Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-23


native of Caroline county, Virginia. Her
name was Elizabeth Marshall, and she was
probably Of the same family with Chief Justice
Marshall, as she belonged to the same neigh
borhood After her marriage to Abram Mar
tin. She removed to the settlement, bordering
on the Indian nation, in Ninetv-Six, now Ed
gefeld District, South Carolina. The coun-
try al ihat time was sparsely settled, most OF
its inhabitants being the pioneers from other
States, chiefly from Virginia; and their neigh
borhood to the Indians had caused the adop-
ton of some of their savage habits. The name
of Edgeiield is said to have been given, be-
cause it was at that period the edge or boun-
Diary of the respectable settlers and their cul-
tivated fields. Civilization, however, increas-
ed with the population, and in the time Of the
Revolution, Ninety-Six was among the fore
most in sending into the field its quota Of har-
dy and enterprising troops to oppose the Brit
ish and their savage allies.
At the commencement of the contest, Mrs.
Marshall had nine children, seven of whom
were sons old enough to bear arms. These
brave young men, under the tuition and exam
pie of their parents, had grown up in attach
ment to their country, and agdently devoted
to its service, were ready on every occasion to
encounter the dangers of border warfare
When the first call for volunteers sounded
through the land, the mother encouraged their
patriotic zeal.
$50, boys,'' said she, ..fght for your coun-
try fight till death, if you must, but never
let your country be dishOnored. Were n
man would go with you.''
At another time, when Col. Cruger COM
nanded the British at Cambridge, and Colonel
Brown at Augusta, several British officers
stopped at her house for refreshment, and one
| Of them asked how many sons she had. She
answered-eight; and to the question where
they all were, replied promptly:
s.Seyen OF them are engaged in the service
of their country"
ssReally, madame," observed the officer,
saeeringly, s:you have enough of them"
..No, sir,'' said the matron, proudly, 'EI
wish I had score
Her house in the absence of her sons was
frequently exposed to the depredatoas OF the
I Tories. On one occasion they cut open her
1 feather beds, and scattered the contents
! When the young men returned shortly after
! wards, their mother bade them pursue the ma
RAIDERS. One Of The continental soldiers hay
( ing been left at the house badly wounded, Mrs
Martin kindly attended and nursed him till his
recovery. a party Of the loyaIists who heard
OF his being there, came with the intention OF
taking his life, but she found means to hide
him from their search.
The only daughter of Mrs. Martin, Letitia
married Capt Edward Wade, Of Virginia, who
fell with his commander, Gen. Montgomery
at the siege Of Quebec. At the time of the
siege OF Charleston by Sir Henry Clinton, thc
widow was residing with her mother at Nine
ty-Six- Her son Washington Wade was thei
five years old, and remembered many occur
rcnces connected with the war The hous
was about 100 miles in direct line west 0
; Charleston. He recollects walking in the pi
azza on a calm evening with his grandmother
: 4 light breeze blew from the east, and In
t sound OF heavy cannon was distinctly heard i
f that direction. The sound of cannon heard q
that time, and in thatipart Of the State, the
: knew must come from the bcsieged city. 4
!, report after report reached their ears, the agi
7 tation of Mrs. Martin increased. She kne'
' not what evils might be announced; she kne'
] not but the sound might be the knen of he
# sons, three of whom were then In Charleston
G Their wives were with her, and partooll of tt
c same heart chilling fears. They stood sti
Il for few minutes, each wrapped in her ow
C painful and silent reflections, till the mothc
e at length, lifting her hands ard eyes towaI
o heaven. exclaimed fervently:-:s thank Go
$ they are the children of the Republic
1T OF the seven patriotic brothers, six we
le spared through all thc>dangers Of the partis'
in warfare in the region Of the S'dark and blood
t. cround.' The eldest, Wm. II. Martin, was
of captain of artillery and after having terv'
IN with distinction in the siege of Savannah al
ir Charleston, was killed at the siege OF Augu
pit IA. lust after he had obtained favorable POI
IN tion for his cannon, by elevating it on one
On the towers constructed by Gen. Pickens.
ut is related that not long after his death, Br
n-lish officer passing to Fort Ninety-Six, then
IS possession of the English. rode out of his W
a to crafty his hatred to the Wings by carryi
rs, the fatal news to the mother OF this gals
by voung man. He called at the house and q;
ne ed Mrs. Martin if she had not o son in the
n, nv at Augusta. She replied in the ailirn
,s- tive. s.Then I saw his brains blown out on
so field of battle,'' said the monster, who anti
by pated his triumph in ,:,e ,ae signs OF a paFol
en agony. But the effect of the startling
les nouncement was other than he expected.
> rible as was the shock, and aggravated by
ruthless cruelty with which her bereayem
ted snfga.oa .-.,o'''' ,.1...-'