John Logan was one of the early settlers in Coosa County Alabama when the county was formed in 1832. That county as formed from the Creek Indian Cession and Reverend George Brewers History of Coosa County states that John and Alexander Logan, brothers, lived among the Indians, probably on Hatchett Creek above Rockford, before the county was formed. Rockford is the county seat of Coosa County and is located 65 miles south east of Birmingham, AL. John Logan was born in Tennessee, but at this time, we do not know where his family lived in Tennessee (believed to be Blount, County, Tn) or when they moved to AL (believed to be 1830). From our genealogical research to date, we believe that James E. M. Logan was the father of John and Alexander because John was administrator of his estate at the time of his death in September 1839. James E. M. Logan was sheriff of Coosa County from 1837 to the time of his death, September 1839. 

Additional Notes: Learned from research since this was written. James E. M. Logan and his brother Henry moved from Blount County, Tn to Alabama in 1830. James E. M. had 8 children, 4 sons and 4 daughters. Combined with the Henry Logan family they form a large Logan contingent from Coosa County, AL. I have been able to make contact with numerous researchers with family information on these two individuals and their descendants. James E. M. sons were; Samuel (1795), Alexander (1802), John*(1807), and Robert(Abt 1816), the daughters were; Mary (McDonald)(1810), Nancy (Graham)(Abt 1812), Jane (Williamson)(Abt 1815), and Sarah (Abt 1820).

John Logan married Margaret Davidson, July 27, 1841 at Rockford, AL. She was the daughter of Isaac Davidson and was born in SC. To their union was born Caroline Jane, James M., John Robert, Isaac D., George W., Napoleon B. and Henry C. Logan. They lived in Nixburg and he was listed in the 1850 US Census as being a grocer. He is also mentioned in Rev. Brewers History as being one of the early residents of Nixburg, AL. This small town still exists today a few miles southeast of Rockford. He died between March of 1854 and March of 1855, at the age of 48 years. This date of his death was established from court and tax records of Coosa County.

After John Logan’s death, Margaret moved near her father, Isaac Davidson, at Mt Olive, with her young family and reared her sons as farmers. James, John Robert and Isaac Logan served with the Confederacy during the Civil War, probably with the 62^nd Alabama Infantry Regiment.

About 1870 Isaac and George Logan came to AR. They did not appear in either the US Census of AR or AL, indicating that they were travelling between AL and AR at the time of that census. Margaret Logan and all the other members of her family appeared in the US Census of AL in 1870. She came to AR between the years of 1871-73 with all the members of her family except her son John Robert, who remained in AL and reared his family there. She and her family settled in Stone County, near the Cleburne County line. Grandmother Margaret Logan was one of those hardy pioneer women that reared her family in a hard situation and in very difficult times in the history of our country. She is buried in the Macedonia Cemetery, north of Drasco, AR, a long, long distance from her native SC.

This is a brief history of our Logan family before they came to AR and became some of the early settlers of this area. We are continuing our genealogical research for the ancestors of John Logan and Margaret Davidson and at this time know that they were born in SC. Hopefully, if we have this reunion next year, we can give you more information and history of this Logan family.

Written for the Logan Family Reunion (about 1970) by Edith Chloe Logan-Yates
Initialized sections added by Tom Martin 1997.

GEORGE AND BETTY LOGAN FAMILY ABOUT 1918
Front row; George and Betty. Brady, Buell and Edith.
Back row; May, Macon, Zora,

Betty Logan and children
Seated: Brady, Macon, Buell, and Rato
Standing; Betty, Carrie McCarty, Zora Chastain, May Logan and Edith Yates.

LOGAN – MCCARTY GET TOGETHER 1902

Front row; Edith Logan, Rato Logan, Troy McCarty, Julius McCarty.
Second row; Zora Logan Chastain and son Aubrey, Betty Logan, George Logan, Carrie McCarty and son Clint.Third row; —, Buell Logan, Baby Joe Chastain, May Logan, Minnie Logan, Brady Logan, Annie Lynch Logan, Bo McCarty and Macon Logan.

Left to right; Rato, May, Buell, Edith – 1918

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Ours is truly a diverse family.  If America is the "melting pot" we are a great example.  My father's family is of Scots-Irish ancestry, migrating to America prior to the Revolutionary War. Finally settling in North Carolina.  There they married with descendants of Pennsylvania Dutch (Germans from the Palatine Region) and Native Americans (probably Cherokee).  My mother's family comes from England and Ireland, emigrating to America (Virginia) prior to the Revolutionary War, and then migrating to Tennessee and eventually Arkansas.  My Parish line is also rumored to have some Cherokee blood in it.  My great grandmother Rebecca Parish was thought to be one quarter Cherokee.  My wife's family is from England, even including some links to English royalty.  Emigrating to Virginia prior to the Revolutionary War, then on to Tennessee and finally Arkansas, after the Civil War.  My children have married persons of African-American, Hispanic, and Vietnamese ancestry.  As you can see our family is truly diverse.

