Mary Elizabeth Edmonds was born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, in 1836; her parents were, William Edmonds, 21yrs, Farmer, and Anne, 24yrs, nee Plaistowe. Mary was the eldest surviving daughter, one of at least 8 children; her mother died in 1859 and her father remarried, she then had 4 half-siblings. Mary had a sister, Eleanor, one year younger, and they were very close, Eleanor never married and lived with Mary for most of her life.
On 16th April 1863, Mary Elizabeth, aged 27yrs, married a widower, John Edmonds, 48yrs, (possibly a cousin), at St. Paul, St. Pancras; he was a Silk Mercer, and Mary acquired 3 stepchildren, Edwin 11, Annie 9, and Edward 2. She and John had 2 sons, Arthur James, 1866, and Ernest Sydney, 1869.
Mary and John lived in St. Pancras for 25yrs, and in July 1890, Mary was widowed when John died, aged 75yrs. In 1891 she was living at South Mimms, Middlesex, with her sons and her sister, and in 1901 she and Eleanor were in Worthing, at 10, Milton Street, where Eleanor died, aged 65yrs, on 9th February 1903. Mary then moved to 11, Eriswell Road, and on 18th October 1928, she died, aged 93yrs, at The Myrtles, Farncombe Road, Worthing. Administration was granted to Ernest Sydney Edmonds, civil servant, effects £38 7s 10d. Value 2021 - £2,400.