MARTIN, Matthew (d.1749), of Alresford Hall, Essex.

Martin, who claimed to be descended from the Martins of Saffron Walden, served as a captain in the East India Company’s service. He distinguished himself as commander of the Marlborough Indiaman, which he defended against three French ships of war, bringing her safely into Fort St. George with a cargo valued at £200,000. For this he received from the Company a reward of £1,000 and a gold medal set with 24 large diamonds. He purchased Alresford Hall, near Colchester, in 1720 and was granted a patent of arms on 18 Sept. 1722.Morant, Essex, ii. 188-9; Essex Rev. vi. 184; xi. 158-62. He successfully contested Colchester as a Whig in 1722, did not stand in 1727, and was unopposed in 1734. He voted with the Administration on the Spanish convention in 1739, and was absent from the division on the place bill in 1740. Re-elected after a contest in 1741, he voted for Walpole’s candidate for the chairman of the elections committee before being unseated on petition. He died 20 July 1749.