The daughter of Isaac Branson and Eliza Emeline Peery, grand-daughter of Valentine Branson. Married John Henry Peard Dec 25 1873 in Hitescore Mine at Mariposa. Mother of John Henry Peard , Albert Franklin Peard, Arthur Peard, Grace Emmeline Peard Gilbert, Rose May Peard Stagnoli, Nettie Josephine Peard, Lena Belle Peard Bennett, Martha Ellen Peard, Charles William Peard, Harold Lenwood Peard, Stanley Fair Peard and Edmund Alfred Peard.

Records indicate she was originally laid to rest in Hornitos with her husband.

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PEARD- At Merced, Oct. 5, 1921, Mrs. Martha Peard, a native of Missouri, aged 64 years.

~ Mariposa Gazette, 8 Oct 1921
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Mrs. Martha Peard Dies at Merced

Mrs. Martha Peard, a pioneer resident of Hornitos, passed away at her home in Merced October 5th after a brief illness.

Mrs. Peard was a native of Missouri and crossed the plains 58 years ago with her parents, who settled at Hornitos.

She was the mother of 12 children, eight of whom survive her. They are Mrs. Emma Gilbert and Mrs. Rose Spagnoli of Merced, Mrs. Belle Bennett and Miss Josephine Peard of San Francisco and Charles, Harold, Stanley and Alfred Peard of Merced. Also two brothers, Hiram and William Branson of Jerseydale, survive her.

The funeral services were held in Merced Friday afternoon, October 7th, internment being made in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Merced.

~ Mariposa Gazette, 15 Oct 1921
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The funeral of the late Mrs. Peard was largely attended from this county. From Cathay we noticed J. D. Price and wife, Mrs. Ledson, Mrs. Geo. Givens, Isabel Pierson and Marvin Wills; from Mt. Bullion, Mrs. Sain, Charles Marre and wife, F. Maquire, John Marre, Mrs. Pierson, Mr. and Mrs. Fournier.

~ Mariposa Gazette, 15 Oct 1921
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1900 (Jun) US Census, Hornitos, Mariposa, CA:
Martha Peard, b Sep 1857, 42, wd, m at 26, 12 born/8 living, b MO, fthr MO, mthr KY.
Grace E., dtr, b Nov 1879, 20, b CA, fthr England.
Josephine, dtr, b Mar 1884, 16, b CA, fthr England.
Lina B., dtr, b Jun 1886, 14, b CA, fthr England.
Charles W., son, b Aug 1891, 8, b CA, fthr England.
Harold L., son, b Nov 1893, 6, b CA, fthr England.
Stanly F., son, b May 1896, 4, b CA, fthr England.
Edmund A., son, b Apr 1898, 2, b CA, fthr England.
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