Genealogy Time Machine

If you're like myself, you're constantly wishing you could speak to a long-deceased ancestor. Even just for a minute or two. This happened to me tonight and it got me to thinking.. why not blog about it? So here are my absolute top three choices of who, when, where and why I would go back in time.

#1

Who: My 2nd-great-grandmother, Eszter Tóth Gombás

When: October 1909

Where: Ellis Island

Why: According to family stories, she brought along with her while immigrating from Hungary to America, documents on her noble heritage and family tree. Within these documents was information detailing a family connection to a king from about 600 years ago. I know much of her ancestry, but I would do anything to know what details she knew on her noble Hungarian heritage.

#2

Who: Hiram Howell

When: 1853

Where: Tippah County, Mississippi

Why: I want to know all the details of his murder! Why did his son-in-law, Lindsey Slaughter, shoot and kill him? And why wasn't he convicted of murder?

#3

Who: My 3rd-great-grandmother, Ellen Hovis Martin

When: Late 1830's

Where: Lincoln County, North Carolina

Why: She was an illegitimate daughter of first cousins. She lived in a house with her mother and two other illegitimate children, on land that her paternal grandfather had specifically given to her mother.. to provide for her. Ellen's biological father died when she was only 5 years old. It would be amazing to peak into the life of Ellen in her pre-teen years, to see what kind of hardships she was going through and what life was like for her, her mother and her siblings.

I would love to hear your top three choices! Share them in the comments or post the link from the blog post!

Surname Saturday #23: Hovis/Hoffman (Illegitimate Line)

This has been an extremely difficult line to research. But, thanks to a very helpful lead from a newly found cousin a few years ago, I was able to knock down a brick-wall and find a wealth of information. Here is what I know on this family:

1. Ellen P. Hovis
b. 04 Mar 1824, Lincoln County, North Carolina
d. 1870/1880, Carroll County, Mississippi
m1. Robert Caneda/Kenedy; 23 Jan 1840, Lincoln County, North Carolina
m2. William S. Martin; 02 Sep 1845, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Margaret E. Kenedy, b. abt 1841, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Mary C. Martin, b. abt 1846, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Elmira Terissa Martin, b. 28 Jan 1848, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Samuel Christopher Columbus Martin, b. 02 Feb 1850, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Saliana Martin, b. abt 1854, Gaston County, North Carolina
*John L. Martin, b. Feb 1856, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Nancy Martin, b. abt 1858, Gaston County, North Carolina
*Ollie M. Martin, b. abt 1860, Mississippi

2. Jonas Hoyle Hoffman
b. abt 1788, Lincoln County, North Carolina
d. 1829, Lincoln County, North Carolina
m1. Mary Costner; abt 1813, Lincoln County, North Carolina
m2. Mary "Polly" Hovis; NOT MARRIED
*Eli Hoffman, b. 30 Feb 1814, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Michael Hoffman, b. 28 Dec 1816, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Jacob W. Hoffman, b. 10 Nov 1818, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Jonas Hoffman, b. 20 Jun 1820, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Ephraim Hoffman, b. 01 Jul 1822, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Ellen P. Hovis, (above) ILLEGITIMATE WITH MARY "POLLY" HOVIS
*Miles Hoffman, b. 12 Jul 1825, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*John McLean Hoffman, b. 10 May 1827, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Lanie Salena Hoffman, b. 01 Apr 1829, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Anna Mary Hoffman, b. 01 Apr 1829, Lincoln County, North Carolina

3. John Hoffman "Rich John", Revolutionary War soldier
b. abt 1760, Germany
d. 24 Sep 1832, Lincoln County, North Carolina
m. Margaret Hovis; abt 1785, probably Lincoln County, North Carolina.
*John Hoffman, b. abt 1786, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Jonas Hoyle Hoffman, (above)
*Catharine Hoffman, b. Jan 1790, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Jacob Hoffman, b. abt 1792, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Elizabety "Betsy" Hoffman, b. 01 Jun 1794, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Daniel Hoffman, b. 21 Jun 1797, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Joseph Hoffman, b. abt 1800, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Adam Hoffman, b. abt 1802, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Susanna Hoffman, b. abt 1804, Lincoln County, North Carolina
*Peter Hoffman, b. 10 Mar 1808, Lincoln County, North Carolina

4. Jacob Hoffman (speculative information)
b. abt 1716, Germany
d. abt 1789, probably North Carolina

The Love... Square... of Mary "Polly" Hovis

A few months ago, I met a not-so-distant cousin on the internet and she was able to shed some light and new information on one of our brick-wall ancestors. Her name was Ellen, and she was the second wife of William S. Martin, of Lincoln County, North Carolina. She shared with me Ellen's maiden name.. Hovis.. and that's when all the pieces gradually began to fit together.

