Mary Elizabeth Wadsworth, daughter of John H. Wadsworth and Susannah Davis, was born about 1835 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.
In 1857, at about age 22, Mary Elizabeth Wadsworth married Alexander Martin. In the 1860 Census, Alexander,listed his age as 26; but, in 1880, his stated age is shown as 61. Thus his birth year calculates to be either 1834 or 1819. That's a rather large variation and is unknown which is correct. In 1870, his stated age is 35 making his birth year to be 1835.
After their marriage, a son and two daughters were born to this family. The also moved a lot in the years after marriage. In 1860, Alex and Mary Elizabeth are living in Chesterfield County. They have a son and a daughter in the household. By 1870, they are in Darlington County, SC. The son is no longer in the household but and new daughter, age 6, is listed. It’s assume the son has passed away.
Then in 1880, we find the family in Marion County, South Carolina. The family consists of Alex, his wife Mary and two daughters, Susannah and Margaret.
Extensive searches led to no additional clues until I started researching land deeds. In the late 1870’s and early 1880’s both of Mary Elizabeth Wadsworth parents passed away.
On 13 October 1875, John H. Wadsworth deeded to his Grandson John C. Martin, b. 1858, son of Alexander and Mary E. Wadsworth Martin, a one hundred and seventy-three acre tract of land with the stipulation that “Whereas my Grandson John C. Martin of the Said County and State aforesaid has agreed to comfortably support protect and take care of myself and wife Susannah for and During the Natural Life of both Jointly and for the Life of the Survivor of us.” (Chesterfield County, SC - DB 4, Page 738)
If the 1860 Census is correct, John C. Martin was a mere lad of seventeen years of age. This also substantiates his presence in the county even though he was absent from the 1870 Census.
Beyond the 1880 census, I found no evidence of Alex and Mary Elizabeth Martin until recently when I went to see what happen to the land deeded to John C. Martin and found another land deed from Alexander Martin to Sarah C. Wadsworth and Susannah Wadsworth dated 4 January 1886. This deed became an important document about the family.
After the death of his 1st wife, Susannah Davis, in the late 1870’s; John H. Wadsworth remarried to a lady whom first name was Mary, last name unknown. To this union was born Sarah C. Wadsworth and Susannah Wadsworth. Now John H. and Susannah had given the farm to his grandson John C. Martin to care for them until both were deceased.
We know from this Deed that Alexander Martin deeded the land that his son John C. Martin had received to the survivors of John H. Wadsworth estate, his two daughters by the second marriage.
This deed can be found in Chesterfield County, SC Deed Book 8, Pages 536-537; dated 4 January 1886.
From this Deed we have the following statement:
“Know all men by these presents that I Alexander Martin and County of Marion in the state aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum five Dollars to me in hand paid, at and before the sealing of these presents by Sarah Christian Wadsworth and Susannah Wadsworth (Daughters of John H. Wadsworth Deceased) of the County of Chesterfield in the state aforesaid (the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged) have granted, bargained, sold and released and by these presents do grant, bargain, sale and release unto the said Sarah C. Wadsworth and Susannah Wadsworth all that piece, parcel or tract of land whereon they now Reside being a part of a track of land containing (97) ninety Seven Acres more or less purchase by John H. Wadsworth from Harrison Parker about the year 1850 and thence conveyed by Jno. H. Wadsworth to Jno. C Martin the 13th day of October 1875 and being land belonging to me by inheritance of this Est. of my son Jno. C Martin &c containing (53) fifty three acres more or less (this takes us back to DB 4, Page 738).
We know from this Deed that John C. Martin is deceased
Well that's not all, there is still one more land deed and this deed places the Alexander and Mary Elizabeth Wadsworth Martin family in Red River Parish, Louisiana on 25 February 1898. (Deed Book 15, page 95, 96 and 97)
The State of Louisiana}
Parish of Red River}
I, T. E. Paxton, Clerk of Court do hereby certify unto all whom it may concern that Mrs. Mary Martin the wife of the within named Alexander Martin did this day appear before me and upon being privately and separately examined by me, did declared that she does freely, voluntarily and without any compulsion dread or fear of any person or persons whomsoever renounce, release and forever relinquish unto the within named J. B. C. Hunt His heirs and assigns, all her right and claim of dower, of, in, or, to all and singular the premises within mentioned and released.
Given under my Hand and Seal this 25th day of Feby Anno Domini 1898.
{Official seal} T. E. Paxton} Mary x her mark Martin {LS}
Clerk of Court
Alexander Martin and Mary Elizabeth Wadsworth had the following children:
i. John C. Martin was born about 1858. He died bef 4 January 1886 at the age of 28 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
ii. Susannah "Susan" Martin was born about 1859 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
iii.Margaret Martin was born about 1867.
I have not been able to find Alexander, Mary Elizabeth, Susannah and Margaret after the 1898 Land Deed.
Mary Elizabeth Wadsworth Martin is my 1st Cousin 4 times removed.
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1. 1840 U S Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 372, Line 15, John WADSWORTH; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 March 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M740_Roll 510.
2. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 130A, Line 16, Dwelling 488, Family 488, Household of John H. WADSWORTH; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 June 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
3. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 115; Line 37, Dwelling 302, Family 303, Household of Alex MARTIN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 August 2017); citing National Archives Microfilm M653-1217.
4. 1870 U. S. Census, Darlington County, South Carolina, population schedule, Lincoln, Darlington, South Carolina, Page: 516A(stamped); Line 24, Dwelling 82, Family 85, Household of Alex MARTIN; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 August 2017); citing National Archive Microfilm M593, Roll 1493.
5. 1880 U S Census, Marion County, South Carolina, population schedule, Mcmillans, Marion, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 097, Page: 249A(stamped); Line 39, Dwelling 208, Family 208, Household of Alexander MARTIN; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 August 2017); citing National Archive Microfilm T9, Roll 1235.
6. Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Deed Book 4: pages 738 & 739, John H. Wadsworth to John C. Martin Deed; Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
7. Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Deed Book 8: pages 536 & 537.
8. Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Deed Book 15: pages 95, 96 & 97, Alexander Martin & Mary Martin to J. B. C. Hunt; 25 February 1898, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
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