The Martin family is descended from
James Green Martin, who came from England and settled in Kentucky. His son, Col. George
Martin, fought in the Revolutionary War, and moved to Lower Norfolk County, Virginia in
1787, settling near Great Bridge. He became an extensive planter. He married Ann Old of
Princess Anne County and died in 1811. His son, James Green Martin
(1797-1874) attained the rank of Colonel in the War of 1812, and for many years was a
presiding judge of Norfolk County. He was also an ordained minister. He married Maacah
Foreman (1797-1874), daughter of Alexander Foreman. They had two sons, James Green Martin,
Jr. (1829-1880) and George A. Martin, and three daughters.
James Green Martin, Jr. (1929-1880) was a teacher in his early life,
then he became a farmer. He was elected to the Virginia General Assembly in 1859, and
resigned in 1861 to volunteer in the Confederate cavalry. After the war he became a
lawyer, practicing in Norfolk, and also served as a justice in the Norfolk County Court.
Martin married Elizabeth Love Gresham, daughter of Thomas B. and Love Old Gresham. They
had three children, one of whom was Alvah H. Martin. He studied law under his father and
became the Lower Norfolk County clerk in 1880, maintaining that position for 33 years. | 