I knew that Ellen Hovis was born sometime around 1825 and probably in Lincoln County, North Carolina. She had a previous marriage to a Robert Kenedy (Caneda) on 23 Jan 1840 in Lincoln County, North Carolina. Robert must have died, because Ellen was then married to her second husband, William S. Martin (also a widower), on 01 Sep 1845 in Lincoln County, North Carolina. Here are the children of Ellen Hovis Kennedy Martin:

Ellen Hovis & Robert Kenedy:

*Margaret E. Kenedy, married to William Misskelley

Ellen Hovis & William S. Martin:

*Mary C. Martin
married to a man named McDowel; divorced?

*Elmira Terissa Martin
married to James K. McDaniel

*Samuel Christopher Columbus Martin (my 2nd-great-grandfather)
married first to Mary Britnal
married second to Samantha Costilow (my 2nd-great-grandmother)
married third to Evie Evelyn Rodgers

*Saliana Martin

*John L. Martin
married to Clementine "Clemmie" McDonald

*Nancy Martin

*Ollie M. Martin


At this point, I was at a dead-end. I didn't know anything on the parents or siblings of Ellen Hovis or William S. martin. I did however know the name of the bondsman for the marriage of Ellen and William.. Jonas Lineberger. I originally found a Jonas who was the son of a Michael Lineberger and Katherine Hovis.. a definite clue and possible connection. This later led me (with the aid of another newly found cousin) to a publication called "Our kin : being a history of the Hoffman, Rhyne, Costner, Rudisill, Best, Hovis, Hoyle, Wills, Shetley, Jenkins, Holland, Hambright, Gaston, Withers, Cansler, Clemmer and Lineberger families", published in 1915 by D.E. Ryne, L.L. Jenkins and L.M. Hoffman. Yes.. a very lengthy title.

This book was my jackpot! On page 392, it stated that Ellen Hovis who married William Martin, was (one of three) illegitimate children of Polly Hovis, later married to Eli Chapple. The book actually gave a nearly-whole page account on Eli Chapple, and the author of this section clearly knew this man and this specific family well. I knew this information had to be correct! The information has Mary "Polly" Hovis as the daughter of Andrew Hovis and his wife Nancy Foster. Later searches around the internet brought up the same information, as well as Mary "Polly" and the illegitimate kids.. who erroneously bore the Chapple surname of their step-father.

I was then told about holy grail of records for illegitimate children.. Bastardy Bonds! I never knew these type of records existed back then and I was ecstatic while reading-up on them on the internet. With Mary "Polly" having THREE illegitimate kids, odds were in my favor that something had to have been recorded.. or at least I hoped so! A week or two after finding out all this exciting information, a gracious genea-friend sent me copies of an index to the Bastardy Bonds for Lincoln County, North Carolina, covering years 1784-1842. I found the exact entry I was hoping for, for my Ellen.. and I was given an extra surprise. It had her birthdate! It listed the father as "Jonas Huffman", which I knew was a mis-spelling of Hoffman, a very large family in Lincoln County, North Carolina.

I narrowed down my search for Jonas Hoffman, which was actually pretty easy, to a man born in 1788 and died (very young) in 1829. Ellen was only 5 when her father died.. I wonder if she knew he was her father at all, at that age? Anyway.. this is where the story gets good.. really good. Jonas Hoffman was a MARRIED MAN! Ten years prior to Ellen's birth (1814), Jonas Hoffman was married to Anna Maria Costner. From 1814 til his death in 1829, Jonas Hoffman and Anna Maria Costner had nine children.. and Ellen was born smack-dab in between the 5th and 6th child. How could Anna Maria Costner have continued to be with this man, fully knowing what he had done? She had to have known, because the bastardy bond was listed as a "joint bond".. both parties accepted the support of the child (Ellen). Anna Maria had to have known her husband was paying to support an illegitimate child... Right?

The story continues to unravel. In the publication I mentioned above, it stated that Mary "Polly" Hovis "lived on the old Hoffman tract of land embracing a very small piece of ground and a cabin put up for her". In the will of Jonas Hoffman's father, John Hoffman, this is verified. It appears it was HIS land, that Mary "Polly" was living on. So the whole Hoffman family must have known she had Jonas' bastard child! The will describes a portion of land that is to be divided between Jonas Hoffman's six surviving songs, because Jonas was deceased already. It's described as "the little place where Polly Hovis lives". Further research into John Hoffman, finds that his wife was a Hovis.. and the aunt of Mary "Polly". Ellen's parents were first cousins, they shared the same grandparents.

