Martha Turner of Marion Co, SC

I (Marty Grant) don't know how (or if) I'm related to Martha Turner, but I am very interested in her though.

Martha Turner was born ca 1784/90 (per census analysis), presumably in Marion District, SC, and probably in the area around Catfish Creek in either Moody Township or Kirby Township (now Dillon County, SC). I don't know for sure which area, but I'm just assuming it was somewhere in that vicinity.

Martha Turner was a single mother having several children out of wedlock. She is a proven daughter of Reuben Turner and Dorothy Martin. This is named in an 1860 court record concerning Martha's son Martin Turner. That record (quoted below) showed that Martha Turner was a child of Reuben and that she was the mother of Martin.

Martha was apparently home with her parents for the 1790 census, though no ages were given for females, but Reuben had 4 females with him (all born before 1790), one of them was certainly Martha.

Martha was apparently home with her parents for the 1800 census, though the entirely family was lumped into the one Free Colored column, and no ages were given, nor any breakdown by sex, but Reuben had 6 people in his household, one of them was certainly Martha.

It appears that in the 1804-1810 time period, Martha began having children out of wedlock. I base this date on her 1820 census entry which shows her oldest child born ca 1804/10. The various census records show she had several children, but I have only found documentary evidence proving one of them (Martin-1820) and that his father was Needham Watson (proven by an 1860 court record).

Martha Turner was apparently home with her parents for the 1810 census, age 16-25 (1784/94).

Martha Turner was listed on the 1820 census, with several children in her household. Unfortunately, the 1820 census was alphabetical, so we can't tell what part of the county Martha Turner resided in, nor who her neighbors were. Martha had two adult females age 26-44 (born ca 1775/1794) in her household. The other could be a sister or a daughter, though sister seems more likely due to the ages.

Martha Turner was not found on the 1830 census in Marion District. However, Reuben Turner's household contained "extra" people of perfect age to be Martha and her children. Since we know she is Reuben's daughter, then it seems likely she had moved "back home" by this time.

Martha Turner was listed on the 1840 census in Marion Dist, SC. This census was not alphabetical, so we can more or less determine where she lived. Martha Turner's neighbors on either side were John Turner Jr and Crawford Lean (Lane). Other neighbors nearby included several Turner families, such as Henry Turner, Daniel Turner, Joseph Turner. This seems to be the area along Catfish Creek in an area that could either by Bethea Township or Moody Township, or possibly Kirby Township. Martha's son Martin and his wife and daughter seem to be living with Martha in 1840.

I did not find Martha Turner on the 1850 census in Marion District, SC, nor in any bordering counties. So I suspect she died in the 1840's (or married someone).

Children

Martha Turner apparently had several children based on the 1820, 1830 and 1840 census, all currently unidentified except for Martin. However, we have several "suspects" for her children, but keep in mind these are speculative, and far from proven.

Unknown Son (1804/10). Martha Turner had an apparent son this age. He was with her in 1820 (age 10-15, born ca 1804/10), but apparently not with her in 1830, so probably married or dead by then.

There are a couple of "unclaimed" male Turner's who fit this age group, including: Henry Turner (c1810) (who was two houses from Martha in 1840); Jesse Turner (1800/10) who was listed in 1830, but gone by 1840; ; Stephen Turner (c1810) who wasn't nearby in 1840, but did live in the same area (Catfish Creek); and Joseph Turner (c1803) who was four houses from Martha in 1840. Of these, only Joseph was still in Marion in 1850, though Stephen was back by 1860.

Unknown Son (1810/20). Martha Turner had an apparent son this age. He was with her in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), but apparently not with her in 1830, so probably married or dead by then.

There are a couple of "unclaimed" male Turner's who fit this age group, including: James Turner (c1817/18) who married Judith Powers.

