While the name Obadiah (Obidiah, Obediah) may not make the top 20 list of boys names today, it was surprisingly popular in colonial eighteenth century America. The surname of Martin was also popular, with Martin men arriving at east coast ports from all over Europe. As a result there were many men named Obadiah Martin… Read More Did Obadiah Martin (b. 1738) die in 1766 or 1820?
How exciting! I had no idea where this journey would lead when we packed our family up four years ago and moved from the Rocky Mountains to the Smoky Mountains. The move came because of an incredible job offer but ended up being a wonderful exploration of family history. Six months ago my husband verified… Read More The Martin’s are a First Family of Tennessee!
Many Martin family researchers list the land upon which James Martin lived in Albemarle, Virginia as the New South Wales Plantation. This is identified as the 1600 acres James bought from John Chiswell along the banks of Rockfish River, a tributary off the James River. Many Martin researchers list the place of birth for James’… Read More The confusion of New South Wales – country or plantation?
Several years ago my family took my Dad on a road trip to Arkansas to visit the old Martin homestead. We spent time visiting family in Springdale and fishing on the Bull Shoals Lake, then we took a drive to Martins Springs near Norfork. It’s a little town on the White River just south of… Read More Stories of Old Joe and Tom part 1
Obadiah Martin has been an elusive relative that has intrigued me from the beginning. My Obadiah is the youngest son of James and Elizabeth (Crawford) Martin. What makes him so difficult to track is his nephew Obadiah. The younger Obadiah is the son of older Obadiah’s brother David and the two are often confused. Both… Read More Who is Obediah Martin?
Several years ago I contacted the county clerk of Amherst County, Virginia and asked for a copy of original will of James Martin. Following is the transcribed document. It is found in the Amherst County Virginia Will Book 1, page 279. The will is written on September 25, 1771 and presented in court on March… Read More James Martin’s will 1775
Last year my father took a DNA test from DNAtribes. My father, who I won’t name here since he is still healthy and kicking around at 88 years old and prefers to remain unknown to the world wide web, has some interesting results. Interesting because the results are so, well, homogeneous. Much more so than… Read More Debunking a Family Story Through DNA
According to some Martin researchers Stephen was the youngest of the Martin brood of James and Elizabeth (Crawford). I do not believe this is correct. James & Elizabeth (neé Crawford) Martin had eight children, six boys and two girls as mentioned in James’ will (1771) and land deed documents. Other researchers identify Stephen as the… Read More Is Stephen Martin of colonial Albemarle County, VA James Martin’s (1699-1775) brother or son?
I have been researching my family’s genealogy for about 17+ years now. As I sat this afternoon trying to organize a huge bucket of information I have collected over the years, I decided to start this blog. It’s a way to organize and record my research and share it with my family and ultimately other Martin… Read More Welcome to My Martin Family