416.     Abijah Martin was born 16 Oct 1720 in Woodbury, CT. He died about 1798. Abijah married Sarah Webster on 14 Apr 1748.

Capt. Ashbel Martin, born November 27, 1760, purchased Lot 66 on December 20, 1774 in Peacham, VT. His father, Abijah Martin, bought 100 acres in Peacham, Vt, on November 4, 1774. No improvements were made on any of these properties because of the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, which claimed the attention of all these Militia men. After the War they all returned to Peacham, VT. In 1780, Ashbel Martin, with 3 to 4 of his brothers, maybe Abijah, Andrew, David, Samuel and perhaps Marsh, left Woodbury, CT and walked to Peacham, 250 miles. They carried everything with them, utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, etc., to provide themselves with game for food and to defend themselves from Indians. When the Martins arrived, their first business was to cut down a few small trees and make a lean‑to and cover it with brush. The brothers settled near‑by and also made lean‑to's to protect themselves from the weather. A fire was always burning to keep off the wild beasts and Indians. While on slept the other always kept watch with their old flintlock guns. Soon shanties were made, then they could clear the land. When supplies were needed one of them would follow the mountain brook to the river and go 20 miles to the next settlement. They worked until cold weather, then buried their tools and belongings in the ground, hiding them and walked 250 miles back to Woodbury, CT. Each year they came back again, walking the 250 miles, and worked on their clearing; planted potatoes and corn. This was repeated for several years and the settlers along their route said they were like birds going south for the winter. After clearing enough land to support their families, raising food stuffs, their entire families came to Peacham, including their father Abijah and their mother Sarah. They prospered and in 1800, Ashbel Martin built the first frame house there in Caledonia County. These Martins are descended from The Kings of Scotland, the Bruces, etc.

1790 Census CT Litchfield Woodbury - Abijah and Sarah Martin

417.     Sarah Webster was born 1729 in New Lebanon, CT. She died Jun 1818 in Peacham VT.

1790 Census CT Litchfield Woodbury - Abijah and Sarah Martin