The Martin collection is described below in two main categories: documents available in paper form, and documents available on microfilm. Paper documents came from the Martin family and have been assigned call number Green Bay Mss 140; they date primarily from 1805 to 1887. The earlier papers (through 1826) pertain to the fur trade in the Northwest. For later years, the papers relate to Martin's personal career, Territorial politics, early Wisconsin banking, the Fox-Wisconsin improvement project, early Milwaukee history, Indian affairs, and writings on early Wisconsin history.
Microfilmed papers date 1645-1931. In subject matter they are largely similar to the papers in the first category. They include information concerning Martin's business and legal activities, letters and notes associated with the personal life of the Martin family, and papers relating mainly to Mrs. Martin's brother, Admiral Melancton Smith. Most of the microfilm was produced in 1959 from originals loaned by the Neville Museum; this film is assigned call numbers Green Bay Micro 50 (in Green Bay) and Micro 36 (in Madison). One additional reel of film (call numbers Green Bay Micro 51 and Micro 528) was produced in 1974 from materials transferred to the Archives with court records of the Brown County Circuit Court; these originals are now also in the custody of the Neville Museum.
Extensive further detail on content precedes each category's contents listing below.
