This is the family of a young man who emigrated from Kent, UK to Canada in 1850. The
Gabriola Museum has information
of general interest regarding the island
.
There is material on the Martin
family and separate pages on the other pioneer families. In 1791 Jose Maria Narvaez
in command of the small schooner Saturnina made the first European expedition to the Strait
of Georgia charting the future Gabriola Island and Nanaimo harbor. Gabriola is a lovely wooded
island lying in the Strait of Georgia 6 kilometers east of the city of Nanaimo
(on Vancouver Island)
and 27 kilometers west of the city of Vancouver (on the mainland). The island would appear to have
been named in honor of Simon Gaviola an aristocrat serving the Spanish Navy in the 17th century.
He was from the Basque area of Spain. The island's name first appears in 1791 on charts of the Spanish
navy. The current spelling appears to be a copy error by a British cartographer in the 19th century.
The church dates from the 13th century. The low
tower seen in this photo had to be rebuilt after the storm of 1771.
This baptismal font was used
for the baptism of Jonathan
and his siblings. It also
dates from the 13th century.
The grave yard at All Saints has a separate area for the Canadian soldiers who fell during WWI. It is kept in excellent condition to this day with flowers growing at the base of each cross. A wonderful tribute to the loyal Canadian soldiers who fought for the mother land.
Jonathan's father and possibly his grandfather were farm laborers. He was born Aug.16, 1831 so
he was 18 years of age when he signed on with the Hudson's Bay Company for 5 years of service. Salaries were
quoted on an annual basis. For the first year of his contract
he was paid 14 pounds, 10 shillings and 7 pence. For English and Scottish employees it was not unusual for them to receive
half of their initial annual salary in advance.
He traveled on the Hudson's Bay Co. ship "Norman Morison" which left Gravesend Oct.18,1849 and
arrived in Esquimalt March 24, 1850. This ship was made in Moulmein Burma of teak for the East
India Company in 1846 and purchased by the Hudson's Bay Co. in 1848 for 7,750 British Pounds.
The ship was 119 feet in length with an 18 foot draught of 529-564 tons displacement. The photo here on the left was from the New Zeald Herald.
Among the 55 HBC employees on this voyage were Dr. John
Sebastian Helmcken and William and Henry Sampson the latter two also from Orpington.
The complete passenger list is available. The events
of the journey may be found in the "Reminiscences of Doctor John Sebastian Helmcken" edited
by Dorothy Blakey Smith published in 1975. The Archives of the Hudson's Bay Co. indicate that
Jonathan was at Fort Rupert in the northern part of Vancouver Island from 1850 to 1856.
The HBC employees were paid an annual wage. In June of 1850 Jonathan received 14 pounds,10 shillings and
in 1851 17 pounds Sterling.
From the ship's log we have learned that Jonathan served as Steward on the
Hudson's Bay ship "Otter" from some time in 1856 until Feb. 19, 1857.
The Otter was 122 ft. in length with a beam of 20 feet and a displacement of
220 tons. She was a masted topsail schooner
with two auxilliary steam engines driving what at the time
was
modern screw propulsion. He left the ship to join
"the establishment" in Nanaimo.
He was Steward at the Hudson's Bay Officer's Mess in Nanaimo in 1857
and 1858. The Mess was in a stone building occupied by Captain Charles Edward Stewart.
The HBC Day book dated Oct. 31, 1857 states Jonathan Martin , for 1 month worked as Mess
Steward, paid 2Pounds/18/4 and again on Feb. 27, 1858 J. Martin paid 2Pounds/18/4.
In 1858 Jonathan was in the Nanaimo Hudson's Bay Co. store purchasing
candy, whiskey, gunpowder and shot. At one time the HBC store was in the lower floor of the bastion.
The bastion was constructed in 1853 and remains an historic
landmark to this day.
. The
name of his wife from Cowichan has been somewhat confusing. On the marriage certificate she was
listed as Helen. In his will Jonathan listed her as Ellen and on a grave stone of her son
Thomas she was listed as Hellin. Several (6) of
the children listed their mother's name as
Ellen on their marriage certificate. On her death registration she is "Ellen".
We have the baptismal records of four
Martin boys, Thomas, John, Joseph and Henry, at St.Paul's Church in Nanaimo in 1876 which
list the mother as "Jane". This may be the source of the "Jane" mentioned as a wife in the
book "The People of Gabriola" by June Lewis-Harrison. Her history of the Martin family would
appear to be in error since we have no record of Jonathan living in Seattle. It would appear
she was confusing him with son William as will be seen in the bio. of William. John
(bd 1867) listed his
mother as "Ellen of Cowichan
origin" on his marriage certificate . I suspect Jane was no longer in the picture at this time.
