Item Detail
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Brower, Martha Ann Barker Bateman
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1835-1919
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MSS SC 923
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Biography
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Martha Ann Barker Bateman Brower was born May 29, 1835 in Coventry, Warwickshire, England to Arthur Great Barker and Ann Morris Barker. Martha married James (Jim) Bateman Dec. 10, 1854 in the parish church at Hill Fields, Coventry, Warwickshire. They had one son, Arthur James Bateman, who was born on Feb. 4, 1863 in Coventry. Around 1868, James, Martha, and their son immigrated to America and settled in New Jersey. The rough sea voyage lasted 78 days. About two years after arriving in America, James Bateman chose to return to England and Martha chose to stay in America. Martha was married to William Brower about 1874. William Brower was a machinist and owned his own business in New Jersey. Martha and William had one son June 10, 1875 whom they named William. Records indicate they lived in Paterson, New Jersey. Martha died on Feb. 1, 1919 at 82 years of age.
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Martha's brief biography is included in an 18 page collection of biographies for the family of her father Alfred Great Barker (1795-1873). The collection includes biographies, obituaries, and pictures of the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren of Alfred Great Barker. This collection was written and compiled by Hazel Barker Bott in July 1969, and typed by Areola B. McDonald. Martha's 2 page typewritten biography was recorded by her grandson Arthur Bateman. There is also information about Martha matriculated throughout the biographies of her brothers and sisters. Martha had two brothers and a sister who also immigrated to America. Martha's brother, John Newman Barker, and his wife Mary Ann Maria Smart, had joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and immigrated to Willard, Box Elder County, Utah. Later, her brother Alfred George Barker and sister Ann Barker Johnson also immigrated to New Jersey. Martha's parents, Alfred Great and Ann Morris, also joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and immigrated to New Jersey to live close to their children. After two years, they moved to Utah and lived with their son John Newman until their deaths. Martha never moved from New Jersey, and most likely worked in the silk mills, one of the largest industries in New Jersey at the time. Martha's father and brothers had also been in the ribbon weaving industry in England as well as America. Martha's second husband William died Nov. 23, 1899 from cancer. Around this time, Martha lived with her son Arthur Bateman and his family. Just prior to her death she lived with her son William and his family. Martha's grandson William Brower stated, 'She was a frail, small women, active, energetic, never sick. I remember her in our homestead as a good midwife and very helpful.'
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1822-1865