Patriarch
Family Patriarch
The History of the Family Patriarch ... John (Chow) Martin Sr.
First Generation - John Chow Martin Sr.
John (Ah-Chow) Martin was born John Ah-Chow in the Canton district of China and emigrated to Trinidad circa 1850. He settled in Chacon Street San Fernando, prior to a later move to the 'Bentik' area, now known as Vistabella. Due to the racial tension against the Chinese in many parts of the World at that time, such as in Vancouver B.C. Canada and in Los Angeles US, many of them in Trinidad, W.I. changed their names to non-sounding Chinese names and eventually, John Ah-Chow became John Martin. When the above anomaly became known to our Martin Family in 1992 during our search to trace our heritage, we decided to reference John Martin as John (Chow) Martin.
Second Generation - John Martin Jr.
Due to the discrimination meted out to the Chinese during that era, John like many other Chinese at that period of time, changed his surname to a 'non-Chinese' sounding name, hence the title 'Martin'.
John, a fisherman by trade, was the owner of several small fishing boats which set out each day for as far as 'down the main' (Venezuela). Legend has it that either he and / or his employees once witnessed some nefarious wrong doings aboard a Venezuelan pirogue and that they were given a sum of gold to buy their silence. Rumors of golden doubloons were rife at the time and gold was reported to be in treasure troves extending from the wharf to various streets radiating from that area - Chacon, St. Vincent, St. James etc.
John Martin later became a Christian and married Margaret Augustus McCaddin, the daughter of a Scottish missionary couple who had formerly lived and worked in Antigua prior to moving to Trinidad.
The ceremony took place in San Fernando and from this union emerged the second generation of Martins - Issa, John Jr., King Horn, Matilda and Agnes, and as they say in show business - 'The rest is history!'
Margaret, a school teacher, was born on July 4, 1837 and died in 1901.
It is not known when John Martin was born or when he died. (If anyone has this information, please let us know.)
John Martin later became a Christian and married Margaret Augustus McCaddin, the daughter of a Scottish missionary couple who had formerly lived and worked in Antigua prior to moving to Trinidad.
The ceremony took place in San Fernando and from this union emerged the second generation of Martins - Issa, John Jr., King Horn, Matilda and Agnes, and as they say in show business - 'The rest is history!'
Margaret, a school teacher, was born on July 4, 1837 and died in 1901.
It is not known when John Martin was born or when he died. (If anyone has this information, please let us know.)
Notable Other Family Members
Third Generation
Alma Lee-Young
2nd offspring of John Martin Jr.Dec 13, 1891 to Nov.8, 1983
James Lee-Young husband of Alma Lee-Young.
James came to Trinidad from Canton, China circa 1876
Oct 10, 1891 to Dec 29, 1973
James came to Trinidad from Canton, China circa 1876
Oct 10, 1891 to Dec 29, 1973
