Margaret Maria Alley was born December 19, 1825 to George and Mary Symonds Alley in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. She was the second of seven children. Her father, George was an expert shoemaker and owned his own shop. (4)

George and Mary were baptized as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1842 and moved with their family soon afterward to gather with the Saints in Nauvoo.

There, Margaret met Brigham Young. They were married October 14, 1846. She traveled West with the Brigham Young Company in 1848 (2).

She and Brigham had two children together. She died in Salt Lake City on November 5, 1852, when her children were still quite young. One source mentioned they were raised by Clara Decker Young following their mother’s death. (3)

Margaret is described as “a woman of small stature, and medium complexion, intelligent, energetic and faithful to all her trusts - true to her religion, her husband and her friends, also much devoted to her children.” (1)

Notes:

1 - Pictures and Biographies of Brigham Young and His Wives. James H Crockwell - publisher.

2 - https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/overlandtravel/pioneers/2668/margaret-maria-young

3 - https://www.geni.com/people/Margaret-Young/6000000001384608281

4 - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DTXQ-NS8?i=167&cc=1747615