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Charles Hamilton “Charlie” Martin

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Birth	:	27 Jan 1870 Faber, Nelson County, Virginia, USA
Death	:	29 Jun 1959 Greenfield, Nelson County, Virginia, USA
Burial	:	Martin Family Cemetery, Greenfield, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate	:	37.9193000, -78.8508700
Description	:	There was originally at the intersection of Routes 151 and 6 a very unique old-fashioned store owned and operated by Mr. C. H. Martin. This gentleman, known as Charlie Martin in the surrounding area, or Cousin Charlie to me, was as unique and remarkable as his store. Cousin Charlie, who died in 1959 at 88, ran his store in much the same way for almost 55 years. He never worried about keeping up with the times. In his youth he was a railroad worker but tired of traveling around the country, went to New York to take a business... Read More	There was originally at the intersection of Routes 151 and 6 a very unique old-fashioned store owned and operated by Mr. C. H. Martin. This gentleman, known as Charlie Martin in the surrounding area, or Cousin Charlie to me, was as unique and remarkable as his store. Cousin Charlie, who died in 1959 at 88, ran his store in much the same way for almost 55 years. He never worried about keeping up with the times. In his youth he was a railroad worker but tired of traveling around the country, went to New York to take a business course and found himself homesick for Nelson County. He borrowed money from a friend in Nelson County, bought his store, and operated it until his death. You may not have found the latest gadgets on his shelves, but hard-to-find items such as a 20-gallon apple butter kettle, a buttermilk crock, a horse collar, a wooden bucket, and old-style footwear were sure to be there. More common items such as harness for horses, bolts of materials, thread and needles, axes, saws and carpenters' supplies, all types of pots and pans and of course grocery supplies were also on those shelves or hanging on the walls, along with many curiosities Cousin Charlie had collected. He was always anxious to show off his collection which included a pair of Texas Longhorns – "antlers" he called them – which measured six feet from tip to tip, a giant hornet's nest and a "Paul Bunyan" pipe he carved in his spare time from an oak limb a friend brought to him. It weighed almost 18 pounds and the bowl was more than a foot high. Cousin Charlie lived in Castle Hill, a historic old home, built on land granted his ancestors by King George III, and which survived a Civil War skirmish on the grounds. Every morning he would walk down the hill to his store carrying his lunch in a pail. Under his lunch was his money for the day. This was common knowledge in the area but as far as I know he was never robbed. He was short in stature and the many times I saw him as a child I always remember him wearing black pants, white shirt and black ribbon bow tie. On colder days he added a black sweater. He was a very cheery person, who enjoyed visiting with the many people who stopped at his store. He kept his sense of humor and never seemed to get in a hurry, traits he credited to "staying young." His cheery chatter, fond of historic knowledge and curiosities insured that people continued to fill his store. Martin's Store was included on a Nelson County tourist guide printed in the mid 50's. Unfortunately both Castle Hill and Martin's Store burned short after Cousin Charlie's death. (Judith Roberta Faris – ref: Nelson County Times anniversary edition, Thursday May 2, 1957, and Nelson County Heritage, 1807-2000) -------- Note: His saying of "It's around here somewhere" when looking for an item is well remembered by locals. Son of Charles Lewis Martin and Mary Lucy Hamner Martin.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Charles Hamilton “Charlie” Martin's memorial?
Charles Hamilton “Charlie” Martin's memorial is located at: Martin Family Cemetery, Greenfield, Nelson County, USA.
When did Charles Hamilton “Charlie” Martin death?
Charles Hamilton “Charlie” Martin death on 29 Jun 1959 in Greenfield, Nelson County, Virginia, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Charles Hamilton “Charlie” Martin's memorial?
Latitude: 37.9193000
Longitude: -78.8508700

Family Members:

Parent

Charles Lewis Martin

(1845 - 1924)

Spouse

Laura Edith Martin Martin

(1871 - 1950)

Siblings

Mary Roberta Martin Garth

(1872 - 1951)

Robert Lewis Martin

(1883 - 1960)

Children

Charles Hamilton Martin

(1901 - 1906)

Lewis Hamilton Martin

(1907 - 1987)

Robert Hudson Martin

(1913 - 1913)

Mary Elizabeth Martin Ammons

(1915 - 2006)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Martin Family Cemetery
Greenfield, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9193000, -78.8508700

2. Wallace Dudley Family Cemetery
Nellysford, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9125300, -78.8454380

3. Rockfish Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Nellysford, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9114820, -78.8448690

4. Mount Woodland Baptist Church Cemetery
Greenfield, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9293150, -78.8339240

5. Goodloe Mausoleum
Greenfield, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9350300, -78.8268100

6. Rockfish Valley Baptist Church Cemetery
Rockfish, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8954970, -78.8665850

7. Greenfield Pentecostal Church Cemetery
Greenfield, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9505600, -78.8355000

8. Mount Eagle Baptist Church Cemetery
Nellysford, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8856170, -78.8695050

9. Locust Grove Methodist Church Cemetery
Greenfield, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9265380, -78.8014660

10. McGann Family Cemetery
Wintergreen, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9000620, -78.9007740

11. Wintergreen Cemetery
Nellysford, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8998770, -78.9007820

12. Alley Family Cemetery
Afton, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9405420, -78.7972230

13. Diamond Hill Cemetery
Wintergreen, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9207993, -78.9124985

14. Coleman Cemetery
Wintergreen, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8870170, -78.8970270

15. Hill Family Cemetery
Adial, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8733420, -78.8223760

16. George Fox Family Cemetery
Afton, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9690472, -78.8343536

17. Witt Family Cemetery
Nellysford, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8684310, -78.8617180

18. Adial Cemetery
Faber, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8657990, -78.8336029

19. Gilbert Marshall Cemetery
Wintergreen, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8849140, -78.9085720

20. Knight's Cemetery
Faber, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8707110, -78.7965040

21. Mount Airy Baptist Church Cemetery
Faber, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.8666790, -78.8008460

22. Rodes United Methodist Church Cemetery
Avon, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9857340, -78.8367120

23. Spring Valley Cemetery
Batesville, Albemarle County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9427670, -78.7686300

24. Union Baptist Church Cemetery
Avon, Nelson County, USA
Coordinate: 37.9871290, -78.8285820