Johann Jost 'Joseph Merten came from Nassau-Siegen Germany as an iron- worker sponsored by Gov. Spottswood of Virginia. He and other Germans of the same origination established the Germanna Colony beginning about 1709. After the Revolutionary War, Joseph's grandson, Reuben, went from Fauquier Co. VA to Laurens Co. SC. Reuben's grandson, Glassenguin later took the family further south to Chattooga Co. GA. Glassenguin probably died in the Battle of Shiloh, but more research is needed to confirm that theory. Although James Alexander Martin, Glassenguin's son, was supposed to stay home to protect the family while his father and brothers went off to war, he became restless after turning sixteen. He secretly enlisted in 1861. About April 1876, James Alexander Martin and some of his mother's Garrett relations packed their belongings and chartered a passenger train headed from GA to Fayette Co. TX. The women rode up front, and the men rode in the cargo car with their animals and farming equipment. From there they moved by covered wagon to Colorado Co. TX.
Family Group Sheet Family Group Sheet ============================================================================ Husband: Glassenguin 'Gim' MARTIN born: 1 Nov 1811/1812 place: Warrior Creek (Laurens) SC marr: c1836 place: Warrior Creek (Laurens) SC died: 17 Apr 1862 place: Battle of Shiloh? buried: place: parents: John Garrett MARTIN and Elizabeth _____ ============================================================================ Wife: Malinda 'Lindy' GARRETT born: 22 Nov 1819 place: Warrior Creek (Laurens) SC died: 22 Mar 1871 place: Broomtwn. Val. (Chattooga)GA buried: Garrett Cem.? place: (Chattooga) GA parents: Stephen GARRETT and Drucilla Elizabeth PUTNAM ============================================================================ CHILDREN ============================================================================ #1 Florenthia MARTIN born: 4 Apr 1837 place: (Laurens) SC marr: DNM place: died: 6 Apr 1871 place: buried: place: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- #2 Infant MARTIN born: 22 Apr 1839 place: (Laurens) SC marr: place: died: 22 Apr 1839 place: buried: place: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- #3 John Hollingsworth 'Holland' MARTIN born: 19 May 1840 place: (Laurens) SC marr: place: died: aft 1870 place: buried: place: spouse: Sarah GARRETT, later possibly Hannah HEMPHILL 30 Dec 1856/1858 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- #4 Milton MARTIN born: 27 Nov 1842 place: (Laurens)SC marr: place: died: 12 Apr 1874 place: buried: place: spouse: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #5 James Alexander MARTIN born: 26 May 1845 place: Warrior Creek (Laurens) SC marr: 20 Nov 1867 place: Summerville (Chattooga) GA died: 12 Nov 1919 place: Monaville (Waller) TX buried: Monaville Cem. place: Monaville (Waller) TX spouse: 1) Susan Elizabeth JOHNSTON, 2) Mary Elizabeth WINNINGHAM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- #6 Sophia or Sophena Jane 'Sophie' MARTIN (blind) born: 19 Dec 1847 place: GA marr: DNM place: died: 24 or 28 Dec 1910 place: (Chattooga) GA buried: Garrett Cem. place: (Chattooga) GA spouse: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #7 Christopher Columbus MARTIN born: 16 Mar 1850 place: (Chattooga) GA marr: place: died: 29 Apr 1924 place: (Chattooga) GA buried: place: spouse: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #8 Joseph Piree MARTIN born: 26 Apr 1853 place: (Chattooga) GA marr: place: died: 1 Mar 1879 place: buried: place: spouse: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #9 Lucinda Elizabeth MARTIN born: 22 Aug 1857 place: (Chattooga) GA marr: place: died: 20 Feb 1879 place: buried: place: spouse: perhaps E.C. BENNETT --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #10 Stephen D. MARTIN born: 10 Sep 1860 place: (Chattooga) GA marr: place: died: aft 1870 place: buried: place: spouse: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #11 Sally MARTIN born: c1865 place: (Chattooga) GA marr: place: died: place: buried: place: spouse: perhaps E.C. BENNETT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------