My Martin ancestors descended from Scots-Irish stock.   They migrated from Scotland in the early 1700's, remaining there for a couple of generations, then coming to America from Ulster, Northern Ireland.  They arrived prior to 1750.  Originally settling in Pennsylvania, then migrating to North Carolina.

Janet's Haile ancestors descended from English stock.  There is even linkage to British Royalty.  They emigrated to the tidewater area of Virginia.  Later generations migrated to Tennessee and finally Arkansas.

The Jackson's came from England to Virginia.  They then moved into eastern Tennessee, then Arkansas and were there prior to the Civil War.

The Parish name is of English or Irish descend.   Although originally Celts from France (Paris) most spread to England and Ireland after being defeated by the Romans.  My Parishs probably came the route of most southern English, Virginia to Tennessee, then to Arkansas after the Civil War.

The Kever name is of German origin.  These ancestors came from Germany during the Palatine Migration. Settling first in western Pennsylvania, then migrating to North Carolina.  They followed roughly the same route as the Scots-Irish Martins.

This page is designed to aid in the search for the surnames of Janet's family. If you are involved in a search for HAILE, LOGAN, or Houston, please investigate the pages listed on the menu under Haile.

These surnames all have southern origins. The following states are represented: Arkansas, Alabama, Virginia, and Tennessee. Please browse these pages, read the stories, view the photos, and enjoy yourself. I welcome you to our family and hope you find a link.

This page is designed to aid in the search for the surnames of my family. If you are involved in a search for MARTIN, PARISH, JACKSON, CRANFORD, NORTON, or PHILLIPS, please use the menu system to find specific information.

These surnames all have southern origins. The following states are represented: Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee. They served in the military during every major conflict of this nation from the Revolutionary War to the Gulf Conflict (Desert Storm), including thirteen who fought for the Confederate States of America (CSA) during the Civil War . There has been a migration to the West, specifically Washington and California during the latter part of this century, but the vast majority still remain in the south. Please browse these pages, read the stories, view the photos, and enjoy yourself. I welcome you to our family and hope you find a link.

Click on USA or Europe for a larger view

My ancestors were of basic European stock.  Coming to this country from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany.  Most arrived here prior to the Revolutionary War with the remainder coming soon after.  They came for a multitude of reasons, some to escape persecution, others to escape the feudal systems of Europe.   But mainly they came looking for a better life and increased opportunity.   They were hard working and industrious, mainly from the then emerging middle class (known as middlin in the British Isles).  Listed below are some of our surnames and the places of origin.

My Martin ancestors descended from Scots-Irish stock.   They migrated from Scotland in the early 1700's, remaining there for a couple of generations, then coming to America from Ulster, Northern Ireland.  They arrived prior to 1750.  Originally settling in Pennsylvania, then migrating to North Carolina.

Janet's Haile ancestors descended from English stock.  There is even linkage to British Royalty.  They emigrated to the tidewater area of Virginia.  Later generations migrated to Tennessee and finally Arkansas.

The Jackson's came from England to Virginia.  They then moved into eastern Tennessee, then Arkansas and were there prior to the Civil War.

The Parish name is of English or Irish descend.   Although originally Celts from France (Paris) most spread to England and Ireland after being defeated by the Romans.  My Parishs probably came the route of most southern English, Virginia to Tennessee, then to Arkansas after the Civil War.

The Kever name is of German origin.  These ancestors came from Germany during the Palatine Migration. Settling first in western Pennsylvania, then migrating to North Carolina.  They followed roughly the same route as the Scots-Irish Martins.

Both the Scots-Irish emigration and the Palatine German emigration followed roughly the same course.  Many of the Germans were assisted in their migration by the British, first coming to Ireland then to America.  The most familiar landing spot was Philadelphia.  From there they traveled westward across Pennsylvania, through the Susquehanna River Valley, looking for land.

Although they traveled the same route, they seldom traveled or settled together.   In some areas one side of the river, or the road, was Scots-Irish and the other was Pennsylvania Dutch.  The Dutch (Germans) considered themselves to be more cultured and peace loving that the Scots-Irish.  The Dutch got along with their neighbors much better, especially the Native Americans, often taking them as brides.  The Scots-Irish on the other hand were much despised by the Indians.  They had a notorious reputation as great Indian fighters and were known for giving no quarter.

Both these cultures were forced ever westward and finally southward as each succeeding generation needed land.  The migration moved through the Susquehanna River Valley, then southward down the Shenendoah Valley of Virginia into North and South Carolina.  The Martins arriving prior to the Revolutionary War, the Kevers shortly after.

There Samuel Martin garnished a reputation as an Indian fighter and Revolutionary War Captain of Militia.  All this while raising a family and building a profitable farm.

