Martha Brown

married George Handy.

Source Citation Year: 1850; Census Place: Hinsdale, Cattaraugus, New York; Roll: M432_479; Page: 141B; Image: 278 Source Information Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Source Information Ancestry.com. New York, State Census, 1855 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Original data: Census of the state of New York, for 1855. Microfilm. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

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Martha Brown was born Oct. 18, 1835, near Parma, Monroe county, New York, and spent her early life in said state. She was a school teacher of high merit. Removing to the state of Indiana at the age of twenty-three, accompanied by her aged mother, she followed her vocation as school teacher until after she became the wife of George Handy, their marriage taking place March 9, 1859. Mr. Handy had one son five years of age, whom she cared for with a mother's love. Three other children, two girls and one boy, came to brighten their home; the boy she buried when two years of age, while visiting relatives in her native state. Their nephew, George Brown, was also an inmate of their home and shared her motherly love. Many others were welcomed in her home and looked to her for a mother's direction.

She was a member of a family of eleven children, eight of whom preceded her to the spirit world. Her husband, their son, Henry Spencer, with his family their daughter Lida and family, their daughter Mary and husband, and their nephew George and family, survive her and feel their deep loss, for an affectionate wife, a loving mother, a wise counselor and a noble christian has gone home. Her place is vacant in the Baptist church at Clear Lake, of which she was a faithful member. She was a great sufferer from heart disease for about a year, every thing possible being done for her relief and recovery. In September she took a trip to Cattaraugus county, New York, hoping to improve her health, but two weeks later her husband followed her, as she grew worse there. He employed the best physician in the county. Four weeks later they returned home, accompanied by their niece, Estella L. Brown, who scarcely left her bedside. Dr. McTaggart had charge of her case. Dr. H D. Wood, of Angola, was called for consultation, and stated that no physician could do any more than had been done. On the morning of Nov. 24, 1896, at the age of 61 years, 1 month and 6 days, her spirit winged its flight to the God who gave it. Not dead but gone before.

Her favorite test was Job, xix: 27. Her funeral services were held in the R. P church at Ray, Thursday, Nov.26th, at 2 o'clock, Rev. Cobb, of Kinderhook, Mich, officiating. The text was Rev., xiv:13. The music was furnished by the Covenanter choir. The family wish to express their deep gratitude to the friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted them in their sad hour of affliction.

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photo taken by Susan Straw
photo taken by Susan Straw
photo taken by Susan Straw

Martha is buried in Ray Cemetery
Fremont, Steuben County, Indiana, USA