Sarah Decima Torbert

b. 2 April 1886, d. 13 June 1920

Sarah Decima Torbert Martin, 1886-1920
  • Sarah Decima Torbert was born on 2 April 1886 in Marengo County, Alabama.
  • She was known as Dessie.
  • James Anthony Torbert and Anna Mary Pegues appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Jackson's Store Precinct, Marengo County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Sarah Decima Torbert, Sidney Ernest Torbert, Florence Edna Torbert, Thomas Jefferson Torbert, James Everett Torbert, Rebecca Pegues Torbert, George Whitfield Torbert, Sylvester Sledge Torbert and James Bartholomew Pegues.
  • On 16 January 1901, James Bartholomew Pegues wrote to Rebecca Pegues Torbert:
         New Orleans, Jan 16, 1901
         Miss Redie Torbert, Old Spring Hill, Ala
    My dear little daughter
         I know you thought I had entirely forgotten my promise to send you my picture; but you were mistaken. Grandpa seldom forgets a promise made to anyone and especially does he remember one made to his dear little children. I am sometimes slow in fulfilling my promises; but as soon as I can I always try to do it so you must forgive me for being so long about it. I send you my picture in this letter. Deccie & the boys Kit & Fletch say it is a good one, I don’t know whether it is or not myself. If I ever have the money to spare I am going to have some photographs taken and send some of you one of those. I had this picture taken for you alone. I want to see you all so bad. It seems like a year since I left home. I can’t tell now when I will come back home. Work is scarce here just now and hard to get so money is scarce with me. I would give a lot to see my & Dutchman, and in fact all of you. Tell my Dutchman that I will be sure to bring him a lot of nails when I come and tell Whitfield I have not forgotten his hatchet, and that it shall be a steel one that will not break so easy. I suppose you all go to school now to Miss Bertie Small, Do you like her. I hope my dear little Jimmie is well and finally rid of his chills. Tell your mama to open my box of scaley barks and take half of them out for you all if you want them, and if she can to sell the other half for me and pay Mr. Lowry the 30c I owe him and if she get more than 30c for them to buy her some postage stamps with the rest. I don’t know if she can sell them or not, or what they are worth. Kiss mama, the baby, my Dutchman, and Whitfield for me and give my love to all the rest. Now my dear little girl I must close. Deccie & the boys send love to all. Tell old man Isac howdy for me when you see him. Write to me when you can.
         Your loving Grandfather.
  • A photographic portrait was made of James and Anna Pegues Torbert and children (except older brothers Sidney Ernest and Thomas Jefferson), about 1903.
    James and Anna Pegues Torbert and their family, about 1903
  • James Anthony Torbert and Anna Mary Pegues appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Jackson Store, Marengo County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Sarah Decima Torbert, Rebecca Pegues Torbert, George Whitfield Torbert, Sylvester Sledge Torbert and Elise Louise Torbert.
  • She married John Ward Martin, son of John William Martin and Margaret May, on 18 April 1912 in Marengo County, Alabama.
  • John Ward Martin registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in Marengo County, Alabama, while living with Dessie in Demopolis, and employed in Shortleaf as a log scaler by W. G. Mitchell Lumber Company..
  • John William Martin appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Jefferson, Marengo County, Alabama, at Demopolis Road. Other members of the household included Sarah Decima Torbert, John Ward Martin. Also in the household was a 9-year-old grandson whose name is indecipherable.
  • Sarah Decima Torbert died on 13 June 1920 at age 34.
  • Her husband John Ward Martin became a widower at her death.
  • She was interred at Jefferson Cemetery, Jefferson, Marengo County, Alabama.
  • Last Edited: 12 Mar 2015

Family: John Ward Martin b. 25 July 1884, d. 21 December 1952