This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: HAYS, MARTIN, TEAL Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/EEB.2ACE/326.325.2.1 Message Board Post: Donna, Zachariah MARTIN (I) of your posting was the youngest child of Zachariah MARTIN who arrived in Louisiana with his brother Gabriel in June 1779 [See "They Tasted Bayou Waters, A Brief History of Iberia Parish" by Maurine Bergerie; Pelican Publishing Co., New Orleans, Louisiana.]. They and nine others were sent by Francisco Bouligny to the Opelousas Post from New Orleans. In an article which appeared in The Louisiana Genealogical Index the translation of a document from the Spanish archives at Seville implies that they were prisoners of war captured at Natchez in 1779. [LIST OF AMERICAN AND ENGLISH PRISONERS OF WAR FROM NATCHEZ DESIRING TO SETTLE AT ATTAKAPAS, OPELOUSAS AND NEW IBERIA: 1781. Papales Procedentes de Isla de Cuba, Archivio General de Indies, Seville, Spain; Legajo 194a, Folios 152-154; Microfilm Copy, Alexandria Genealogical and Historical Library and Museum, 503 Washington St., Alexandria, LA 71301.]. The text says "After the surrender of Natchez a bordering state we have taken all of the precautions possible for those [at] this Post but there is being no point in insulting the English and Americans who were taken from your Post by warning all of these of your power. I have taken an exact census of those whom you have sent to me. I have already informed them that without disarming your district you having relieved them of all ! that was possible at the Pointe Coupee. 14 May 1781. Mr. DeClouet This first Zachariah MARTIN was first settled at Bayou Chicot near Opelousas. There he married Sarah TEAL, daughter of Edward TEAL, in Sep 1780. He and the TEALs later moved to Bayou Kisatchie area in the Natchitoches Post area of control. From his succession papers at Natchitoches we learn that Sep 1791 he was killed by Osage indians in the "Grande Prairies between the Bois d' Arc and the Bois de Travers". His son, Zachariah (I) of your posting, was born in 1790 and died at Dog Town [now Tilden], McMullen Co., TX in 1873. He had participated in the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition, a filibuster, in 1812-'13 but abandoned it before the troops were slaughtered at the Battle of the Medina. He returned to Natchitoches and served at the defense of New Orleans during the War of 1812. You have his marriage to Rebecca HAY/HAYE/HAYS correct but his children were: Robert [born to Sarah SWEAT before his marriage to Rebecca]; John; Polly; Seth; Zachariah (III); Simon; William & James. Now, to your other Zachariahs. I don't have a lot more than what you posted but can suggest possibilities. The 20-30 yr. old Zachariah in St. Landry Par. in 1830 is the one discussed above. He moved from Bayou Chicot to the Ten Mile area near present day Pitkin, LA in a large group of followers of the Rev. Joseph WILLIS, the Apostle of the Opelousas. [The Rev. Willis's story is posted in numerous locations on the Internet by Randy Willis of Austin, TX. Check St. Landry Par., Wilkinson Co., MS, North Carolina Genealogy &etc.] To your third Zachariah; he seems to first appear in Avoyelles Par., LA and then migrates north to Oauchita Par. He may be a son of Gabriel MARTIN, the brother of Zachariah who arrived in 1779. Gabriel moved to the Rapides Post before 1792 and settled, without official permission, across Catahoula Lake [See "Spain in the Mississippi Valley", Vol. IV, Part Three, p.333; in "Annual Report", American Historical Assn.; 1945; Washington, D. C.; 1946. Lawrence Kinnaird] The article cites "From Spanish documents called the Cuban Papers, General Archives of the Indies, Seville, Spain." and the text: Petition from American Inhabitants of Rapid Post to Governor Carondelet, To His Excellency Baron Decaron Dula (de Carondelet), Commander in Chief over the Province of Lucianna. We your Humble Pettettioners of the Rapide Post Humbly sheweth, That your Petitioners living in a thick settled part of the Post and having a Number of Cattle in it, have therefore searched out a Convinient place for that Purpose, about ten Leagues from the Rapide, over the Cataholah Lake and has applied to our Commandant Mr. Valentine Laissard for leave to Settle it but he will give no one Leave to Settle in that Quarter. We your Humble Petitioners therefore Hopes that Your Excellency will be pleased to let us settle it, for which we the subscribers Your Humble Petitioners Shall ever Pray. Dated: August 10, 1794. Subscribers Names Benj. Grubb Samuel Gray Isaack Asbal George Paul Michael Hooter Jacob Hooter Peter Fogerty Reuben White Joseph Hooter Richard Earl Robert Willson Phillip Hooter Isaack Frazar Jno. Burney James White Nichole Leavens Mark Powel Pierre Robert John Fowlar Loui Hooter William Brown [List attached to the preceeding petition] Benj Grubb Ruben White Richard Earl Wm Brown George Paul Saml Morris Nicholas Leavens ** Gabriel Martin James White List of the Americans who have persisted in establishing themselves over the Catahula. Signed the 19th day of July, 1795. De Blanc 132 Six children of Gabriel were baptised in 1796 and the records are at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church; Mansura, Avoyelles Parish, LA; Church Registry Bk. 1, pgs. 14-17; 1 Nov 1796. Their names as stated in the records were: Margarita, Mathes, Olivie, Gabriel, Juan & Maria. No Zachariah. However, Gabriel died in 1800 and there may have been additional children born after 1796. I have never located a single person claiming descent from Gabriel. One other possibility; a tribe of MARTINs with numerous Zachariahs moved from Orange Co., VA in the 1730s & '40s to North Carolina and shortly after the Rev. War many of them moved into South Carolina and Georgia. In the very early 1800s a group of them moved through Indian Territory to the Mississippi Territory. They settled in the southern part of Mississippi [Adams, Amite, Pike Co.'s] Some migrated into Louisiana and may be the source of the Avoyelles Par. Zachariah. Feel free to contact me if you need more details. Bob