Martin M. Turner (c1820) and Eliza --- of Marion and Dillon Co, SC

I (Marty Grant) don't know how (or if) I'm related to the Martin M. 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 M. Turner under study here on this page was a resident of Kirby Township (now Dillon County), while the other Martin W. Turner (c1816) resided (not too far away) in Moody Township (now still part of Marion). I think they were just on opposite sides of Catfish Creek, but not really too far apart. Both were probably named for the elder Martin Turner born ca 1790, who was likely an Uncle (or cousin) to both, though both of the younger Martin's had a "Martin" ancestor, one as mother, the other as grandmother. This is their likely namesake, if not the elder Martin Turner.

Martin M. Turner was born ca 1819/20 (per the 1850 census) or ca 1815 (per 1860, 1870 and 1880 census). The census records disagree on his age, he was 30 in 1850 (ca 1819/20), 45 in 1860 (ca 1814/15), 54 in 1870 (ca 1815/16) and 65 in 1880 (ca 1814/15). His tombstone gives his birth simply as "1812", but tombstones are not reliable sources for birth dates. He was born in Marion District, SC. I'm not sure which section of the county he was born in, but Kirby Township area seems most likely, somewhere on the south or west side of Catfish Creek. This would be somewhere in the general vicinity of Sellers, or between there and Latta. There is also a possibility that I have his middle initial of "M" wrong. "M" and "W" often look alike, and I've seen his listed both ways. His tombstone gives "M", so that is what I use.

Martin M. Turner is a proven son of Martha Turner (1784/90) and Needham Watson. They were not married, so Martin was born out of wedlock. This family connection is proven by an 1860 court record which will be given below. The same record gives the ethnic background of the family.

Martin seems to be home with his mother for the 1820 census (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), and seems to be with his grandfather Reuben Turner for the 1830 census (as did his mother and siblings), aged 10-15, (born ca 1815/20).

Martin M. Turner married Eliza --- before 1839 in Marion District, SC. Eliza was born ca 1819/20 (per 1850 census) in Marion Dist, SC. I don't know who her parents were.

There was a Martin Turner listed on the 1840 census, but I'm reasonably sure it was the other Martin and not this one. The other Martin Turner was also married about the same time as this Martin. The 1840 census listing showed Martin Turner was jut two houses from Theophilus Turner. I think evidence is strong that this is the other Martin listed in 1840. Since Theophilus was just four houses from him in 1850 also. That means that our Martin M. Turner was not listed on the 1840 census. I think he was at home with his mother in 1840, for she did have people with her that matched his age and his wife's, and their daughter.

Martin Turner and family were listed on the 1850 census in Marion District, living next door to my ancestor Daniel Turner (c1796). They were somewhere in Kirby Township.

Martin Turner and family may have moved somewhat by the time of the 1860 census. By this time, none of their neighbors from 1850 were anywhere nearby. This could be a result of the census taker's path through the county though, and not an indication of them moving. But since they didn't own land, it is possible they moved from place to place. In 1860 they were not listed near any other Turner families. Their neighbor on one side was John O. Lane and Benjamin Bailey on the other. They were still in Kirby Township, based on the various neighbors.

In 1860, Martin M. Turner (and his cousin Martin W. Turner) both appeared in the Marion District Court records disputing the Sheriff and Tax Collector who were trying to collect "Capitation" Tax from those who were "Free Colored". They both stood up for their rights as Free white citizens, and that they were not subject to such a tax. Several affidavits were then filed by several upstanding "white" citizens on their behalf, and these records are quite informative, and I'll give them here. Only one pertained to Martin M. Turner, but several were there for his cousin Martin W. Turner. Both were listed as Martin W. Turner though, but it is clear from the lineage given that they were for two different people.

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

The result of the above was that on 31 Oct 1860, the judge ordered that the Sheriff restrain from enforcing the "execution against Martin W. Turner as a free person of color for a capitative tax until first Monday in Nov. next." I don't know what happened in November "next", but there was no other record of this in the published court minutes.

See my Ethnic origins pages and my Race Codes pages for an explanation of "Free Colored" and so forth.

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. (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 this one was slightly younger, I'd say it was him. If his "race" was a factor, it didn't stop him from serving in the Confederate cause. In the same Company with him were Joel Turner and Willis Turner.

For the 1870 Census, Martin Turner was listed in Kirby Township. He wasn't listed near any other Turners, though there were several elsewhere in the same Township.

