I Hardly Knew you . . .

         September 16, 2009. I began the research of my family in the year 1998. I do not take my research

lightly. It has been common knowledge in our family since the Civil War that Martin Holloway, son of Andrew

Jackson Holloway and Nancy Brown served in the Sixty First Regiment, North Carolina Infantry, Company I during

the Civil War. Martin was my father's grandfather. I was perturbed when I realized other researchers were claiming

my great grandfather's service in the war as the record of their ancestor, Martin Holloway of the same name. One

Martin Holloway even has a marker on his grave in Burnet County, Texas indicating he was a soldier in the Sixty

First Regiment, North Carolina Infantry, Company I. The problem in this instance, is this: there are records of only

one Martin Holloway serving in the Sixty First Regiment, North Carolina Infantry during this time period.

         The stone surrounding this marker, and on which it is mounted, appears to have a date inscribed:

November 9, 1939. The marker itself is of relatively modern construction. I  visited a local tombstone maker to

inquire about Civil War markers, and was informed that many organizations will place such markers on graves, but

any tombstone dealer will deliver any type of stone an individual orders. Despite these seemingly insurmountable

barriers placed in front of me, I had no reason to doubt statements made by my Great Grandfather, Martin

Holloway. I continued my research, primarily learning how to research by becoming an expert genealogist, and

focusing on other family members before assembling all the evidence I could find concerning my Great Grandfather,

Martin Holloway.

           During this period of time, I solved many puzzles about my people, and found many instances where other

researchers were claiming my immediate family as their own. During brief respites from my research, I often visited

sites where the Martin Holloway who served in the Sixty First North Carolina Infantry was being claimed as the

ancestor of various researchers. Throughout all this, I still retained my faith that Martin Holloway, son of Andrew

Jackson Holloway and Nancy Brown was the man whose heritage I must protect, that he was indeed, the man who

was in the Sixty First Regiment, North Carolina Infantry.

         During my many visits to researchers sites, not one shred of evidence was presented to secure the

claims of the researchers, each one treated their claim as a simple statement of fact. In the early days of my

research, I began to research another Martin Holloway to verify the claims he was the son of Great Great

Grandfather Andrew Jackson Holloway's brother, Isaac Holloway and his wife, Polly Pruitt. This particular Martin

Holloway was also the Martin Holloway who married Margaret Stamper in Ashe County, North Carolina in the year

1852, and was most often listed by researchers as having served in the Sixty First Regiment, Company I, North

Carolina Infantry, during the Civil War. Early on during this research, I discovered the presence of two family

members in this Martin's household about whom I was extremely curious. In the year 1860, on the Hay Meadow

Township census of Wilkes County, North Carolina, this Martin H. Holloway was enumerated. This Martin himself,

was listed as having been born in Virginia. Listed as family members in Martin's household were Delila and Francis

M. Holloway. These two individuals were too old to be children of Martin. Delila was old enough to be his mother,

and Francis M. was listed as being 21 years of age, whereas Martin was 27. Not only did my curiosity peak at the

sight of this census, a feeling of something akin to satisfaction began to slowly take root in my heart.

           My next step was to take a look at the 1850 census of Virginia.  It was in Washington County, Virgina

where I located the family of Delila Holloway. The enumeration of the family  began with Delila Holloway as the

head, followed by, Jas. 24, Wesley 20, Martin 18, Alfred 16, Marion 14, Nancy 11, Francis 9 and female, Thos, 7.

The entire family was listed as having been born in Virginia. I was as certain then, as I am at the present, that this

was the family of Martin Holloway, husband of Margaret Stamper. Subsequently, I located this Martin Holloway on

every census I was able to: 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880. Only once, in 1870,  was he listed as having not been born in

Virginia.




           On the 1880 census of Alleghany County, North Carolina, this Martin Holloway's daughter, Phoebe

Holloway and her husband, James Harvey Blevins are living only a few houses from her uncle, Francis Marion

Holloway and his wife, Sarah Fuget. Names of some of her children suggest she not only knew her father's brother,

Francis Marion Holloway, but knew of other siblings of her father.

