Our Patriarch: Lourenza Dow Martin
The history of the Martin Family goes back almost two hundreds years to the early formation of the United States. In 1833, just fifty seven years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Our Patriarch Lourenza Dow Martin was born into Slavery in Muhlenburg County, Kentucky. At that time he belonged to Charles Campbell Martin. Charles was a son of William Martin who had left Virginia and settled in the Muhlenburg County in 1805.
During the 1840s an economic transformation was happening in the United States as a result of the success of Textile Mills and Steam Engines. The increased production in the North put tremendous pressure on the South whose economy was heavily dependent on Slave Labor. It was impossible to keep up with the new technology and as a result Slavery conditions in the South worsened. Although this was a period of enflamed racial tension and economic decline, back in Muhlenberg County Lourenza had a decent relationship with Charles.
In the early 1850s Charles offered Lourenza an opportunity to buy his freedom. Lourenza used this as a chance to also negotiate his young wife’s freedom. His wife was Melvina Reynolds, a young woman who belonged to the prominent Reynolds Family of Muhlenburg County. Unlike most Black Americans in this time, Lourenza and Melvina were free by their early twenties.
A few years later in 1860, Lourenza witnessed the election of President Abraham Lincoln which then led to the Civil War. Now in his late 20’s and with 4 young children, Lourenza faced a difficult reality in the turbulent South. In 1863, Lourenza Dow Martin enlisted in the Union Army the same year Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation took effect. Thankfully he never saw battle.
In 1866, the now 33 year old Lourenza entered a contract with Charles Martin to purchase 125 acres in Muhlenburg County, Kentucky. This must have been the achievement of a lifetime. Lourenza began his life in slavery and was then a Free Man with 125 acres of land. At this time many newly freed Black Americans were struggling to establish themselves in the post-war era. Lourenza Martin lived the rest of his life enjoying what he created for himself in Muhlenberg County. By 1880 the Martin Family had grown to 14 children.
Through all of the adversity, Lourenza was able enrich himself and establish a strong foundation for the Martin Family for generations to come. Our Patriarch Lourenza Dow Martin’s story is one of Strength, Perseverance and Integrity, values that remain essential principles of the Martin Family today.