There also, Jacob Kever took as his bride an American Indian woman (probably Cherokee).  The history of North Carolina  tells how it was common practice for the Pennsylvania Dutch emigrates to marry with the Native Americans in the area.  Photographs of the Kever family clearly show the Native American features.  I assume Cherokee since it was the predominant tribe in the area.

From what we read, there are basically two distinct groups of families. The older lines come from ancestors who were from Paris, and made it to England where the letter "h" was added as part of old english. The newer lines are derived as someone who came from a church or civil parish. Also, it evolved in the 17th and 18th centuries from orpans who were raised by a church parish, hence they took the last name.

In 1997, Elaine Parrish provided this account of the Parish name origin to us: The most informed source I have spoken to is J. M. Parish in Canada. He recommends – among others – the books: 'The Parisii' by Harold Ramm (this covers the arrival in Yorkshire up to Medieval times) and 'The Conquest of Gaul' by Julius Caesar – written about 50 A.D. In short (what Joe maintains and what was confirmed by [and added to by] several other sources):

The Parisii were a Celtic clan that lived in a place called Paris (now Paris, France). The Roman Empire was out conquering everything everywhere.They went to battle with the Parisii, but the Romans were too great in number and won. The Parisii that could, fled to an isolated strip in what is now England and from there went to what is now Ireland.

Since Parisii was an odd name and since it was a custom of the time for a last name to be simply "of [placename]", and since some wanted to blend in , etc, the name Parisii began to change. Some kept Parisii; some changed it and it became "Paris" or "de Paris" (of Paris); As they moved into Ireland, the "h" was added; variations became O'Paris, O'Parish, and Parish. Then "The Church" came along and used "Parish" to denote areas, so the second "r" was added by some so as not to be associated with the Church.

The name changes happened over many generations and was prompted by a variety of reasons (including: a desire to fit in or not stand out as different; to gain favor with or avoid conflict with "the powers that be"; or just because people were not educated and it just happened – as in census takers and tax roll compilers here change spellings).

Joe said that one "r" Parish was more common in Canada and Down Under; while the two "r" Parrish was more common in the U.S.

The European Origin of the Parish Name

According to family histories in general the name of Parish evolved from two main distinct origins. In other words, there are at least two families branches, unrelated, namely:

Of French extraction or from Paris – evolved from "de Paris", (of Paris) from the city of Paris, as a Norman French name, originally "de Paris" which translates from French into English as "of Paris", and eventually became Parish, Parys, etc. One Englishman, Matthew Paris, the English chronicler of the early part of the thirteenth century, acquired his name from his study at the University of Paris. Paris sometimes added an h to his name to make it Parish or Parrish.

Of a locality or church parish – Parish or Parrish as a name taken from locality or even a church parish. A name local in origin, persons from this branch are not necessarily French in origin as the lines which derived from Paris above. Also in the 17th and 18th centuries, the surname was occasionally bestowed on foundlings brought up at the expense of the parish…… the young person who was an orphan of the church – in the days before welfare and state aid, an orphan with no surname may have picked up the last name of Parish as being "of the Parish"

A third, less common origin of the name comes from the rare medieval given name Paris, probably a form of Patrick, but associated with the name of the Trojan prince, Paris, which has been speculatively traced to an original Illyrian form Voltuparis or Assparis "Hawk".

Mary Ann Correll (127) was the daughter of John and Mary Correll. As early as February 5, 1778, John Correll (318) entered a claim for 350 acres of land on the waters of Dutch Buffalo Creek in what is now the China Grove section of Rowan County. Since there were a number of John Corrells it is difficult to be sure of where he was born, but probably he was one of five brothers who came from Berks County (Near Reading) Pennsylvania and all of them bought land near each other in Rowan County, N. C. in the 1790’s.

John and Mary Correll moved to nearby Iredell County late in 1793 or early in 1794. Their daughter, Mary Ann (127), was born in January of 1795.

The Rowan County Corrells were prominent in the organization of Mt. Zion German Reformed Church between China Grove and Landis in Rowan County. But the family of John Correll became tied up with Liberty Methodist Church in their community (a church seemingly situated on their land). As Mary Correll Keever’s children grew up, every one of them became members and usually they were among the leaders. Jacob Keever’s name does not appear on the rolls until just before he left with his son for Arkansas. During his wife Mary’s life he may have belonged to a German church of some kind. The Corrells continued in the area for some time, but as with many families, they eventually went to other parts of our country in search of the elusive "better life."

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Ancestors of Hubert Munsey Martin 

Even though Hubert Martin left North Carolina as a child with his widowed mother, he continued to have contacts with the Martins who stayed in North Carolina, near Hiddenite, in what is now Alexander County, formerly Iredell County. His "Uncle Jule" and "Uncle Hoyle" visited him at least once in the 1930’s. The Martin family there was large, close-knit and friendly. In the last thirty years or so as travel in this country has become easier, many descendants of Robert Samuel C. Martin (115) have visited from their homes in Arkansas. The North Carolinians have made them welcome and many have continued to write letters and keep in contact with each other.