One last little clue that is pretty cool. Ellen's half-sister, Lanie Salena Hoffman, was married to a Jonas Lineberger.. the bondsman for the marriage of Ellen Hovis and William S. Martin. Something also interesting, is that Ellen and William had a daughter named "Saliana" (according to 1870 census). Could "Saliana" be a name-sake for her aunt Lanie Salena Hoffman? Ellen must have had a close relationship with her half-sister Lanie Salena Hoffman, for her husband to be a bondsman to her marriage and to name a daughter after her!

In the Bastardy Bonds index, I was able to find one more entry for a sibling to Ellen. It was in 1818 and I believe it was for her older brother, Rufus Hovis. The father is listed as "Joseph McCallister", probably McAllister.. another large family of Lincoln County, North Carolina. Mary "Polly" was later married to Eli Chapple, a "Yankee" shoemaker originally from New York. Mary "Polly" and Eli had a son names Joseph, who was later married to a McAllister woman. Was she a half-sister to Joseph's half-brother, Rufus? I found no entry for Ellen and Rufus' brother, whose name I've seen written as both Christian and Christopher.

Oh, that connections!

The Search For My Howell's: Land Deed Genealogy of Lincoln County, Tennesse, Vol. 1-3

Land Deed Genealogy of Lincoln County, Tennesse, Vol. 1-3

By: Marsh, Helen Crawford

10 Feb 1816

Reg. 12 Nov 1816

Deed from Reace Howel of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Philip Koonce of same place for 10 acres of land in Lincoln County on the head waters of Stewart's Creek, a South branch of Elk River and adjoining a tract of land in the name of David Howel. Signed. Reese Howel.

Witnesses: John Smith, James Messr

25 Jul 1816

Reg. 02 Sep 1816

Deed from Armstead Dodson of Allen County, Kentucky to Philip Koonce of Lincoln County, by survey dated 06 Jul 1813, lying in the 2nd district on the waters of Stewart's Creek, a south branch of Elk River and adjoining North of David Howell's line.

Witnesses: Andrew McCartney and James Messer.

13 Sep 1816

Reg. 14 Nov 1816

Deed from David Howel of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Joshua Dodson of same place for 50 acres of land in Lincoln County, Tennessee on south side of Elk River and the waters of Stewart's Creek and adjoining a tract in name of Robert Kennedy. Said land being part of a certificate no. 31 dated 14th May of 1808 issued to John Gowen and entered 20th feb 1809 by no. 1188.

Witnesses: W. J. B. Coker and Nelson Yarborough

14 Dec 1816

Reg. 25 Feb 1817

Deed from Benjamin Clements of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Andrew McCartney of same place for 25 acres of land in Lincoln County on the waters of Stewart's Creek a south branch of Elk River and adjoining a survey in the name of Robert Kennedy. Said land being the one half of a 50 acre tract originally granted to William Fish and Benjamin Clements by the State of Tennessee.

Test: David Howell and Alexander McCullough

02 Jan 1817

Reg. 01 Dec 1817

Deed from Martin Shofner of Bedford County, Tennessee to Mary Howell of Lincoln County, Tennessee for 120 acres of land in Lincoln County, Tennessee and on the waters of Mulberry Creek and adjoining Joseph Morgan's corner on John Bailey's line and John Whitaker's line.

Test: Christopher Shofner and Jonathan Howell

07 Oct 1817

Reg. 30 Jul 1818

Deed from William B. Higgins of Town of Fayetteville, Tennessee and containing 1/2 acre, being the same lot whereon Thomas Howel lived at the date of the bond and whereon said Francis Smith now lives.

Test: Bennett ? Higgins and Thomas Kercheval

27 Jan 1818

Reg. 17 Oct 1818

Deed from John A. Chapman of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Reese Howel of Same place for a tract of land in Lincoln County on the east fork of Mulberry Creek north side of Elk River and adjoining William Douglass' 640 acre survey. In all 108 acres.

Witnesses: William Whitaker and Thomas Pully

29 Dec 1818

Reg. 16 Feb 1819

Deed from David Howel of Lincoln County, Tennessee to George Koonce of same place for a tract of land in Lincoln County on the head waters of Stewart's Creek a south branch of Elk River and adjoining lands of Robert Kennedy. Containing 26 agres.

