Martha Prouse

A Life of Faith and Frontier

Early Life in Clovelly

Martha Prouse was born on November 16, 1787, in the picturesque fishing village of Clovelly, England. She was the fifth child of James Prouse and Elizabeth Ann Crocker. Growing up in a harbor famous for its mackerel and herring, Martha lived a life shaped by the sea and the Devon countryside. While her father worked alongside the local fishermen, her mother managed a busy household of six children.

Martha’s siblings largely remained in Devon: her eldest brother, John, was a farmer; William also remained local; and her brother Charles ran a corn mill that remarkably still stands today. Her younger brother, Thomas, followed in the family tradition of farming the land where they were raised.

Marriage and the Bible Christians

On October 20, 1808, Martha married Richard White in Hartford, England. Richard, the son of Frederick James White and Mary Dennis, had grown up near Martha’s family. The couple settled on a small farm in Woolfardisworthy and began a family that would eventually grow to include eight children.

During these years, Martha found her calling within the "Bryanite" movement, also known as the Bible Christians. Founded by William O’Bryan in 1815, this religious sect was progressive for its time, famously encouraging women to serve as ministers. Martha’s deep faith would become the guiding force of her life, especially after tragedy struck in 1831 when Richard passed away at just 46 years old—the same year their youngest child was born.

The Journey to Canada

In 1844, thirteen years after her husband’s death, Martha made the momentous decision to leave Plymouth for Ontario, Canada. The voyage was grueling, lasting 13 weeks. In the middle of the Atlantic, the ship was battered by severe weather and sustained significant damage. Despite the danger, Martha and her family arrived safely in June 1844.

They traveled inland toward Ottawa, eventually settling in Hope Township, where her son Thomas purchased a plot of land. Martha never retired from her spiritual work; she remained an active Bryanite and dedicated her later years to serving as a traveling minister across the Canadian frontier.

Legacy

Martha lived with her son Thomas until her death on December 9, 1870, at the age of 83. She was laid to rest in the Bible Christian Cemetery in Perrytown, Ontario—a long way from the cliffs of Clovelly, but a fitting end for a woman of such enduring faith and courage.

Martha’s Grave