PRESS RELEASE

6/21/2025

Bluffton, SC — Caroline’s Claim: The Remarkable Story of the Martins on Calhoun Street by Andrea Martin has reached #2 on Amazon’s General South Carolina Travel Guides list, marking a significant milestone for the debut author and historian.
Blending genealogy, history, and personal narrative, Caroline’s Claim traces the legacy of Caroline Hetty Martin—a free woman of color who became the first Black female land owner in Bluffton, South Carolina before the Civil War. The book has struck a chord with readers across the country who are eager to learn more about untold stories from the Lowcountry and the enduring strength of Black families through generations.
“I’m so honored that Caroline’s Claim is being recognized not only as a compelling family story, but also as a meaningful travel guide to Bluffton’s hidden history,” said author Andrea Martin. “This ranking is a testament to the power of ancestral memory and the growing interest in authentic, community-rooted storytelling.”
Available now on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats, Caroline’s Claim has also been featured at the Bluffton Gullah Cultural Heritage Center, where Martin will host a book signing event on July 19, 2025.

6/26/2025

Paul Tollefson (Amazon)
5/5 Stars
Wonderfully researched family history!
Caroline’s Claim gives a wonderful and in-depth look into Ms. Caroline Martin and family from Bluffton SC. The book not only tells the amazing story of Ms. Caroline owning land as a free woman, but also travels through others in the Martin family as they navigated a time where racial segregation was prominent in the Deep South.
I enjoyed that the author also gave the reader a better understanding on how to go about doing research on their own family using resources such as old slave, church, and census records

8/31/2025

Fran Heyward Bolin (via E-mail)
I read your whole book yesterday. Congratulations for making a substantial contribution to the history of the SC LowCountry.
Best to you,
Fran

Media Contact:

Andrea Martin

Website: www.andreamartin.org (Signed Copy)

HAPPY CUSTOMERS