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Martin W. Turner (c1816) and Elizabeth "Betsy" --- of Marion Co, SC[Commentary] [Children] [Researcher List] [Register Report] [A Note about sources] [How to contact me] [Home] I (Marty Grant) don't know how (or if) I'm related to the Martin W. Turner family, but I am very interested in him though. First of all, it is very important to point out that there were three men named Martin Turner in Marion County. Two were about the same age, and both had a wife with a similar name: (Eliza and Elizabeth). This means that it is very possible that I've mixed up some of the records and applied information to one when it should be the other. However, I think I've sorted them out properly. The Martin W. Turner under study here was a resident of Moody Township, just east of Catfish Creek, probably about halfway between the creek and Temperance Hill community. The other Martin M. Turner (c1820) was a resident of Kirby Township (now Dillon County), just on the opposite side of Catfish Creek, but not really too far from this Martin. Martin W. Turner was born ca 1815/16 (per 1850 census) in Marion District, SC, presumably in the area east of Catfish Creek in Moody Township. Martin is a proven son of William Turner and Catherine Martin (per two 1855 deeds and an 1860 Court record). Martin was probably named for his mother's maiden name. I don't know what his "W" middle initial stood for. Martin W. Turner was probably home with his parents for the 1820 census (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), and probably with them in 1830 (age 10-14, born ca 1815/20). Martin W. Turner married Elizabeth --- before 1838. I don't know what her maiden name was. Martin W. Turner was listed on the 1840 census in Marion District, SC. He was listed near several other Turner families, including his brother Theophilus Turner, just two houses away. Other neighbors in the same area, are known residents of Moody Township area near Ebenezer Cemetery, west of Temperance Hill, between there and Catfish Creek. 1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census) 1840 Marion District, SC pg 141 Martin Turner 0000100000000-1000100000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 20-29 (1810-1820) Martin W. TURNER (1815/16) s/o William 1 Female(s) 20-29 (1810-1820) Elizabeth ___ Turner (1817/18) wife 1 Female(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Frances TURNER (1837/38) daughter Martin W. Turner and family were listed on the 1850 census in Marion District, SC. He was listed two houses from his father William Turner. This is roughly the same area I described for the 1840 census, being in what later became Moody Township. Martin was next door to Robert Turner, possibly his brother.
1850 MARION DIST, SC Page 84 House/Family # 1268/1273 TURNER MARTIN 34 M W FARMER MARION 1815/1816 TURNER ELIZABETH 26 F W MARION 1823/1824 TURNER FRANCES 12 F W MARION 1837/1838 TURNER CHERRY 10 F W MARION 1839/1840 TURNER ELI 8 M W MARION 1841/1842 On 2 Nov 1855 William Turner gave land to his son Martin W. Turner. This was 34 acres on the North East side of the Public Road and Catfish Swamp, being part of an original patent to John Sanders. Bordering land owners were R(obert) Hussey (a son of Milly Turner Hussey), James M. Bryant, Catherine Parker. William signed with a mark. Witnesses were James W. Bass and B. Moody. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book X page 279). On 2 Nov 1855 William Turner gave more land to his son Martin W. Turner. This was 93 acres on the North East side of Catfish described as where he (Martin) currently lived. William signed with a mark. Witnesses were James W. Bass and B. Moody. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book X page 280). For the 1860 census, Martin and family were still in Marion District. His probable brother Robert Turner was just five houses away, and the elder Robert Turner was six houses away. Other Turner's were fairly close by as well.
1860 MARION DIST, SC Page 85B House/Family # 1343/1330 -- MARION Twp TURNER M W 44 M M FARMER 5000 2000 SC 1815/1816 TURNER ISABELLA 42 F M SC 1817/1818 TURNER FRANCES 25 F M SC 1834/1835 TURNER ELI 16 M M SC 1843/1844 TURNER ELIJAH 11 M M SC 1848/1849 TURNER M 2 F M SC 1857/1858 For the 1860 census, Martin Turner and family were all listed with a race code of "M" (Mulatto). Census takers used the "Free Colored" and "Mulatto" designation to show a person of mixed race, whether they be part Indian, part Black, or of some other origin (darker skinned). A large portion of the Turners of Marion County fell into this category. One of the earliest Turner's in the area was John Turner Sr (c1740-c1804) and his wife Patience (Martin's grandparents), and they were described as being part black, John being half African, and Patience as one fourth. In 1860, Martin W. Turner and his cousin Martin M. Turner (c1820) both appeared in Marion District Court to defend their rights as free white persons. They had both been approached to pay a "capitation" tax, which I think was only levied against "Free Colored" persons. They both brought their cases to court, and both won. In each case prominent citizens came to their defense and made character statements as well as gave valuable genealogical data. Here are those records. On 17 Sep 1860, in Marion Court, the case of Martin W. Turner vs R. J. Gregg, Tax Collector was brought. In the case this statement was made:
On the same date, William H. Moody (son of Barfield Moody and Sally Crawford) made a statement for Martin, but didn't mention any of Martin's ancestors names. However he did say that Martin had Martin had been in his Militia unit (Cross Road Beat, 32 Regiment SC Militia) he also said that "Turner, though somewhat stained, has always been received in the Community as a free white man." On the same date, James W. Bass (son of Joseph R. Bass and Mercy Crawford) also made a statement for Martin, though named none of his ancestors, but said he had known Martin for many years and he "has enjoyed the rights and immunities of a white man". Also on that date, James Lane Sr made a statement and repeated much of what John Blackman had said. Here is James Lane's statement, confirming John Blackman's:
For the Civil War, one of the Martin Turner's enlisted in Company D, 25th Regiment Infantry as a Private. He was listed by Sellers as "Martin Turner", and he said he "died since the war", meaning he was dead before 1898-1901 when his book was being written. This could be either Martin. (A History of Marion County, South Carolina by W.W. Sellers, page 635). I'm not sure if the Civil War record pertains to this or to the other Martin, but since the other one was slightly younger, I'd say it was probably him that served, instead of the Martin Turner under study here. Martin Turner and family were listed in Moody Township for the 1870 census. There were other Turner's in that area, but none listed extremely close by.
