Mary Morgan was born 13 Oct 1795 in Monongalia County, West Virginia to Achilles Morgan and Susannah Scott Morgan. She was the second of eleven children. At the age of 19, she married Henry Martin(b.1786). Her life in Vermilion County began in time for her 4th child, Eliza to be born in 1822. Children Rawley(1816), Nancy(1817), and Perry(1819) began the long trip from Virginia with their parents Mary and Henry and their grandparents, Achilles and Susannah Morgan. Perry died in 1821. After Eliza was born in Vermilion County, Presley was born in 1826, Elizabeth-1828, John M.-1830, Henry-1832, Achilles-1834, Mary-1836, Martha M-1838, Desdamona F-1841.

According to H.W. Beckwith in "History of Vermilion County" 1869, Mary and Henry were among the first to settle in Elwood Township, taking up a claim on section 6. Beckwith writes that Mary was said to have been a woman of many good qualities, and during her long and eventful life strongly impressed her character on the community. Her life was devoted to her children and gave great interest to their success. Rawley devoted his time and services to preaching and organizing churches in the surrounding country. Henry was a farmer and bravely fought for the Union in the 4th Illinois Calvary from 1861-1866, later becoming Justice of the Peace. Achilles fought with the 25th Illinois Infantry and went on to become one of the prominent businessmen of Danville.

Following her husband Henry's death, in 1851, Mary married Joshua Parrish in 1855, enjoying life with him until her death in 1877. Beckwith writes: "she died strong in the love of her best gift to the world—her children. Few women of the present day have had greater reason to feel more satisfied than she, with the part she bore in the stern realities of pioneer life; and the children and grandchildren, so many of whom still live in this county, will, during their lives, continue to hold the good mother in kindly remembrance."

BIO written by Diana L. Martin with Beckwith quotes on 20 Apr 2009