Person:Benjamin Martin (26)

Notes for: Benjamin Martin

1790 Census 10th Company, Wilkes Co., NC Page 162
1800 Census Wilkes Co., NC Page 52
1810 Census Wilkes Co., NC Page 264
1820 Census Wilkes Co., NC Page 494

Received the remainder of his father's land from the 1752 will. On 4 Oct. 1781, Benjamin Martin and Dianah his wife of Fluvanna Co., Sold 127 acres to Elias Wills, north side of Rivanna, "all my father gave me in his will," adjoining Elias Wills, Cary and William Martin. (Fluvanna DB1, p. 34 9) They then moved to Wilkes Co., N.C.

Removed to Wilkes Co., NC in the winter of 1781 with the Capt. Thomas Thurman Martin family.

1782 Wilkes Co., NC Tax List as neighbors to Thomas Thurman.

Benjamin is included on the 1790 census of Wilkes Co., N.C., 11th Company: 2 males over 16; 2 males under 16; 6 females; and 13 slaves. Benjamin and his son, Benjamin Harrison Martin were over 16; sons, James and John were under 16; females were his wife, Diana, and daus., Sara Meridith, Anne, Elizabeth, Amelia and Diana. Benjamins eldest son, Robert Martin, lived nearby and his eldest daughter Patsy Martin, had married Benjamin Parks before 1790.

The above information came from MFQ Vol XII, #3 Nov, 1986 pages 167-168.

The family of Benjamin moved from Fluvanna Co., VA to Wilkes Co., NC in the winter of 1782 and established his home on a plantation along the south side of the Yadkin about two miles west of Ronda.

Benjamin was an Ensign and Revolutionary soldier in Virginia.

Ensign Benjamin Martin, a man of sterling patriotism, constantly exerted himself to encourage his people to make every needed sacrifice and to put forth every possible exertion in defense of the liberties of their country. He lived in Fluvanna County, Virginia, and the County Order Book of this county shows that Benjamin Martin was appointed Ensign and sworn into office on September 4, 1777. Two other brothers, John Martin and William Martin, were also recommended on September 4, 1777, as Second Lieutenants; therefore, the four Martin brothers were officers in the Fluvanna County troops in the War of the Revolution. Lieutenant Henry Martin is also mentioned as being in command at Cabin Point, Virginia in 1780.

Benjamin Martin's spirit of 1776 was inherited by his descendants. We find his son, Colonel James Martin, a distinguished officer in the War of 1812; and Colonel James Martin's son, John Bryan Martin, a soldier of distinction as First Lieutenant, commanded his company in the Florida Seminole War. Other descendants were gallant soldiers in the Civil War 1861-65. Still later, other descendants of Benjamin Martin wore khaki and gave splendidly their services in the World War, April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918.

Benjamin Martin moved from Fluvanna County, Virginia, to Wilkes County, North Carolina, 1782, and North Carolina History shows that his son, Robert Martin, in 1803, was a member of the House of Commons, Wilkes County, North Carolina, which corresponds to our Legislature.
Another son, John Martin, was also a member of the House of Commons, Wilkes County, North Carolina, in 1813. Benjamin Martin was not only a land owner, but the census of North Carolina, 1790, shows that he owned at that time 13 slaves, which constituted a fortune in those early pioneer days. He is buried in Wilkes County, North Carolina, where he was a much honored citizen.

Authority for the above statements:
- J.T. McAllister's "Virginia Militia in the Revolution", page 202, also page 69.
- "Wheeler's History of North Carolina", page 466.
- Census of North Carolina, 1790.

Douglas Reg., page 9

DAR No. 81010

Benjamin Martins Will:
In the Name of God amen I Benjamin Martin of the State of North Carolina and County of Wilkes being of good health of Body and Sound of mind and Memory thanks be to God for the same calling unto mind the Mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do this sixth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand eight Hundred and Eighteen make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say.

First of all I commit my Soul to God who gave it my Body to be Buried in a decent Christian Burial at the Disposal of my Executors.

Secondly, I desire that all my Just debts should be paid out of my Money and property.

