Biographies M
James D. Martin
James D. Martin came to Muhlenberg in 1803 with his father and mother, Hugh and Mary McDonald Martin. James was born near Lexington, Fayette Co., Virginia (now Kentucky) September 8, 1785.
His father, Hugh Martin, was a farmer and a Revolutionary War veteran who had migrated from Augusta Co., Virginia in 1779. His mother, Mary McDonald, was also from Augusta County. Hugh Martin's father, William Martin, and family came to Fayette Co., Virginia (now Kentucky) in September 1779 and were instrumental in building the fort at Bryan Station near Lexington. Hugh Martin's parents were orginally from Carnmoney, Antrim, Ireland, coming into Orange Co. (later Augusta), Virginia, with Hugh's grandparents Hugh and Sarah Martin, in 1742.
Mary McDonald's family came to America from Scotland.
James D. Martin married Mary Rice Spilman September 15, 1808 in Muhlenberg County. She was born in Garrard Co., Virginia (now Kentucky) March 8, 1792, the daughter of Benjamin Franklin Spilman and Nancy J. Rice who at the time of Mary's marriage lived in Muhlenberg.
James D. Martin served twice in the War of 1812 with the Muhlenberg County Militia. By 1823 he had moved to White Co., Illinois and farmed there. In the 1830 Census, he was in Jefferson Co., Illinois, and in the 1840 Census in Lawrence Co., Illinois.
James died November 6, 1864 in Lawrence County and is buried in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sumner, Illinois. Mary Spilman Martin moved to Norton, Kansas with a daughter where she died April 26, 1884.
Written & contributed by Harold W. Rarden
Updated June 29, 2018