Martin George

Martin's wife is unknown. Many unsourced family trees identify her as Ellen Tapscott, and in 1809 Ellen George was named as the widow of Martin, but no documentation of their marriage or Ellen's maiden name has been found.

During the Revolutionary War Martin George was recorded as furnishing supplies to the army in support of the war. Martin was listed on the personal property taxes in Lancaster County from 1782 (the first year recorded) to 1786. That first year he was taxed for owning six slaves, 10 cattle and 2 horses. In 1785 he was listed as owning 11 slaves. In 1786 he was recorded as having one white male tithable in home, three slaves of tithable age, seven young slaves, three horses and nine cattle.

Martin died without a will before June 12th, 1787. On that day William George and John Thrall were granted administration of his estate and an inventory and appraisal was ordered. In the appraisal nine slaves were listed by name. Other items recorded included; a gun, a large Bible and prayer book, a pair of money scales, a parcel of carpenters and cooper's tools, an old canoe, one yoke of oxen, and a number of other cattle.

The estate was immediately divided, the main value being the slaves. The widow of Martin received her third first - three slaves valued at 92 pounds. Harrison George, William George, Joseph Hubbard, John Thrall, Rawleigh George and Zamouth George each received one slave and son Tarpley George received a cash payment. The division was recorded on December 17th, 1787. The division of Martin's land was not recoded until July of 1790. A plat shows that his widow retained 54 1/2 acres and that their son William already had a 50 acre parcel set aside. The remaining land was divided into six 18 2/3 acre lots and given to Harrison George, Joseph Hubbard, Rawleigh George, Zamouth George, John Thrall, and Tarpley George.

Ellen George, the widow of Martin died before October 17th, 1808 and by court order her estate was sold for the amount of $1,186.50. That money and the 54 acre parcel of land was divided among the living children and grandchildren of Martin George.