Mark Franklin Grave Marker Dedication and Cemetery Recognition Ceremony

Mark (Martin) Franklin (1 Jan 1800-23 Sep 1873), War of 1812 veteran and a "5 Year Man" in the 7th Infantry Regiment.

The ceremony was held at Noon, Saturday, 21 April 2007 at the location of the Franklin Cemetery, 5658 West State Highway 106, Georgiana, Alabama. This is at the junction of Hwy 106 and CR 15N. It's not your "typical" cemetery, as Mark and 2 small grandchildren are buried on a hill on private property, but it's a lovely spot.

Here are some photos of the Ceremony.

The Franklin Cemetery is now listed on the Alabama Historical Commission's Alabama Historic Cemetery Register, making it only the third cemetery in Butler County to achieve this designation and the 95^th statewide.

Biography of Mark (Martin) Franklin

Mark (Martin) Franklin was born 1 Jan 1800 in either Tennessee or North Carolina. While census records say Tennessee, his military record says North Carolina.

Not much is known about Mark's childhood except that he had a brother Edmund. Family stories say he also had another brother Thomas, and a sister, Mary.

Despite his youth, Mark served for 5 years in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812. He was that rare soldier commonly referred to as a "5 year man." This fact sets Mark apart from the majority of men who saw service at that time and served, not in the U.S. Army, but in Militias.

Mark lied about his age to enlist in the U.S. Army April 25th, 1814, claiming to be 18 when he was in fact just barely 14 years old. He served as a private in Capt. John B. Long's 39th U.S. Infantry Regiment, Capt. Wm. Bee's Co 7th U.S. infantry, and Capt. David Emanuel Twiggs' Co 7th U.S. Infantry. He was honorably discharged on 24 April 1819.

His discharge reads:

To all whom it may concern
Know ye, that Martin Franklin a Private of Captain David E. Twiggs light company, Seventh Regiment of Infantry who was enlisted the Twenty fifth day of April One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fourteen to serve Five years, is hereby honorably discharged from the Army of the United States by reason of the expiration of his term of service.
Said Martin Franklin was born in Hardin county, in the state of North Carolina, is eighteen years of age, five feet seven and a half inches high, dark complexion, black eyes, Black hair and by occupation when enlisted a farmer.
Given at Fort Scott in the State of Georgia this 24th day of April 1819
M. Arbuckle

For his service, Mark was given a land patent for 160 acres of land in Arkansas. However, Mark apparently liked Southern Alabama as he stayed around long enough to meet Nancy Ann Stapleton. The couple were married 12 Feb 1824 in Baldwin County, Alabama. By 1830 Mark and Nancy lived in Butler County Alabama. Mark purchased land in Butler County, eventually owning 315 acres. The Franklins are found in Butler County in the 1830, 1840 and 1860 census. During those years, their marriage was blessed with 11 children (5 sons and 6 daughters), 10 of whom lived to adulthood.

Mark Franklin died 23 Sep 1873 aged 73 years 8 months and 22 days.

His obituary, published in the Georgiana Independent on 2 Oct 1873, read as follows:

Mark Franklin - Long and familiarly known as a survivor of the War of 1812 and one of our worthiest citizens, died at his home near Starlington on Tuesday.

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