Our History
In search of a better way of life during the late 1920’s, many families moved away from Lincoln County, Georgia, which had been the birthplace for many of the Martin and Leverett family members. Close family and group ties which had been established during the slavery period were broken. Long distances and economic conditions made it difficult to get together. Rev. T. M. Martin was one of those who left and settled in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was able to return to Lincolnton more frequently than others and saw the need to maintain close family contact. During one of his visits, he talked with several other family members who agreed to come to his home in Charlotte for the first Martin-Leverett family reunion.
The first Martin-Leverett family reunion was held in Charlotte, North Carolina, Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5, 1933. Those who attended were related by birth or marriage. From Charlotte and the surrounding areas were the families of Rev. T.M. Martin, Simon Martin, brothers, Tom, Jim and Otis Leverett. Those who came from Lincoln County were John Walker Hogan and his daughter Anna Bell, Mattie Lou Beard, Daisy Williams, George and Brancy Wingfield, Nell Bennett, John Garnett, G.W. Bentley, Alton Reid and Welcome Mickens. The religious services were held at the Calvary Baptist Church and the other sessions at the home of Rev. T. M. Martin. At this inaugurals meeting the following officers were elected; Rev. T.M. Martin, president, Jim Leverett, treasurer, Lenora Edwards, secretary, and Anna Bell Hogan, assistant secretary. They decided to make this an annual affair. The dates would be the first Saturday and Sunday in November alternating the venue between Charlotte and Lincolnton.
The second reunion was held at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Lincolnton, Georgia, on November 3- 4, 1934. Tabernacle is a country church that was established in the 1800’s. It has an old graveyard right on the church grounds and is the final resting place of many of the Martins and Leveretts. Walking thru the surrounding graveyard is like taking a journey thru time. Slave graves to the present times. The new members who attended this second reunion were the families of Camel Reid, Sim Reid, Ed Freeman, Hoagie Hogan, John Thomas Leverett, Fred Tutt, Jim Reid, George Bennett, Tom Bennett, Rev. W. T. Mason, Rev. Thomas Martin and Rev. Sim Gunby.Over the years this reunion became quite an annual gathering with much rejoicing and exchanging of ideas. People traveled from far and near in wagons, buggies, cars, any kind of transportation available. As the old folks say “2 on a Horse”, just to be with family. Each visiting cousin’s entire family would be housed at a hosting cousin’s home. Making pallets on the floor or where ever they could lay their heads down. (There were no hotel accommodations available for them). The catering was done by the hosting families. What a feast they had. This was a time to reminisce and strengthen bonds that had been created long before their births. It was all inclusive from the elders to the youngest of the youth. History and genealogy would be passed down. The “Reunion Meant Something”.
For the first few years, the weather was unusually cold and rainy. This proved to be a hardship for those who had to travel long distances, therefore the meeting dates were changed to the first Saturday and Sunday in October, or the Saturday prior to the first Sunday in October. Each year more and more family members came to the reunion.
Rev. T. M. Martin suffered a stroke in the late 1950’s and became confined to a wheelchair. Despite this, he continued to serve as president until his health began to fail in 1963. At this reunion, he asked Welcome E. Mason to preside over the session and at the end of the meetings, Rev. Martin asked Mr. Mason to officially take over. He felt that Mr. Mason was a young man with a promising future, and under his leadership, the reunion would grow and prosper. Mr. Mason accepted and promised to serve until another leader was accepted. This was Rev. Martin’s last reunion as he passed away on October 14, 1964. Mr. Mason was elected president for an indefinite term during the 1965 reunion in Lexington, North Carolina. The motion was made to make Tabernacle Baptist Church the permanent meeting place because it was home for many of the founders. It was defeated. A second motion was made and carried to change the meeting dates from October to the weekend before the first Sunday in August in order to increase the participation of young people who are in school in October. The 1970 reunion was held August 1-2 in Lincolnton, Georgia at the Tabernacle Baptist Church. This was by far the largest attendance and most financially successful reunion held since the reunion’s inception. The weather, however, was unusually hot and the church was not air-conditioned, which made the participants very uncomfortable. Therefore, the reunion dated was changed back to October.
