Orphan John son of John Martin, Spotsylvania County, VA & some of the women in his life.

 

Compiled by Teresa Martin Klaiber September 2022

 

John Martin (1747-1813) has been tagged as “Orphan John”, for many years, by genealogists, to distinguish him from the many Martin’s in the area with the same given name.

John Martin the father wrote his will 20 July 1747 (Spts Wbk A 498) giving his estate equally between his wife Ann, son John and daughter Ann.  By April an inventory had been submitted and John Martin was deceased. 

John’s grandfather, Henry Martin, father of John also wrote a will (Spts Wbk A 508) in April 1748 leaving grandson John Martin son of John Martin deceased, 100 acres.

By August 1749 the court had appointed Edmond Waller, guardian of “orphan” John Martin (Spts Minute Book 1 Aug 1749).  The term infant was a legal term for a child whose father died before the child was 21 years old.  Guardians were required to manage estates.  At the age of 14 an infant/child could then choose their own guardian.  Under English law a woman had no legal say over who would be guardian of her minor children.  Being “orphan” John did not mean his mother was also deceased.

John’s mother, Ann has been lightly skipped over by researchers through the years.  First and fore-most in at least one publication (Crozier) her given name was misread as Amy.  Those who have studied colonial handwriting clearly understand her name is Ann.  John’s sister, Ann, was not appointed a guardian, nor at this writing has this researcher found any more information concerning her.

A tedious line by line review of court orders sheds some light about John’s mother Ann, widow of John Martin.  In October 1750 the Spotsylvania court appointed Edward Herdon, William Proctor and Ben Johnson (or any two) to divide the personal estate of John Martin deceased “and to set apart the part belonging to Ann Sharp now the wife of Lincfield or Linefield Sharp who has petitioned for the division as she was the widow of said John Martin…” (Spts Order bk  fhl 008153251, image 362, page 90).

At this Point in this compiler’s research I see a strong tie of this Lincefield Sharp to Elias Sharp also of Spotsylvania County. There are several with the given name of Lincefield in the area. 

It is unclear if Ann’s son John, a toddler, lived with his mother after her remarriage. He was certainly not more than a toddler based on future records. John was about 16/17 before he requested that Michael Robinson become his guardian in Spotsylvania County (Spts P. 162). Robinson was married to John’s Aunt Mary Martin (d/o Henry Martin dcd).  John’s uncle Benjamin Martin appears to have looked after some of John’s interest’s as well.  In March 1750 Benjamin Martin leased the 100 acres to Edmund Waller (Spts Order bk page 3). In August 1757 when Benjamin sold property to Charles Colson he clearly stipulated to exclude the 100 acres set apart in Henry Martin’s will (Crozier p 61-2).

 John married Lucy, granddaughter of James Hawkins before 1780.  I have written about Lucy in several blog posts.

( http://easternkentuckygenealogy.blogspot.com/search?q=lucy  &

http://easternkentuckygenealogy.blogspot.com/search?q=hawkins )

It is still unclear who Lucy’s parents are, but this compiler has researched and ascertained that her grandmother went by the name of Mary Ovington.  Mary was executor of the will of Peter Lowd 3 September 1734 in King George County (King Geo wbk 1 A – 103). Lowd’s will calls her “friend.”  By 1736 she is Mary wife of James Hawkins (Spts Order bk p 453/4).  Thus far I have located one other record of Mary Ovington when she witnessed a deed in King George for Sarah Edge who bound a son John Edge to Lowd as an apprentice (King Geo. Dbk 1 A p 283).

As always, as a researcher and author, I am always open to discussion and further information. My readers can write to me at deliverancefarm.com and I will respond as quickly as possible. tk