Little is known about William's family at this point in time. Winter was fast approaching and food supplies were growing short. That autumn, about a thousand mountain men won an important battle for the Patriots at King’s Mountain in York District, S.C. The prisoners from this battle were marched up to Hillsborough, again passing close to Martin soil.
It is estimated that somewhere during this period, William's oldest son volunteered himself for service. His name was Thomas and at age twenty-three, he spent the next six months with what was known as the "Horse" Militia. Some of Thomas’ time was spent on scouting parties which took him far from his home.
Just before the Battle of Guilford, Thomas was discharged from his enlistment. Shortly thereafter, Thomas removed his family one hundred and fifty miles to the west-southwest, into the relative safety of Lincoln County, N.C. (now Cleveland County). We can only speculate as to who else he might have coaxed into following him. Perhaps the entire Martin clan along with other farmers from this region of Chatham County, accompanied the young soldier and his family.
Thomas married Sabra Wilkie four months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. By the time they left Chatham County, they already had two children with another on the way. Having only been settled in Lincoln County for a short period, Thomas volunteered once again. This time, he found himself waging war with the Cherokee Nation. Not only did he spend much of his time fighting the Tories and British, he was forced to fight the Indians as well. Some months later, he moved his family once again. This time picking an area along the border of Lincoln County, N.C. and York District, S.C.
On October 2, 1784, Thomas bought 290 acres of land from Maty Green McAfee, James McAfee, and William Green. This sale was recorded in Lincoln County, North Carolina but this same tract was later sold to Thomas’ son, Thomas Jr. That sale was recorded as being in South Carolina. This confirms a shift in the Carolina border during this period.
"THIS INDENTURE made the second day of October in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and Eighty four. Between James McAfee and William Green of the County of Lincoln and Province of North Carolina of the one part, and Thomas Martin of the s’d County and Province of the other part. Planter. Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds current money of s’d province to s’d James McAfee and William Green in hand paid by the s’d Thomas Martin....a certain tract of Land containing two hundred and Ninety acres that was formerly the property of Joseph Green lying & being on both sides of the Provence line on a branch of Buffaloe Creek joining said Joseph Greens land....Witness present Jacob Collins."
Fourteen years later (October 29, 1798), Thomas bought 100 acres on Buffalo Creek for five pounds from Gabriel Washburn Sr. of Rutherford County, N.C. The purchase took place about the time Gabriel’s daughter, Rhoda and Thomas Martin Jr. were married. This land transaction was recorded in York Dist. S.C. Witness: Josiah Sands
Thomas bought fifty more acres of land in 1807 from William McCullough. Witnessed by Benjamin Nabors and William Martin, it was the last parcel of land that Thomas is known to have purchased. By now, he had accumulated a grand total of 440 acres. Soon thereafter, he began selling his land. On February 3, 1809, he sold one hundred acres to his son, Thomas Jr. It was the same parcel of land that he had purchased from Gabriel Washburn in 1798. Witnessing this event, was William Martin Sr. and William Martin Jr. Both William’s were probably Thomas’ brother and Thomas’ son. It is ironic that if the William Martin Jr. is indeed Thomas’ brother, he would be actually be two years older than the witness, William Martin Sr. Confused?
Then on August 19th, 1822, Thomas Sr. sold another 180 acres on Buffalo Creek to his son, Thomas Martin Jr. Ten acres was withheld from this sale. It has been suggested that this is probably land that was set aside for the Martin family cemetery.
"KNOW ALL MEN by these presents that I Thomas Martin of the State of South Carolina, York hath in consideration of the Sum of eight hundred dollars to me in hand paid by Thomas Martin Junr....lying on the waters of Buffaloe on both sides of Luker Branch is bounded as follows to wit Beginning at Thomas Martin corner in McAfee line thence running with McAfee line to the said Martin Old Spring branch thence up South branch with William Martin line to corner thence along his line up the ridge to red oak in George Taylor’s line thence along said line to a Red oak in Martin old line....by estimation one hundred and eighty acres....on Sara Luker Branch containing ten acres....this 19th day of August eighteen hundred and twenty two and in the forty seventh of American independence. Thomas Martin Seal- Test William Martin, Jonah Martin. South Carolina, York District- Personally come William Martin Esquire."
I am unsure of the witness Jonah Martin but the witness William Martin Esquire was almost assuredly Thomas' brother. I am also curious about the “George Taylor line.” Was this the “Taylor” that was said to have married Thomas Sr.’s daughter Elizabeth? She would be about thirty-five in 1822.
Thomas Martin Sr. applied for and received a pension for his services in the American Revolution of $25.00. He received his pension from April, 1833 to May, 1835. Sabra Martin became eligible to receive her Widows Pension on 14 May, 1835. However, she did not apply for her pension until October 1, 1840. Her first check was more than 150 dollars. She was recorded as living with her son, Thomas Jr. at the time of the 1840 York District, South Carolina census but she was not located in the 1850 census. Her grave has not been found.
Thomas' wife Sabra, was the daughter of William Wilkie who’s name was mistakenly identified in the journal written by Mrs. Sarah (Rippy) Lutts as George. Mrs. Lutts describes George as having "parished on the Atlantic." It is not absolutely confirmed whether this is the same George Wilkie that Sarah wrote of, but it should be considered a strong likelihood. In later years, George Wilkie Jr. became pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, York Dist., SC. He continued as pastor for 20 years. From the pension application of Edward Rippy, we read in the affidavit written by George Wilkie that he was a preacher of the Gospel in Rutherford Co. NC. dated May 17, 1834. In York Dist. SC. a will for William Wilkie was witnessed by William Martin who signed his name, Thomas Martin who made his mark X, and John Elmore who made his mark. In the will, his wife was listed as Elizabeth; son: George; and daughters: Sabra, Sarah, Debora, Rebecca, and Ann Williams Wilkie.
Jenny (Martin) Fagg’s book entitled "The Family History of Thomas Martin Sr. -- a North Carolinian American Revolutionary Soldier" (75-32606), is a complete history of William Martin Sr.’s first born son Thomas, along with many of his descendants. Her book lists Thomas’ Revolutionary War pension records as the basis for most of what is known today, about his early life. Very little is told about his father William or his brother William Jr.
Thomas Martin's will was witnessed by Abraham Hardin, John Wood, and James Wood. He is said to be buried in Little Bethel (Methodist) Cemetery. However, neither his marker nor that of his wife’s have been located.
(unverified children)
Any comments or corrections to this information would be greatly appreciated. Please send them to me... Jeffrey Lee Martin
