Martin
Thomas
1650 – 1714
♦Verified
Thomas Martin was born in England in 1650. He became a wheelwright living in the area of Great Bedwyn in Wiltshire. It was in England that he married Margery Mendenhall, a fellow Quaker.
Arrival In America
Thomas, Margery, and their children sailed from Bristol to Philadelphia in 1685 upon the Unicorne (Thomas Cooper, master).
By the time this Quaker family arrived in the colonies, they had four daughters. Their first son and first child born to the family in America, arrived the following year.
The Children
Known children of Thomas and Margery include:
- Mary was born in England. She married James Whitaker and lived in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
- Sarah was born in England. She married William Shewin.
- Hannah was born in England.
- Rachel was born in England. She married Thomas Woodward.
- Moses♥
- George married Lydia Buffington. Georgeis not confirmed to be a child of Thomas and Margery. However, she is found in the right area and no other parents are attributed to her.
- Elinor married John Scarlett. Elinor is not confirmed to be a child of Thomas and Margery. However, she is found in the right area and no other parents are attributed to her.
George, Elinor, and other children are a matter of debate as they are not clearly identified in records as Thomas and Margery’s children. Some people believe this could be the result of the parents moving away from the Quaker religion. However, it is known that their son Moses was a Quaker. In addition, researchers have found that Thomas was imprisoned in England because of his religious beliefs. They were so strong that he refused to post bail and remained imprisoned. Thus, it is unlikely that Thomas and Margery simply left the Quaker faith.