According to Martin's headstone, Martin was born about 1813 in Kings County, Parish of Lusmagh, Ireland. The 1850 census also puts his birth date around this time, at about 1814.

If Martin is enumerated in the 1840 census, he is enumerated in the "Male - 30 & under 40" age bracket as head of household. There is also a female in the household of the same age bracket. This would put Martin's birth year between 1800-1810.

Martin's only known son, Michael, was born on a Thursday. The identity of Michael's mother is unknown. Michael's place of birth is debatable, but he was born somewhere in the Harpers Ferry area. Contenders other than Jefferson County are Washington County, Maryland and Loudoun County, Virginia.

36 year old Martin is enumerated as head of household in Harpers Ferry. Employed as a laborer, he is living with his mother, brothers, 6 year old son, and two Walsh children of unidentified relation. A 27 year old boarder, William Jackson, is also present.

According to his headstone, Martin died on Tuesday, September 18, 1855. A death certificate has yet to be found, however the early members of the family appear to have only haphazardly complied with the birth and death registration law. The family probably registered such with St. Peters Catholic Church, however the registrars for this time period have been stolen. Martin is buried in St. Peters Cemetery in Harpers Ferry.