The reunion grew to include relatives in other cities and states. In 1968, the membership voted to hold the reunions in other cities in order to give us a chance to meet other relatives who had not previously been involved. Some of the cities that have been hosts are Augusta, Georgia, Lexington, South Carolina, New York City, New York, New Jersey, Rockville, Maryland, Los Angeles, California, Cleveland, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Baltimore, Maryland. The 1971 reunion was held in New York City. In the absence of the President, Mrs. AnnaBell Hogan Williams presided. The history of the reunion was presented for the first time by the family Historian, Rubena Byrd Parker. In the past, the emphasis had been placed on the fellowship rather than on preserving a historical account of the family. At the close of the final session, Mrs. William was elected to an indefinite term as vice-president.
During the 1977 reunion in Charlotte, it was recommended that an attorney is retained to assist us in the preparation of a Charter and developing a Constitution and the By-Laws. Hence, the birth of the Martin – Leverett Association, Inc. that was incorporated in the state of Georgia as a non-profit organization in 1979.In 1982, the Martin – Leverett Association established a scholarship assistance loan to encourage our young people to continue their education. The first recipient was Michael Bennett who was pursuing a degree in computer science. The Executive Board recommended a policy change five years later regarding scholarship loans. It was changed to a one-time gift for the student’s current year of enrollment. The amount to be set based on the amount of funds available and the number of request for the year. Check are made payable to the student’s school. During the 1990 reunion held in Detroit, Michigan, the criteria for the scholarship assistance was changed again. Parents or guardians of the applicant must be active members of the Association for three years prior to the student’s application. The applicants must be accepted as full-times students at an accredited college, university, and technical or vocation school. Article III, Membership, of the By-laws, was amended. A membership fee of $15.00 per household was accessed whether or not the member attends the reunion. Single people over 21 years of age even if still living at home must pay a separate registration fee.
The Golden Anniversary of the family reunion celebrating 50 years of history was held on October 1-2, 1983 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The last three living members in attendance of the first reunion were recognized for their service, dedication, and leadership was presented corsages are Daisy Williams, Connie M. Kinard and Anna Bell Hogan Williams.The 55th reunion of the Association was held on October 1-2, 1988 at the Ramada Inn in Augusta, Georgia and the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Lincolnton. The first formal historical journal was made available to the members. In additional to the dedication pages and advertisements, the Journal included the history of the Martin-Leverett family trees. Also, two framed picture of the family tree were present to the Association. Since then we now have an elaborated family album that is privately published every few years. It documents our legacy with photos of the old and the new, essays and open forums, directories of members, history, trees and charts showing genealogy, and sponsors. There have also been a newsletter Family Matters.Previously the officers and Board of Directors were appointed for an indefinite period of time. The average officer had been in the office for 25 years or more. After the announcement of the retirement of Mr. Mason in 1991, it was decided to hold elections every four years infusing new ideas. There would not be any term limits but each candidate would have to be re-elected to retain their seat.
The 1992 reunion met in Los Angeles, California for the first time and added new features to the celebration. The meeting time was lengthened to three days, first picnic, Association logo and colors, silk screen imprinted T-shirts, hats and video recording of the session.Later we have enhanced many aspects of the organization with family tree banners representing both families, policy manuals for hosting the reunion, and websites on the internet.
Our reunions are more like conventions that are centered on the family. These 4-day events encompass Board of Directors Meetings, General Session with state roll call, Family outings, Meet and Greet parties, Formal Balls and Banquets, Sunday religious services, and Family Sunday brunch.The reunion has blossomed over 83 years. Our membership has increased more than ten-fold.
We are proud to be members of the Martin Leverett Association, Inc. with roots spread throughout the United States. Our men and women are graduates of a variety of professional schools, colleges, and universities. We also have many with a minimal amount of education only of grade school. We are inclusive without respect of social economic status. God has truly blessed us. Let us look forward to continuing the legacy of our continuing the legacy of our forefathers. When asked, Who Yo People?. We are honored to say, The Martins and Leverett’s of Lincoln County Georgia.