Martin{1}Honaker,Sr. was born between 1760 and 1770 in Frederick Co., and died in 1846 in Russell Co., Va. The town of Honaker in Russell County was named for one of Martin's descendants. Several articles about the town are among this book's appendices.

It is believed that Martin was stationed at a frontier post in Russell Co., Va., to guard against Indian attacks. While there he met Jonathan Musick whose family resided near the fort. Martin later married Jonathan's oldest daughter, Lydia, and Martin's brother, Peter, married a younger daughter, Mary.

Martin first paid taxes in Russell Co., Va., in 1793. On 22. Aug.1797, he bought 45 acres of land in Russell County on Lewis Creek for $45. One year later he bought property from his brother, Peter, who then went to Kentucky. On 1 Oct.1805 Martin sold 45 acres to Patrick Kendrick for $250.

On 24 Oct 1807 Martin was granted permission to build a grist on his Lewis Creek property. Later, he and his sons built two additional grist mills on Lewis Creek. Martin, his sons, and grandsons operated grist mills powered by water wheels in various locations on Lewis Creek and the Clinch River for at least 100 years.

Log homes were also built on the property by three of Martin's sons; Nicholas, Jonathan, and Isaac. In the 1815 Southwest Virginia Tax Assessment, Martin Honaker is listed as follows: "2 farms on Lewis Creek. 1 farm 247 acres with 2 dwelling houses of wood (1 2-story 24 ft. By 18 ft; the other 1 story 16 ft. Square); 1 barn of wood; 2 stables; 1 corn house; 1 loom house; 1 spring house; 1 mill house; all valued at $1,235. 1 other farm: 52 acres valued at $109.

On 8 Sep 1846 the following was entered in the Law Order Book of Russell County:

Lydia Honaker, widow of Martin Honaker deceased having signified to the court her refusal to administer on the estate of the said deceased. On the motion of John F. McElhenney who made oath, and together with Charles S. Creigh, Isaac Vermillion and William B. Aston his securities entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $5,000.00 conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted him for obtaining letters administration of said descendant’s estate in due form.

This is the earliest known recorded date of Martin's death. He would have been around 76 years old when he died.

Martin left no will, but in a deed dated 24 Oct. 1848, his heirs sold their property to Martin, Jr. At the time of his death, Martin, Sr. owned four slaves. From the partial settlement of his estate, it can be determined that one of the slaves was named "Betty"! No other names are mentioned.

Martin inherited from his father a large steel safe and German style grandfather clock. They are described in Appendix J of this book, and in Hans Jacob Honaker-From Switzerland to America, by Nadine Larson. They went to Martin's son Nicholas, who died at the age of 42, and subsequently were sold to Thomas W. Davis, along with Nicholas' land and home.
NOTE: from Peggy, Nicholas sol the Honaker worth out! L

As of 1997, the whereabouts of the clock is unknown. The safe is still owned by Davis family descendants and is stored in a Florida warehouse, where it was seen and photographed in 1995 by Martin descendant Helen Yost. It is our hope that the safe can be returned to Honaker, Va., for placement in a town museum.

Martin's wife, Nancy Lydia Musick (called Lydia), was the daughter of Jonathan Musick and Helen Colley. Martin and Lydia were married circa 1795 in Russell Co., VA She was born in 1778 in Pittsylvania Co., Va., and died in 1852 in Russell Co., Va. Martin and Lydia's children:

Jonathan{2} Born in 1796 in Russell Co., Va. Died in 1862. He married, first, Susannah unknown in 1817. He married, second, Louisa Unknown. He married, third, Susan Unknown. In 1850, he was living in Russell Co., VA No decendants of Jonathan by any of his wives have been located.

The Honaker genealogy . . . ISSAC HONAKER