Martha Simmonds

Martha Simmonds (or Simmons; ; baptized 1624 – 1665) was an English Quaker and author. She published a number of pamphlets after her conversion. She then obtained a release for James Naylor from Exeter jail. She then proceeded with him where he entered Bristol in what was judged to be a blasphemous manner. Naylor escaped with his life, but he was given cruel punishment.

Life Calvert was baptised in 1624. Her father, George Calvert, was the vicar in Meare and her mother was Ann Collier. Her father had married once before Her elder brothers Giles and George, were publishers and booksellers based in the Black Spread Eagle in St Paul's Churchyard in London. Her brothers published and sold early Quaker publications including three by Martha. She had become a Quaker in 1654–55 and she wrote several pamphlets. In 1655 her brother published When the Lord Jesus Came to Jerusalem and A Lamentation for the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel. Some time later Giles also published her work, O England, thy Time is Come in which she records two years of publicly repenting in local settlements.

On December 27, Naylor's vicious punishment was carried out. This included having his tongue pierced with a hot spike and a "B" branded on his forehead. Hannah, Martha Simmonds and Dorcas Erbery were at the base of his pillory mirroring the three Marys who were at Jesus's crucifixion.

She died in 1665, although the day and location are unclear. She was estranged from the Quakers