Martins have been influential in North Carolina’s history since before the Revolution. One of the early colonial governors was Joshua Martin, a wealthy man with large land grants. As far as I can determine, he was not related to us. However, in the 1980’s North Carolina had a governor named Martin, and some of the North Carolina branch of the family said that he was related to us in some way.

Hubert Martin’s father, Robert Samuel C. Martin (115), died of typhoid fever in 1881 when he was only 26 years old. Samuel’s father was George Washington Martin (118) (1825 – 1918), (probably known as "Wash") who lived in what is now Alexander County, but was formerly Iredell County.

The 1880 census for Alexander County, North Carolina shows "Sam" Martin, 22, his wife R.M.F. (Rebecca Melvina Florentine), 23 and "H" (our Hubert) 5/12 (5 months). In the adjoining household is his father, Washington Martin, 53 and wife "M" 46, sons 7, 12, 18 years old and a 25 year old female servant, R. Fox. It is noted that none in the household can write, but all can apparently read except one son and the servant. In Samuel’s family, both he and Melvina can apparently read and write.

I looked at census records to try to find out who G. Washington Martin’s parents were. The 1850 census and later ones show the name of "Head of Household" and under that list the names and ages of other people in the household, so I found a 23 year old George, occupation blacksmith, still living at home with his parents, William Martin (123) (farmer) and "Elener"(124), ages 66 and 67. Also at home was "Caroline, age 40". William was shown as having $200 in real estate.

Next I looked at the 1860 census and got confirmation that this was indeed the right "George." This one showed a G. W. Martin, 34, Blacksmith, $200 Real Property, $165 Personal, as Head of a Household. The census taker must have been tired that day and instead of writing names, he wrote everybody’s initials. Since our family records had the names of this family, I was able to match initials with the census records and they fit exactly. In addition to his wife, "M.M.", 30, there were four children including one "R.S.C.", our ancestor. Also listed in his household was "Carolina" (the only one spelled out) no doubt the "Caroline" from the 1850 census. I suppose she was an older sister of G. W.

I decided to go back in the census records to try to find out how long they had been in the area. The 1840 census was so hard to read I gave up on it and tried the 1830 census which had less information than the 1850 and later ones – no names except for "Head of Household," just the number of males and females in different age categories. I found William Martin as Head of Household and the listing of the ages of household members seemed to confirm that it was the same family as that described above in the 1850 census, so we believe they were there at least since 1830.

In the older census in North Carolina there were several Martins named William, Samuel, Robert, etc. in various counties but I could not determine which, if any, were "ours." It makes it harder to identify them when the names are commonly used because there are several with the same name. In the North Carolina Revolutionary War records there were Martins, including a William Martin. I rather suspect that our Martins were here before the Revolution, but we do not now have proof of that.

Here let me make a recommendation that people name their children unusual names. There were many William Martins in North Carolina. Now if people would name their children names like Bascome, Robena, Elmira or Laverle, one could identify them readily in census records. But what family would ever use such names????

Anyway, I did find one possible lead on the "Elener" who was William Martin’s wife on the 1850 census. On page 128 of a book called, Marriages of Mecklenburg County of North Carolina 1783 – 1868 is a listing as follows, "William Martin and Eleanor Booker, November 2, 1808, Philip McDay bondsman, Isaac Alexander witness." Mecklenburg county adjoins Iredell. The date of the marriage would seem about right since their "Caroline" was born about 1810, but since that is not really proof, I did not list "our" Eleanor’s maiden name – it’s just a possibility.

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Excerpt from Sketches of Western North Carolina, Cyrus L. Hunter, 1877

CAPTAIN SAMUEL MARTIN

Captain Samuel Martin was a native of Ireland, and born in the year 1732. When a young man, he emigrated to America, and first settled in Pennsylvania. After remaining a short time in that State, he joined the great tide of emigration to the southern colonies. He first entered the service as a private in Captain Robert Alexander’s company, in June 1776, Colonel Graham’s Regiment, and marched to Fort McGaughey, in Rutherford county, and thence across the Blue Ridge Mountains against the Cherokee Indians, who were committing murders and depredations upon the frontier Settlements. In January 1777, he attached himself to the command of Captain William Chronicle, and marched to the relief of the post of Ninety-Six, in Abbeville county, S. C., and after this service he returned to North Carolina.

About the lst of November, 1779, his company was ordered to Charlotte, at that time and place of rendezvous of soldiers for the surrounding counties, and while there he received a special commission of captain, conferred on him by General Rutherford. With his special command be marched with other forces from Charlotte by way of Camden, to the relief of Charleston, and fell in with Col. Hampton, at the Governor’s crate, near that city. Finding that place completely invested by the British army, he remained but a short time, and returned to North Carolina with Colonel Graham’s regiment, about the 1st of June, 1780.

