Martha Munro Ferguson Breasted
(1906-1994)
In September of 1906, Isabella and Robert Ferguson welcomed their first child, Martha Munro Ferguson, into the world. As the first child, she was doted on and adored by all. Less than two years later in 1908, her younger brother Robert Munro (Bobbie) was born. It was this same year, that her father was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Unbeknownst to these two young children their whole childhood would be centered around the care of their ailing father. Early on Isabella, fondly referred to as “Mitty”, a Roosevelt family variation of “Mommy”, split her attention between caring for her children and caring for her husband, often with the children at the Frank & Sally Cutcheon's home in Locust Valley and her husband in Saranac, NY where he received treatment at a sanatorium. Fortunately, Martha’s grandmother, Patty, and the family’s longtime nanny, Julia Farley Loving, stepped in to help care for her and her baby brother. In 1910, the family moved to Cat Canyon, New Mexico, among the Burro Mountains, where they lived until 1922. The home still stands today as the Burro Mountain Homestead. Family letters tell of Martha, age 7, and Bobbie, age 5, being schooled by their mother, Isabella. By age 12 and 14, both children had many responsibilities working the ranch. But Martha was becoming a real companion to her mother. In a picture taken of the New Mexico Land Army, that was formed during World War I and headed by Patty, Martha and her brother, tools in hand, are working with their mother and grandmother to fill the shoes of farmers drafted for war. Eventually in 1920, both children were enrolled in school in Santa Barbara. It was in 1922, with the whole family in Santa Barbara, that Martha’s father died in her brother’s arms with she and her mother by his side. Life would be very different without their father who they had looked after in some capacity or another their whole life. She would continue her education in Santa Barbara and continue on to college in the east. In that time, her mom would remarry and have another child named John Selmes ‘Jack’ Greenway. When Martha’s step-father, John Greenway, died in New York City shortly after the birth of Jack, it was Martha who accompanied her mother and the body back to Arizona. True to her role as her mom’s companion, she would also be like a mother to Jack. In 1933, at 27 years of age, Martha married Charles Breasted, age 33, the son of Dr. James Henry Breasted, the famous University of Chicago archaeologist who’s team discovered King Tut-ankh-amen’s tomb. The couple had hoped for a small wedding but Eleanor Roosevelt’s announcement of their engagement from the White House made for a grand event. Martha held her own walking down the the aisle at the Burro Mountain Homestead in a most unconventional gown of yellow and white checked gingham. She and Charles were married in front of the living room mantle on which she and her brother had left their initials with stones as children. The couple had four children David, Macomb, Isabella, and Sarah - all have whom have spent time at Dinsmore farm.
Martha and her siblings inherited Dinsmore Farm at the death of Isabella in 1953. Dinsmore farm found a special place Martha’s heart for the same reasons it was dear to family generations before her, it was a place to regenerate. She also recognized the uniqueness of her family’s home having sheltered six consecutive generations and still remaining largely original to the first generation yet representing all the lives and changes of the following generations. Her heart was to preserve this story so that generations to come could have a first hand encounter with one Kentucky family that helped shape local and national history. Martha worked with several community members for many years until her vision to preserve the home, land, and history came to fruition. Many dedicated individuals volunteered countless hours and gave generous financial support. The Dinsmore Homestead Foundation, Inc. purchased the Dinsmore Home, original outbuildings and furnishings, and 30 acres in June of 1988 from Martha Breasted. Additionally, Martha donated her half of the purchase to the foundation along with 78 acres of land on Middle Creek Road.
Martha died December 31, 1994 in her home in Tucson, Arizona. Per her request, her ashes were buried in the Dinsmore Graveyard with Julia Farley Loving, who helped care of her as an infant through childhood.