Martin Wiley Futch

Martin Futch

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Philosophically, Martin wants to understand the world through geography. But on a practical level: he really wants to appreciate and be excited for this new world. He sees the British (and the Empire mentality) as a real threat to that. Martin is a Patriot Ready to “ply his trade” of tracking and mapping for the Continental Army. Has no love for the British - perhaps the Carolina and Virginia campaigns have even further hardened his view there. Enthusiastically left college early to not “wait around for the conflict to engulf my favorite homes.” Also has an appreciation and sympathy for the lifestyle and people of the Native Tribes with their love of the land.

Social

Family Ties

As a youth, Martin explored the coastal Carolinas, particularly the Sound-side of the Outer Banks; his father ran a successful crabbing and fishing business that included a few boats. Post-college: Plied his curiosity up and down the James and York Rivers and parts of the Great Dismal Swamp. Spent time on borrowed small craft camping, venturing inland, surveying, re-surveying to correct old maps, etc. (Has a later-in-life ambition to help fully map the Great Dismal Swamp and help draw a more accurate border between North and South Carolina.)

Religious Views

Frontier Colonist of the coastal rivers/waterways. Not religious - raised Baptist but has feigned Anglican allegiance as needed in Virginia. Has a healthy skepticism of all organized religions, but on the other hand VERY superstitious; Possibly the perfect combination of sailor tales, Charles Town’s steep occult roots, and what he may or may not have seen in the many evenings spent alone up river. Yes, a study of sciences opened his eyes to the machinations of the world but it also is WAY more to this world than religions tended to provide for. As far as he’s concerned everything is on the table and nobody gave him a hearty feeling that there knows everything.

Wealth & Financial state

Martin attended William & Mary, giving him access to knowledge that opened his eyes to the world and broadened his mind. Martin learned to speak, read and write Latin, before he dropped out. This has been added to his skills without charge.
Phi Beta Kappa - at William and Mary, Martin met John Heath who had organized an informal group of stiudents, which he now calls Phi Beta Kappa, to discuss the issues of the day. The group meets in secret because the topics of their conversation might well be considered controversial by their elders, e.g., is African slavery injustice and inhumane? Recognizing the greek letters (ΦΒΚ) above a door on a college campus, you may gain fraternal admittance with a secret handshake John Heath taught you.

A wily cartographer of the southern coast. Very superstitious - possibly the perfect combination of sailor tales, Charles Town’s steep occult roots, and what he may or may not have seen in the many evenings spent alone up river.

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