Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1902-04-21

Thomas Ennols Martin was descend
ant OF the disting guished Martin family o.
Talbot county, Md, who were the earl
lest colonial settlers, next to the Clai.
bornes, antedating the Tilghmans and
the Hollydays, and who came TO Talbot
contemporaneou with the Claylards and
the Mullikins. all of whom took landed
possessions in that part OF Talbot county
now known as Trappe district. Ahead Of
these settlers were some Trappist monks
from France. who came as missionaries
among the abor rgines. and who establish
ed small monastery at the head OF the
stream now called Trappe's creek.
The Martins were Proiestants and had
something to do with discouragiDg this
religious plant The Trappist monks
were only discouraged. however, and not
despolled, as they left their name in the
geographical nomenclature OF the region
called Trappe. Mr.. Martin was the son
OF Thomas Martin, of Dorchester county,
who afterward removed to Trappe district,
Talbot county, where the son, Thomas
Ennols, was born December ID, 1871
HIS mother was Miss Martin, but not
at all related to the family, she being OF
Scotch descent, 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 Boiling broke,
where he received his early education.
At sixteen years OF age he was appren-
ticed to the printing business IN the office
OF the old EaSf0H Gazette, where he com
pleted his trade, and after that, to use
his own language, "ihe world was his
home" He removed to Philadelphia,
took charge Of the PnnsyiVaHtaa as fore.
man, after which he led nomadic life.
During this period he found himself in
Snow Hill. where he bought the Sn0zO
MI Shield. which he edited and pub
ished successfully for a time until the
breaking out OF the Civil War, when be
espoused the cause OF the Union, and,
being surrounded by Souiherners, was
completely broken up. He lost four
hundred subscribers in siugle day.
From Snow Hill he went to Washing.
ton, where he was employed as clerk in
the Treasury Department. He then came
to Annapolis. where he has been ever
since. He permanently located here
when the Constitution OF I84z was adop-
-
eral Assembly Mr.. Martin was elected
State printer, and continued for two sess-
ions in that capacity. In 1855 Mr.. Mar
tin married Miss Sarah Wood Bixby, of
Maine, by which marriage there were
seven children. two Of whom are living
Robert and LCuise, the widow Of Edward
r. Robb. Mr.. Martin was Mayor OF
Annapolis four years, and was most sue
| cessful in the management Of municipal
affairs. He was elected and reelected
as the ciiy's chief executive in I87o-ISS3.
AT one time Mr.. Martin published the
old Maryland Gazette in Annapolis, the
oldest paper in the United States. He
| edited the Gazette for three years, and
when the "know nothings" came into
power he sold out TO Thomas Wilson
Mr.. Martin had large circle of polit-
ical 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. He
took life easy, and despised a crowd or
a rush; for this reason he was always
| disguised with New York. In his ram
bling days he went TO New York city,
thinking to make it his home, but was
too disguised to become one OF its cili-
zens--staying there only ten days.
Mr. Martin could have been wealthy
man, but he did not believe in boarding
| money. He was a man OF considerable
| means, was charitable and liberal and
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 al that age would not
wear an oveicoat in the coldest weather.
He was very active in aiding in the or
ganizs,ion of the Baltimore & Annapolis
Short Line Railroad. He was Repub-
lican in politics and was the last Repub-
lican Mayor Of Annapolis until the eIec-
ton OF the present. Mayor Dubois. He
owned and lived in the old Brice- Jen-
nings colonial mansion on East street.