Her mother, Amelia Sutter, a midwife, shared their home, as well as their niece, Elizabeth, daughter of Mary’s late sister. Many years earlier, a young woman named Bonnie whose husband died in the war and both of their children died as infants, was also taken into their family home. Bonnie is now, in 1879, married to David, and they have two daughters, Emma, 10, and Claire, 7. They have their own home now. The millinery shop Bonnie opened years ago with the help of Amelia is now very successful.