The Ancestors of Alanson Martin

Arrival of the Martin family in New England was related to the religious dissension of the period.  In 1662, Elder John Myles of the first Baptist Church of Swansea, Wales left with many of his followers as a result of religious contention.  Rev. Myles and his followers settled in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, and founded the first Baptist Church in Plymouth Colony.  Again difficulty with the authorities arose ending in a compact which established the Town of Swansea, Massachusetts, where John Myles and the church members relocated.  John Martin was one of the charter members of Rev. Myles' church and family tradition says that John and his father Richard came to New England with Rev. Myles from Swansea, Wales⁶⁸.

The Family of Richard Martin

Our immigrant ancestor, Richard Martin arrived in New England about 1662, as described above, and in reference 68.  The latter gives most of the details on early history of the Martin family.  Richard settled in Rehoboth, Massachusetts along with Rev. Myles and, in 1689, was appointed Surveyor of Highways for Rehoboth⁶⁹.  Richard died there on March 2, 1694⁶⁹.

The known childern of Richard, which were named in his will⁶⁹, are:

The Family of John Martin and Johanna Esten

John Martin was born about 1633, probably in Wales, and came to New England with his father^68,70.  On Apr. 26, 1671, John married Johanna Esten and they settled in Swansea^68,70.  In addition to farming, John was trained as a weaver⁶⁸.  John died at Swansea March 21, 1714⁶⁸, at the age of 80 and Johanna died there March, 23, 1734⁶⁸.

The children of John and Johanna are:

The Family of John Martin, Jr.

John Martin, Jr. was born at Swansea, Massachusetts, on March 15, 1674^68,70.  On October 11, 1701⁶⁸, he married Marcy Hayward, daughter of William Hayward.  John and Marcy settled Rehoboth, Massachusetts, where their children were born.  Marcy died nine years later on October 11, 1710⁶⁸.

The children of John and Marcy⁽¹⁾ are:

In 1713, after the death of his first wife, John married a second time to Marcy Thurber, the widow of Richard Thurber⁶⁸.  John continued to live in Rehoboth until 1728, when he moved to Swansea⁶⁸.  John died there on November 3, 1757⁶⁸.

The children of John and Marcy⁽²⁾ are:

The Family of Benajmin Martin and Sarah Kingsley

Benjamin Martin was born on July 5, 1734, at Swansea, Massachusetts⁶⁸.  On January 6, 1750, he married Sarah Kingsley, also of Swansea, and they settled on his father's farm in Swansea⁶⁸.  Benjamin served as a private in the Revolutionary War, being called to duty several times between 1776 and 1780⁶⁸.  His wife, Sarah, died March 11, 1804⁶⁸, and Benjamin died June 23, 1814⁶⁸, having lived their entire lives at Swansea.

The children of Benjamon and Sarah are:

The Family of Kingsley Martin and Prudence Mason

Kingsley Martin was born on August 6, 1767, at Swansea (now Barrington, Rhode Island) where he apparently grew up⁶⁸.  On December 22, 1787, he was married to Prudence Mason at Lanesborough, Massachusetts, by Elder Nathan Mason^13,71.  Prudence was born on July 26, 1770⁷⁰, at Swansea, the daughter of Jesse Mason and Lois Mason.  The Mason family had moved to Lanesborough by November, 1773, when Jesse bought 5 acres of land⁷⁴.

Kingsley and Prudence settled in Fort Ann, Washington County, New York, where Kingsley purchased land in July of 1788⁷².  Washington County is on the eastern border of New York and abuts Berkshire County on the western border of Massachusetts.  At Fort Ann, Kingsley and Prudence began a life of farming which lasted over 50 years.  In 1830, they sold land to their son, Reuben⁷², presumable when he started farming, and in 1833 they purchased land from their son, Alanson⁷², who had moved to the Town of Concord in Erie County, New York.

Then in 1839, Kingsley and Prudence deeded their remaining property to Reuben, with the provision of a Life Estate, would allow them to reside their for the remainder of their lives⁷².  By 1840⁷², however, Kingsley and Prudence were living in the Town of Concord, with son, Alanson⁷³.  Shortly thereafter, they revoked the Life Estate⁷².  In 1850, Kingsley and Prudence were in Eden, New York, still living with their son Alanson and his family⁷⁵.

Kingsley Martin died on November 22, 1851¹³, and Prudence died suun after on November 30, 1851¹³.

The children of Kingsley and Prudence are:

Top   |   Back to Alanson and Rebecca Martin