Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ========================================================================== Historic Sullivan: A History of Sullivan County, Tennessee by Oliver Taylor, Pub. 1909 [17] JOSEPH MARTIN was one of the leading frontiermen of Sullivan County, and was one of the county's most useful men when it was in the greatest need. He was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, in 1740. His early schooling was neglected through his own in- corrigible nature, that would bear no restraint. Among his early associates were Gen. THOMAS SUMTER and Col. BENJAMIN CLEVELAND, the latter a hero of King's Mountain. MARTIN, when a boy of sixteen, ran away from home and joined the army. He led a roving, hunter's life for many years, as did so many who afterwards became border heroes. It was the school of experience in which they trained. He became associated with Dr. THOMAS WALKER in his explorations and in one of these expedi- tions visited Powell's Valley, where he decided to locate. Here he raised a large crop of corn in 1769. During the Indian raids of 1774 he commanded a fort on the frontier and was also a leader of scouts. When HENDERSON and his Transylvania Company purchased the im- mense tracts of land from the Cherokees, MARTIN was made their agent in Powell's Valley. He was captain of a company, with CHRISTIAN, against the Cherokees in 1776. In 1777 he was appointed, by Gov. PATRICK HENRY, Indian agent and took up his residence on Long Island. Here he lived until 1789. MARTIN was a man physically well proportioned, being six feet tall and weighing two hundred pounds. On one occasion he was re- turning with two companions to the Holston settlement when the party was waylaid by two Indians who suddenly emerged from a cave. One of the men was shot and the Indian who committed the murder retreated into the cave. MARTIN crawled into the cave, [18] HISTORIC SULLIVAN killed the Indian and dragged him out. While MARTIN was a brave and almost reckless Indian fighter he was also an Indian pacifier. It was as a diplomat he rendered his most brilliant service to the country. His treaties were lasting, for the Cherokees had great confidence in him. At one time, while visiting the Cherokee country, he came into contact with the British agent and so powerful was his sway that he had the agent expelled. His influence with the Cherokees was largely due to his having been adopted by that tribe -- he had married BETSY WARD, the beauti- ful daughter of NANCY WARD, although at the time he had a lawful wife. This act he always tried to explain to this children, who were chagrined by it, by saying it was to further his influences in bringing about treaties. His white wife, although a woman of refinement, would never let her children speak disrespectfully about their father on account of the morganatic alliance. And al- though Gen. MARTIN, after the death of his first wife, married a woman of some distinction, he still lived with his Indian wife, the second wife also countenancing the union. He was associated with ISAAC SHELBY and JOHN DONELSON in formu- lating the treaty of 1783 at Long Island and was also one of the leading figures in the treaty of Hopewell (S.C.) in 1785. He came near being the territorial governor of the Territory South of the Ohio, and THOMAS JEFFERSON, PATRICK HENRY and others used their influence with WASHINGTON, who was then President (1790), to have him appointed, but the office falling to a North Carolina man, WILLIAM BLOUNT was appointed. These two men worked together harmoniously. It was through such diplomatic influence that the Indians were kept inactive and the Kings Mountain campaign was made possible. [19] HISTORIC SULLIVAN In a military way MARTIN rose to the rank of Brigadier-General. He retired from service in 1799, returned to Virginia and re- sided in Henry County. Here he engaged in politics, was elected to the legislature and became MADISON'S right hand man. His last public service, of interest, was to run the boundary line between Tennessee and Virginia in 1800. He died at his home in Henry County, December 18, 1808. ===========================================================================