Mary Frances (Plybon) Martin (1844 - 1937)

Born 15 Dec 1844 in Franklin County, Virginia

Ancestors

Died 12 Apr 1937 at age 92 in Roanoke, Virginia

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Biography

Mary Frances Plybon was born in 1844, the daughter of Ransom Plybon and Eveline Powell.

Mary married William Martin in 1865 and they had one son, William Ransom Martin born in 1867. William died sometime between 1870-1880 and Mary and her son apparently moved in with her mother. The 1900 and 1930 census records record her living with her son William in Roanoke.

There is an unresolved question regarding William Martin. The family record says she married William Martin 20 August 1865. The Franklin Co. Marriage Register says she married William E. Martin, also on 20 August 1865. But her death certificate clearly says she was the widow of Thomas Martin. Interestingly, the marriage register suggests William was an illegitimate son of Hannah Martin. And then we find a grave memorial for William Thomas Martin buried in the English/Plybon Cemetery in Franklin Co., with no dates, and the memorial also says he served in Co. D, 58th Infantry from Franklin Co. during the Civil War. So it is unclear whether his name was William E. or William Thomas Martin. The only birth information comes from the 1870 census when he 23, or born 1847.

Regardless of William's name, we do know Mary had only one son, William Ransom Martin, born in 1866. Mary's husband died before 1880, when we find her and her son living with her mother in Franklin Co. In 1900 and 1930, Mary was living in Roanoke with her son and his family. Apparently she never remarried.

Mary died in 1937, at the age of 92, in Roanoke and was buried in Fairview Cemetery. William is probably buried in the English/Plybon Cemetery in Franklin Co.

Sources

• Franklin County Marriage Bond Register, FHL Film #31523; 20 August 1865, William E. Martin, 23, single, farmer, b. Franklin Co. and Mary F. Plybon, 20, single, b. Franklin Co.; Groom's parents: Hannah Martin; Bride's parents: Ransom and Eveline Plyburn; Margin note reads "Illegitimate father", apparently referring to William.

• 12 July 1870 Federal Census, Bonbrook, Franklin County, Virginia; William Martin, 25, farmer; Fanny Martin, 23, keeping house; William Martin, 3; William Mills, 29, farm laborer; Samuel Hale, 16, farm laboprer

• Library of Virginia Chancery Database, Case 1896-038, Silas O. Plybon Etc vs. Mary F. Martin Etc: This file contains 85 pages describing the distribution of Eveline Plybon’s land, after she died in 1882. As Eveline left no will, her children went to Chancery Court to dispose of Eveline's remaining 106 acres of land. Surviving family were named: Silas O. Plybon; Ann E., the wife of Peter L. English; Silas O. Plybon; Ann E., the wife of Peter L. English; Sarah L. C., the wife of John C. Dillon; Henry R. Plybon; Thomas T. Plybon, deceased husband of Mahala C. English and two children, William B. Plybon and Nannie B. Plybon; Nancy I., the wife of John W. Robertson; Mary F., the wife of ____ Martin; John W. Plybon; Joseph B. Plybon; Charles C. Plybon

• June 1900 Federal Census, Bullett Ave., Roanoke, Virginia; Mary F. Martin, 55, born January 1845, mother, one child born/one living; living with William R. Martin, a wife and 5 children.

• 3 April 1930 Federal Census, Stewart Ave., Roanoke, Virginia; Mary F. Martin, 85; living with William R. Martin, his wife and 2 children

• Death Certificate #9572, Mary Frances Martin, 92, widow, d. 12 April 1937 of old age and a fractured hip; b. 15 December 1844; father: Ransom Plybon; mother: Evelyn Power; spouse: Thomas Martin; Residence: 1113 Stewart Ave., Roanoke; buried: Fairview