First Martiau Tribute

May 22 - 23, 1993

May 22nd and 23rd, 1993 was the Martiau 402nd Birthday Tribute, held at the Williamsburg Hilton.  A day was spent in Yorktown for a dedication of Martiau Street, wreath laying at the Grace Church gravesites with luncheon in the Parish House.  A fund was established by donors towards a headstone for Martiau.  The banquet held on Saturday evening was attended by approximately 100.

Sunday morning a service was held in the ruins of the olde Yorke Parish Church located on the grounds of the Coast Guard RTC.  At the conclusion it was decided to perpetuate this family bond.  The Nicolas Martiau Descendant Association (NMDA) was formed.  Dick Ivy suggested a descendant be made President, with state directors and other officers.  Joseph B. Jackson, of Colorado, accepted this challenge.  

The Daily Press (Newport News, VA) 1993
Martiau Tribute set for May 22-23
York

About 75 descendants of 17th century Capt. Nicolas Martiau of the London Company, considered the 'founding father' of Yorktown, will visit Yorktown for a Martiau Tribute on May 22-23. For most of them, it will be their first meeting. The occasion is Martiau's 402nd birthday.

The families grew from three Martiau daughters, the Reades from which George Washington sprang, and the Scarsbrooks and Fullers. Elizabeth Reade's grave marker is at the Grace Church cemetery, next to her husband's, George Reade who was the secretary of the Virginia Colony.

Martiau was a French Huguenot born near La Rochelle in 1591, but was granted English citizenship and sailed in 1620 for Virginia as part of the London Company. He was a burgess and a justice of York Village from 1633 to 1657 when he died.

Planned are marker ceremonies at the Grace Episcopal Church cemetery at a common grave of 14 burials from a Martiau-Reade-Nelson gravesite since moved from his home site, a commemorative banquet at the Williamsburg Hilton on May 22, a service at the site of the first Yorke Parish Church on the Coast Guard Training Center at Yorktown on May 23, and guided tours including the Martiau memorial tablet, and visits at the Nelson House and the Custom House.

For more information, call Dick Ivy, chairman.

08/20/2004 12:26:12 AM