We have had a difficult time sorting out the mothers for 13 children with limited data.
. We do not have marriage certificates of Thomas, Joseph nor
Henry.
Son John whose mother was listed as Jane in the baptismal record
of St. Paul's in Nanaimo listed his mother as Ellen of Cowichan origin on his marriage certificate.
One of these records would appear to be in error.
An explanation for the Helen/Ellen name may be that Jonathan spoke with a Cockney accent dropping
his "h's", For that reason uncle John and my father listed their mother's name as Ellen.
Jonathan next appeared on Saltspring Island where he was a signatory on a Dec. 1868 memorial
to the Colonial Secretary from the residents of the Island requesting various government
services. He was listed as a farm laborer in 1868 and as a settler in June 1869 while serving
as an "Interpreter of Chinook" at the trial of "Tom" accused murderer of William Robinson. Jonathan preempted
land at Beaver Point on Saltspring Island Oct. 17,1871.
We do not know how long he lived on Saltspring. Jonathan and William preempted land on Gabriola Island April 15, 1874. Jonathan may have chosen his parcel based upon the fine natural spring which it contains as it is a source of wonderfully clear water. The Martin farm produced outstanding vegetables which were marketed in Nanaimo. The Nanaimo Free Press of May 9, 1874 stated that Jonathan was about to begin the cultivation of hops which he would certainly know well as Kent was a major site of hop growing in England.
We don't know when this old house
was constructed but this photo taken in 2003 shows a structure long uninhabited.
Jonathan's name was on the voters list of 1875 as was that of William. The latter was listed
as a miner at Wellington. Jonathan served as a road superintendent and on the school board.
The names of Jonathan and William were on the "Nanaimo Petition" of 1878. The census of 1881
included the names of Aaron Martin, Jonathan, Ellen, Thomas, John, Joseph. Henry, Sarah Jane,
and James. Jonathan's name was on the petition against the "Settlement Act" of 1883-4 as was
the name of Aaron Martin. Jonathan's name was also on the "Liquor Traffic Petition" of 1887.
.
Jonathan married
Helen/Ellen June 12, 1883 in St.Paul's, Church of England, Nanaimo.
It is quite likely this photo was taken on the occasion
of their wedding.
We are indebted to Teresa Wardill for this photo. In a will dated November
14, 1895 Jonathan appointed his son William and his wife Ellen as Executors and Trustees.
When the will was probated May 3, 1907 the estate was valued as follows: Real Estate $2500
Personal Estate $350 for a total of $2850 resulting in no estate tax. Jonathan died Jan.16,
1907 and Helen/Ellen died July 26, 1918. They were buried in the Gabriola cemetery.
The Martin boys were active competitors in sports including baseball and sculling. The Gabriola Museum has a silver trophy cup awarded to a Martin for athletic prowess.At least two boys worked in the coal mines at Wellington.
Jonathan's younger brother Aaron was a preemptor on Gabriola Island
as we have a record of land owned by an Aaron Martin.
. Aaron
Martin appears on the 1841 and 1851 census of Orpington, Kent, UK but curiously
there is no record of him in the parish church of All Saints. An Aaron Martin is shown an
a land owner on Garbriola in 1884.
The birth year of 1839
fits with his age at the Kent census of 1851 and B.C.in 1881. He may have left a wife and family in Kent, U.K.
There is a record of a Mr. A. Martin arriving in Victoria May 3, 1859 aboard the SS Forward. He apparently left B.C. in May 1896 for Australia.
There is and inquiry for him in the Police Gazette 30 August 1899 in Sydney made by Jonathan. It was supposed he was working in tin mines in Queensland.
There is a death record of an Aaron Martin in
New South Wales Australia. In addition to Jonathan and Aaron two
of the sons of Jonathan were land owners. One is often asked, "why did your grandfather
come to the "new world"? The answer is obvious and if you do not understand it
you are not conscious of a fundamental desire deep in the human genome. The desire
to own land. In England he would be a farm laborer. In Canada he owned 160 acres.
" This is what I prayed for. A piece of land...not so very big, with a garden and, near the house, a spring that never fails, and a bit of wood to round it off. All this and more the gods have granted. So be it. I ask for nothing else." HORACE 65-8 BC
A map of Gabriola owners properties in 1884 reveals the location of the Martin holdings Jonathan, Thomas, John and Aaron among others.
.jpg)
Jonathan's sister Mary
Ann Martin married John Laurence Featherstone. Her g-g-grandson
Paul Featherstone
has put together a large collection of the Martin family those in England and
in Canada.
