Martha Bolton

Martha Jackson- Bolton was 8months old when she & her family arrived in Salt Lake in 1850 . Her parents were from England.  

She grew up in Ogden on a 20 acre piece of land. 

In 1869 Martha married Edwin Y Bolton, they soon moved to Granger. “At that time when there were only 8 houses and 1 tree in all that area west of the Jordan River.”

The Boltons had a large piece of property and had 10 children.

Martha & Edwin Bolton always hosted Brigham Young for dinner when he came to deliver sermons at the Granger Ward. She tells a story about her delicious Butterscotch Pie.

“When Brigham Young would visit my home I always served Butterscotch Pie and he liked it very much. On one occasion he was expressing his absolute belief in the

Principles of the Gospel. He said, "I am as sure of this doctrine as I am that I will have

Butterscotch Pie at Martha Bolton's today!" That day she didn't have butterscotch pie!

She said she thought he might be getting tired of it and she would have something else for a change.

Martha was a wonderful homemaker and seamstress. She had the first sewing machine in the area. She card wool, spin and weave it to make beautiful fabrics. She was sought after for her fashion designs and she was an excellent candy maker and cook.  When her husband died in 1902 she made a living sewing for the rich in Salt Lake City.  

Her granddaughter recalls that Martha was tall, slender, and attractive. She was what Mom termed a “tony” dresser; she wore rich brocades, lace, and satin gowns and hats - which she made herself. Her home was furnished with the most elegant traditional furniture. She had a black phaeton, which was a deluxe buggy with hard rubber tires instead of the usual iron ones. She also had a spirited horse accoutered with an ornate harness to pull her phaeton in style. Grandmother was my idea of a queen.”

Martha with her daughter Florence, Grandaughter Arva and Great Grandaughter Flroence