Martin Family Heirlooms

Photos © 1997-2007 by Carol Yoho
Select the thumbnail to see the larger version:

		Saddle once owned by Great Uncle Bob Martin, older brother of Cleve Martin Sr. Read comments by Ed Martin —7/20/2007
		Grandpa Cleve Martin Sr.'s forge, used to burn blacksmith coal, using a blower on the side (hand-cranked) to heat steel and make it mallable. The forge would be used on the farm with an anvil, tongs, and various hammers to make or repair any farm equipment needing work. This forge is presently kept by Cleve's youngest son, Bob. —7/20/2007

Roberta Sooter shares this carved wooden ring given her by her mother, Mabel. A similar object on Antique Road Show was identified as carved during the Civil War by a Union soldier who was a prisioner of war. It was common to make these rings of wood to help pass long hours in prison. Roberta believes that this ring might have been made by Darius Groshong, brother of Anna Groshong Martin, and passed to Mabel by another brother of Anna and Darius. Marks are carved or pressed into a "key" piece. ARS said that to remove the "key" would cause the ring to fall apart. —11/8/2003

		Gun collection includes bullet molds, holster, powder horns, powder flask, and nipple wrench. The small powder horn is etched with the figure of a hunter (see above).
An uncle owns the Martin cap and ball rifle and a cousin has the Martin cap and ball revolver. Both are muzzle-loading, but the rifle is older than the pistol. The pistol is reported to have been used by Christopher Columbus Martin in the Civil War.

About the .36 caliber Manhattan revolver (center above): These were percussion (cap and ball) weapons copied after the popular Colt "Navy". The Manhattan "Navy" was made from c. 1859 to 1868; total quantity estimated about 78,000. Produced in Newark, N.J. The serial number on this gun is 22933, which makes it a fairly early one, about 1860. Not many of these (if any) were bought by the U.S. government, but were bought and carried as personal weapons by both officers and enlisted men of both sides in the Civil War.

Phyllis brought this crazy quilt to show her cousins Darlene, Linda and Carol. She believes that it was pieces by Mabel Martin's aunt Charlotte Beamer.			This Civil War ribbon was incorporated into the quilt design. The story is that it was earned by Lottie's husband, who served in the war. Note aunt's initials at lower right corner of the quilt.
This scarf was worn by my great-grandmother, Ann Groshong Martin, before she was married in 1866. It was a recent gift to my cousin, Ann Sooter Roberts--from Anne's granddaughter, Anna Cornelison.			This fan belonged to my great-grandmother, Ann Groshong Martin.
Roberta Martin Sooter, has kept her doll well-groomed since she was a child. Her granddaughters enjoying seeing the doll, but are not allow to play with it.			This vase was a wedding gift to Mabel Stone Martin's mother. Katherine Ragland is the current owner.

Wedding certificate for Cleve and Mabel Martin, married July 11, 1906 in Atchison, KS.