Martha is the great-granddaughter of John and Hannah Smith Richmond. This is the earliest picture known (at least to me) of a direct Richmond descendent. Martha was the daughter of Howard and Belinda Enlow Potter. Her father, Howard, was the son of Benjamin and Martha Richmond Potter.
Martha Potter was born in Washington county, Pa., near Claysville, July 23, 1835 and died at the home of W. T. Buck, Bethany, Mo., March 23, 1919, having suffered a paralytic stroke the night before. She had been enjoying the best of health until a week prior to her death, when she took quite sick and was confined to her bed, most all the time. She had reached the ripe age of 83 years and 8 months.
She was married November 23, 1851 to Marquis Gunn, in Washington Co., Pa., where they continued to reside for fifteen years. They moved to Harrison county, Missouri and settled on a farm a short distance east of Bethany, but the latter years of their life was spent in retirement in Bethany. Bro. Gunn died in the year 1903 and Sister Gunn continued her residence here. She spent one year in Colorado with her daughter, Mrs. John Bartlett, and the last year with her daughter, Mrs. W. T. Buck in Bethany.
Nine children were born to them. They are Mrs. Amanda F. Buck, Bethany, Mo.; Mrs. Jennie Danly, Claysville, Pa.; Mrs. Susie Bartlett, Pueblo, Colo.; Mrs. Matilda Brodbeck, Gallatin, Mo. (deceased); Howard Gunn, Rosedale, Calif.; John C. Gunn, Bethany, Mo.; Frank B., and Harvey N. Gunn, Copan, Pkla.; and Grant, who died as a boy eight years old.
Mrs. Gunn, together with Mr. Gunn and their two oldest children, united with the Presbyterian church, Bethany, Mo., November 7, 1869, the year of their coming from Pennsylvania uniting by letters from Windy Gap congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. The following year Bro. Gunn was made an elder, which position he filled until his death. Mrs. Gunn was a consistent Christian, a charter member of the Ladies' Aid Society and a loyal suporter of her church. The last conversation this writer had with her she inquired about the state of the church. She was a loving mother, industrious and frugal, a kind neighbor and one who had the respect and confidence of all. She lived to a ripe old age, having done her part in the pioneer days of this community. She was active and doing her life's work in the days when most of us now old were young, and this generation owes to such as she a large debt of gratitude, temporal comforts as well as spiritual blessings which we today enjoy.
She fell quietly and painlessly into her dreamless sleep. God gives his beloved sleep,but hereafter he shall call them to a glorious awakening. "She is not dead, but sleepeth."
Born unto that undying life,
They leave us but to come again;
With joy we welcome them--the same,
Except in sin and pain.
And ever near us, though unseen,
Th dar(?) immortal spirits tread;
For all the boundless universe,
Is life--there are no dead.
Funeral services were held from the Presbyterian church Wednesday afternoon, March 29, conducted by her pastor, Rev. L. Layman. Burial beside her companion in Miriam cemetery.
