Converted in Derbyshire at the age of 9, she began to preach at 17 and became a PM itinerant in 1822. In 1824, at the age of 19, she became the second wife of John Ride , who in 1821-1822 had been one of the early PM pioneers in the USA. The Rides seem to have been equal partners in the work and endured the many hardships of early PM mission stations, notably as pioneers in the Brinkworth District. In 1849 they sailed as missionaries to Victoria, Australia. After two years in Melbourne John superannuated in 1852 and they settled at Benalla. Widowed in 1862, Martha moved to live at her son-in-law's home at Brighton six months before she died in 1873.