1884/85 assessment rolls for Gabriola Island Name Location Amount Valuation Martin A. sec.1 SE 1/4 part 45 acres o.oo sec.1 SW 1/4 151 acres $700.00 Martin Aaron sec.15SW 1/4 160 acres $160.00 Martin John sec.2 SE 1/4 134 acres $450.00 Martin Jonathansec.2 NE 1/4 160 acres $600.00 Martin Thomas sec.4 SW 1/4 112 acres $420.00
Family Tree
Nicholas Martin Phoebe Ringwood
(abt 1736-1815) (??-??)
Married Dec. 15, 1783 Church of All Saints, Orpington, Kent, UK
Phoebe Ann Rebecca William
(1786-??) (1788-??) (1790-??) (1807-1866)
William Martin Mary Atkinson
(1807-1866) (1803-1852)
Jonathan William Rueben Mary Ann Aaron Phoebe Jane Alice
(1831-1907)(1833-??)(1835-35)(1837-??)(1839-??) (1841-??) (1844-??)(1845-??)
Jonathan with Mary Smith (First Nations) Mary Ann Martin m John Laurence Featherstone
William Martin (1837-??) (1832-??)
(1855-1930) Walter Featherstone
(1876-??
Charles Gordon Featherstone
(1899-??
Jonathan with Jane Kelly of Stickene Keith Featherstone
Mary Isabella Thomas John Joseph Henry Sarah Paul Featherstone
(1863-1893) (1865- (1867- (1869- (1876- (1877-
1887) 1944) 1891) 1952) 1900)
Jonathan with Helen/Ellen of Cowichan
Moses James -Robert Samuel Angus Nellie-
(1878- (1880-(1884- (1886- (1887- (1890-
1916) 1957) 1973) 1934) 1964) 1916)
Name Place of Birth Date of Birth Age Occup. William (head) BC Oct.13, 1855 45 coal miner Margaret (wife) Ireland Jun. 6, 1855 45 Joseph (son) BC Oct.10, 1877 23 freight clerk William(son) BC Jun. 1, 1879 21 cigar maker Sarah (daughter) BC Jun.13, 1880 20 Maggie(daughter) BC Feb.16, 1882 19 dress maker Mary J.(daughter) BC May 18. 1886 14 Edward (son) BC Jul.25, 1889 12 John (son) BC Mar. 3, 1890 11
He worked in Seattle for many years before retiring in 1929. We do no know his
occupation during those years. Many of the children moved to the US with him.
After retirement he moved back to Gabriola for a short time. He was
accompanied by his daughter Margaret who had lived with him for many years.
When he became ill with heart disease Margaret took him back to his doctor
in Seattle where he died Jan.17, 1930. A will was probated in Canada in which
he left $1.00 each to Joseph of Ladysmith, William of Everett Washington, John of
Tacoma, Sadie of Seattle and Marie of Seattle. To his daughter Margaret who had
served as his housekeeper for many years he left the remainder of his estate.
The estate consisted of a Ford automobile valued at $50.00, a 1/9 interest
in 34 sheep valued at $28.34 and a 1/9 interest in land on Gabriola valued at
$38.81. The total of the estate was $667.21. Joseph, the Ladysmith station agent, married
Mrytle Grace Gilfillan Nov. 18,1907. The bride's parents where Alex Gilfillan and Jane
Bennett. She was born in Detroit, USA. The wedding took place at the home of the bride's
parents in Wellington Rev. J.M. Millar officiating. Myrtle Grace Martin died in Victoria,
October 16, 1951. I worked in the Canadian Pacific Express office in Duncan 1947-1950
20 miles from Ladysmith never knowning a first cousin was in Ladysmith. My father never
mentioned a half brother William presumably because William was married before my
father was born.
It is most likely that a number of
descendants of Jonathan live in Washington State.
David Roberts Mary Isabella Martin
LLewelleyn M. John David Edward Voltaire Ivor Prosser
(1884-1975) (1886-1970) (1887-1965) (1890-1976?)
died Nanaimo died Pinellas FL died Nanaimo died Los Angeles CA
Edward Voltaire m Julia Augusta Andre
Mary Isabel Hazel Edward David Douglas Llewellyn Alida Lois
(1912-1970) (1914-1963) (1918-1982) (1921-1990) (1926-1926) (1930-1930)
We presume Thomas was the first son of Jonathan and Jane Kelly born on
May 24, 1865 according to baptismal records at St. Paul's church.
