Born in Marlboro County.  Birthdate from her obituary pasted in Mattie Pate's scrapbook; her death date from her obituary in Sumter's "Watchman and Southron".  Also see LOC link to obituary page.  Mattie F. Pate's death certificate says Martha F. Stubbs was born in Brightsville, SC.

Age given as 45 in 1880 Census.
Age given as 36 in 1870 Census.
Age given as 15 in 1850 Census

Julia Pate book states she had 5 children, but Mattie Pate's scrap book proves she had 7 children.

Her approximate marriage date is inferred from her obituary: "At the age of twenty-one she was married to Mr. L.G. Pate, and came immediately to Sumter."
Funeral service was at the First Methodist Church (Sumter, SC); her obituary pasted in Mattie Pate's scrapbook states "The internment was at the cemetery."  The obituary says she died in Sumter, SC at 10 AM on Wednesday, but no year or month is given.

The chronology of dated articles in Mattie Pate's scrapbook places Martha F. Stubbs's obituary roughly between November 1889 and June 13, 1901, assuming that the articles are chronologically arranged in the book.  However, her date of death was June 9, 1897 as published in that day's issue of Sumter's "The Watchman and Southron".

Curiously, the obituary of Samuel L.G. Pate (written by his brother J. Thomas) refers to Samuel's having "regret ... that he could not live to see his little orphan sisters reach womanhood, and that wisely did he fix property so as to be of the greatest benefit to them."   Samuel's obituary alludes to his father's death, and says that "Since that day [of his father's death] he has been to the sad and almost heart-broken mother, a true son."  Perhaps loss of one's father conferred orphanhood status?

The obituary indicates that Martha's daughters Lou, Mattie and Blanche were not married at the time of her death.  The obituary also says "During a married life that continued for nearly thirty years...".  The married life referred to actually appears to have been more than 40 years.

She was active in Sumter's Trinity Methodist Church.  See: image1  image2  

Misc:  Kitchen fire.  Former residence (1888).  

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Research at South Caroliniana Library (12 June 2009)

Searched The Watchman and Southron (1 Nov 1899 to 30 Jan 1901) [microfilm labeled POS. 3086].

Dec 13, 1899:  SC Conference appointments for 1900: Florence District, J.T. Pate (Florence).
May 9, 1900: "Dr. J. Thos. Pate is out again after a brief though severe illness. -- Florence Times, May 3"
Nov. 28, 1900: "Miss Mattie Pate has returned home after a visit of several months to her sister, Mrs. Dr. Pate, in another state."

Searched The Sumter Herald [call no. SuH] from Friday 16 Oct. 1896 through 10 Feb.1900.
Nothing notable found.

Research at South Caroliniana Library (June 2008) -- Searched The Sumter Herald [call no. SuH] from Friday 29 Oct. 1897 through Friday 9 Feb.1900.

The Sumter Herald (23 Oct. 1896)
"Pate-Pate - Wednesday afternoon at 5 o'clock at the residence of the bride's mother on Liberty Street, Dr. P.B. Pate, of Gibson, N.C., was united in marriage to Miss Lily E. Pate.  The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. Thomas Pate, D.D., brother of the bride, in the presence of relatives and a few invited guests.  The wedding march was played by Miss Reba Stubbs, the bride's cousin, and the attendants were Capt. J.L. Hedgepeth, of Rowland, N.C., and Miss Lou Pate, sister of the bride.  After the ceremony was over the bridal party and guests partook of a delightful repast, after which the happy couple left on the 6.30 train for Gibson, N.C., where they will reside in the future.  The bride, who is quite popular here, carries with her the best wishes of her many friends."

The Sumter Herald (14 Oct. 1898)
"Mrs. P.B. Pate and Master J. Garland Pate, after spending a while with relatives in the city, left for their home in Gibson, N.C., last Monday."

Conclusion: Search The Sumter Herald [call no. SuH] between  23 Oct 1896 and 29 Oct 1897.

Research at South Caroliniana Library (June 2007)
The Watchman and Southron (2 Nov 1886 to 30 May 1888) [microfilm labeled POS. 3070].
Death notice: Mrs. M.A. [Mary Ann] Stubbs (Providence township) died of typhoid.  Buried in Brightsville (Marlboro county). "Leaves 10 children"; "was the sister of Mr. C.E. Stubbs and Mrs M.F. Pate, of this town"; "died last Saturday AM".

The Watchman and Southron (6 Nov. 1895 to 24 Feb. 1897) [microfilm labeled POS. 3080]
Oct. 21, 1896:  Dr. P.B. Pate and Lilly E. Pate married last Wednesday (this would have been Oct. 14, 1896) PM "at residence of the bride's mother".  However, Martha F. Pate is not mentioned by name.

The Watchman and Southron (3 Mar 1897 to 29 June 1898) [microfilm labeled POS. 3082].
Wednesday July 28, 1897: J. Frank Pate and Miss Leree Pate left for Spartanburg, SC yesterday AM.
Wednesday Feb. 2, 1898: Mr. Rossie Kennedy and Eva Richardson married Tuesday night, Jan 25th.

Conclusion: Search The Watchman and Southron [call no. SuWS] and The Sumter Herald [call no. SuH] from July 1898 through 1901.