Martha Ann Henderson

Martha Ann Henderson was born March 12, 1835 in St. Joseph, Missouri to James Goforth and Anna Harris Henderson. Martha is a Pioneer of Richmond.

History

The Henderson family was counseled by friends of the Prophet Joseph Smith to convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After they converted, they were forced out of Missouri, and the Henderson family moved with the Saints to build Nauvoo, Illinois. Soon after the family moved to Nauvoo, Martha's parents became very sick. Her mother died in 1842 and then her father in 1843.1

Martha joined the Abraham O. Smooth Company in 1847. During the trek, she had to live on half rations for some time, and she drove an ox team across the plains, walking most of the time barefoot.2 She was 12-13 at the time of her crossing the planes.1

When she reached Salt Lake City, she began working as a maid most of the time. By 1854, she moved to Kaysville, Utah. While attending a dance, she met Norman Day. They were married on Feb 16, 1855.1

They continued to live in Kaysville until 1864 when they moved to Lewison, Utah, then to Richmond. They acquired some land up High Creek Canyon where they lived for almost 40 years. When the Daughters of Utah Pioneers was organized, Martha was recognized as one of only a few pioneers left in the city. When the life of farming got too hard for them, they moved closer to Richmond.1

Epilogue