Patrick County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Biographies.....Martin, Charlie August 15, 1885 - December 6, 1961
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ron Martin cindyandron@bellsouth.net July 16, 2021, 8:40 pm

Source: Public records and interviews
Author: Ron Martin

     Charles Bishop Martin was born in Dodson, Virginia on August 15, 1885 to 
William Green Martin and Celia Bryant Martin.  He worked as a farmer and was 
rumored to dabble in the manufacturing of moonshine in the local area.  He began 
purchasing property in the Puppy Creek area of Patrick County in the early 
1900’s.  He married Ellen Bryant in 1916 who was a school teacher according to 
the 1910 census.  She succumbed to tuberculosis in 1918.  
     Soon thereafter he married Lila Elizabeth Bryant who also resided in the 
community.  Together they continued to purchase real estate as well as having 
four children together.   Joseph Warren Martin (1920-1923), Austin Castle “Nick” 
Martin (1922-1997), Hallie Mae Martin Lawson (1924-2004), and Amos Lee Martin 
(1929-2018) were all born during the 1920’s. 
     On January 12, 1942, Charlie and Lila purchased the store and grist mill 
located on the waters of Little Goblintown Creek from James Linville Walker and 
Minerva Annie Martin Walker, who was his first cousin.   The store became an 
entity sometime just after 1902 when Shadrach Lewis “Shady” Turner who purchased 
a small lot built a small house of which one room was used as a store.    The 
grist mill was built sometime in the 1850’s.  
     From that time until his death, Martin’s Store and the nearby Goblintown 
Grist Mill served as the focus of the cozy little community of Goblintown.  
Sweeping changes were taking place in the area as Fayerdale became extinct in 
the 1930’s so many people in the area visited his store purchasing goods.  From 
all indications, he was a very good businessman and was quite generous in the 
extension of credit.  He was also well liked in the community and was quite 
energetic by all accounts.  The cool waters of Little Goblintown Creek and 
Gladys Branch might also might have served as an excellent location for the 
production of moonshine.
     The grist mill was a hub of business activity as well as he reportedly 
limited the grain processing to corn meal and ground malt.  These products were 
in considerable demand during that era as they were used as ingredients by local 
“moonshiners”.  
  Charlie’s wife Lila passed away in May 1948 following a two year battle with 
breast cancer but the following year, Charlie found love again as he married 
Ella Rebecca Lawless Foley who had been a widow since 1934.  They continued to 
operate the store and grist mill with quite a bit of success.  They continued to 
do quite well in the store and grist mill as Ella purchased the Heidelbach 
School from the Patrick County Public Schools on January 29, 1953.  Ella and 
Charlie revealed their business savvy turning the school into apartments.  Just 
before Ella’s death in 1955, she transferred ownership of the property to her 
husband, Charlie.  
     By this time, Charlie was near 70 years old and later his good friend and 
neighbor, Grady Boothe helped him in the store until Charlie passed away on 
December 6, 1961 at the age of 76.  Two days later, his funeral was held at 
Union Primitive Baptist Church with the Elder Leonard Brammer officiating.   He 
was laid to rest at the Goodwill Church of the Brethren Cemetery which is now 
called the Foley-Rorrer Cemetery beside of his second wife Lila.   The burial 
location of his first wife Ellen is unknown.  His third wife Ella is also buried 
in the same cemetery beside of her first husband.  
     His family sold the store and grist mill to Paul Cox on July 26, 1962.  
Today the Goblintown Grist Mill is on the National Register of Historic Places 
as the legacy of Charlie, Lila, and Ella Martin live on with this designation.  
By virtue of this designation, their place has now been formerly cemented in the 
legacy of the community of Goblintown forever.


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