Holbrook line: Thomas Martin 1637-1701

 I wish I knew more about Thomas Martin, particularly his origin and his parents.  Thomas is thought to have been born in about 1637.  There was a Thomas Martin who arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1639, and perhaps he has a young son with him.  Although several trees state that he was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, I cannot find documentation for that.  Several trees state that his parents were Richard and Judith Upham Martin, but again, I am unable to locate documentation.  At this point, his parentage and origin are still a mystery.  

We do, however, know a little of his story. His name is listed as being assigned to William Kerly's house (or garrison) in 1675, when King Philip's War broke out and the town was worried about being attacked. They were right to be concerned, for the town was attacked at least twice, and most of its structures burned.  Thomas doubtless was on duty during this time, although I didn't locate a specific record for him.  Thomas's family probably evacuated to the east after the first attack, if they had not already gone.

Thomas owned land in 1686 in Ockcocangansett Plantation,  in what later became part of Marlborough, Middlesex County in Massachusetts.  He was a shoemaker by trade, but also did some farming, as is indicated in his will, mentioning barns, halls, dwelling, orchard, meadows and uplands.  There is no indication that he held civic office, but from the first few lines of his will, we know that he was a religious person, and the church in Marlborough was Puritan, which seems to align with his briefly stated religious beliefs.

Thomas's wife was Jane or Johanna, but we know nothing more than that about his marriage.  Some trees say that her last name was Thomas, which is possible but I've not found proof.  Based on the will, there were at least two children born to this couple, Thomas, and Dorothy, and other sources also give the names of Adam and Mary.  He generously left half of his property for his wife's use, when law required just one third. 

Thomas died November 13, 1701 at Marlborough.  We have his one page will, but I've not found records showing the partition of the estate, or the inventory that would have been taken at his death.  The only guess I can make about his status is that his daughter, Dorothy, first married Joseph How or Howe, and when he died (also in 1701; was there an epidemic?) Joseph was relatively well off.  

It's good go know this much about Thomas Martin.  It would be better to know more! 

 The line of descent is 

Thomas Martin-Jane or Johanna

Dorothy Martin-Samuel Morris

Abigail Martin-John Perrin

Benjamin Perrin-Mary

Mary Perrin-David Fay 

Luceba Fay-Libbeus Stanard

Hiram Stanard-Susan Eddy

Louis Stanard-Mary Alice Hetrick

Etta Stanard-Loren Holbrook

Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen

Their descendants