Being, informed on the night of his arrival at home that the Tories were embodied in strong force at Ramsour’s Mill, near the present town of Lincolnton, he immediately raised a small company and joined General Davidson’s battalion, General Rutherford commanding, encamped at Colonel Dickson’s plantation, three miles northwest of Tuckaseege ford. General Rutherford broke up his encampment at that place, early on the morning of the 20^th of June, 1780, then sixteen miles from Ramsour’s Mill, and marched with his forces, expecting to unite with Colonel Locke in making a joint attack upon the Tories, but failed to reach the scene of conflict until two hours after the battle. The Tories bad been signally defeated and routed by Colonel Locke and his brave associates, and about fifty made prisoners, among the number a brother of Colonel Moore, the commander of the Tory forces.

Immediately after this battle he received orders from Colonels Johnston and Dickson to proceed with his company to Colonel Moore’s residence, six or seven miles west of the present town of Lincolnton, and arrest that Tory leader, but he bad fled with about thirty of his follower’s to Camden, S.C., where Cornwall’s was then encamped. Soon after this service Captain Martin was ordered to proceed with his company to Rugeley’s Mill, in Kershaw county, S.C. Here Colonel Rugeley, the Tory commander, had assembled a considerable force, and fortified his log barn and dwelling house. Colonel Washington, by order of General Morgan, had pursued him with his cavalry, but having no artillery, he resorted to, an ingenious stratagem to capture the post without sacrificing his own men. Accordingly he mounted a pine log fashioned as a cannon, elevated on its own limbs, and placed it in position to command the houses in which the Tories were lodged. Colonel Washington then made a formal demand for immediate surrender. Colonel Rugeley fearing the destructive consequences of the formidable cannon bearing upon his command in the log barn and dwelling house, after a stipulation as to terms, promptly surrendered his whole force, consisting of one hundred and twelve men, without a gun being fired on either side. It was upon the reception of the news of this surrender that Cornwallis wrote to Tarleton, "Rugeley will not be made a Brigadier."

After this successful stratagem, seldom equaled during the war, Captain Martin was ordered to march with his company in pursuit of Colonel Cunningham, (commonly called "Bloody Bill Cunningham") a Tory leader, encamped on Fishing creek, but he fled so rapidly be could not overtake him. During the latter part of August and the whole of September, Captain Martin was rarely at home, and then not remaining for more than two days at a time. About the last week of September be marched with his company by a circuitous route, under Colonel Graham, to the Cowpens. There, he united with Colonels. Campbell, Shelby, Sevier, Cleaveland and other officers and marched with them to King’s Mountain. In this battle Captain Martin acted a conspicuous part, was in the thickest of the fight, and lost six of his company. After this battle he continued on active scouting duties wherever his services were needed.

When Cornwallis marched through Lincoln county in pursuit of General Morgan, encumbered with upwards of five hundred prisoners, captured at the Cowpens, he was ordered to harass his advance as much as possible. A short time after Cornwallis crossed the Catawba at Cowan’s Ford, he marched as far as Salisbury, when he was ordered by Colonel Dickson to convey some prisoners to Charlotte. Having performed this Service, be proceeded to Guilford Court house, but did not reach that place until after the battle. He then returned home, and was soon after discharged.

In October 1833, Captain Martin, when one hundred and one years old, was granted a pension by the general government. He was a worthy and consistent member of the Associate Reformed Church, and died on the 26th of November, 1836, aged one hundred and four years! He married in Ireland, Margaret McCurdy, who also attained an extreme old age, and both are buried in Goshen grave yard, in Gaston county.

Except from King’s Mountain and It’s Heroes, Lyman C Draper, LL.D, 1881

Samuel Martin was born in Ireland in 1732, where he married Margaret McCurdy, and migrated to Pennsylvania. While there, he served in the old French and Indian war, removing to North Carolina, he served on the Snow campaign in 1775; on the frontiers in 1776; and went to the relief of Charleston in 1779-80. In June, 1780, he was made Captain, serving under Rutherford; and was at the capture of Rugeley ‘s Tories, and at King’s Mountain. In 1781, he opposed Cornwallis at Cowan’s Ford, and afterwards served awhile under General Pickens; and then commanded a company under Colonel William Polk at Eutaw Springs. Surviving his companion, he died in Gaston County, November twenty-sixth, 1836, at the great age of one hundred and four years.

Samuel Martin

1732-1836

Most of my information comes from the Revolutionary War Pension files of Samuel Martin. Additionally, there are a couple of books on North Carolina History that contain references to him. These include the Kings Mountain Men and History of Tryon County.

The following information is from his application to increase the amount of his Revolutionary War Pension, dated 1833.

Declaration of Samuel Martin dated May 13, 1833, aged listed as 99 years.

During the Siege of Charleston, went with my wagon and team under command of Col. Hambright of Tryon, (now Lincoln) County and after the surrender of Charleston, General Rutherford gave him commission of Captain.

