his memory by his de(s)cendants, 1947. ^[2]

His will was made on 11 Apr 1771 and proven on 4 Dec 1784. (Source needed.)

Research Notes

Spouses :

1. Barbara Herr Martin (1702 - 1742), married after 1727 in Springville, Lancaster, PA
2. Anna Groff Martin (1725 - 1759), married c.1745
3. Elizabeth Herr Martin (____ - 1774), married before 20 Mar 1764

Unsourced notes from father's profile : David Martin, b.c.1705. He arrived on the ship Molly 30 Sep 1727 with his brother Jacob. He warranted 370 acres in Earl Township, Lancaster County on 10 Feb 1738. He died there 10 Nov 1784. He married first Barbara Herr (c1705-8 Aug 1742), widow of Henry Miller (d. 1728) and daughter of Abraham Herr and had 9 children. He then married Anna Groff (d. 1759) by 1744 and thirdly, Elizabeth by 1764. He wrote his will on 27 Dec 1775 and it was proved 4 Dec 1784.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19} Wenger, Eli D., & Martin, Isaac W. (nd) The history of David Martin (immigrant), George Martin, George M. Martin, Joseph S. Martin, and descendants, 1727-1957, Section 7, pp.6-7 (pdf viewer 7/53). (np) Viewed at https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/86420/?offset=2#page=6&viewer=picture&o=&n=0&q=
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58979659/david-martin: accessed 11 December 2022), memorial page for David Martin (1691–10 Nov 1784), Find a Grave Memorial ID 58979659, citing Weberthal Cemetery, Weaverland, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA; Maintained by Romaine Stauffer (contributor 47114269). Entry includes image of original grave marker which is worn and illegible, also a new grave marker placed by descendants in 1947. Text bio is unsourced.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Martin, I. W. (1936). History of Christian Martin np : Author. Typed booklet in the possession of Audrey Klingler. (In a letter dated 10 Dec 1940, Isaac W. Martin states : [W]e had one common Ancestor, David Martin, who arrived at Philadelphia, Penna., Sept. 30, 1727, in the ship "Molley" with immigrants from the Palatinate in Germany.)
4. ↑ Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Pennsylvania State Archives. Records of the Land Office (WARRANT REGISTERS, 1733-1957, series #17.88), viewed at http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17-88WarrantRegisters/LancasterPages/Lancaster135.pdf
5. ↑ Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Pennsylvania State Archives. Records of the Land Office (COPIED SURVEYS, 1681-1912, series #17.114), vol. C-121 p.90. Viewed at http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/bah/dam/rg/di/r17-114CopiedSurveyBooks/Books%20C1-C234/Book%20C121/Book%20C-121%20pg%20179.pdf (reverse)

See also :

• Rick, Mary Anne. "Martin (Switzerland)" at The Watchers, Diggin' for Roots viewed at http://www.the-watchers.com/coffman1/martin.htm - unsourced
• Martin, Darvin L. "A New Look at the Origins of Mennonite Martin Families: Assessing the Oral Traditions" in Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage, July, 1999 Published by the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, 2215 Millstream Rd., Lancaster, PA 17602. July 1999.
• Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Gale Research. Ancestry.com.
• U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 Yates Publishing. Ancestry.com.
• Wenger, John C. "Martin family name." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1957. Web. 11 Dec 2022. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Martin_family_name&oldid=163840

• https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~mickey/genealogy/brendamartincreasy11.html

Acknowledgments

• WikiTree profile Martin-6897 created through the import of Most 2011_7b.ged on Oct 17, 2011 by Mike Saufley. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Mike and others.
• WikiTree profile Martin-8655 created through the import of Reichard Martin Family Tree.ged on Apr 2, 2012 by Ryan Myers. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Ryan and others.