Martin reunion [Moab, Utah, June 2004]

It was a great get-together -- cousins, cousins, and more cousins. Rosanne, the one who found me, was wonderful; she took a great deal of time to make sure we met as many as possible. On Sunday morning before we left, she took us out to Castle Valley, where **John and Mathias had settled. John's original cabin is still being lived in -- added to and modernized. The owner let us in to see the original. This was the third cabin John built, he said they "worn out two" -- meaning, I think that they outgrew them. Those two are still standing as well. Also, saw the graves of the wives of John and Mathias, they were buried on the corners of their farms.

I can't imagine how they ever found their way into that valley, let alone made a living there -- they surely must have been very hardy people.
Love, Christina Dryden Woolford

CENSUS:

1856 Census Iowa, Pleasant Grove, Des Moines, Iowa, p 792, 793
-James Martin 40, in IA 12 years, born OH, 9 acres in meadows, 9 tons of hay, 12 acres of Spring wheat, 160 bushels harvested, 8 acres of winter wheat, 60 bushels harvested, 18 acres of oats, 500 bushels harvested, 20 acres of corn, 1000 bushels harvested, 1/2 acre of potatoes, 100 bushels harvested, 13 hogs sold $133 value of hogs sold, 2 cattle sold , vlue of cattle sold $100, 100 pounds of butter manufactured, 150 pounds of wool, value of domestic manufactures $200
-Eliza Martin 39, in IA 12 years, born PA
-Samuel Martin 19, in IA 12 years, born PA
-Matilda Martin 17, in IA 12 years, born PA
-Almarene Martin 13, in IA 12 years, born OH
-Caraline Martin 11, in IA 12 years, born IA
-Matthias Martin 5, in IA 12 years, born IA
-James Martin 6, in IA 12 years, born IA
-*John Martin 3, in IA 12 years, born IA
-Thomas Martin 2, in IA 12 years, born IA

1860 Census, Pleasant Grove, Des Moines, IA, Post Office: New London, Henry Co., p 161, July 18th
-James Martin 45, farmer, value real estate $4,760, value personal estate $1300, born OH
-Eliza Martin 44, born PA
-Samuel Martin 23, farmer, born PA
-Matilda Martin 21, school teacher, born PA
-Almarine Martin 17, farmer, born OH
-Caroline Martin 14, born IA
-Matthias Martin 12, born IA
-James Martin 9, born IA
-*John Martin 7, born IA
-Thomas Martin 5, born IA
-Henry Martin 3, born IA
-Mary Martin 11 months, born IA

1870 Census, Pleasant Grove, Des Moines, IA, Post Office: Middletown, p 5, June 3rd
-James Martin 54, farmer, value real estate $7,200, value personal estate $2010, born OH
-Mathies Martin 21, farm laborer, born IA
-James Martin 18, farm laborer, born IA
-*John Martin 16, farm laborer, born IA
-Mary Martin 10, keeping house, born IA
-Nancy Morgan 22, keeping house, born IL