1870 MARION CO, SC Page 224 House/Family # 2/ 2--MOODY'S Twp TURNER MARTIN 54 M W FARMER 1000 300 SC 1815/1816 TURNER BETSY 52 F W KEEPING HOUSE SC 1817/1818 For the 1880 census, Martin Turner was listed in Moody Township, living alone, but with his marital status listed as "M" (Married). In the same township (but not near by) was Betsy Turner, close to right age to be Martin's wife. However, she was listed as Single. I don't know if they were separated, or if this Betsy Turner is someone else. But here are both listings:
1880 MARION CO, SC Page 263 House/Family # 42/ 42 -- MOODY Twp CHRISMAS WILLIAM W M 25 M FARMER SC SC SC 1854/1855 CHRISMAS ARNETTIE W F 19 WF M SC SC SC 1860/1861 CHRISMAS AURTHE M W M 5 S S SC SC SC 1874/1875 CHRISMAS ALBERTA W F 1 D S SC SC SC 1878/1879 TURNER BETTSY M F 53 NO S Blind SC SC SC 1826/1827 1880 MARION CO, SC Page 274 House/Family # 252/ 252 -- MOODY Twp TURNER MARTIN M M 65 M WORKS FARM SC SC SC 1814/1815 I did not find Martin and family on the 1900 census. ChildrenMartin W. Turner and Elizabeth "Betsy" had at least five children, as proven by the 1850 and 1860 census. Frances Turner was born ca 1837/38 in Marion District, SC, presumably in Moody Township. She was home with her parents for the 1850 and 1860 census, but gone by 1870, so probably had married or died by then. Cherry Turner was born ca 1839/40 in Marion District, SC, presumably in Moody Township. She was home with her parents for the 1850 census, but gone by 1860, so probably had married or died by then. Eli Turner was born ca 1841/42 in Marion District, SC, presumably in Moody Township. He was home with his parents for the 1850 and 1860 census, but gone by 1870. Eli Turner was old enough for Civil War service, but I didn't find a record, unless he was the "E. Turner" in Company E, 23rd Regiment (A History of Marion County, South Carolina by W.W. Sellers, page 613). I didn't find Eli Turner on the 1870 or 1880 census in Marion County. I don't know if he died, or moved away. Elijah Turner was born ca 1848/49 in Marion District, SC, presumably in Moody Township. He was not listed with his parents on the 1850 census, but was with his parents for the 1860 census, listed as age 11. I didn't find Elijah Turner on the 1870 or 1880 census in Marion County. I don't know if he died, or moved away. M. Turner was born ca 1857/58 in Marion District, SC, presumably in Moody Township. She was home with her parents for the 1860 census, but gone by 1870, so probably had married or died by then. I don't know what her name was, but an "M" initial could easily be: Mary, Martha, Margaret, etc. Researcher ListPersons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
Register Report1. Martin W1 Turner, born 1815/16 in Marion Dist, SC; died aft 1880 in Marion Co, SC, son of William Turner and Catherine Martin. He married bef 1838 in Marion Dist, SC Elizabeth (---), born 1823/24 in Marion Dist, SC.
Children of Martin W Turner and Elizabeth (---) were as follows: 2 i Frances2 Turner, born 1837/38 in Marion Dist, SC. 3 ii Cherry2 Turner, born 1839/40 in Marion Dist, SC. 4 iii Eli2 Turner, born 1841/42 in Marion Dist, SC; died 29 Oct 1862. 5 iv Elijah2 Turner, born 1848/49 in Marion Dist, SC. 6 v M2 Turner, born 1857/58 in Marion Dist, SC. Last Updated January 16, 2006 Turner Page (Main) | Turner Families | What's New? Home | Surnames | Christian Pages | Search this Site | Contact Me
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