Martha had saved all the money she made from presents from the local fishermen in Montrose and she died a weathly woman. Suddenly a lot of her ‘family’ appeared.
- “Two gentlemen belonging to Montrose have just returned from the kingdom of Fife, and have communicated the following curious particulars regarding a supposed witch, who lived near the seat of the far-famed Maggie Lauder, and died only a few days ago: – Martha More was a woman well advanced in years, and had been long in the practice of calling at Anstruther and the neighbouring villages, where she received a half-cod from the fishers, who fully believed in the supernatural powers of Martha, and were fully persuaded that good luck depended upon giving her a cod when she came to the boat’s side. A short time ago Martha was taken ill; but independently of being supposed to be a witch, she was reported to be suffering from cholera, and none of the neighbours went to see her. One of her neighbours, a kind, half-witted man, gave her potatoes and herrings boiled together as a medicine, putting a lititle brandy into the mess. Whether this was Martha’s bane or not, it may be hard to say; but she died, and the news of her death produced a very deep sensation, many of the fishermen lamenting that they would never again have an opportunity of giving poor Martha a lucky half-cod. When Martha’s poor and thinly attended funeral was over, her house was cleaned our, and, among other things, her chest was examined, when, tied up in one bag, 2000 sixpenses were found; in another, 1020 shillings; in another 9 gold sovereigns; and in another, 7l, in bank notes. After finding this, it may well be believed that every hole and corner were earnestly searched; and such was the success that, in addition to the 117l just mentioned, other 40l was discovered, making in all 157l., which Martha had saved by her lucky half-cods which she got from the superstitious fishermen. It is also worthy of observation that, although Martha had no friends before her death, not even so much as a feeling neightbour to attend her deathbed, friends and relations are now pouring in, showing how nearly they are related by blood to Martha More.” – Montrose Standard.
The Stamford Mercury, 26th October, 1849.