(II) James, son of William Martin, was born in Harrison county, Virginia, and died in Ritchie county, Virginia, in 1856. With his young wife he came, April 15, 1815, to Pennsboro, Ritchie county, and settled in the stone house where they passed the rest of their lives. This house is at the western end of Pennsboro, the oldest landmark in Ritchie county, interesting and picturesque. Its walls are two feet thick, made of flagrock in all sizes and shapes, the pieces being held together by cement. The house contains twelve rooms belonging to the original building : twelve more have been added, and it is now used for a hotel. In this house James Martin kept the first postoffice in Ritchie county, established in 1820 : a small desk furnished sufficient room for the mail of that day. He was prominent in the affairs of the community. He married Edith Davidson, daughter of Benjamin and Phebe (Davidson) Wilson, who was born 9 Nov, 1799, and died about 1876. ...
