BIRTHDATE: 20 Feb 1833

Franklin. Simpson Co.. Kentucky

DEATH: 18 Nov 1898

Riverdale. Weber Co., Utah

PARENTS: Benjamin Lewis

Johanna Ryon

PIONEER: 19 Sep 1847

Daniel Spencer Wagon Company

SPOUSE: Sanford Bingham

MARRIED: 18 Jul 1847

Platte River, Nebraska

DEATHSP: 21 Nov 1910

Ogden, Weber Co., Utah

CHILDREN:

Sanford. 1 Sep 1848

Martha Ann. 29 Jan 1850

Benjamin Franklin. 25 Sep 1851

John. 30 May 1853

Sophia Cordelia, 30 Dec 1854

William, 16 Oct 1856

Joannah. 28 Aug 1858

Joseph Smith. 23 Jun 1860

Elisha Erastus, 25 Mar 1862

Rebecca Jane. 7 Nov 1864

Lorin Beason, 16 Sep 1866

Lucinda Elizabeth, 27 Nov 1868

Leonard Ryon. 10 Mar 1871 (stillborn

Lewis, Apr 1872 (stillborn)

Mary Frances, 18 May 1873 (died in infancy)

Martha Ann was living on a plantation in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky, when she heard the gospel and was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in July, 1845. Both her mother and father died before she reached the age of thirteen. Her father died at the Haun's Mill massacre, and her mother died of a stroke eight years later.

Her uncle who was not LDS came to their aid and helped them move West with the rest of the Saints. They wintered with the Ponca Indians near Swift River which was about 150 miles north of Winter Quarters. Many were sick in the camp and Martha Ann helped to care for the sick and prepare the dead for burial. In July, 1847, they traveled West with the Daniel Spencer Wagon Company. Her task was to drive the loose cattle most of the way.

She married Sanford Bingham on Sunday, July 18, 1847, on the banks of the Platte River. She was able to ride the rest of the way to Salt Lake Valley on horseback sitting behind her new husband.

During their first year in the Valley, they lived at the herd house where her husband and his brother were keeping a herd for the public. It was just a little below the mouth of Bingham Canyon. She proved to be brave when Indians tried to intimidate her during her husband's absence and they never bothered her again.

In the spring, they moved back to Salt Lake for two years and then moved on to the Ogden area in 1850. In 1851, they moved to Lynn which was then called Bingham's Fort. They had a farm, so they built irrigation ditches to take the water from Ogden River to water their land. Martha Ann taught the Indian women how to cut patterns and make clothing. She also raised flax, spun it into thread, wove the thread into cloth to make towels, sheets, and tablecloths. She served as Relief Society President for twenty-six years in Riverdale. She served as a midwife and nurse to all that needed her.

She was full of wisdom, patience, and kindness. She was an obedient and affectionate wife, and a loving, devoted mother.