Unknown Son (1810/20) Martha Turner had an apparent son this age. He was with her in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), but apparently not with her in 1830, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1815/20). Martha Turner had an apparent daughter this age. She was with her in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), and still home in 1830 (age 10-14, born ca 1815/20), but apparently not with her in 1840, so probably married or dead by then. There was a female age 20-29 (1810/20) with Martha in 1840, but I think that was probably Eliza (c1819/20) wife of Martha's son Martin M. Turner.

Martin M. Turner was born ca 1819/20 in Marion Dist, SC. He is a proven child of Martha Turner.

In 1860, Martin Turner was in court defending his right as free white. An Affidavit was filed by upstanding "white" citizens defending his character, but clearly pointing out that the Turners had black blood, though had always lived as free men and "passed" for white and were received as such, even though everyone knew they had African ancestry.

The first statement was made on 9 Aug 1860 in the case of Martin W. Turner (c1820) vs N. C. McDuffie, Sheriff of Marion District. A statement filed by John Blackman Sr and James Lane Sr (both relatives of mine by the way) said this about Martin:

Unknown Son (1820/25). Martha Turner had an apparent son this age. He was with her in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and still home in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25).

Unknown Son (1825/30). Martha Turner had an apparent son this age. He was with her in 1830 (age "under 5" born ca 1825/30), and still home in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30).

There are a couple of "unclaimed" male Turner's who fit this age group, including those two named above who were born ca 1825, since that would make them an easy fit in either age group. In addition to those three above (Joel, and Robert), are some other suspects for this son: James Turner (c1828) married Desda ---; and James Turner (c1829/30) wife Tilatha.

Unknown Son (1830/35). Martha Turner had an apparent son this age. He was with her in 1840 (age 5-9, born ca 1830/35).

This could be a grandson instead of a son, but it is hard to tell without additional information. This could be Robert Turner (c1831/32) as he fits age-wise and is otherwise unclaimed.

Unknown Son (1835/40). Martha Turner had an apparent son this age. He was with her in 1840 (age "under 5", born ca 1835/40).

This could be a grandson instead of a son, but it is hard to tell without additional information. Currently, I have no unclaimed male Turner's who fit in this age grouping.

Unknown Daughter (1835/40). Martha Turner had an apparent daughter this age. She was with her in 1840 (age "under 5", born ca 1835/40).

Researcher List

1. Martha "Patty"¹ Turner , born 1784/90 in Georgetown Dist, SC (now Dillon Co, SC); died aft 1840 in Marion Dist, SC, daughter of Reuben Turner and Dorothy Martin . She married (1) Not married ? (---) ; (2) Not married Needham Watson , son of Samuel Watson and ? (---) .

Children of Martha "Patty" Turner and Needham Watson were as follows:

+ 2 i Martin M² Turner Pvt , born 1819/20 in Marion Dist, SC; died 4 Jan 1890 in Marion Co, SC (now Dillon Co, SC); buried in Hulon Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC. He married Eliza (---) .

Generation 2

2. Martin M² Turner Pvt (Martha "Patty"¹ Turner), born 1819/20 in Marion Dist, SC; died 4 Jan 1890 in Marion Co, SC (now Dillon Co, SC); buried in Hulon Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC. He married in 1830/39 in Marion Dist, SC Eliza (---) , born 1819/20 in Marion Dist, SC; died 4 Jan 1890 in Marion Co, SC (now Dillon Co, SC); buried in Hulon Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC.

Children of Martin M Turner Pvt and Eliza (---) were as follows:

4 i Rebecca³ Turner , born 1838/39 in Marion Dist, SC.

5 ii Mary T³ Turner , born 1841/42 in Marion Dist, SC.

+ 6 iii Kenneth T³ Turner , born Jun 1848 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1 Jul 1924 in Dillon Co, SC; buried in Turner Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC. He married Amanda (---) .

7 iv John³ Turner , born 1850 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1850/60 in Marion Dist, SC.

8 v Martha³ Turner , born 1855/56 in Marion Dist, SC.

9 vi Elsey Catherine³ Turner , born 1860 in Marion Dist, SC.

Martha Turner (1784/90) of Marion Co, SC

Children

Researcher List

Register Report