Randolph County Georgia - Biography - Rev. John Martin 1821 - 1917 ********************************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ********************************************************************************************** This file contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Charlene Parker" Oct 2002 Occasionally there comes upon the stage of life a man who is unusual, different, strong, original, who attracts the attention of those with whom he comes in contact and holds their attention, such a man was Rev. John Martin. Like many others he came to this part of the State in his young manhood. He was born in another State, in Union District, South Carolina, on January 3, 1821. When he was but four years old his parents moved to what is now Randolph County, Georgia, and settled in new territory, clearing the land and building a home. There were no schools of any importance in this part of the state at that time. What schools there were were very poor so that it became necessary that he be sent away to school if he attended at all. He went to Middle Georgia and attended a school for a short time, when he met and married Martha Truitt, November 18th, 1838. He had no property and very little education at the time of his marriage. They were each eighteen years old, and he came to Randolph County, bought a tract of land and built a home. There were thirteen children born to them and rear to maturity, one of whom was also a preacher of the Gospel. In a few years after his marriage, he became a preacher and for seventy seven years he filled most of the pulpits throughout Southwest Georgia. He was licensed to preach when he was nineteen years old in 1844. During the early years of his ministry the work was peculiarly hard. At home was a growing family to support from the products of the farm. For at that time his churches paid but little. It is said that at one time he preached at four churches, each forty miles from his home, and one of these churches paid him during the year sixty five cents. Notwithstanding these hardships and the difficulties that presented themselves he continued to preach and prospered. He would plow during the week and then ride miles either on horseback or in a buggy, through heat and cold, rain and sun, to meet his appointments, although a part of the time he went clad in homespun clothes. Despite all this he found time to study, had no college education, but he was educated by deep thought, constant observation and a continuous reading of the Scripture. He was known as an original thinker, a forceful speaker, with practical application of the truths he wished to carry to his people. He knew the frailties of men and the mercies of God and with his native eloquence, knowledge of the Scripture and the Holy Spirit, moved the people greatly. He fearlessly declared the truth. Hundreds were baptized by him and many more carry his words in their hearts. He was moderator of the Bethel Association for two years 1889 and 1890, succeeding the lamentable John T. Clark. His wife, Aunt Martha, as she was familiarly known, during these years was truly a help meet, and was loved by all who knew her. Past the age of ninety six, his desire to go beyond was granted him and on the night of April 22nd, 1917 he peacefully and quietly passed away. His pall-bearers consisted of twenty five grandsons, active and honorary. Among the two hundred descendants present at his funeral there were eleven of his own children, all grown old, but left to mourn the loss of their honored father. following notes added by Debra Crosby *************************************** 1850 Randolph Co. Ga 1- James Martin 61 GA Hester 60 GA James 14 GA 3- Robert Martin 35 GA Judann 32 Ga Benjamin 10 Ga Thomas 8 Ga Christopher 6 GA Virginia 4 Ga Robert 3 Ga Columbia 1 Ga f 4-John Martin 29 Ga Baptist Minister Martha 29 Ga James M. 10 Ga Hester 9 Ga Mary 6 Ga Wiley 5 Ga Indianna 3 Ga Robert 9/12 Ga 1840 Randolph Co. page 258 Isaac Martin 2m 0/5, 1m 15/20, 1m 20/30(crossed out), 1m 30/40(crossed out; 1f 20/30 John Martin 1m 0/5, 1m 15/20; 1f 15/20 James Martin 1m 0/5, 2m 5/10, 1m 10/15,1m 60/70; 1f 40/50 1830 Randolph Co. Ga pg 242 James L. Martin 2 m 0/5, 2m 5/10, 1m 30/40; 1f 20/30 pg 243 James N. Martin 2m 0/5, 1m 20/30, 1m30/40; 1f 20/30 pg 247 Alexander Martin 1m 15/20; 1 f 20/30