Martha Forsyth (maiden name: Dickson) was born around 1828 in Ohio. She married John Forsyth on November 10, 1849, and they had at least four children: Sarah, born around 1850; Rosalia, born around 1855; Maggie, born around 1857; and John, born around 1866. They lived in Rich Hill, Ohio, and her husband worked as a farmer. In 1860, they owned $150 of personal property. A decade later, their wealth had grown to $10,000 of real estate and $1,100 of personal property. She died in 1899.