Pastor Buddy’s Blog

So, who was Billy Martin…

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Hi Journal,

I’m off to rambling a bit, so excuse me while I reflect on some things that my readers may have little interest in.  I want to share some pictures of the early Christian pioneer workings in the area that was at one time called ‘the Sabine Territory.’

This week I read an article in our local paper entitled ‘Reliving History.’ It had to do with a historical tour offered to begin at the Kent House in Alexandria, and conclude at the oldest cemetery in Rapides Parish. (Rapides Cemetery located in Pineville.)

At the cemetery an actress playing the part of Henrietta Wills Fulton Hooper will stand by Henrietta’s marble tomb and give a historical narrative of her time. Henrietta was the wife of the founder of Alexandria, that is, Alexander Fulton.

While reading the article my mind went back to Billy Martin, my great-great-great-grandfather, who was one of the early pioneer families to settle in ’the Sabine Territory.’ Billy came to Louisiana a year before the city of Alexandria was laid out in 1805.

Then it triggered!? Why don’t I share a bit of historical narrative on another pioneer family to this area, and include some Christian insights? And that is what this journal entry is really about.

So, just who was Billy Martin? 

Well, we don’t really know where Billy came from. What we do know is that he and his Indian wife, Elizabeth, settled near Anacoco, Louisiana, in what would later become Vernon Parish. It was from there that the Martin family would spread out to include most of West-Central Louisiana.

I’ve often told my kids to take care of who they talk about, that they are kin to most of the old pioneer families in Louisiana from where we live to the Sabine Riber.  

As a totally immature and ill-trained genealogist it has been my pleasure to do research on Billy.

Anyway, not much is known about Billy’s early history. He was born circa 1766 (possibly 1773) and fought in the Revolutionary War. One of Billy’s sons said that Billy was from North Carolina. But there is a bit of confusion since other information indicates that he was from Virginia and came to Louisiana by way of Kentucky. We also have information to indicate that Billy was an orphan.

When the Louisiana Purchase was completed in 1803, pioneer families began making their way into the territory. Billy and his Indian wife Elizabeth, arrived here in 1804.

According to a family legend, Billy was captured by Indians and lived with them for a time. He was adopted by the chief. His wife Elizabeth was supposedly the chief’s daughter. As for her name, it was common at that time to give Indian wives an English name. (Thomas Jefferson encouraged the pioneers to marry Indian women in order to create a new American.)

So what does all this have to do with anything?

Not much I suppose. I was just thinking about the goodness of the Lord and how that family roots do have much to do with who we are. Billy and Elizabeth were rugged pioneer stock. They lived in a far different world that we can even visualize. 

Billy and Elizabeth had nine children, eight sons and a daughter. Two of the sons are in my lineage, that is, William Jr., and Charles Seth. My grandparents were cousins.  

Most all of Billy’s children settled in Central Louisiana and carried on with the pioneer work of Billy and Elizabeth. For the most part they were all Christians. I believe Billy was a Methodist. Billy and Elizabeth are buried in Mitchell Cemetery in Anacoco, Louisiana. I believe the cemetery is now called Cold Water Cemetery. (Could be wrong on that.)

There is other documentation that shows William (Billy) Martin as a Revolutionary War soldier. He is listed with the Daughters of the American Revolution and that his wife, Elizabeth was Indian.  

Then we have a narrative-report written by Rev. Thomas Franklin, who was himself an early settler of the Sabine Territory. It was entitled, ‘Pioneer Minister Tells of First Cemetery.’

From Rev. Franklin’s report… 

To get a feel for the world that Billy and Elizabeth lived in, here are snippets from Rev. Franklin’s narrative:

 “I have been acquainted with people of this country ever since the year 1835 and the history of this graveyard from the time the first grave was opened. I feel it is my duty to give a short history to those who are interested.

In my early days there were no churches, no schoolhouses, preachers, nor anyone who would offer prayer in public, but my mother. People had to die, and I well remember when the people were called to bury John Martin’s infant child. This place was selected to lay the precious body. This was the second I had witnessed.