We do not know where he was born. We do not have a marriage certificate which would have
been helpful. He was a land owner on Gabriola according to the 1884/85 assessments.
The Gabriola museum artifacts and archives web page under exhibits--other exhibits there is
a map of the island showing land owners and location of holdings in 1885. Jonathan, John, Thomas
and Aaron Martin are shown as land holders.
Thomas was said to be the best athlete in the family. He worked in the mines at
Wellington and died in a mine explosion May 3, 1887. He was buried in the Gabriola
cemetery where his stone is the only marked grave of the Martins buried there.
John was born March 10, 1867 according to the baptismal records of St. Paul's church.
He gave his place of birth as Saltspring Island on his marriage certificate.
John Martin was a land owner or preemptor on Gabriola. His father may have given
him some property. He was active in competitive sculling and was mentioned many times
in the Nanaimo Free Press of 1891 and 1892.
He married Charlotte Sampson, daughter of Henry Sampson, who came
on the Norman Morison with Jonathan. Henry Sampson lived on Saltspring Island and
married Lucy of the First Nations. 
Charlotte was listed as 16 years of age. The wedding was Dec.13, 1893
in the Church of England in Nanaimo conducted by the Rev. Good. John listed himself as
a farmer on the marriage certificate. I never met all of my uncles but based upon this
photo of John I would consider him a strong contender to be the best looking of the
Martin boys. John died March 3, 1944 and was buried in the Gabriola cemetery.
John Martin Charlotte Sampson
(1867-1944) (1878-1909)
Henry Chester John Edward Mary Jane. Gertrude
(1895-1968) (1896-1982) (1900-1925) (1903-1911)
Henry Chester married Rose Henrietta Roland Mary Jane married James Edward Silva
June 3, 1927 July 3, 1919
Muriel Martin
Muriel Martin married Rueben Parker
John Edward married Irene Lavinia Weeks
Nov. 22, 1922
Edward Merlin Martin
(1923- )
Derrald Maurice Martin
(1925-1999)
Edward Merlin married Izala Kemper Edward Merlin married Olive Genette Copley Derrald Maurice Martin married Alice Carolin Chalcraft
Teresa Mae Martin Philip Todd Martin Jeanette Yvonne Martin
(1950-2008) Keith Edward Martin
Kirby Loren Martin Derrald and Alice adopted Kurt Martin and Sandra Martin
Philip Todd married Glenna Annette Duval Jeanette Yvonne married William Green
married Karen LaNuma Zacker
Keith Edward married Ramona Castillo Teresa Mae married Robert Lynn Slayton
Kirby Loren married Neti/Enoung Yati Heryati married Clifford James Taubeneck
Charlotte died March 29, 1909, age 31, so that Chester and Mary were raised on Saltspring
by their aunt
Matilda (nee Sampson) Nelson.
Chester served in the army during WW I and we have a
picture of him in uniform with his aunt kindly provided by Rocky Sampson.
Mary Jane whose photo we have on the left married
James Edward Silva July 3, 1919. Mary Jane Silva died Oct. 28, 1925 age 24.
Henry Chester married Rose Henrietta Roland June 3, 1927 on Mayne Island. He died at Ganges July 27, 1968.
John Edward Martin emigrated to the USA in 1918 to join the navy
He worked at the Bremerton Naval yard and became a US citizen. His offspring are all
of US citizenship. Two have served with distinction in the armed forces. Photos of his
family kindly provided by Philip, great-grandson of John.
Joseph was born June 12, 1869 according to the baptismal record at St. Paul's church. We know very little of Joseph although his fatal accident was documented in the Nanaimo Free Press in 1891. On May 30,1891 he was leading two large draught horses to be transported to Vancouver Island when he was struck in the head suffering a very severe injury. He was hospitalized and lingered until his death July 10,1891 at age 22. He was buried in the Gabriola cemetery.
Henry was born Dec. 31, 1876 on Gabriola. His birth was the first of the children recorded in the B.C. Archives and one of only three we have been able to find. The other two were Robert and Angus. He had an apparent common-law relationship with the mother of his children. We have not found any record of a marriage. Mary Ann Wilson was born in Canada the daughter of Henry Wilson and Mary Cootes. Although we could not find a marriage certificate both Henry and Mary Ann had a spouse listed on their death certificate. Henry died in Cobble Hill Dec. 2, 1952 at the age of 77.
Henry Martin Mary Ann Wilson
Mildred May Ethel Rita Myrtle Olga
(1908-1963) (1909-1934) (1915-1981)
Mildred and Ethel had no children to our knowledge.
Myrtle Olga had a child, Gerald Wayne Martin, born Jan. 13, 1937, prior to her marriage to Howard
Edgar Wright.
