History

Daily Press, Newport News, VA., Thursday, September 27, 1973
Martiau: A Common Ancestor
Father of America's Fathers Studied

This is the third of a series of articles on three of Yorktown's earliest settlers. Source of the material for this final article is from John Baer Stoudt's book, "Nicolas Martiau - Adventurous Huguenot."

By Katharine Kinnier, Staff Reporter

YORKTOWN – first in peace, first in war, first in the hearts of his countrymen.........This accolade, describing George Washington - America's first president - surely must continue to strike a note of pride in his now ancestors.

And there are quite a number, according to Robert Clay of Richmond. Clay is a descendant of Nicolas Martiau, first known forebear of Washington in this country. Clay, who is a staff member of the Virginia State Library in Richmond, says Martiau "is kin to half the people in the English-speaking world."

John Baer Stoudt authored a book titled "Nicolas Martiau - Adventurous Huguenot," in which he describes his subject as the earliest American ancestor of both General George Washington and Governor Thomas Nelson.

(missing) memorialize Martiau when he was asked to deliver the historic address at the dedication of an historic marker to martiau on Saturday morning, October 17, 1931. The simple monolith shaft of Vermont granite was erected by the Martiau-Washington memorial Association, and commemorates his activities in the founding of Virginia, and his illustrious descendants. The marker is eleven feet high, and stands in the yard of a home on Ballard St., behind the First National Bank of Yorktown. It is the site where Martiau built his home; after arrival in this country.

The bronze plaque affixed to the memorial, tells in outline form of the many activities of this original patentee for Yorktown. Above the inscription is the Grand Cross of the Huguenots.

Martiau's name also is remembered on a street leading into Yorktown's Main Street from Route 17. It is the first street on the left.

"There was a distinct French Huguenot strain in the lineage of Governor Washington," he says. "It came to him from his first American ancestor, Nicolas Martiau, a Huguenot refugee who came to Virginia in 1620. This resulted in Washington's blend of Cavalier and Huguenot, Stoudt observes.

Stoudt further states that Martiau, who was the personal representative of Henry, Fifth Earl of Huntington, was naturalized in England before coming to Virginia. In this country, he served in the House of Burgesses, and was appointed a justice. He was a member of the Virginia Company. With the rapid growth of "adventure," Stoudt says, "and with the great increase in the value of the trade with the mother country, it became evident of the need for fortifications in the colony."

Henry sent Martiau and another to Virginia at his own expense. Stoudt opines that the Earl apparently obtained for Martiau, the special form of naturalization granted only by proclamation. This gave him the right to acquire property and privilege to vote and hold office.

Martiau was 33 years old, when he came to Virginia in the sailing ship, Francis Bona Ventura - one of 153 passengers. He selected places for palisades and fortifications at Yorktown; at Fort Story; and at Old Point Comfort, Fort Monroe, one of the oldest forts in America.

In 1632, Martiau took his seat in the House of Burgesses as a representative from Yorktown and Isle of Kent.

The Martiau Plantation comprised 1300 acres including the site of Yorktown. For his dwelling, he selected the high bluff on the curve of the York River as it widens to the Chesapeake Bay. This patent is in the Land Office at Richmond, and contains his family's name. His will is on file in the State Library. In his will, he provides for, and sets free his two Negro servants. This gesture antedated similar actions by George Washington a century and a half later. Washington was one of the first slave owners – if not the first to do so.

"The Courts of Virginia," Stoudt says, were "much like county courts of England. The first court at which Martiau sat was July 12, 1633. His last appearance was on Sept. 24, 1655. Occasionally, the court met at Martiau's home.

Martiau's wife was the widow of an army lieutenant, according to Stoudt. Nothing is known of her arrival, or of her maiden name, he says. "It seems that the family name of the earliest maternal ancestor in Virginia of George Washington, must remain unknown," he continues.