Oh, how horrifying to my mind that the grief stricken parents should be forced to leave their baby in the dark grave. There was no man of God to speak a word of encouragement or also God’s blessing on the afflicted people. At this time the Martin, West, Miers, and Franklin families made the principle part of the citizens of this country.

Rev. James Forman, a Protestant Methodist, organized a society in the first school house that was put up in this area. I well remember the old preacher preaching the funeral of Thomas Martin. He was the first man I ever saw kneel and offer prayer to God in this graveyard.

Now as we have been following the history of servants of the Lord since 1835, we now turn more directly to the history of this graveyard for here lies the body of the old and the young resting.

Here the body of William Martin, an old Revolutionary soldier, with his wife, also many children and grandchildren lie buried here. And the old wayworn traveler Saul Williams, who had been to  market to get supplies for his family and was taken at my father’s on his return home, and died. His children from Texas came and they and their friends laid his body here to rest.”

How easy to forget who we are as a people.

Billy and Elizabeth have a special memorial to them in Mitchell Cemetery. Many of my Martin forbearers are laid to rest there.

But as the family migrated outward two of Billy’s grandsons homesteaded in what later took the name Sharp, Louisiana. This is where my roots are. And there in Campbell Creek Cemetary are two sets of my great-grandparents. Beside one set of my great-grandparents, are my grandparents, my dad, and one of my sons. And there is where Betty and I will be laid to rest.

My mom is buried there. Uncles, aunts, cousins, and even a great-nephew. In fact most all who are buried at Campbell Creek Cemetery are kin folk.

Oddly enough it was the Indians who came up with the name Campbell Creek. Seems a passing settler camped awhile at the nearby creek and the Indians in the area called the creek after the settler’s name.

I’ve often walked through the old cemetary, thinking about the stalwart people who helped settle this country. For some reason the old cemetery helps me remember that my body is also of the clay, and that one day this old body must return to the earth from which it came.

Never a morbid thought enters my mind at the old cemetery. For I know deep down in my heart that I belong to the Lord of glory, and that one day I will get to meet many of my pioneer forebearers.

Has it really been that long since the pioneers settled here?

It really hasn’t been that long when you think about it. I well remember as a child when no one where we lived had running water or electricity. Some still lived in log houses, with no glass windows. They closed wooden shutters at night. Yes, I also remember doing my homework by use of a kerosene lamp, and seeing my grandmother cooking on a wood stove.

Well, its been over two hundred years since Billy and Elizabeth came to this country, but it really hasn’t been that long. Did not the brother of the Lord say, “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14 nasb)

Perhaps there really is a point to this narrative…

Think about it. When David spoke of the righteous man, he said, “For he will never be shaken; the righteous will be remembered forever.” (Ps112:6)

So what is the most important thing in life that we should take to heart? For me it is spiritual. The most important thing to take to heart is knowing that every true believer has their name recorded in the Lamb’s book of life.

It is this knowledge of our eternal salvation that causes us to agree with all the saints of old, of which it is written,

“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen then and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear thay they are seeking a country of their own. . . . But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” (cf. He11:13-16 nasb)

There is a song that stays in my mind from the time of childhood. It is titled ‘When I Reach that City.’ Perhaps some of you will remember it. Here it is:

 WHEN I REACH THAT CITY

(1)
On the top of Mount Zion is a city
And the earth with glory it doth fill;
I shall look on its beauty in the morning
When I reach that city on the hill.

CHORUS

Oh, that city on Mount Zion,
Tho’ a pilgrim, yet I love thee still;
I’ll not leave thee, through the ages,
When I reach that city on the hill.

(2)
I’m invited to come home to that city,
For the Word says, “Whosoever will,”
And I’ll find there a mansion for me waiting
When I reach that city on the hill.

(3)
Death will never molest me in that city,
Never leave me lying cold and chill;
And I’ll enter to live up there forever
When I reach that city on the hill.

(4)
So I’ll stay here until my Saviour calls me,
Trying daily to perform His will;
Then He’ll say unto me, “Well done,” up yonder
When I reach that city in the hill.

Well, rambling time is over. For any who may be interested here is one of the web sites where I do our Martin genealogy. It is called ‘the Martins of Sabine Territory.’

http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=buddybear

Much love coming your way,

 Buddy