Thirdly, I give to my four Sons the following Negroes to wit.
Negroe John to my Son Robert Martin;
Negroe Sam to my Son Benjamin Harrison Martin;
Negroe Joe to my Son James Martin and
Negroe Ceasar to my Son John Martin;

and to my Daughters, Patsey Parks I give the following Negroes, Sarah, Andrew, Sam and Ambrose,
and to Sarah Merdith Rosseau I give Jinny and her increase,
and to Anne Bagby I give Winney and Cate and their Increase,
and to Elizabeth Martin I give Sillar and Tom,
and to Diannah Martin I give Sarah and Dinah and their Increase to them and their heirs forever.

I also, give to my two Sons James Martin and John Martin the tract of Land whereon I now live. (to wid.) the upper end I give to James Martin and the lower end I give to John Martin, the Division line to run as follows (to wit) Beginning at the mouth of the Spring branch thence a Straight line to a mark'd poplar at the foot of the of the Hill whereon I now live thence along the foot of said Hill so as to take in a part of said branch for the benefit of Watering to the lower tract, thence to a Mark'd Oak near the foot of the Hill beyond the Gate, thence with said Mark'd line to the Road that leads to Robert Martins old School House, thence with said Road to the back line to them and their heirs forever. Also I give to my Son James Martin One Hundred acres of land where my shop now stands to him and his Heirs forever.

Also I give to my Son John Martin a tract of land lying on Roaring River known by the name of the Horse Shue containing One Hundred and forty acres together with all entries I may have adjoining them ?? to him and his Heirs forever. I give to James Martin the Shop tract & John Martin the Roaring River tract in consequences of their having ??

Page 2
(13) October Term A.D. 1821

Benefit of the tract whereon I now live during my life.

I also give and bequeath Negroe Abram and Primas, and One-tenth part of all my property hereafter to be disposed of to my Executors herein after to be appointed in trust to keep for my Daughter Amelia Cleveland and the profits of said property to pay over to my said Daughter for her own use and benefit during her life without the intervention or disposal of John H. Cleveland her Husband and after the death of my Daughter Amelia Cleveland it is my Request & desire that my Executors and Trustees as aforesaid shall divide the afore Mentioned property willed to them in trust as aforesaid amongst all the Children of the body of my said Daughter Amelia Cleveland Equally and in case any Child or Children of my Daughter Amelia Cleveland should die in her lifetime leaving Issue then such Issue to have such part or parts of said
property as his or their father or Mother would have been entitled to provided he or they would have been living at the death of my said Daughter Amelia Cleveland.

I give and bequeath one tenth part of all my property to be hereafter disposed of to my Executors herein after to be appointed in trust to keep for my Daughter Elizabeth Martin and the profits of said property to pay over to my said Daughter to her own use and benefit during her life without the disposal or Intervention of John Martin her Husband and further to be _____disposed of in every Respect to her and her heirs as I have above directed Respecting my Daughter Amelia Cleveland and her heirs.

And finally I give and bequeath to my other children (to wit.) Robert Martin, Patsey Parks, Benjamin H. Martin, Sarah M. Rousseau, James Martin, Anne Bagbey, John Martin and Dianah Martin One tenth part each of all the property both Real and Personal not already disposed of that I may die leased and possess'd of and the other two tenths to be held by my Executors in trust as above directed.

And I do hereby make and Ordain my beloved Sons Robert Martin, Benjamin Harrison Martin, James Martin and John Martin my Executors and Trustees Strictly enjoining it on them to carry into effect this my last Will and Testament.

