MARTIN, John (1820-1889) and Clara M. (c. 1829-1880)

A carpenter and farmer, born in either Vermont or New York (the sources are contradictory), John Martin and his wife, Clara, born in Canada East, appear to have spent most of their lives in northern Vermont, although during their final years they moved to Otsego, Michigan. John Martin had been an active layman in the Millerite movement of the 1840s and was first mentioned in the Review in 1851. According to his obituary, Martin was “among the first to embrace the light on the Sabbath question.” Ellen White's only mention of the Martins was in connection with her journey in 1859, together with James, to Berkshire, in northern Vermont, where they stayed two nights in the Martin home.1EGWLM 867.5

See: Obituary: “John Martin,” Review, Sept. 3, 1889, p. 559; obituary: “Clara M. Martin,” Review, Feb. 26, 1880, p. 142; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “John Martin,” Vermont, Franklin County, Berkshire, p. 28; 1870 U.S. Federal Census, “John Martin,” Vermont, Franklin County, Enosburgh, p. 24; 1880 U.S. Federal Census, “John Martin,” Michigan, Allegan County, Otsego, p. 19; search terms “J. Martin” and “John Martin” in Words of the Pioneers; Ellen G. White, Ms 8, 1859 (entries for Oct. 14, 16).1EGWLM 868.1