Martha Brunts was one of 12 children born in the marriage of John Brunts, Sr. and his first wife Bathsheba from Kentucky. The family left Kentucky and were in Howard Co. MO by 1822, later after first wife dies, John Brunts remarries and lives in Platte Co. MO. He died Feb 15, 1859 in Platte County, MO. Of the 12 children, 11 were daughters, and 1 a son. In his Last Will and Testament he stated he had already provided for each of the 12 children at the time they married, and was leaving what remained to his 2nd wife and their four children.

Martha Brunts married 16 Feb 1840 in Howard Co. MO James Alexander Mahan b. 1821, the son of Peyton Nowlin Mahan (1798-1880) and Jane Turner who married 23 July 1818 in Howard Co. MO. To them were born the following children:
Lucretia Elizabeth Mahan ca 1841 (Tipton, Moniteau Co MO
Mary Frances Mahan ca 1843 (Tipton, Moniteau Co MO, MO)
John Peyton Mahan b. 6 June 1845 Sturgeon, Boone Co. MO d. 2 June 1933 Salt Lake City Utah
Sarah Ellen Mahan b.ca. 1849
Margaret Jane Mahan b. 1850 Pike Co. MO m. Henry Bayne Catlett. She died in childbirth 1872 with son Charles Catlett.
Jasper Mahan b. ca 1851 Boone Co MO (not sure on this one)
Elnora 'Nora' S. Mahan b.ca. 1853 Boone Co MO
Newton Mahan b.ca. 1854 MO m. 21 Nov 1875 in Audrain Co MO, Mary Jones
She may have died from complications of childbirth after last child.

The couple are in the Sept 18, 1850 census for Audrain Co. MO living and farming next door to his father Peyton Mahan:
James A. Mahan 29
Martha Mahan 30
John Mahan 5
Margaret Mahan 1

It is felt that Martha (Brunts) Mahan died by May 1859 because her husband James Alexander Mahan remarried 17 May 1859 in Boone Co. MO. Susan Schooler/Schooller. The couple are in the June 2, 1860 census for Saling, Audrain Co. MO married just a year. The children in household are the children of Martha (Brunts) Mahan:

James A. Mahan, 29* Should be 39
Susan G. Mahan 32
John P. Mahan 14 (Martha Brunts Mahan's child)
Margaret J. Mahan 10 (Martha Brunts Mahan's child)
Newton Mahan 5 (Martha Brunts Mahan's child)
E.S. Mahan 4 (Elnora S, Martha Brunts Mahan's child)
Martha S. Mahan 2 mos (2nd wife Susan's child)
Jesse Perkin 85
A.W. Schooler, 28 seamstress
Living next door is another family of Mahans

James Alexander Mahan and 2nd wife Susan left MO during the Civil War and show up in 1865 census in Jerseyville, Jersey Co Illinois with the children, then after the war is over they returned to Missouri.

1865 census Jerseyville, Jersey Co. MO
James Mahan 47
Susan Mahan 39
John Mahan 20
Margaret J Mahan 16
Newton Mahan 10
Elnora Mahan
James William Mahan 1

In the 1870 census back in Audrain Co. MO Newton Mahan is still living at home and 2nd wife Susan has had 2 children: James and Alpha Omega Mahan.