Blunt Martin's Book, Early Ozark Martins
It had been a long time since I had heard anyone mention Blunt Martin's book but I found out this this Memorial Day weekend that he still has followers. His book is what got me started doing family research and I'm grateful. I've learned a lot about my ancestors. Blunt's book has a lot of good info but it also has errors.
He states in his book that Samuel was born in England which is not true. Samuel was born in Mecklenburg County, NC. The History of Greene County, MO has Samuel's obituary. It states that Samuel was a native of North Carolina and gives the date of his birth and death. Samuel also gives North Carolina as his place of birth in the 1850 census.
The book states that Samuel's body was moved from its resting place in the Martin/Hawkins (Ferguson) Cemetery to the National Cemetery in Springfield. This also is not true. Samuel is buried at the Martin/Hawkins Cemetery.
The book mentions Samuel's brother Cowden but Samuel had no brother named Cowden. The Cowden referred to was Richard Cowden Martin, Samuel's oldest son.
Blunt refers to a fight between the Martins and the Campbells over a land claim. I don't believe this happened either. Upon the counties formation in 1833, Samuel was the first Presiding Justice and court was held at John Campbell's home. Samuel was appointed administrator of his son Richards estate when he died of cholera in 1835 and Robert Andrew and Samuel Gilbert (Richard's brothers)were to post bond. I don't know what the problem was but a warrent was issued for Samuel's arrest over the incident. I believe John Campbell signed the warrent which was served by Sheriff Tom Horn.
The book relates how his grandfather Robert Andrew Martin was killed at the county courthouse in Ava during the Civil War. This also is untrue. Robert Andrew Martin was a member of Company H, 46th Regiment of Missouri Infantry volunteers and was killed at the battle of Vera Cruz along with several others. There was no court house in Ava. The county seat was Vera Cruz.
I'm not trying to pick on Blunt because he got me and several others started and provided a valuable service. Acceptance of his book however has kept a lot of people from learning about the real family, a family of which I am very proud. Glain
More Replies:
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Re: Blunt Martin's Book, Early Ozark Martins
BARBARA KROL 5/25/08
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Re: Blunt Martin's Book, Early Ozark Martins
Glain Martin 6/24/08
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Re: Blunt Martin's Book, Early Ozark Martins
Nancy Battin 6/24/08
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Re: Blunt Martin's Book, Early Ozark Martins
BARBARA KROL 6/25/08
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Re: Blunt Martin's Book, Early Ozark Martins
BARBARA KROL 6/25/08
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Re: Blunt Martin's Book, Early Ozark Martins
Glain Martin 8/12/08
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Re: Blunt Martin's Book, Early Ozark Martins
Nancy Battin 8/15/08
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Re: Blunt Martin's Book, Early Ozark Martins
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Re: Blunt Martin's Book, Early Ozark Martins
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Re: Blunt Martin's Book, Early Ozark Martins
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Re: Blunt Martin's Book, Early Ozark Martins
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Re: Blunt Martin's Book, Early Ozark Martins
Dathryn Bush 1/19/07