Martha Allen May
1839-1923

Martha May is the daughter of Jude Allen and Mary Ann Nicholas. She was born September 26, 1839, at Farmer, Lorain County, Ohio. Moved to Nauvoo with her parents where they resided about two years. During this time she remembers seeing the Prophet Joseph ride through the streets of Nauvoo on his famous black horse, Brigham. She also remembers seeing the Prophet’s body guards, also seeing the bodies of the Prophet and Hyrum in their caskets ready for burial, and the tub containing the blood-stained clothes. This was impressed vividly upon her mind.

For eight years her parents were moving about from one place to another. Finally in the year 1852, they came to Utah in the company of Benjamin Gardner, her father being Captain of Ten. Roving bands of Indians, prowling coyotes, and wolves and large herds of buffalo were often met during the trek. She remembers distinctly incidents of this journey, when walking and driving a small band of sheep, gathering wild berries to eat and wood to build their camp fires. Arriving at Salt Lake in September, they went to the church farm where they worked for a man by the name of John Dalton. Then they moved to Bountiful where they bought a home. Due to ill health and lack of funds with which to pay for schooling, she never had the privilege of attending school, never to learn to read or write. Being blessed with a wonderful memory, she obtained an education far above the average. Her English being almost perfect and as for arithmetic, she could do sums mentally very readily and accurately. She always encouraged her children to study and get an education, realizing the disadvantage of not having an education.

When the Kimball Mill was finished a big celebration was given, dancing, singing and feasting being enjoyed. During the fun three girls, Mary Allen, Martha Allen, and Hannah Jones, chumming together as all girls will, were standing beneath some stair steps laughing at the awkwardness of three young men – English emigrants, trying to dance, little dreaming they would be their future husbands. But such they proved to be in the persons of John Dewey, James May, and Thomas Harper. First Mary and John were wed, then Thomas and Hannah and finally James and Martha. She was wed August 24, 1856. And strange it may seem that these three families were very closely associated the remainder of their lives and friends and neighbors. The Mays moved to Calls’ Fort on their present location in 1861, their humble beginning being a dugout. From this into a two-room log house and then into the rock house where she has been surrounded with many of the conveniences. When the call came to move south they, with their relatives, went with the rest of the Saints. From this union fourteen children were born, eight sons and six daughters. Through thrift, economy, and hard work they reared them to man and womanhood, all except one son who died at the age of two weeks.

Being a natural and willing nurse, she went at all times – day and night, to the assistance of the sick, suffering and dying. Three grandchildren she reared besides her own and her home has always been a refuge to the homeless, the tramp, and needy. Into the mission field she sent five sons and numerous grandsons. She has been a staunch and faithful church member, never allowing anything disrespectful to be said of the authority of the church and when her husband took a plural wife and because of the trouble that arose from this practice – her husband moving to Canada leaving her alone with her large family of small children, which was discouraging, she would never allow her children to say one word of disrespect of their father, and because of this great thing every one of her children are firm believers in the faith. She worked in the Relief Society as first counselor for many years, and was also President of the Y.W.M.I.A. She was inoffensive, patient in her kindly way, and aided many young people with her counsel and advice. She befriended the Indians and was always a good friend and neighbor to everyone, and was beloved to all who knew her. She has a great posterity, 11 children, 103 grandchildren, 125 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren, a total of 244. May we all try to follow the beautiful example she has left for us.

She died in her home, the rock house, November 17, 1923 at the age of 84 years, 2 months and 21 days; due to incidents of old age. She was buried in the Call’s Fort cemetery beside her husband, James May, who preceded her in death on March 29, 1910.

Written by Mary Duke