John K. Martin Records 1777-1907

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Records, 1777-1907, of John K. Martin, a pension agent for military veterans of the Revolutionary War, Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, War of 1812, Indian Wars, Mexican War, Civil War. The records contain pension claim files for individual veterans and their spouses relating to their military service. The pension claim files principally consist of correspondence and notes concerning land warrants and military service, but there are also wills, deeds, and even Bible records and genealogical notes proving linkeage of an heir to the veteran or land ownership. Correspondence within the pension files is between Martin, other pension agents and the pension office in Washington, D.C., and veterans and their family members.

This collection also contains Martin's business correspondence, personal correspondence for both Martin and his father in-law Michael Howell, financial files including receipts and account books, Martin's files while serving as an administrator of the estate of Elijah Brown (1781-1850), military files and discharge papers, deeds and plats, publications, Martin's notes, and envelopes which were removed from their respective correspondence at a previous time.

Biographical / historical:

John K. Martin was born in New Jersey in 1817 and moved to Richmond around 1837. He served as the United States mail agent from 1839 to 1847 and became involved in Democratic Party politics around that time. This political association cost Martin his position as mail agent with the election of Millard Fillmore, a Whig Party member. Martin then developed a legal practice as a pension and claims agent for military veterans. At this time Martin also speculated in western lands to make extra money.

On 27 June 1843 John K. Martin married Elizabeth Howell, daughter of Michael Howell of Richmond, at Centerary Church in Richmond. Martin died on 5 September 1883 in Richmond.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Charles M. Wallace, Jr. of Richmond on 1 November 1912. Originally accessioned on 16 January 1913.
Arrangement:

Arranged into the following ten series: I. Pension Files, 1777-1883 and n.d., II. Business Correspondence, 1832-1883 and n.d., III. Personal Correspondence, 1826-1907 and n.d., IV. Financial Files and Volumes, 1815-1882 and n.d., V. Administrator's Files, 1816-1858, VI. Military Files, 1775-1781, 1820-1857 and n.d., VII. Deeds and Plats, 1782-1881 and n.d., VIII. Publications, ca. 1850-1871, IX. Notes, ca. 1840-ca. 1882, X. Envelopes, n.d.

Physical description:
18 cubic feet