Month: June 2015

Death of Samuel Starke Martin

Death of Mr. Starke Martin
Donalds, S. C., Nov. 29
To the Press and Banner:
Though not unexpected the news that Mr. S. Starke Martin was dead cast a gloom of sorrow over his many friends. Mr. martin died after a protracted illness, having suffered a stroke of paralysis several month’s since. He was taken to the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. H. Shaw, and everything that skilled physicians and loving hands could do failed to ward off the Grim Reaper, and on the 22nd instant he breathed his last. So peaceful was the end that those in the room scarcely realized it until he was dead. His long illness was borne by the philosophic resignation and cheerfulness that was his strongest characteristic, and for which he was noted. During his life of 66 years no calamity or business reverses could becloud his sunny nature. Among his numerous acquaintances not an enemy could be found. His generosity was proverbial; he would divide his last morsel with the needy. He was devoted to his family, loyal to his friends and true to his country.

During the civil war Mr. Martin joined Co. G, 1st S. C. Cavalry, and remained with it until the surrender. After the war he married Mrs. Julia A. Cunningham.

Mr. Martin is survived by two daughters, Miss Louise Martin and Mrs. Jas. H. Shaw, one sister T. C. Gower, and three brothers L. L. and another brother of Texas, and J. C. Martin of Donalds.

Mr. Martin’s remains were interred in the cemetery at Broadmouth church amid a large concourse of friends, and many beautiful floral tributes from a distance attest the high esteem in which he was held by absent friends, and while his body sleeps beneath a mound of flowers, the great, generous and noble soul has plumed its flight to the great unknown. Friend.

Samuel Starke Martin Obitury Source:
The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, November 30, 1910, Image 9
Image provided by University of South Carolina; Columbia, SC
Persistent link: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026853/1910-11-30/ed-1/seq-9/

Alex Sanders of Martin’s Mill

Alex Sanders
Born April, 1807, Still Alive and Well.

He has been on the Martin’s Mill tract, seven miles west of Abbeville, for sixty-seven years. In 1827, he was sold by G. W. Hodges, Sheriff, under execution against Captain Thomas Sanders, who owned the land now owned by Mr. Charles Graves, of this county. Thomas Martin bid off Alex., at $400. cash. He took him home, where he has lived ever since. He soon afterwards became the property of John Campbell Martin, son of Thomas Martin. Under all the changes of ownership of the land Alex. Sanders remain on the place, and is still there. His young Master Campbell Martin, gave him a small tract of land during his life-time, and although Martin is dead his successor in the ownership of the land, Mrs. Stelts, who was his wife at the time of his death, still honors the act of her former husband and allows Alex. the use of the land.

He has always been an upright, honest and industrious man. During the time of his slavery, he was always faithful to his owner, and in his freedom he has never gone from the old place, where he has lived for sixty-seven years.

image_681x648_from_828,6328_to_2266,7698 Source:
The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, March 21, 1894, Image 4
Image provided by University of South Carolina; Columbia, SC
Persistent link: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026853/1894-03-21/ed-1/seq-4/

John Campbell Martin Dead of Pneumonia

The Sick and the Dead.

[…]

Mr. J. Campbell Martin, who has been at the point of death for several days with pneumonia, died yesterday. Monday morning he was pronounced to be in an improving condition, and the doctors thought that he would get well, but in the night he died. He leaves a young wife, and two or three little children. He exposed himself in the water at work on his mill race, which brought on sickness which proved fatal. He was possessed of good property.

J. Campbell Martin Obituary

Source:
The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, April 30, 1884, Image 2
Image provided by University of South Carolina; Columbia, SC
Persistent link: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026853/1884-04-30/ed-1/seq-2/

Sheriff’s Sale

One of the many sheriff’s sale notices I have, this one deals with the execution of (I presume) John Campbell Martin’s estate by his widow, Ina Holcombe Martin. I actually don’t know how Julia A. Martin is though… Hm. I feel like I should.

Here’s another interesting thing. One of the neighbors to the larger tract is W. L. Prince. Ina’s mother’s middle name is Prince. I’m working under the tentative assumption that Ina’s grandmother’s maiden name was Mary Prince, but both of her parents are buried in Greenville so I haven’t really been looking for her people in Abbeville.

Julia A. Martin against Ina H. Martin. – Execution.

By virtue of an execution to me directed, in the above stated case, I will sell to the highest bidder, at public auction, with the legal hours of sale, at Abbeville Court House on MONDAY, the 2nd day of DECEMBER A. D. 1889, the following described property, to wit: All that tract or parcel of land, containing

Eight Hundred Acres

more or less, situate in Abbeville County, South Carolina, bounded by lands of John Evans, W. L. Prince, S. S. Martin and others. Also the MILL TRACT, containing

Three Hundred and Fifty Acres,

more or less, and bounded by lands of Mrs. E. A. Robertson, Winestock place and others, known as the John Campbell Martin lands. Levied on and to be sold as the property of Ina H. Martin, to satisfy the aforesaid execution and costs. TERMS–Cash.

W. D. Mann,
Sheriff Abbeville County

 

Sheriff Sale 1889 Ina Holcombe MartinSource:
The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, November 13, 1889, Image 5
Image provided by University of South Carolina; Columbia, SC
Persistent link: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026853/1889-11-13/ed-1/seq-5/