Biographical Note
| 1826 or 1829 Aug. 13 | Born Martha Joanna Reade Nash, Plainfield, MA, 1826 according to her sister and tombstone; 1829 according to newspapers, early biographic dictionary entries, and Library of Congress Name Authority File. |
| 1847 | First publication, "A Visit to My Mother's Birthplace" in the Hampshire Gazette. |
| 1852 | Marries Charles A. Lamb, mechanic, furniture salesman. |
| 1857 | The Lambs move to Chicago; Lamb becomes involved in charitable work including the Home for the Friendless, the Ladies Industrial School Association, and the 1863 Sanitary Fair. |
| 1866 or early 1867 | Lamb moves alone to New York City, apparently leaving her husband. In New York, she begins to write fiction, children's books and to conduct historical research. Lamb becomes active in charitable work in the Madison Square Presbyterian Church and in numerous societies. |
| 1876-1881 | Her History of the City of New York: Its Origin, Rise and Progress is sold in parts by subscription, then published in two volumes. |
| 1878 Nov. 5 | Lamb is first woman to address The New-York Historical Society, lecturing on Lion Gardiner and Gardiner's Island. |
| 1883 | Lamb forms the Historical Publication Co. in order to purchase the Magazine of American History. She takes over as editor, a position retained until her death, with the May 1883 issue. |
| 1893 Jan. 2 | Dies of pneumonia in New York City. |
Relevant addresses in New York City:
Lamb:
| 1866 or 1867 - 1873 | 29 E. 24th St. |
| 1873 - 1893 | Coleman House, 27th and Broadway |
Magazine of American History:
| 18?? - 1887 | 30 Lafayette Place |
| 1887 - 1893 | 743 Broadway |