Witnesses: William B. Koker and William Davis

20 Nov 1819

Reg. 18 Dec 1830

Deed from George Koonce of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Reece Howell of same place for 26 acres of land in Lincoln County on the head waters of Stewart's Creek a south branch of Elk River and adjoining the west boundary line of a 400 acre tract in the name of Robert Kennedy.

Witnesses: Griffin ? and Walter Harkins

22 Dec 1820

Reg. 16 Aug 1821

Bill of Sale - I, Robert Lackey of Lincoln County, Tennessee sold to John Street of same place one negro girl by name of Jane, age 8 years old. This 22nd Dec 1820

Test. A. Mabley, Tunstall Gregory and Reese Howell

02 Feb 1822

Reg. 14 Mar 1823

Deed from John Jones of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Joel Howell of same place for 90 acres of land in Lincoln County, Tennessee on north side of Elk River on the 2nd creek that empties into said river above the mouth of Mulberry Creek adjoining a tract in the name of William B. Robertson.

Witnesses: William F. Mason and Frances Porterfield

03 Feb 1824

Reg. 18 Mar 1826

Deed from Joel Howell of Lincoln County, Tennessee to Henry Renagar of same place for 90 acres of land in Lincoln County lying on Elk River above the mouth of Mulberry Creek and adjoining said Howel's tract. Said land was granted by the State of Tennessee to William B. Roberts by Grant No. 3662 and dated 21st Jan 1812

Witnesses: John Moorehead and John Loyd

31 Jul 1824

Reg. 27 Nov 1827

Deed from Samuel Howell of Lincoln County, Tennessee to James Lingo of same place for 60 acres of land lying on the head waters of Streets branch and adjoining a 640 acre tract of landin the name of Robert Buchanan and containing 30 acres, it being a tract of land that was granted by the State of Tennessee to Reese Howell by Grant No. 15846 and dated 02 Oct 1812. Also one other tract of land adjoining the above described land and adjoining Robert Buchanan's 640 acre tract and a tract of land in the name of Brice M. Garner, and a 2500 acre tract in the name of George Doherty. Said tract containing 30 acres, it being granted by the State of Tennessee to James Bright by Grant No. 14507 and dated 19 Apr 1820.

Witnesses: George W. Dennis and Elijah Mayfield

31 Mar 1825

Reg. 14 Sep 1825

Deed from Joel Howell of Hardeman County, Tennessee to John and Richard Webb of Lincoln County, Tennessee for 90 acres of land in Lincoln County in the 5th range, 5th section, lying on the second creek that empties into Elk River on the north side above Mulberry Creek and adjoining lands of Joseph Graham. Said land was granted by the State of Tennessee to William b. Roberts by Grant No. 3663 and dated 1st January 1812.

Witnesses: James B. Hill and Eben. Hill

Reg. 16 Jan 1826

Deed - Whereas Reuben Chinalt in his lifetime gave his bond, to wit, I, Reuben Chinault of Lincoln County, Tennessee am bound unto John Smith of same place for two hundred dollars to be paid to said John Smith on 22 Dec 1813. The condition of the above obligation is to make over to said John Smith a deed to a certrain tract of land granted to Reuben Chinault by the State of Tennessee for 20 acres of Lincoln County being on the road leading from Fayetteville to Winchester and is the same tract of land whereon the said Reuben Chinault now lives.

Witnesses: Walter Harkins and John Chinault. This 18 Apr 1823

Now on ? day of ? 1825, between Elizabeth Chinault, administratrix of the estate of Reuben Chinault, deceased, to Thomas McCullock and Alexander McCullock for the said tract of land in Lincoln County, Tennessee being on the road leading from Fayetteville to Winchester and on the waters of Lees Creek a south branc of Elk River and adjoining a tract of land in the name of Samuel Howell. Containing 20 acres. Reg. 16 Jan 1826

23 Feb 1828

Reg. 18 Sep 1829

Deed from Andrew McCartney of Lincoln County, Tennessee to David Howell of same place for a tract of land in Lincoln County on the head waters of Stewart's Creek a south branch of Elk River adjoining William McGee's west boundary line, and Joshua Dodson's south boundary line. Land containing 48 1/2 acres. Also one other tract adjoining the above tract and containing 10 acres. Also one other tract of land adjoining the above tracts containing 10 acres.

Witnessess: Morgan B. Hinkle and Joel Dodson

21 Apr 1828

Reg. 25 Jun 1830

Deed from Stephen Alexander of Lincoln County, Tennessee to John B. Smott (Smoot) of same place for a tract of land containing ? acres in Lincoln County whereon the said Smoot now lives on Mulberry Creek near the said Alexander's mill and adjoining Henry Warren's corner.

