Mary Smith Simson was born on 30 September 1833. Her maternal grandfather, Peter Couper, was a Writer to the Signet who acted as cautioner for her. Her deceased paternal grandfather William Simson had been a Solicitor at Law. Both of Mary’s parents were alive but both were without work. Her father from ‘unfortunate obligations’ had his estate sequestered leaving him no ‘means to support his Family’. Mary had one brother under ten, Thomas, who was between the ages of 3 and 4. The family resided at 27 Nelson Street, Edinburgh.

Mary was admitted to John Watson’s Institution in 1839.

Mary married Thomas Hood, a silk mercer, on 5 October 1855 at St Cuthbert’s, Edinburgh. Her father Thomas was then working as a chief clerk for the Standard Life Insurance Company.

The 1861 Census finds Mary living at Greenfield Cottage, Ayr, with her husband Thomas – ‘Draper, Milliner, dressmaker – master employing 4 Men & 10 Females’ and their three children, Margaret B. (4), Jessie P. (3), and William (-1). One servant, Anne Cook (18), resided with the family.

Mary was left a widow when Thomas – ‘Draper and Silk Mercer’ – died on 11 July 1865, aged 42, of an ‘Intestinal Obstruction’ at Greenfield Cottage.

She married again on 28 September 1868 at Rose Cottage, Dalrymple. Her second husband was James Glen, solicitor. The Greenock Post Office Directory for 1868-1869 lists ‘Glen, James, writer, 41 Cathcart Street. Ho. 24 Kelly st.’

The 1871 Census found the family at 45 Regent Street, Greenock. James was a ‘Commissioner of Chancery and solicitor’. Mary’s children, Margaret B. (14), Jessie P. (13), William T. (11), Mary Smith (9), Jane (7), and Thomasina (5) from her first marriage were joined by Hugh D. (1). The household was completed by James Glen’s brother Walter (19) and two servants Catherine Cochrin (20), a general servant, and Mary Bueuly (18), a nurse for the youngest children.

Mary died of a ‘heart apoplexy’ on 9 March 1880 at Greenock.

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