Gerald Wayne Martin married Marilyn Holiday
Michelle Leah Tracy Marie Gregory Gerald
(1964- ) (1967- ) (1970- )
Mary Ann Wilson had a child with George Petrunia
Raymond Randolf Martin
(1922-2002)
Obviously Raymond is not a blood relative of the Martin family. He was apparently such a
unique and charming man I have included him in the family page. Why and how he took the surname of Martin
and not that of biological father is unknown.
Sarah Jane Martin married George Jackson from Manchester England Oct.19, 1899. The marriage took place in the Church of England in Nanaimo with Rev. Good officiating. Sarah died in childbirth Nov. 25, 1900 and the son named George after his father did not survive one year, dying Aug. 6, 1901.
Moses Martin's name appears in the Nanaimo Free Press for deportment in school. He married Clara Wilson (cousin to Mary Ann Wilson) Feb.15, 1905. The bride's parents were listed as John Andrew Wilson and Ida (Cootes) Wilson. The marriage took place in the Wallace Street Parsonage, Nanaimo, A.M. Sanford, Methodist Minister officiating. Moses listed himself as a logger on the marriage certificate. From the 1911 census we have the following.
Name Relation Date of Birth Age
Moses Martin Head 1880 31
Clara Martin Wife Jan. 1891 20
George Martin Son Nov. 1906 5
Edith Martin Daughter Aug. 1908 3
Ronald Martin Son Mar. 1910 1
Moses birth year is inconsistent with the 1901 census which lists his birth year as 1878.
Moses collapsed and died
suddenly April 15, 1916 at the age of 39 following a foot race with his young son.
We are indebted to Nadine Wilson for information on the Wilson family connections to the
Martin family.
is a young man as he appeared many years before he met
my mother. This picture was sent to me by a granddaughter of Rose Martin widow of Samuel.
James was my father. He
was a logger who began working as line horseman pulling the
line for a one drum donkey in 1898. He was falling timber around Cowichan Lake
in 1902. In those days fallers sharpened their own saws. He became so
proficient he became a full time filer. In 1915 he was filing saws for
Matt Hemmingsen at Wardroper bay. He related that the first time
he came to the Cowichan Lake he had to walk in. He came to camp 6 to work for I.T.M in 1933.
Our house is in the center of the photo at the right. The tall building was the shop for repair of the
locomotives which hauled the logs from the forest to the lake from which they were floated to the mill at Youbou.
The building directly in front of the tall building is the shop where James worked. As you can see his work place was less than
100 yards from home.
He lived in Camp 6 (later called Caycuse) until 1945 when he moved to Duncan where
he died March 21, 1957.
He married Sarah Jane Yates Sept.2, 1928. Sadie was born in Leigh Lancashire UK May 10, 1894 to William Yates
( 1856-1904) and Elizabeth Ann (nee Hindle) (??-1906). This picture on the left was likely taken at the time of the wedding.
The bride had
come from England to visit relatives in Haney, B.C.
Jim was an avid hunter and
fisherman. He taught his sons the "art" of hunting deer.The picture
of me with my trophy buck shot just after my 12th birthday attests to
the hunting skill of my father. He was a skilled craftsman
who could make knives and tools from basic materials. He continued filing saws until
the week before his death of a myocardial infarction. He was a very private person
who did not reveal much of his family nor of his life prior to marriage. This was the challenge I faced in researching my family roots.
He told us that when he asked his father when he was born his father told him,"Some
time in the middle of March." Given the choice my father decided to celebrate his birthday
on March 17th. We assumed, for reasons I am uncertain, that he was born in 1881. However,
his age was listed as 4 in the 1881 census twelve in the census of 1891 and 20 in the
1901 census with a birth date of November 1880. This would make him 4 months of age in 1881
which is a reasonable fit with these dates and census. This points up the inaccuracies of
archival documents. It has been
decided to list James birth year as 1880 as a reasonable compromise with three census
dates. When he was to marry it was discovered he had been baptized by a Catholic priest
at Cowichan. This leads me to believe that Helen/Ellen was baptized by the Catholic
missionary of Cowichan. On her marriage certificate the religion of the bride was left blank.
James baptismal certificate was used to qualify him for the
Canada pension as there was no official record of his birth as was the case with many children
in the 19th century. Married
later in life he did live to see his first grandsons.
My mother, Sadie, a widow for 30
years lived into her 92nd year. This picture was taken when she was in her 90's.
An orphan in Lancashire by age 11, she was working full
time in the cotton mills by age 13. Despite a very difficult childhood she never lost her
upbeat cheerful personality.
