COLONIAL Cole Digges House Historic Structures Report

John Martin

John Martin, having purchased Lot 42 in 1705, evidently continued in the occupation and use of it for the next eight years. Perhaps, it can be assumed that this and his storehouse, which he built at the foot of the cross (Read) street that went down to the waterfront from Main, just adjacent to his house, remained the base of his continuing mercantile endeavor.

Martin after ten years in the mercantile field may have decided to try his fortunes at seas. [10] When he sold Lot 42 together "wth his warehouse under ye bank comonly called & known by ye Name of Martin's Store" to "Mercht" Cole Digges he was designated "Marinner" in the deed. [11] This was in January 1713 and the sale price was ninety pounds sterling. Martin had built the warehouse himself as related in the deed of release to Digges—"with Warehouse Erected by ye sd Martin under ye bank commonly called & known by ye name of Martin's Store." This further related that lot and warehouse (or store) "All of which premises are now in ye actuall possession of ye sd Cole Digges by Vertue of One Indenture of Lease & Demise." [12]