Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-05-17

The Martins were Pro;estants and had
religious plant. The Trappi>t monks
were only discouraged, however, and
not despoiled, as they left their name
in the geographical nomenclature of the
region called Trappe. Mr.. Martin was
the son of Thomas Martin, of Dorches-
ter county, who afterward removed to
Trappe district, Talbot county, where
the son, Thomas Ennalls, was born
December IA, 1911. His mother was a
Miss Martin, but not ut all related to
the family, she being of Scotch decent,
and the father of English blood The
mother died during the boys infancy,
and when ten years old he was sent TO
the country school at Bolingbroke,
where he received his early education.
At sixteen years of age he was appren.
ticed to the printing business in the
office of the Edstoa Gazette, where he
completed his trade. and after that, to
use his own language, 1.-The world was
his home" He removed to Philadel-
phia, took charge of the Penasylrdnidn
as foreman, after which he led nomadic
life. During this period he found him
self in Snow Hill, where he bought the
Worcester County Shield, which he edit
ed and published successfully for time
until the breaking out of the Civil War,
ween he espoused the cause of the Union
and being surrounded by Southerners,
was completely broken up. He lost
four hundred subscribers in a single
day.
From Snow Hill he went to Washing
ton. where he was employed as clerk in
the Treasury Department. He perma-
nently located in Annapolis when the
Constitution of 1912 was adopted. Dur
ing the next session of the General AS
sembly MIR. Martin was elected State
printer, and continued for two sessions
i'll that capacity In 1855 Mr.. Martin
married Miss Sarah Wood Bixby, of
Maine. by which marriage there were
seven children. two of them are living
Robert, and Mrs. Louisa Robb, the
widow of Edward r. Robb. Mr. Martin
was Mayor of Annapolis four years.
At one time Mr. Martin published the
Maryland Gazette i'll Annapolis. the old
est paper i'll the United States. He
edited the Gd-eH, for three years, and
when the KNOW Nothings" came into
power he sold out to Thomas J. Wilson.
Mr.. Martin had a large circle of politi-
cal friends, most of whom he outlived.
Among his intimate friends were num-
bered Governor Lowe. Andrew jackson,
President Tyler and President Pierce.
He was very unostentatious man. and
never sought great men or office.
Mr.. Martin could have been a wealthy
man; he did not believe in boarding
money. He was man of considerable
sl,ar l,l nd 4
enjoyed the respect of the whole COM
munity. Up to two years ago he was
one of the most familiar figures ON the
streets, and even at that age would not
wear an overcoat in the coolest
weather. He was very active in aiding
in the organization of the Baltimore &
Annapolis Short Line Railroad. He
was Republican in politics and was the
last Republican Mayor of Annapolis
until the election of the present, Mayor
Dubois. He owned and lived in the
old Brice Jennings colonial mansion on
East street
When Mr.. Martin removed to An
napolis the old Brice House was vacant.
Ii suited his love for the antique, and
after occupying 1t a year as tenant, he
purchased it. The old house, with its
historic legends, has become famous.
and its picture today adorns the pages
of numerous leading magazines. All =
visiting artists delight in its great doors
with heavy brass knockers. its walls of
block cement and stucco trimmings. and
the parlor mantle with its ingenious
carvings has long since become the de-
voted shrine of art lovers.
The land on which the Mission Chapel
of st. Anne's Church is built, was once
a part of Mr.. Martins property. He
never would part with this property
until the church wanted it, although he
had been offered 81 900 for it, yet he
sold it to the church for $500.
For this sketch we are indebted to
the Edston Ledger and for the cut to the
Annapolis Erening Capital.