Martha Ann Banks was mentioned in the 3 April 1838 will of her great aunt, Catharine Dix, proved 17 December 1838. “I give and bequeath to my neice Martha Ann Banks my large looking Glass…” [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 340.]

1840 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Banks, Richard P.
2 males under 5
1 male 5-10
2 males 20-30 [one of these would be Richard]
2 females 20-30 [one of these would be Martha Ann]

On 12 September 1843, Richard P. Banks of Smithfield wrote to Mr. H. W. Latane of Meadow, Essex. “Martha requests me to say that Delphia is quite sick with the whooping cough, but she thinks in no danger, & that she shall be well attended to”. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 51, item 51-J-25.]

In 1843, orators & oratrix James H. Boughan, Richard P. Banks and Martha A. Banks his wife who before her intermarriage was Martha A. Boughan, Edward R. Boughan, Theodore P. Boughan, the two last infants under twenty one years of age by Richard A. Boughan their next friend, complained that Henry H. Boughan departed this life about the      day of     1843 intestate leaving your complainants James H. Martha Edward R. Theodore and Richard A. Boughan his only offspring and heirs at Law, and a widow Eliza Boughan. That the said Henry H. Boughan being much embarassed in his circumstances and being anxious to secure & save harmless all who were securities for him and to provide for the payment of all his debts did on or about the 21st of April 1843 (together with his wife Eliza Boughan) execute a deed of trust conveying all his estate both real and personal to Muscoe Garett and Richard A. Boughan to secure all his securities and the payment of certain debts (listed in the bill). That Henry H. Boughan & wife were to remain in quiet and peaceable possession of the property conveyed by said deed until the 20th day of April 1844 at which time if the debts were not paid the trustees could procede either at their own discretion or at the request of any security or creditor to sell for cash the said property and discharge the debts. That it will take the greater part if not the whole of the property to pay off the debts and that to attempt to keep the property together will create great waste and loss and that to postpone the sale of the Land until next April (1844), a time at which farmers have all planted their crops and made their arrangements for the year, will cause a very great loss to creditors and the complainants. They request that the land be sold partly for cash & partly on a credit until the 1st day of April 1844. The trustees Muscoe Garnett and Richard A. Boughan have declined doing so alledging that they have no authority. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 40, item 40-E-1-21.]

On 9 June 1844, Richd P. Banks of Smithfield wrote to H. W. Latane Esquire, addressed to him at Meadow “I intend this year to teach school, and there being no School Commissioner in this neighborhood, in consequence of Capt Bray having moved to Fredericksburg I was advised to see you, to get you to authorize me to teach the Poor children in this neighborhood...” “Martha desires to be remembered to you and family”. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 51, item 51-L-30.]

On 12 July 1845, orator Richard P. Banks complained to the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for Essex County. That Catharine Dix late of the said county died in 1830 having left a last will and testament in which Henry W. Latane, Warner Lewis, James Wood and Henry H. Boughan were named nominal executors. The three first named refused, and Henry H. Boughan alone qualified as executor with Henry W. Latane as his security. The said Catharine Dix died possessed of a large estate. She willed to Martha Boughan a negro girl Judy. Martha then married your complainant Richard P. Banks. Catharine Dix died entirely free of debt. Henry H. Boughan sold the slave for $500 on 1 November 1834. Henry H. Boughan died intestate in 1843. The administrator of his estate is Peter J. Derieux. Your orator has not received the value of the slave. Filed as Banks against Derieux. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 51, item 51-L-1.]

On 6 September 1845, Henry H. Latane filed answer to a bill of Richard P. Banks. He believes that Henry H. Boughan did sell Judy for $500, and that that was a good sale for an ordinary field hand. This respondent charges that Richard P. Banks and Martha his wife received full and equivalent compensation. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 51, item 51-L-7.]

1850 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Page 92
Dwelling 457, Family 457
Banks, Richard, 37, male, dy. sheriff, value of real estate $1,500, born in Virginia,
Banks, Martha, 31, female, born in Virginia
Banks, 12, male, born in Virginia
Banks, Peachy, 10, male, born in Virginia
Banks, Julia, 8, female, born in Virginia
Banks, Eliza, 6, female, born in Virginia
Banks, Orbrey, 2, male, born in Virginia
Goodman, Jael, 20, male, pealar[?], born in Germany

Martha Ann Banks was mentioned in the 2 February 1854 will of her grandmother Sarah Wood: “I give to Martha Ann Banks (daughter of Julia Boughan) one bed fully furnished”. She was also to receive a residual share in the remaining estate after specific bequests. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 27, page 615.]

1880 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Tappahannock District, Enumeration District 17, page 121A
Dwelling 116, Household 116
Banks, Martha, white, female, 59, widowed, keeping house, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia
Banks, Robert, white, male, 24, son, single, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia
Banks, Lullie, white, female, 18, daughter, single, born in Virginia, both parents born in Virginia

She is listed as the mother to her daughter Julia in Julia’s marriage to John Conoly.