Parkin (cake) in November had many Christian festivals, and like Celtic festivals that preceded them they were celebrated with a fire and ritual cakes. November starts with All Hallows Eve, that runs into All Saints Day (1 November), which is followed by All Souls Day (2 November). Little Lent and the forty-day fast until Christmas, started at Martinmas. (11 November). On All Souls Day soul cakes were baked. The Martinmas fair was important being the traditional day when cattle were bought and sold, and servants were hired for the following year. It was also the date that cattle were slaughtered and salted
Thomas S. Martin Smithville, Virginia, as well as at the various watering places where she spent the summers of her happy girlhood. Her father, the Hon. C. Fenlon Day, was well known throughout Virginia. Her marriage with Senator Martin occurred at Smithfield, in 1894. Possessing decided literary talent, she wrote repeatedly for publication, and both her poems and her prose articles were admired for their beauty of thought and expression. Martin died while in office, at his home in Charlottesville, and is buried in the University of Virginia Cemetery at that location. Thomas S. Martin Thomas Staples Martin (July 29, 1847November 12, 1919)