They were sill in Kirby Township for the 1880 census. This time, they were listed fairly close to some other Turners, including their married son Kenneth T. Turner. This is the first (and only) census to show this particular set of Turners with a race code of "M", meaning Mulatto. (See notes above on the issue of "Race"). In all the earlier census records, they were listed as White. Also of particular interest is that on this census, Martin reported his father was born in NC. Eliza reported her mother also born in NC.

According to their tombstones at the Hulon Cemetery (Dillon County), both Martin and Eliza died on 4 Jan 1890. His stone says: Martin M. Turner 1812 - 4 Jan 1890 and hers says: Eliza Turner 1816 - 4 Jan 1890. Their birth years don't agree with any of their census entries. I wonder if these stones were placed at the time of their death, or many years later. There is no way to be sure. However, it is not uncommon for tombstones to have a wrong birth year, in fact it is very common. (Thanks to Tonya Perry for the cemetery data).

Children

Martin M. Turner and Eliza --- had at least 6 children, proven by the 1850 through 1880 census records. There could be others who died young:

Rebecca Turner was born ca 1838/39 in Marion District, SC, presumably in Kirby Township (now Dillon County). She was home with her parents for the 1850 census, but gone by 1860, so she probably had married or died by then.

Mary T. Turner was born ca 1841/42 in Marion District, SC, presumably in Kirby Township (now Dillon County). She was home with her parents for the 1850 and 1860 census, but gone by 1870, so she probably had married or died by then.

Kenneth T. Turner was born June 1848 in Marion District, SC, presumably in Kirby Township (now Dillon County). He was home with his parents for the 1850 and 1860 census.

Kenneth Turner married Amanda --- ca 1868 in Marion County, SC. I don't know her maiden name.

They were listed on the 1870 census in Marion County in Moody Township residing with Lucy Lee, age 50 (perhaps Amanda's mother?). Their post office was listed as "Catfish" so they were probably not far from where his parents lived, just the other side of Catfish Creek.

I tried to locate Lucy Lee on the 1860 census, but didn't find her listed. She was listed on the 1880 census two houses from Kenneth and Amanda Turner, and listed as "single". Interestingly, she was also listed (as they were that year) with a race code of "M" (Mulatto), though "white" in 1870.

Also with Kenneth in 1870 was Joe Turner. I'm not sure at all which Joseph Turner this is. There are several about that age. Kenneth's brother "John" would have been about that age in 1870, so it could be him, if the 1850 entry listing him as "John" were incorrect (he wasn't found in 1860). Joseph Turner born ca 1847/48, son of Lydia Turner is one possibility. Another is Joseph Turner born August 1848, son of Joel H. Turner. I don't know how either of these two Joseph's are related to Kenneth Turner.

Kenneth Turner and family were listed on the 1880 census in Marion County, in Kirby Township. His parents were just a few houses away. Lucy Lee was just two houses away. Note that on this census, they were all listed with a race code of "M" (Mulatto) indicating some kind of mixed blood (see notes above about that).

The family was still in Kirby Township for the 1900 census. No other Turner families were nearby. This census showed that Amanda had 19 children, 17 of which were still living. While that number is extraordinarily high, it seems actually too low, considering the children listed in the 1880 census, plus these here make for a total of 22 known children. It is possible that some of these might have been grandchildren instead or nieces and nephews.

They were listed on the 1910 census in Marion County in Kirby Township. They were next door to widow Minnie Turner Turner, Kenneth's daughter.

They must have moved over the line into Dillon after 1910 (Dillon was formed in 1910 from upper Marion), for Amanda died on 7 Jan 1916 in Dillon County, and is buried at the Turner Cemetery there. It is possible they didn't move at all, but were just buried in Dillon County.

Kenneth was living with son Richard Turner for the 1920 census in Marion County in Moody Township.

Kenneth T. Turner died on 1 Jul 1924 in Dillon County as is also buried at the Turner Cemetery.

John Turner was born ca 1850 in Marion District, SC, presumably in Kirby Township (now Dillon County). He was home with his parents for the 1850 census. He wasn't with them in 1860, so probably had died by then.

Martha Turner was born ca 1855/56 in Marion District, SC, presumably in Kirby Township (now Dillon County). She was home with her parents for the 1860 and 1870 census, but was gone by 1880, so probably had married or died by then.