Marched thence to Camden – where we lay some time – thence to Tryon Co, NC in the fall of same year (1780), was in Battle of King’s Mountain. This service was 6 months as Capt.

After this received commission as Capt from Governor Martin of NC, and was kept employed during remainder of the war ranging the County of Tryon for the suppression of tories. Was on my way with my company to the Battle of Ramseurs Mill in Tryon, but owing to accident the attack was made before we got there. I was then with General Rutherford, reached there after the defeat of the tories. I took many tories, among them a brother of the celebrated tory Col Moore.

Marched in pursuit of Cornwallis, to harrass his trains in crossing the Catawba River. Was under the command of Col Wm Graham of Tryon County. Col Campbell commanded at King’s Mountain, Col Graham having left before the action, the command of the regiment devolving on Joseph Dixon. Graham’s commission was taken away on account of his conduct on that occasion.

Signed Samuel Martin…

Statement by Andy Barry, 13 May 1833

I volunteered as private in declarant’s company just before the Battle of Ramseurs Mill in Tryon County (now Lincoln) and continued subject to his command until after the Battle of King’s Mountain in which I was under his command. He commanded about 20 men, 6 of whom fell. He was recognized as Capt until the end of the war. I have known him from boyhood, and have all the time lived in his neighborhood.

Statement by Samuel Caldwell, 13 May 1833

Was with Capt Martin at Battle of King’s Mountain and many other places in Lincoln County. He was recognized as Capt from that time to the close of war. Have lived as neighbor to him ever since I was a small boy.

Amended Declaration – October 7, 1833 – Samuel Martin

Was first drafted and marched under Capt Robert Alexander in June 1777 or 1778, as private, served 2 months to McCaugh’s Fort after Indians in the mountains.

Volunteered in the January afterwards under Capt Cronicle and marched to near 96, called the Snowy Campaign for 1 month as a private.

Was commissioned as Capt soon after commencement of War by Governor Martin, the seal of which commission has been forwarded to the war department, but did not serve as Capt for the first two tours.

About 1^st of Nov 1779, set out from Charlotte, NC as Capt under Col Hambright, under a special duplicate commission given him by General Rutherford, having command of a special company. Marched by Camden, fell in with Col Hampton at the Governor’s gate, near Charleston, SC and remained about there until the surrender of Charleston. Then marched by the cross roads in York or Lancaster Dist, SC at times in company with Col Graham and arrived home in Tryon about the 1^st of June 1780, having served this time 7 months.

Immediately after, collected a small company and marched to Ramseur’s Mill, out about a month.

Immediately after, under orders of Col Johnson and Dickson went with his cavalry in pursuit of the tory John Moore and returned about middle of July, out 1 month.

Then marched his company to Ringby’s Mill in Kershaw Dist, SC where they fell in with Col Washington, and they mounted a pirre cannon and took the tory picket, out about 1/2 month.

Then marched to Fishing Creek in pursuit of the tory officer Cunningham, out about 10 days in pursuit, the middle of August. During the latter part of August and to Ocotber, at the time of the battle of Camden (Gates defeat) and the march of Cornwallis towards Charlotte was out constantly, not being at home two days at a time. Late in September marching a circuitious route to Gilberttown, under Col Graham, where fell in with Col Campbell and Shelby, and marched to Battle of King’s Mountain where I commanded 20 men, 4 of whom were killed on the ground and 2 died shortly after.

Lord Cornwallis was then in Charlotte and I was scouting in various parts of Tryon and Mecklenberg counties. Cornwallis continued in the adjacent counties and border of SC until the Battle of Cowpens, Jan 17, 1781 and there wre many tories and soldiers all about, and I continued until we went in pursuit of Cornwallis on his way to Guilford in the winter of 1781. From Salisbury I was ordered to guard some prisoners back to Charlotte and did not overtake the main army until after the battle was fought in March. Returned to Tryon County on about 1^st of April, making a tour of 7 1/2 months.

Service in all – 19 months and 25 days. I am too old and infirm to give a more particular detail.

Note: This from a man approximately 101 years old, providing details over 50 years old. I only wish my memory was that good.

Capt Samuel Caldwell – October 24^th, 1833

Was informed and believes Samuel Martin acted as Capt of militia at siege of Charleston. Deponent marched to Gilberttown (now Rutherford) where he found Colonels Shelby and Campbell. Capt Martin was there and marched to King’s Mountain and there commanded a company. In consequence of "Lord Wallace" army being in the neighborhood the militia was constantly out. Deponent was frequently with Capt Martin frequently on other tours and believes he served his country as he stated. Deponent has known him ever since.

Cases cited:

Wm Young of Adair County, Ky about 1832, Pension No 7350

Served from Rowan County, separated from Tryon by a narrow part of Iredell.

