"Father of Yorktown"
Captain of Militia, Yorke Shire Justice, Burgess, Military Engineer, Planter and Wine Maker
Purpose: Preserving the memory and spirit of Nicolas Martiau (1591-1657), and his descendants, who achieved much to make America independent. Preserving the gravesites of Nicolas Martiau, and his immediate families, located at the Grace Church, Yorktown, Virginia.
In October 1991 first cousins Lee Yandell of Palos Verdes Estates, California and Marty Dale of Hemet, California, visited Yorktown. The trip was a culmination of the fate process: learning of Dick Ivy, letters, phone calls and finally the long anticipated trip to Virginia.
Mr. Ivy is the Yorktown town crier and beloved local character,
as well as the chairman of the Yorktown Historical Society. He escorted
the ladies to the Martiau sites, including an area of historical note.
Marty fell, breaking her knee. A few days later Marty (in a leg brace) and
Lee were back to see more of Yorktown, and to view the Martiau/Reade gravesites
at Grace Church.
Lee Yandell and Dick Ivy propped Marty up against the wall of the church, and left to go inside the gift shop. It was a cold, drizzly, blustery day. Only one other person was in sight, a young man, walking through the cemetery reading inscriptions. This fellow carefully read the Col. George Reade/Elizabeth Martiau Reade headstone, and walked away. Marty Dale thought, "What a shame he did not realize he was standing on the grave of Nicolas Martiau, the true Father of Yorktown."
That evening, while relaxing and talking over the events of the day, the two cousins had a phone call from Mr. Ivy. All three joked about a birthday party for ole Nicolas. Thus the nucleus was born. With the assistance of Dick Ivy and the Yorktown Historical Society, the first Martiau Tribute in honor of Martiau's 402nd birthday, became a reality 1 1/2 years later.
On May 22nd and 23rd 1993 the Martiau 402nd Birthday Tribute was held at the Williamsburg Hilton. A day was spent in Yorktown for a dedication of Martiau Street, wreath laying at the Grace Church gravesites, followed by a luncheon in the Parish House. A farewell banquet was enjoyed by 100 that evening.
Sunday morning services were held in the ruin of the Olde Yorke
Parish Church, located on the grounds of the Coast Guard RTC. At
conclusion of the emotional experience, it was decided to perpetuate the
"family" bond. The Nicolas Martiau Descendant Association (NMDA)
was formed. Mr. Ivy suggested a descendant be made president, with state
directors and executive board. Joseph B. Jackson, of Colorado, accepted
this challenge. He delivered the following message: As first
president of NMDA, I feel we are all indebted to Marty Dale for her founding of
the organization to cherish the memory of Nicolas Martiau. I thank Martha
"Marty" Goodman (Ward) Dale for bringing the descendants of Nicolas
Martiau together in fellowship.
A Martiau grave marker was completed and set in the Grace Church Cemetery. This slab has the official Huguenot emblem embedded. The slab is flush-to-ground in accordance to rules of the National Park Services and the Grace Church officials. The church groundskeeper assures the slab will not be marred by mowings. This marker was made possible by donations of Martiau/Berkeley descendants, and friends. A donor plaque was prepared and is available for viewing upon request of the Church. (The remains of the Martiau family were moved from another location.)
Message from our Founder, Marty Dale, 1994: Lee Yandell and I thank everyone for your support and assistance in getting our first Martiau Tribute off the ground, and attending the 1993 event. it was wonderful, the memory of that weekend will remain with me forever. I hope ole Nick was pleased with his 402nd birthday party, and his newly laid headstone. HE DESERVED IT!!!
Lineal: Available through right of descent from Nicolas Martiau/Widow Jane Berkeley through daughters Elizabeth, Mary or Sarah. Elizabeth married Col. George Reade. Mary married Col. John Scar(s)brook. Sarah married Capt. William Fuller.
Auxiliary: Available for spouse, friend, history buff, or descendant not wishing to complete the Lineal application form. (Non-voting rights)
Pictured Right: Nicolas Martiau Memorial is pictured at the left bottom; Tablets behind the Martiau Memorial are those of Col. George Reade and his wife Elizabeth Martiau. The three monuments pictured behind the Reade tables are (from right to left) those of Martiau descendants Gov. Thomas Nelson, his father and grandfather.
Print both membership forms listed below. Mail the completed form and application fee to the Registrar at the address supplied. The Registrar will send you a four page Lineal application. All generations are to be completed with documentation. Note: You may use a copy of an approved membership from any other heredity group where you have established lineage from Nicolas Martiau. Upon approval you will be issued a national number. A certificate suitable for framing will be sent, along with a roster and newsletter.
Print Membership Application Form
NMDA assembled at the Williamsburg Hospitality House Hotel on the weekend of March 25th for its 4th Tribute to Nicholas Martiau. The weekend included a Wine & Cheese Social, Breakfast Business Meeting, Luncheon at Warner Hall, Tour of the Warner Family Cemetery conducted by APVA, Open House Hosted by the Tribute Chairman Page Warden, Wreath Laying at the Grace Church Memorial to Nicholas Martiau, York River Cruise, Tour of Purton, and Gala Banquet. Marty Dale, founder of NMDA was elected President Emeritus. Martiau descendants from all over the country enjoyed meeting their newly found cousins. Each now holds a special place in our heart.
Pictured Left is the Nicolas Martiau Home Site Memorial looking north to the York River.
08/22/2004 05:27:18 PM