Africa to America--Reflections on a Rich History
The Martins of Jenkinsville, South Carolina
by
Cheryl Baker Kates
(includes information obtained from an article by the late Zona M. Martin)
As we continue to research and discover our roots, we draw strength from our family connections and a strong sense of appreciation for our African heritage. Most of us also bear a European heritage, but it is our African heritage that is dominant in our lives. This heritage drives us to seek a clear understanding of who our ancestors were, what they endured, and who we are as African Americans. The late Gladys Harper of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, diligently researched our family history to provide us with our linkage to West Africa. The late Zona M. Martin explored the bountiful knowledge of the Martin family as provided by her mother, Elizabeth Martin. Elizabeth’s detailed oral accounts, captured by Gladys Harper, have created a richer history of our family lineage. Many other family members also provided information to Gladys. This information was intended to be compiled into a comprehensive family document by Gladys. Unfortunately, Gladys’ documented accounts were not completed before her death, and the Martin family has been unable to gain access to her work. In 2003, the first Martin Family Trees were created. Since we have been unable to obtain the family history created by Gladys, Cheryl Baker Kates resumed the family history research and it is hoped that we will soon obtain Gladys' information. Today Averylin Pearson and Rene Davis continue the work to preserve our history.
During the 1790s, a slave ship sailing to the United States held in its bowels a young African girl named Trasie who was destined to be sold at the Charleston Slave Market. According to the Bill of Sale we have in our possession, Trasie at the age of 17 years old, was sold by Marie Louise Imbert, a new resident of Charleston, South Carolina, to Burnette Martin (wife of Louis Martin), also of Charleston, South Carolina, for $300.00. The sale took place on July 1, 1799. Oral history passed down by Gladys Harper, indicates that Trasie was subsequently sold to John Martin, a planter from Fairfield County, South Carolina; that sale occurred on December 17, 1799. Trasie had at least one daughter, Katie, who was born about 1802. Katie had at least six (maybe seven) children said to be fathered by slave owner, Robert Martin. Her children were Vara*, Benjamin, Ellen, Moses, Jerry, and John. Katie also had a son named Nathan, however, his father is unknown. It is not clear whether Manton Lattie was her son or her husband, Morgan Lattie's son. There is no documentation to date on when Trasie passed away. Katie Martin Lattie died on August 26, 1892, at the age of 90. Through DNA testing, we have discovered that our roots began in Cameroon, West Africa.*Note: The spelling of Vera's name has been changed to Vara because in researching her information, Vara is the spelling used on the deed when she received land from her brother Benjamin; when she deeded land to her children, and on her death certificate.
The Lineage of Katie Martin
Vara (Vera) gave birth to nine children, however, only six have been identified. Vara was married twice. Her first husband was Marion Mitchell and their child was Marion; her second husband was Charles Martin and their children were Kate, Nathan Peter, Jacob, Charles, and Dennis. Benjamin and his wife Harriet (Lakin) had 10 children: Laney, Benjamin, Prince, Stewart, Morris, Samuel Prophet, Margaret, Robert, Katherine, and Grace; Benjamin and Martha Harper were the parents of Samuel A. and Mariah. In addition, it is believed that Benjamin was the father of David Martin and Robert Martin; however, research into these claims is ongoing. Ellen gave birth to 16 children (13 have been identified) and was married twice. Her children with William "Bill" Martin were Elizabeth "Lizzie," Alice, Prince William, John Zeely, Charles, Mary, William "Will," Ella, Phoebe, Robert, and Benjamin. It is believed that she was also married to John Calhoun and their children were Emma and Lilly, research into this is ongoing. Moses married Tempie and their children were Lawrence, Martha, Nathan, Benjamin James, Wade, Alexander, Fannie, Morgan, Finley, Margaret "Maggie," Moses, Joseph, Shivar, Edward, and James. Jerry was married 3 times. His first wife was Grace and their children were Thompson "Thomas" and John Bunyan; his second wife was Isabella (Byrd) and their children were Charlotte and Delilah; and his third wife was Rebecca and they had no children. John was married twice. His first wife was Delila and their children were Johnny, Andrew, and George, and his second wife was Judy (Parr) and their children were Henry and Ella. Nathan (not an offspring of Robert) married Hannah (Brawley) and their children were Catherine, Hattie, Mildred, and Elizabeth.
Trasie's July 1, 1799 State of South Carolina Bill of Sale
The descendants of Trasie were not sold to other plantations, contrary to the experience of most slaves in the South before the Civil War. Instead, they were taught to read, write, and how to manage business affairs. Katie's sons were nurtured and taught that education is the key to upward mobility. In 1868, Robert Monroe Martin (grandson of Robert Martin) sold over 600 acres of land to Benjamin, Moses and Jerry for $1,000 each. It is with those modest land holdings that the Martin brothers began to prosper. During Reconstruction, the Martins “wheeled and dealt” cotton and land until they owned most of the land between Little River and Broad River near Jenkinsville, South Carolina. On one occasion, Benjamin Martin exchanged 1,700 pounds of cotton for 283 acres of land. Today, most of the land in Jenkinsville is owned by Trasie's descendants. In 1867, the Martin brothers founded White Hall African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was the first Black church in Fairfield County. During Reconstruction, many Martins were elected to public offices. Moses Martin served as a Republican State Senator (1872-1876) and Isaac "Ike" Miller served in the House of Representatives (1872-1874). Gladys Martin indicated that Prince Martin served as a state legislator and John Martin served as commissioner for Fairfield County. In the 1790s a young girl with ancestry in Cameroon, West Africa, was forcibly taken from her home, brought to America, and renamed Trasie. Today, Trasie's descendants number more than 8,000, span twelve generations, and reside in 40 states, the District of Columbia, and abroad.
Note: Information regarding number of children mother gave birth to was obtained from the 1900/1910 United States Census records.