I have decided to take the 52 week challenge of writing something about one of my ancestors each week. I'd like to start with my 3x gr grandfather Martin C McKinnon (Papa Martin), born May 20, 1835 in Thomas County, GA. Martin was the son of Harry Ginn and Nancy McArthur.

Oral history of my family tells the story of Papa Martin being born into slavery. He was owned by the McKinnon Family of Thomas County, Georgia. The McKinnon's had a young mistress by the name of Jane McKinnon who became engaged to a man named Phillip McRae of Mt. Vernon, Montgomery County, Georgia. It can be see on the Georgia map below.

It was a tradition on some plantations to give slaves as gifts. In this instance, Martin was given to Miss Jane to accompany her to her new home and to continue her family's name and carry out the family traditions.

McRae Homestead

It is not known exactly when Martin arrived at the McRae plantation, but there is where he met my 3x gr grandmother Phillis Horn. Mother Phillis as we call her was believed to have been born on the McRae plantation to Ben Horn and Nancy McRae in the year 1838. Together they produced 12 children; Catherine, Thomas, Benjamin, Abraham, Jerry, John, Ida, Wallace, Eddie, Daniel, Martin, and Nancy.  Martin McKinnon, Jr is my 2x gr grandfather.  Although Martin and Phillis lived together and had children, they were not married until September 16, 1874. This was almost 20 years after the birth of their first child.

Documentation of the marriage of Martin and Phillis

Martin and Phillis both remained in Mt. Vernon, Georgia until their deaths. He as a farm laborer and she keeping house. Both died of natural causes at the age of 86.