Martha Bowker was born January 24, 1822 to Samuel and Hannah Atkins Bowker in Mount Holley, New Jersey. She was the oldest of the family’s 5 children.

Unfortunately, my searches did not turn up any more information that what was found in James H Crockwell’s booklet (1). Her information was recorded as follows:

Martha Bowker “embraced the principles of life and salvation as taught by Joseph Smith. Moved to Nauvoo, prior to 1845, and was married to Brigham Young January 21, 1846, Heber C Kimball officiating.

Sister Martha was a prudent, good woman, faithful to her husband and friends. She was an invalid for some years, but her faith never wavered. She always bore a faithful testimony to the work of god. Sister Martha descended from the founders of Philadelphia, and was a Quakeress by birth. Personally, she was of medium height, and of fair complexion. She came to the Salt Lake Valley in 1848, with the rest of her husband’s family, and died in Salt Lake City, September 26, 1890, highly respected. She was never a mother.”

The last statement “she was never a mother” was only half true. She never bore a child, but she was a mother to her adopted daughter, Ida Ames. Ida grew to have 12 children of her own.

Notes:

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