James Martin Sarah Jane Yates
(1880-1957) (1894-1987)
married Sept.2, 1928
Donald Carl Gerald James
Nov.1, 1929 1931-1969
Donald m Carol Y. Auchinachie Gerald m Lily M.M. Salter
(June 11, 1955) (June 3, 1954)
Catherine Marianne Jennifer James Robert Donald Christopher Judith Ann David William
Sept.4/60 Apr.14/64 Jan.12/68 Mar.14/55 May2/56 Jun.6/57-Jun.13,2015 May 2/61-Feb.23/12
Catherine m James Farmer Marianne m Christopher Dundon Jennifer m Stephen McInteer
Dec.20, 1999 Mar.17, 1990 Dec. 5, 1986
Will Davis Dundon Zane Michael Dundon
Mar. 27/94 Apr. 5/96
James R. m Vickie Cox Donald C. m Julie Judith A. m Martin Ravenstein David W. m Sarina Erickson
Feb.29/80 Aug./83 Oct.26/85
Gareth G.J. Sean C. Lisa Ravenstein Paige
Apr.5/81 (1984-2002) Apr.16/91
Morgan W. Corry J. Mark Ravenstein
Jun.15/82 Mark married Rebecca
Denby N. Piper Lisa Ravenstein
Jul.23/84 Oct. 20, 2014
James Robert m. Tina-Marie Storms Judith Ann m. Mark Koeleman
Donald and Gerald began their education in the one room school house in Camp 6.
They both 
graduated from the University of British Columbia. Donald in Medicine in 1957 and Gerald
in Arts in 1956.
Don married Carol
Auchinachie in Duncan, June 11, 1955.
Carol's maternal grandfather was John Stephen Muir, adopted son of Robert Muir. Robert came
to BC with his father
the John Muir who came to BC on the Harpooner in 1849 to head the coal miners, initially
at Fort
Rupert and later in Nanaimo.
The saga of the Muir family's passage and early
adventures were chronicaled by the elder son Andrew. As he was the "Overman" John
Muir Sr. received an annual salary of 100 pounds, a great deal more than the other miners.
Carol's paternal great-grandfather John Newell Evans
arrived in B.C. in 1864 and left a diary of his journey and of life in the Cowichan Valley.
Following his internship in Vancouver
Donald moved to California to study the surgical specialty of Urology
at UCLA. Following a 6 year residency and Bank of America Giannini Foundation Fellowship to study renal transplantation he joined the faculty of UCLA.
He soon became the director of the renal transplant program. His efforts resulted in the UCLA transplant program becoming one of the most active in the US. He initiated a program of cadaveric transplants and organ sharing in Los Angeles. The first such activity in the western states.
He cofounded the Los Angeles Transplant society to facilitate the organ sharing and experiences.
In 1969 he moved to
the University of California at Irvine in Orange County to become Professor of Surgery
and chief of Urology. He trained 41 urologists and contributed 140 articles to the
scientific literature. He personally performed hundreds of renal transplants.
He became a member of the elite associations in urology and transplantation. He was active in the American College of Surgeons, serving as a Governor and as president of the Southern California Chapter.
He retired in 1994 after thirty years service to the University of California.
His recreational passion was tennis in which he competed at the club,
regional and national level. He was ranked in Southern California in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Gerald attended Royal Roads and Royal Military College in Kingston Ontario.
He chose to make a career in the army. He was an outstanding leader.
The summer of 1952 while at
Camp Borden he was awarded the first General Worthington Honor Sword as the outstanding
cadet. He went on to serve in Korea and Germany. The top candidate for staff college, he
chose Sandhurst, the premier institution in the UK.
He was the youngest Lt.Colonel in the Canadian Army when appointed commander of
the Fort Garry Horse in Calgary in 1968.
He fell to his death after leading a group to
place a memorial and regimental colour on newly named
Mount Worthington in the Yukon.
The Fort Garry Horse have honored their fallen leader with a memorial park at their barracks
in Winnipeg. This stone with plaque will be among others recognizing the fallen of this
great regiment.
Jerry retained his boyhood love of hunting and fishing in which he participated throughout
Canada and Europe.
Jerry's son Jim has become an accomplished birder and photographer. His web page is well worth viewing.
This picture represents Don and Carol in their salad years circ. 1975.
Catherine married a Marine, James Farmer, and moved to
Arkansas where she enjoys her own "spread". She competes in
"hunter-jumper" with great success. The photo shows her clearing 2 feet six inches on Max.
Marianne is a tennis enthusiast who continues to compete with great success in local tournaments.