 

in progress

Notes

#1A The research assigning Martin H. Holloway who married Margaret Stamper as a son of Isaac Holloway and

Polly Pruitt is fundamentally flawed and incorrect. Also, the research assigning Martin H. Holloway as the Martin

Holloway who was a member of the 61st North Carolina Infantry is fundamentally flawed and incorrect. See notes

below under Martin H. Holloway for supporting facts.


#1 Martin Holloway, son of Andrew Jackson Holloway and Nancy Brown enlisted in the 61st Regiment, North

Carolina Infantry, Company I on May 3rd 1862 at Gap Civil, Alleghany County, North Carolina.


#2 Martin was absent without leave from the 61st on October 2, 1864, with no further records. His term of service

was: 1862-1864. Great Grandfather Martin did not serve throughout the war as claimed by other researchers.


#3 On the Veteran's Census of 1890, mistakenly listed, although he was a Confederate soldier, Martin correctly

states his years of service as being: 1862-1864.


#4 Why would someone, although he had enlisted in the 61st North Carolina Infantry for a period of three years, or

the duration of the war, state that his years of service had been between the years 1862-1864? He was simply

stating what he knew to be true.


#5 Martin Holloway who enlisted on May 3, 1862 was one of 4 Holloway boys who enlisted in the 61st Regiment,

Company I, North Carolina Infantry. Three of these boys, Martin, Hardin and William grew up in the same family,

the home of Andrew Jackson Holloway. Martin was Andrew Jackson's son, and Hardin and William were Andrew

Jackson's half brothers.  #1 Hardin Holloway: son of John Holloway and Matilda Pratt, enlisted at Sullivan's Island

on October 29, 1863. Hardin traveled from Alleghany County, North Carolina all the way to Sullivan's Island, South

Carolina to enlist in order to be with William and Martin in the defense of the island against Union soldiers. #2

Thomas Holloway: age 18, enlisted on May 3, 1862 at Gap Civil, Alleghany County, North Carolina, died at

Wilmington, North Carolina  in 1863, son of Delila, brother of Martin H. Holloway. Thomas' personal effects were

claimed in a Deceased Settlement document filed February 9, 1864 by his mother, Delila Holloway. This Thomas

Holloway can be found listed in the home of Hugh and Polly Lawson on the 1860 census of Elk Creek. Alleghany

County, North Carolina. He is working as a laborer.  #3 William Holloway, son of John Holloway and Matilda Pratt

enlisted May 3, 1862  at Gap Civil, Alleghany County, North Carolina.  #4 Martin Holloway, enlisted on May 3,1862

at Gap Civil, Alleghany County, North Carolina. All of these boys were closely related, and except for Hardin, most

probably were in each others company on the day they enlisted.


#6 Papers for pension for William Holloway, son of John Holloway and Matilda Pratt:  Appeared in Dahlonega,

Georgia on December 15, 1905, Thomas Holloway, and signed sworn affidavit to wit: William Holloway, the

applicant for state pension is the William Holloway who served in Co. I, 61st North Carolina Volunteers. I was

present when William enlisted in said company and saw him march into service at Gap Civil, Alleghany County,

North Carolina.


Note: This Thomas Holloway is Thomas Holloway, son of Andrew Jackson Holloway and Matilda Pratt who lived in

Georgia close by William Holloway, and was closely associated with his half brother, William Holloway. Thomas

would have been about 11 years old on that day in 1862 when William enlisted. Thomas was also the half brother of

Martin Holloway who enlisted on that day. Most probably, many family members of Andrew Jackson Holloway were

present on that day, as a boy of Thomas' age would not have been alone.


#7 Term of enlistment was for 3 years, or duration of the war.  May 3, 1862-May 3,1865 or until war's end. Martin

left on his own on October 2, 1864. The last official record of him was a muster report for November and December

of 1864 stating that he had been absent without leave since October 2, 1864. No records exist which point to any

wounds, sicknesses or injuries to Martin during his service with the 61st, as claimed by other researchers.


#8 1910 census of Pike County, Kentucky: Martin Holloway states he is a veteran of the Civil War, Confederate

Army.