Elsey Catherine Turner was born ca 1860 in Marion District, SC, presumably in Kirby Township (now Dillon County). She was home with her parents for the 1860, 1870 and 1880 census.

Researcher List

1. Martin M¹ 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, son of Needham Watson and Martha Turner . 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:

2 i Rebecca² Turner , born 1838/39 in Marion Dist, SC.

3 ii Mary T² Turner , born 1841/42 in Marion Dist, SC.

+ 4 iii Kenneth T² 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 (---) .

5 iv John² Turner , born 1850 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1850/60 in Marion Dist, SC.

6 v Martha² Turner , born 1855/56 in Marion Dist, SC.

7 vi Elsey Catherine² Turner , born 1860 in Marion Dist, SC.

Generation 2

4. Kenneth T² Turner (Martin M¹), born Jun 1848 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1 Jul 1924 in Dillon Co, SC; buried in Turner Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC. He married in 1867/68 in Marion Co, SC Amanda (---) , born 25 Jun 1853 in Marion Dist, SC; died 7 Jan 1916 in Dillon Co, SC; buried in Turner Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC.

Children of Kenneth T Turner and Amanda (---) were as follows:

+ 8 i Charlotte³ Turner , born Dec 1869 in Marion Co, SC. She married W David Cain .

+ 9 ii Ellen³ Turner , born 23 Aug 1872 in Marion Co, SC; died 14 Sep 1945. She married Sam C Hulon .

+ 10 iii Minnie³ Turner , born 17 Oct 1873 in Marion Co, SC; died 6 Mar 1947 in Dillon Co, SC; buried in Turner Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC. She married Harris C Turner .

+ 11 iv Morgan T³ Turner , born 1874 in Marion Co, SC; died 1947 in Dillon Co, SC; buried in Turner Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC. He married Evelyn Hulon .

12 v Flanie³ Turner , born 1876/77 in Marion Co, SC.

+ 13 vi Lelan³ Turner , born 1877/78 in Marion Co, SC. She married Eddie Carter .

+ 14 vii Boyd³ Turner , born May 1878 in Marion Co, SC. He married Tebie (---) .

15 viii Molly³ Turner , born 20 May 1879 in Marion Co, SC; died 30 Jun 1910 in Dillon Co, SC; buried in Turner Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC.

16 ix Jessie³ Turner , born Apr 1880 in Marion Co, SC; died 7 Nov 1881 in Marion Co, SC (now Dillon Co, SC); buried in Hulon Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC.

17 x Lula³ Turner , born Feb 1881 in Marion Co, SC.

+ 18 xi Carrie³ Turner , born 12 Sep 1882 in Marion Co, SC; died 27 May 1940 in Latta, Dillon Co, SC. She married Will Carter .

19 xii Leavy³ Turner , born 9 Oct 1884 in Marion Co, SC; died 2 Nov 1901 in Sellers, Marion Co, SC. She married in 1900/02 in Marion Co, SC (now Dillon Co, SC) Eddie Carter .

+ 20 xiii Inez "Nezzie"³ Turner , born 12 Jan 1885 in Marion Co, SC; died 25 Dec 1939 in Dillon Co, SC. She married Tom Carter .

+ 21 xiv Floyd³ Turner , born 28 Dec 1885 in Marion Co, SC; died 1956 in Dillon Co, SC; buried in Hulon Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC. He married Florence Calder .

+ 22 xv Danie³ Turner , born 9 Nov 1887 in Marion Co, SC. She married Grover Cleve Simmons .

+ 23 xvi Edna³ Turner , born Jun 1889 in Marion Co, SC; died 1968. She married Liston Christmas .

+ 24 xvii Richard Carl³ Turner , born 20 Jun 1892 in Marion Co, SC; died 19 Sep 1954 in Dillon Co, SC; buried in Turner Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC. He married Lillie Summerford .

+ 25 xviii Warley³ Turner , born Nov 1892 in Marion Co, SC. He married Addie (---) .

26 xix Lewis Curley³ Turner , born 20 May 1896 in Marion Co, SC; died 7 Jan 1911 in Dillon Co, SC; buried in Turner Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC.

+ 27 xx Gaddy T³ Turner , born 9 Nov 1896 in Marion Co, SC; died 12 May 1967 in Marion Co, SC; buried in Rose Hill Cem, Marion, Marion Co, SC. He married Falia Christmas .