However, two court documents in the estate records (FHL film 2208543) state that he died in 1822. One, John M. Cloud vs. Joseph Martin and Johnson Clement, says "...the death of the testator which took place in the year 1822..." I believe this document is from about 1836. The other court document is very difficult to read, but is probably from about the same time period and includes the following passage: "...that his father John Martin died in our said county of Stokes on the 5th day of April 1822 having previously published his last will & testament..."
So I looked at the Stokes County court records from 1822 (FHL film 0466254) and found the following entry for the June session dated 12 Jun 1822 (fifth page of session, image attached):
So I think the family bible had the day and month right, but clearly the wrong year.A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of John Martin dec.d dated the 10th day of May 1821 being offered for probate and the same being proven by the oath of Johnson Clement to have been found amongst his valuable papers and effects and it being further proven by the oath of said Johnson Clement, Isaac Datton and John Evans that the said paper writing and every part of it is in the hand writing of the said John Martin dec.d It is therefore ordered by the Court that said paper writing be admitted to probate and Registration.
It is ordered by the Court that letters of Administration on the estate of John Martin dec.d with the will annexed be granted to James Martin and Joseph Martin who thereupon were qualified as such and entered into bond to the amount of forty thousand dollars with Isaac Datton and Johnson Clement their Securities.