#9 Perhaps the most compelling evidence that the Martin Holloway who served in the 61st Regiment, Company I,

North Carolina Infantry during the Civil War was the son of Andrew Jackson Holloway and Nancy Brown is this: the

Martin Holloway who served in the 61st Regiment, Company I, North Carolina Infantry signed clothing receipts

while in the 61st Regiment, North Carolina Infantry with an X. Martin Holloway, my great grandfather, son of Andrew

Jackson Holloway and Nancy Brown of Wilkes County, North Carolina could neither read nor write.


#10 According to the 1870 census of Wilkes County, North Carolina and the 1880 census of Burnet County,

Texas, Martin H. Holloway, son of Delila Holloway, could read and write.


#11 The 1860 census of Alleghany County, North Carolina records the fact that Martin Holloway, son of Isaac

Holloway and Polly Pruitt was able to read and write. 


#12 Alleghany County, North Carolina Deed Abstract: June 11, 1856. Samuel Brackins to John Holloway, 100

acres on headwaters of Cranberry Creek, adj. a ridge, the old line, & Noel Richardson for 150 dollars. Signed: John

(X) Holloway. Wits: Martin Holloway. This is a record of John Holloway, son of Isaac Holloway and Polly Pruitt

purchasing land. The sale was witnessed by John's brother, Martin Holloway.

                                                                                                                                                                   
                                                             


                                                                                  Notes:
                                                                        Martin H. Holloway


Generation No. 1

         1.  Martin H.2 Holloway  (Holloway1) was born 1833 in Virginia, and died May 31, 1906 in Burnet

County, Texas.  He married Margaret Stamper 1852 in Ashe County, North Carolina. 

Notes for Martin H. Holloway:

#1 1850 census of Washington County, Virginia: Delia Holloway 55, Jas. 23, Wesley 20, Martin 18, Marion 14,

Alfred 16, Nancy 11, Frances 9, Thos. 7. This record is the only one in existence which matches the accepted

birth period of Martin H. Holloway.

#2 Martin H. Holloway who married Margaret Stamper is not the son of Issac Holloway and Polly Pruitt.

#3 1860 census of Wilkes County, North Carolina: Martin Holloway, Va. 27, Margaret 27, Phoebe 7, Meridith 5,

Martha 2, Fanny 7 months, Delila 55, Francis M, 21. Delila is Martin's mother, Francis Marion is Martin's

brother.    Nearby home: Wesley Holloway, Va. 30, Elizabeth, 32, Delila 6, Isom, 5, Caroline 2. Wesley is Martin

H. Holloway's brother.

#4 1860 Wilkes: James Holloway, Va. 32, Mary 28, Martin 10, Jessy 6, John 5, Henry 3, Felix 10 months. James

is Martin H. Holloway's brother.

#5 1870 Tazewell, Virginia: John W. Holloway, 48, Betsy 50, Delilah 18, Isom 15. Caroline 13, Jane 11. Nancy, 9,

John 6, Delilah 69: mother of John Wesley and Martin H. Holloway.

#6 In 1870 Martin appears to be living where his brother, John Wesley Holloway, lived in 1860. The neighbors are

the same: Martin Holloway, Harrison Combs, (son of William Combs) Joseph Blevins. John Wesley Holloway has

moved on to Tazewell County, Virginia, taking their mother Delila with him.

#7 1850 census of Ashe County, North Carolina: Martin Holloway, son of Isaac Holloway and Polly Pruitt is 14

years old.

#8 Martin Holloway, son of Isaac Holloway and Polly Pruitt is living in his father's home in Alleghany County, North

Carolina in 1860:

                                                                    Isaac Holloway 56

                                                                    Polly Holloway 59

                                                                    Martin Holloway 23

                                                                    Daniel Holloway 20

                                                                    Kesiah Holloway 18

                                                                    Richard Holloway 12


#9 In 1860 Martin H. Holloway, his wife Margaret, his children, his mother, Delila, and his brother, Francis Marion

are living in Wilkes County, North Carolina.

#10 The 1860 census of Alleghany County places Martin Holloway, the son of Isaac and Polly Holloway in

Alleghany County, while Martin Holloway, husband of Margaret Stamper is in Wilkes County.



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