After leaving the Battle of Ramseur’s Mill, 3^rd of May 1780, enlisted for 10 months under Capt Samuel Martin, commanded by Col Wm Polk, in the line of General Sumter, to Couganee Fort, and there put under Capt "Snipes". Pensioned for 2 years service, on allegations of 26 months service of a similar kind. Declaration made August 10, 1832.

Wm Young of Henry County, Tenn about 1832, Pension No 19122

Declaration made September 7, 1832.

In 1781 marched under Capt Davidson, who became supernummary, and we were then put under command of Capt Martin who was commanded by Col Polk under General Sumter and were employed as a party of horseman, reconnoitering the British near 96 and give information to General Sumter. Were defeated at Juniper Springs and reassembled on the Couganee near Friday’s fort.

Wheeler’s Hitory of North Carolina for Lincoln County (formed from Tryon)

Battle of Ramseur’s Mill fought June 20^th, 1780. The militia assembled on the 12^th under General Rutherford. The cavalry, 65 in all, were equipped as Dragoons under Major Davy and formed in 2 troops under Capt Simmons and Martin. Incidents of detail until after the battle, same as described by Martin. The cavalry pursued the tories after the battle.

Crossing the Catawba Feburary 1, 1781. General Davidson of NC killed by a tory and NC militia put under command of General Pickens of SC pursued the British north through NC. Col Graham’s men’s time being out, they returned and crossed the Yadkin near 14^th. The cavalry not specifically mentioned.

Affidavits provided in conjunction to the Revolutionary War Pension application of Samuel Martin.

Samuel Martin was born in Ireland in 1732, came to Pennsylvannia, date not shown, thence to Tryon County, North Carolina.

While a resident of Tryon (later Lincoln) County, North Carolina, Samuel Martin enlisted in June 1777, served two months as a Private in Captain Robert Alexande’s North Carolina Company and went to McCongham Fort against the Indians; he enlisted the following January and served one month as private in Captain Cromisle’s North Carolina Company; he was commissioned Captain and served from November 1, 1779, seven months in Colonel Hambright’s North Carolina Reggiment, during which period he was in the battle of Biggin’s Church and in the seige and surrender of Charleston; immediately following, he served two months and 10 days against the Tories in Tryon County; he srved from August, 1780, seven and one-half months under Colonels Graham and Shelby and was in the battle of King’s Mountain; he served from April 17, 1781, ten months as captain in Colonel William Polk’s South Carolina Regiment and was inn the battle of Rutaw Springss. It was stated that Samuel Martin served also through Braddock’s War.

Samuel Martin was allowed pension on his applicatiion executed May 13, 18333, at which time he resided in Lincoln County, North Carolina, where he had lived ever since the Revolutionary War.

Samuel Martin died November 26, 1836, in Lincolnn (that part later called Gaston) County, North Carolina, at the home of his son, George Martin, and wife, Martha. In 1854, George Martin was living in Dallas, Gaston County, North Carolina, aged more than 70 years, and was then the soldier’s only surviving child. His wife, Martha, was aged more than 69 in 1857 and still a resident of Gaston County, North Carolina. The other children who survived their father, Captain Samuel Martin, were William Martin, Jane Hanna, Margaret Kerr, Thomas and Joseph Martin. The name of Samuel Martin’s wife is not given. In November 1854 it was stated that Margaret Kerr, Thomas Martin and Joseph Martin had died within the last year.

In 1854, one James M. Hanna, resident of Gaston County, North Carolina stated that he had known the family of Captain Samuel Martin for 30 years and was present at his death which he recorded in the family bible. One W. D. Hanna was in Gaston County in 1854, their relationship to the family is not shown.

Jane Martin, granddaughter of Captain Samuel Martin, was in Lincoln County, North Carolina, in 1833.

William M. Kerr, grandson of Captain Samuel Martin, was living in Dallas, Gaston County, North Carolina, in 1856, and William Martin another grandson of said captain, was born and reared in Mecklenberg County, North Carolina, and in 1855, had been an itinerant Methodist Epsicopal minister about 28 years. In 1856, he was in Spartenburg District, South Carolina.

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One John Taylor was a relative of Captain Samuel Martin and their births were only one month apart; degree of relationship no shown.

Above taken from a letter to Mrs Roy Hill, Asheveille, North Carolina from the National Archives, reference Samuel Martin S.9003, dated September 9, 1936.

The first listing of the Nortons I could find in the North Carolina census was Nicholas Norton (139) in 1800. This would have been Nicholas, Sr. who was born in 1770 and lived in what was then Rowan County. As more counties were formed, they were shown in census records in Iredell, then Alexander Counties. They didn’t necessarily move, the larger counties were split into smaller ones.

By 1850 the census records show more information than previously when they only named the head of the household. The 1850 census shows household #209 consists of Nicholas Norton, Sr., an 80 year old farmer with $700 worth of property, born in Maryland. With him lived Sarah, 72 and Norman, 40 a doctor worth $400.

