Martha Stokes¹ daughter of John Henry Stokes and Nancy Patience Alford was born on Mar 4, 1787 in Edgecombe Co, NC.^1,2,3

Martha Stokes was listed as a daughter of John Henry Stokes in 1790 in St Thomas Par, Cheraws Dist, SC in the census. Daughter 1/6 females.⁴

Martha Stokes was listed in the household of John Henry Stokes in the census in 1800 in Darlington Co, Cheraws Dist, SC. female 1 10-14.⁵

Martha married Dempsey Dowling son of John Dowling and Nancy Boutwell on Sep 22, 1803 in Darlington Dist, SC.¹

She was the wife of Dempsey Dowling in the census in 1810 in Darlington Dist, SC. female 26-44.³

She was the wife of Dempsey Dowling in the census in 1820 in Darlington Dist, SC. female 26-45.⁶

She was the wife of Dempsey Dowling in the census in 1830 in Dale Co, AL. female 40-50.⁷

She was the wife of Dempsey Dowling in the census in 1840 in Dale Co, AL. female 50-60.⁸

She was the wife of Dempsey Dowling in the census in 1850 in Dale Co, AL. Martha 64 NC.⁹

She died on Jan 15, 1859 in Claybank, Dale Co, AL.¹ She was buried in Claybank Cem, Ozark, Dale Co, AL. Find A Grave Memorial # is 6299516.

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Martha Stokes, daughter of John Henry Stokes and Nancy Patience Alford, was born on 4 Mar 1787 in NC.

When she was three years old, her parents moved to the Darlington District SC. Martha joined the Methodist Church in 1799 when she was 12.

When she was sixteen years old in 1803, she married the Rev Dempsey Dowling.

She and Dempsey had fourteen children, one of whom died at age 15 and the other thirteen presented Dempsey and Martha with 106 grandchildren Very soon after she attached herself to the church, she became very concerned abut the salvation of her soul and sought God in the pardon of her sins by the exercise of her evangelical faith in Jesus Christ and found the peace that passeth all understanding. She remained in SC with her husband until 1825, and then, with their family, set out for Alabama and settled in Dale County. And there remained, having the enjoyment of many friends, loving children and obedient servants, until she was taken by the hand of death from her husband's embrace.

On 15 Jan 1859, after eating a hearty supper, she and her husband and a few of their grandchildren joined in the family prayer. A short time later after retiring, she roused her husband by giving signs of the arm, and a few minutes later, she sank into the arms of death. As she went, she shouted 'glory, glory' and told those present that she would be in heaven - that 'her room was filled with heavenly light.' She had been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifty-four years. She raised fourteen children, seven boys and seven girls, left eighty grandchildren living and thirty-nine great grandchildren. Two of her sons are local preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of her grandsons was an itenerate preacher. Nearly all her children and children's children are members of the M. E. Church South. At her burial 108 of her descendants were present.

The above was written by her grandson, Rev. Angus Dowling. (83) She was buried at Old Claybank Church in Dale Co AL. Her husband Dempsey was later buried beside her.¹⁰

Dempsey Dowling¹ was the son of John Dowling (1759-1826) and Nancy Boutwell (1763-1849). He and Martha Stokes had the following children: