Thomas Martin was the son of an early Virginia family.  His grandfather, Abram Martin, was the youngest son of a wealthy family from Galway, Ireland, and the immigrant ancestor of this Martin line.  He came to America about 1680.  His son, John, born at Virginia in 1685, died 1756, was the father of Thomas.

Thomas was born 6 January 1714 at King William County, Virginia.  He married three times.  He married first, Ann Moorman in 1740. They had 12 children:  George, Thomas, Charles, John, Pleasant, Letitia, Mildred, Ann, Mary, Judith, and two others.  Thomas’ second marriage was to (Unknown) Glover by whom he had no children.  His third marriage was to Mary Suddarth, by whom he had one son, Abram.

Thomas became a wealthy land owner at Albemarle County, Virginia.  His plantation, at which he settled before Albemarle became a county in 1744, was named “Locust Grove,” and it was there he died and was buried 25 July 1792.  His Will is of record at Albemarle County Will Book 3, Pages 174 - 176.  Documented in his Will is considerable detail of lands and personal property bequeathed to his wife, children and grand-children.  His documented Virginia lands totaled over 600 acres and Kentucky lands were 900 acres.  He named 14 slaves that were distributed among his heirs.        

At the time of the American Revolution, Thomas was 62 years old and beyond the age for active duty.  He contributed supplies (beef and wheat) to Revolutionary Army and for this service, is considered a Patriot of the Revolutionary War.