Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Martin, Jonathan (1715-1737)
MARTIN, JONATHAN (1715–1737), organist, born in 1715, was chorister of the Chapel Royal under Dr. Croft. He studied the organ under Roseingrave, and played in his place frequently at St. George's, Hanover Square, and also acted as deputy for Weldon at the Chapel Royal (Hawkins; Grove). On 21 June 1736 Martin was admitted organist to the Chapel Royal in the place of Weldon, whose post of composer fell to William Boyce [q. v.] Martin was also organist to the Earl of Oxford (Daily Journal). Shortly before his death he gave a concert at the Stationers' Hall, where was present 'nearly every person in London that pretended to any skill in music, and where, though he had scarcely strength to sit upright, he played two voluntaries on the organ, showing fine invention and masterly hand' (Hawkins). Martin died of consumption on 4 April 1737, and was buried in the west cloister of Westminster Abbey. An inscription for his tomb was written by Vincent Bourne, and is included in his volume of 'Miscellaneous Poems,' 1772, p. 335. The only known composition by Martin is the song in 'Tamerlane,' 'To thee, O gentle sleep.'
[Rimbault's Old Cheque-book, pp. 51, 232; Hawkins's History, iii. 893; Chester's Register' of Westminster Abbey, p. 348; authorities cited.]