In witness whereof I the said Benjamin Martin have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and Seal the day and year above written.
Benj. Martin (seal)

Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said Benjamin Martin in Presents of us
M. Thurmond ___
Benjamin Parks___
Jefferson Marston

The above will was duly proven in open court by the Oaths of M. Thurmond & Benj. Parks and the Executors Sworn. Test
R Martin Clk

A Codicil to the above will (to wit.) Be it remembered that in my last Will & Testament bearing date the sixth day of February one thousand and eight Hundred and eighteen I willed a Negroe man called Primus to my Daughter Amelia Cleveland and having since that empowered my Son James Martin to sell said Negroe, and the said James Martin having sold said Negroe for six hundred Dollars. I do by these presents Authorize and impower my Executors named in my last Will and Testament to pay to my Daughter Amelia Cleveland instead of said negroe the balance of the above mentioned $600. that shall Remain unpaid to her by me in my lifetime, after deducting the cost and Charges for collecting the same, the payment to be made under the same conditions and Restrictions contained in my last Will and Testament Respecting payments to be made to her, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Seventh day of September 1821.
Benja. Martin (seal)

Test
Jas. M. Parks ___
Alfred Martin ___

Benjamin Martin, son of Henry and Sarah Bryan Martin was born April 8, 1746 near the Chickehominy River Va. and died Oct. 31, 1821 in Wilkes Co. N.C. He married Diana Harrison (b. 1, Oct. 1744, in Va., d. 11, May 1817 Wilkes Co., N.C. Verified by DAR number 81010).

The marriage of Benjamin Martin and Diana Harrison on the on the 21, Aug. 1766 in Goochland Parish, Va. is recorded in DOUGLAS REGISTER, of Goochland Co. Diana,was the daughter of Benjamin Harrison and his first wife, said to be Pricilla Cary. See HARRISON EXCURSUS. Benjamin Martin was living in Albermarle Co., at the time of his marriage. Births recorded in DOUGLAS REGISTER: Benjamin Martin & Dianah Harrison, a son named Robert born Aug. 1, 1767. Baptized Sept. 13, 1768 - page 78. Benjamin Martin and Dianah Harrison a daughter named Sarah Meredith, b---- Baptized Feb. 14, 1774.

Benjamin and Dianah Harrison Martin and children migrated from Fluvanna Co. Va. to Wilkes Co. N.C. in the winter of 1781-82.

Two of Benjamin Martin's brothers, John and William also migrated from Va. to N.C. at the same time as Benjamin, winter of 1781-82. William settled in Iredell Co. N.C. (John's whereabouts not determined)

Benjamin and Dianah Harrison Martin's daughter, Elizabeth b. 1783, Wilkes Co. N.C. married her first cousin, John Martin, son of William Martin of Iredell Co. N.C. Quote from the late Ruth Linney of Wilkes Co. N.C. A Martin Family Historian.

Benjamin Martin is listed on the 1782 Tax List of Wilkes Co. N.C. in Capt. Wm. Rennolds Dist. along with his brother-in-law, Capt. Thomas Thurman, who married Sarah Harrison a sister to Benjamin Martin's wife, Dianah.

Benjamin and Dianah Harrison Martin settled within a mile of the present Brier Creek Baptist Church, probably at the Ben Martin or Douthit farm, where he and his wife, Diana, were buried. Besides their being buried at the Douthit place, other evidence pointing to that as their home is that the framework of the Douthit house is thought to be that of Ensign Benjamin Martin's house of pioneer days, and the abandoned barns of huge logs on that farm are thought to have been built by him. Benjamin Martin's land extended several miles along the Yadkin River until it met the farm of Major John Bryan, an Irishman who had fought in the Revolution.

Benjamin Martin's third son, James, married John Bryan's oldest daughter, Elvira.

Benjamin Martin was born on the Chickahominy River, Virginia on April 8, 1746, and died in Wilkes County, North Carolina, on October 31, 1821. He married about 1766 to Dianna Harrison, who was born October 1, 1744, and died May 11, 1817.

During his young manhood, Benjamin Martin lived in Fluvanna County, Virginia, and the County Order Book of this county shows that he was appointed Ensign and sworn into office on September 4, 1777.

Benjamin Martin moved from Fluvanna County, Virginia, to Wilkes county, North Carolina, in 1782.

Benjamin Martin was not only a landowner, but the census of North Carolina shows that he owned at that time 13 slaves, which constituted a fortune at that time. He is buried in Wilkes County, North Carolina, where he was a much honored citizen.