Jane Martiau died before 1640, and was buried most likely in the family burial plot not far from the big house, Stoudt says. Also buried there are Captain Nicolas Martiau Sr., and his son, Nicolas Martiau Jr., who never attained majority. Other children were Elizabeth, (married to Col George Reade. Mary) married to Col. John Scarsbrook, leader in Bacon's Rebellion, Sarah was married to Capt. William Fuller, Puritan Governor of Maryland.

The gravestones of Elizabeth Martiau, and her husband, Colonel George Read, are in Yorktown's Grace Episcopal Church graveyard. The ledgers were discovered during excavations on Buckner Street, Yorktown. They were restored and preserved in 1931 by another Martiau descendant - Letitia Pate Evans. The colonial town's Read Street is named for Colonel Read, according to a native Yorktownian.

Founding of NMDA

In October 1991 first cousins Lee Yandell of Palos Verdes Estates, California and Marty Dale of Hemet, California, visited Yorktown. The trip was a culmination of the fate process: learning of Dick Ivy, letters, phone calls and finally the long anticipated trip to Virginia.

Mr. Ivy is the Yorktown town crier and beloved local character, as well as the chairman of the Yorktown Historical Society. He escorted the ladies to the Martiau sites, including an area of historical note. Marty fell, breaking her knee. A few days later Marty (in a leg brace) and Lee were back to see more of Yorktown, and to view the Martiau/Reade gravesites at Grace Church.

Lee Yandell and Dick Ivy propped Marty up against the wall of the church, and left to go inside the gift shop. It was a cold, drizzly, blustery day. Only one other person was in sight, a young man, walking through the cemetery reading inscriptions. This fellow carefully read the Col. George Reade/Elizabeth Martiau Reade headstone, and walked away. Marty Dale thought, "What a shame he did not realize he was standing on the grave of Nicolas Martiau, the true Father of Yorktown."
That evening, while relaxing and talking over the events of the day, the two cousins had a phone call from Mr. Ivy. All three joked about a birthday party for ole Nicolas. Thus the nucleus was born. With the assistance of Dick Ivy and the Yorktown Historical Society, the first Martiau Tribute in honor of Martiau's 402nd birthday, became a reality 1 1/2 years later.
On May 22nd and 23rd 1993 the Martiau 402nd Birthday Tribute was held at the Williamsburg Hilton. A day was spent in Yorktown for a dedication of Martiau Street, wreath laying at the Grace Church gravesites, followed by a luncheon in the Parish House. A farewell banquet was enjoyed by 100 that evening.

Sunday morning services were held in the ruin of the Olde Yorke Parish Church, located on the grounds of the Coast Guard RTC. At conclusion of the emotional experience, it was decided to perpetuate the "family" bond. The Nicolas Martiau Descendant Association (NMDA) was formed. Mr. Ivy suggested a descendant be made president, with state directors and executive board. Joseph B. Jackson, of Colorado, accepted this challenge. He delivered the following message: As first president of NMDA, I feel we are all indebted to Marty Dale for her founding of the organization to cherish the memory of Nicolas Martiau. I thank Martha "Marty" Goodman (Ward) Dale for bringing the descendants of Nicolas Martiau together in fellowship.

A Martiau grave marker was completed and set in the Grace Church Cemetery. This slab has the official Huguenot emblem embedded. The slab is flush-to-ground in accordance to rules of the National Park Services and the Grace Church officials. The church groundskeeper assures the slab will not be marred by mowings. This marker was made possible by donations of Martiau/Berkeley descendants, and friends. A donor plaque was prepared and is available for viewing upon request of the Church. (The remains of the Martiau family were moved from another location.)

Message from our Founder, Marty Dale, 1994: Lee Yandell and I thank everyone for your support and assistance in getting our first Martiau Tribute off the ground, and attending the 1993 event. it was wonderful, the memory of that weekend will remain with me forever. I hope ole Nick was pleased with his 402nd birthday party, and his newly laid headstone. HE DESERVED IT!!!