In another household Nicholas Norton Jr.(137), a 37 year old blacksmith is shown, worth $200, along with his 34 year old wife, Lucy. (Lucy Adilla Ellis (138) Children are named Sarah, 14, William 10, Louisa 7, Sidney 3 and (Nerusha?) 6/12.

In 1860 the two Nicholas Norton families are still shown in different households even though the senior one is 90 and his wife is 82. It is noted that he is deaf, has $1,000 in real estate and $10,800 in personal property.

Nicholas Jr. (now with property worth $300) is shown to have seven children identified by their initials only, but the sixth one is identified as "M F", six years old, and is our ancestor Melvina Florentine (116).

In 1870 the senior Nortons are gone and Nicholas Jr. is now worth $1300! Hulet, Melvina and John are shown as "attending school" and the other children have gone.

I thought it quite remarkable that in 1860 with not much in the way of medical care available, the senior Nortons were able to maintain themselves in their own household. One might expect that their son might enjoy the benefits of those good genes and also live a long and independent life, but the 1880 census has bad news. N.S. Norton, son of Nicholas Jr. is

shown as a "preacher" living with his wife, four children from 1 to 7 years old and his parents, Nicholas and Lucy, 65 and 63 years old. Nicholas has a notation that he is blind, dyspeptic and disabled.

Can you picture that household with 4 little children and the "elderly" parents in that condition? It seems a little odd that they mentioned it on the census form, but beside the one year old, Mary Edith, is the notation, "teething!" Maybe the teething with its accompanying crying, was just the last straw! Nicholas Jr. lived twelve more years until October 1892, whether it was always with this son, I don’t know. Well, at least the baby was through teething before then.

Rebecca Melvina Florentine Norton Martin Smith (116) was born in North Carolina, married Robert Samuel C. (Sam) Martin (115) and they had two sons, Hubert and Gatis, before her husband died of typhoid fever in 1881.

In those days single women did not live alone with their children, so her brother, Nicholas Norman Sidney Sylvester Norton, the straight-laced Methodist preacher referred to above, built her a "little house" near his own house. I wonder if his parents were still with them too but possibly they were living with other children. Anyway "Preacher" Norton did not look kindly on male suitors for Melvina, so when his two small children, Mary Edith and her brother, came running in reporting, "Gas Smith is going to the little house!" they expected him to be grateful that they notified him. Instead they were spanked – not for tattling but because they didn’t call him "Mr. Smith!" This story was told to me by Ava (Sutherland) Baker, daughter of Mary Edith. Ava was able to give me considerable information about the Norton family and their ancestors. She said that neither her grandfather, the straight-laced Norton, nor other relatives approved of "Gas" (Gaston) Smith, but she married him anyway.

Ava says that in those days many people from North Carolina looked on Arkansas as a vastly improved place to live. The soil in North Carolina was a reddish color whereas in Arkansas it was brown and looked richer, though often rocky. The saying among Arkansas "boosters" was "Arkansas soil would fertilize North Carolina!" Not surprisingly some came to Arkansas and found that an exaggeration and returned to North Carolina.

Melvina and her husband, with their children and Hubert and Gatis made the move to Arkansas probably around 1890. They moved down to an area near Wilburn where she became ill with malaria. She died in 1899 and was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery at Wolf Bayou.

The will of George McKnight (141) was dated July 11, 1811 and "proved" February 1814. He left everything to his wife, Mary, during her lifetime; after her death the estate was to be divided equally between daughters, Elizabeth Ellis and Sally Norton. Executors were Ethelred Ellis (older brother of Lucy) and Nicholas Norton (George’s son-in-law.)

Sarah McKnight Norton (140) died at the home of her son, Nicholas Norton, Jr. on February 2, 1867. She was at that time the oldest Methodist in the Alexander circuit. She was a member of the M.E. church for 75 years, had heard renowned evangelists speak including Dr. Coke and Bishop Asbury.

Rev. N.S. "Sid" Norton, about 1900.

NORTON

Nicholas Sidney Norton moved to this area in December 1889. He had relatives here and no doubt had information about the place before moving. He lived in several locations before finally settling at Crossroads (now Drasco) where he had a store. He spent the last years of his life at this place. "Uncle Sid" as he was called, was a Methodist preacher. Many descendants still live in this vicinity. The census show Nortons in the area much earlier, but we have not been able to make any connection with this family, nor find what became of the earlier settlers.

Nicholas Sidney Norton and wife Amanda McClelland. Standing behind is his brother Shelton and wife Dea, at Sidney’s home in Drasco, about 1931.

Rev. N.S. Norton (1847-1932)
Amanda McClelland Norton (1849-1939)

Rev. N.S. "Uncle Sid" and Amanda Norton at their store in Drasco about 1928. Note hand operated gasoline pump, thought to be the first at Drasco. Uncle Sid is said to be the first post master but the records shows his daughter Mertie in that capacity. She served from 1917 to 1935. The Norton family came here from North Carolina as did many others

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