She is in great demand as a doubles partner not only for her tennis skills but also
because of her personal qualities. 
Jennifer our blond is very successful in business and a lover
of antiques who happily patrols fairs and sales.
Will Dundon (left) graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a BS in mechanical engineering in 2016.
Zane Dundon (right) graduated from Lewis and Clark College with a degree in Poly Sci. Cum Laude
in 2018. 
In 2019 the Martin cousins met in Duncan BC. 
Robert was born on Gabriola Feb.4, 1884 as recorded in the B.C. Archives. A superb athlete,
he was a champion log roller (burling)
and he competed in wrestling and boxing. This picture was taken when he played baseball for the
Courtenay Cubs.
The Nanaimo Free Press of March 13, 1905 carried an
announcement of a pending boxing match between Robert Martin and a Chemainus man and then the
details of the bout held in Chemainus on March 17, 1905. 
All his life he was doing exercises to keep "in shape". He was competing in age group events
into his 50's. He worked on the railroad as a conductor for Comox Logging for a great many
years. He married Mildred Pritchard the daughter of a Comox valley pioneer James A Pritchard
and Margaret (?Cameron?) Pritchard.
The marriage took place in St. Andrew's Manse, Presbyterian Church, Nanaimo, April 3, 1912.
Bob was a very popular man with many friends
in and around Comox. Robert died Nov. 10, 1973 at age 88. Neil and Eleanor sank their roots into
the Comox valley and enjoyed a rich life there. Neil passed June 26, 2008. Eleanor passed July 25, 2012.
Robert Martin married April 3, 1912 Mildred Pritchard
(1884-1973) (1889-1966)
Grace Patricia Constance Mildred Muriel Evelyn Robert Neil
(1913-1987) (1914-1991) (1916-1987) (1921-2008)
Grace Martin married Sam Carter
Patricia Diane Carter 
Jan 14, 1941
Patricia Carter married Don Wyllychuk
Constance Martin married Herbert Allan Bratt
(1914-1991) (1914-1996)
Allan David Neil Bratt Douglas Allan Bratt Mary Elizabeth Bratt
(1943-1943) (1946- ) (1953- )
Douglas Allan Bratt married Kimberley Jane Lacey
mother of Bryan Craig Alger
(1964-)
married
Heidi Marie Herlihy
Seamus Danielle Kira Brianna Kathleen Alger
(1988-) (1990-) (1992-) (1998-) (2004-)
Keith Quentin Bratt Tracey Kathleen Bratt Rachel Elizabeth Bratt Heather Ann Bratt
(1966-) (1968-) (1976-) (1978-)
married married married married
Ramona Rollins Darrin Smith Trapper Howard Timothy Grant Heggie
Courtenay Dawn Bratt Michael Ellsworth Smith Savannah Lynn Howard Noah Allan Grant Heggie
(1989-) (1988-) (1997-) (2004-)
Logen Ashley Smith Benson Steel Howard
(1990-) (2000-)
Kailey Jane Smith Dane Hughston Howard
(1992-) (2004-)
Dallan Cade Smith
(1994-)
Raycelan Lacy Smith
(1996-)
Macin Darrin Smith
(1998-)
Keith Quentin
Married
Karen Davies
Raeley Hunter Bratt
(1996-)
Jackson Tanner Bratt
(1998-)
Sidney Diane Bratt
(2001-)
Alex Lacey Bratt
(2004-)
Muriel Evelyn Martin married John Paone
Julia Ann Paone Glenn Anthony Robert Paone
Mar 25, 1946 April 2, 1954
Julia Ann Paone married Kenneth Cameron Lane
Andrea Lane John Lane
Dec. 6, 1979
Robert Neil Martin married Eleanor Burritt
Linda Elin Martin Susan Lee Martin Melody Ethel Martin
Jan 12, 1946 July 22, 1948 (1957-2001)
Susan Lee Martin married David Shaw
Scott Shaw Cindy Shaw
Nov.16, 1973 Sept. 27, 1977
Samuel married Rose Erwood who was born in Islington, England. Her parents were Frederick
Francis Erwood and Hannah Eames. The marriage took place in the Congregational Church
in Vancouver,
July 2, 1919. Sam listed himself as a blacksmith. He built a home on Gabriola and lived
there with his
family. The children attended school on Gabriola. A reunion of the three schools on Gabriola
was held on August 4, 1984. From this meeting Peggy Lewis Imredy put together
a volume of reminiscences for publication.
These are a marvelous collection of memories and photos of students who attended
the three schools on Gabriola island. They cover a large range of years. A second file
is necessary to cover all of the material. Although no longer available on the web I have them
as a pdf file it the reader would like to see them.