Witnesses: Reese Howell and George W. Street

23 Oct 1828

Reg. 17 Feb 1832

Mortgage Deed - Thomas Howell to Brice M. Garner. Said Thomas Howell sold and conveyed the following property, to wit, four head of cattle, two bed steads and furniture, two chairs, one table, one churn, nine chairs, five crocks, one dozen knives and forks one and a half dozen plates, three pitchers, one half dozen cups and sauces, one sugar dish, one spinning wheel, chest of carpenter tools, one grind stone, two axes, one broad axe, two hoes, one plough, two ?, and one pair of fire irons.

Witnesses: Enoch Rust and T. S. Williams

06 Apr 1829

Reg. 15 Sep 1829

Deed from David Howell of Lincoln County, Tennessee to George Koonce of same place for 4 acres of land in Lincoln County on the head waters of Stewart's Creek a south branch of Elk River adjoining a 120 acre tract of David Howell.

Witnesses: Joshua Dodson and Elijah Dodson

04 Nov 1831

Reg. 12 Sep 1832

Deed from John Watkins of Madison County, Alabama to Joseph Whitaker of Lincoln County, Tennessee for two tracts of land in Lincoln County on the east fork of Mulberry Creek containing about 108 acres, being the same tract which was conveyed to said Watkins by Reece Howel dated 05 Jan 1820. Also one other tract of land on the east fork of Mulberry Creek and which is partly described in a deed of conveyance for the same from James Cowley to said Watkins dated 30 Jul 1825. Also one other tract of 72 acres laying on the waters of the same creek, being the same land granted to said Watkins by Grant No. 8494 and dated 28 Aug 1828.

Witnesses: Samuel Garland and Abner Steed

06 Jan 1832

Reg. 10 May 1833

Deed from James Cole of Lincoln County, Tennessee to David Howel of same place for 45 acres of land in Lincoln County on the waters of Stewart's Creek adjoining the north boundary line of Robert ? tract of 150 acres, and the south boundary line of David Howel's tract of 15 acres.

Witnesses: T. Barnes and John Edmiston

21 Aug 1832

Reg. 04 Dec 1832

Deed from David Howel of Lincoln County, Tennessee to James Phillips of same place for 68 1/2 acres of land in Lincoln County on the head waters of Stewart's Creek a south branch of Elk River and adjoining William McGee's west boundary line.

Happy St. Patrick's Day - Honoring My Irish Roots!

Since it's St. Patrick's Day, I figured I would write a post honoring one of my Irish ancestors. His name was Samuel Martin and he was my 5th-great-grandfather. He was born 26 Mar 1732 in Ireland, where he also married his wife Margaret McCurdy. She was born in 1742. They married and immigrated to America sometime before 1766. They had eleven children total, that I know of so far.. there could possibly be more. Here are the children:

Anne Martin, born 12 Jun 1766, married Rev. Thomas Newton
Jane Martin, born about 1771
Robert Martin, born about 1773
William Martin, born 15 May 1774, married Hannah Irvin
Joseph Martin, born about 1774
Margaret Martin, born about 1775, married John Kerr, Jr.
James Martin, born about 1776, married Margaret "Peggy" Kerr
Thomas Martin, never married
John Martin, born about 1780
Mary Martin, born 7 Sep 1781
George Martin, born about 1784, married Martha

Now, let's continue on Samuel. In the January term of 1772 for Tyron County, North Carolina, he was ordered to serve as constable (of the town or county?) under William Moore. In the April 1774 term, he again was ordered to serve as constable. In 1775, Samuel served as a representative for Mecklenburg County, NC to the Provincial Congress of North Carolina.

The following is a biography found in the book 'Sketches of Western North Carolina Illustrating Principally the Revolutionary Period of Mecklenburg, Rowan, Lincoln and Adjoining Counties', by C. L. Hunter and published 1877, republished 1970:
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 1st of November, 1770, his company was ordered to Charlotte, at that time a place of rendezvous of soldiers for the sourrounding counties, and whiel there he received a special commission of captain, conferred on him by General Rutherford. With his special command he 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 gate, 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 he 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 20th 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 had 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's Moore's residence, six or seven miles west of the present town of Lincolnton, and arrest that Tory leader, but he had 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 he could not overtake him. During the latter part of ugust 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 he marched with his company by a circuitous route, under Colonel Graham, to 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 conspicious part, was in the thickest of the fight, and lost six of his company. After this battle he continued in 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, he proceeded to Guilford Court house, but did not reach that place until after the battle. He then returned him, 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 was also attained an extreme old age, and both are buried in Goshen grave yard, in Gaston County.