Samuel served in France in WWI with his brother Angus.
Sam drowned Oct. 15, 1934 leaving his widow with three
small children. Rose was a sweet lady barely 5 feet tall. Douglas and James served in the
Navy while still teenagers, during WWII.
Tragically their 
son Samuel James drowned in Port Alberni Dec. 13, 1975 at the age of 50.
Rose Martin died August 25, 1987 in her 100th year.
Lucille Martin, widow of Samuel James, owned and lived on the Martin farm of
Gabriola in 2001. This photo was taken on the farm in 1994. From left to right are Jim
Martin son of Gerald, Dr. Donald Martin, Lucille Martin and her daughter Teresa Wardill.
Teresa has preserved the ancient
photographs of
Jonathan and Helen/Ellen. The Martin farm was sold in 2001 and passed out of the family.
Nellie was married several times.
Samuel Martin Rose Erwood
married July 2, 1919
Nellie Florence Douglas Samuel James
(1920-1960) (1922-) (1925-1975)
Marita "June", Vincent, Russel, Susan, Willa
June married Graham Leitch
Charles Edwin Charlene
Charles married Cindy
Kyle
Nellie Florence married Joseph Victor Warner
Oct.15, 1938
Douglas married Eileen Samuel James married Verona Lucille Sheehan
Nellie Florence married Moore Kelvin James Verona Rose Gloria Teresa Brenda
Russel Moore married Sheryl Kehoe Kelvin James married Rosemary
Aaron and Kelly-Ann
Shannon
Dean Moore married ??? Verona Rose married Michael Linden
Kim Michael
Alex Justin Kirsten and Braiden Moore
Kim married Richard Baan
Isabella Gabrielle
Michael Linden has three children
Tyson Cameron Carter
Gloria married Peter
Teresa married John Wardill
Benjamin
Brenda has twins Caitlin and Brianna
Angus was born on Gabriola Feb. 27, 1887 as recorded in the B.C. Archives. He enrolled in the Army in 1915 arriving in England aboard the SS Missanabrie Nov. 23 1915.He suffered a gunshot wound at the Battle of the Somme Sept. 15, 1916 while serving with the 47th Canadians. After recovery in England he returned to France to suffer a second wound. He and brother Samuel are on the Honor Roll of Gabriola Island. Angus listed himself as a farmer on his marriage certificate. He married Mary Taylor July 7, 1922 in the Gabriola Presbyterian Church. Mary's maiden name was Quinton. Her first husband's name was Taylor of whom we have no knowledge. Mary was a widow with a son William Taylor. Billie Taylor was a wonderful man, a fisherman, who always had the best boat and the most modern equipment. Angus and Mary lived on Gabriola but had no children of their own. After Mary died Angus married again and lived in Victoria. Angus died Dec. 31, 1964 in Saanich. He was buried in the Esquimalt Veterans cemetery.
The last of Jonathan and Helen/Ellen's children was a girl, my father's favorite. She had a child out of wedlock in 1911, Carl Martin. Carl was a wonderful man. He had a great career as a fireman for the city of Vancouver. He lived for many years in Burnaby but moved to the Okanagen valley where he died in 1995. Carl was married to Greta and had one son Edward. Nellie married Emick Sparrow April 17, 1913 in St. Paul's Church Nanaimo. Emick was the son of John Charles Sparrow and Mary of the First Nations. They had a child James Gordon Sparrow who died Sept. 20, 1913 at less than one year of age. Nellie died Nov. 16, 1916 of tuberculosis.
Professor Jean Barham has noted two daughters and five sons of Jonathan married Anglos which was unusual for 1st generation offspring from a mixed racial marriage. I don't know the reason for this but I would like to think the parenting provided by Ellen may have been a factor.
If you wish to correct my data or add information on the family you can reach me at dcm8282@gmail.com
I wish to acknowledge the many contributers to this web page. Lynda Poulton and
Barrie Humphrey of the Gabriola Museum, Rev'd Alan Mustoe Parish Church of All Saints
Orpington, Teresa Wardill, Rocky Sampson , Nadine Wilson, Kim Bratt,
Philip Martin of Arlington WA and Kim Baan. Kim Bratt was the motivator who pushed me into doing something I had long
wanted to do. My nephew Jim Martin has been an invaluable asset in searching the B.C. Archives.
Many thanks to all for your contributions. Donald C. Martin M.D. F.A.C.S.
Professor of Surgery/Urology/Emeritus, University of California, Irvine. Oct. 20, 2024.