Mary Unwin by Slater(?) after Arthur Devis, from the lid of her workbox.

Mary Unwin was baptised at Downham, Isle of Ely in 1723. Her father was William Cawthorne, a draper from Ely and Jane Tingey.

In 1744 she married Morley Unwin (1703-1767) who was presented to the rectory of Grimston in Norfolk where they had two children William and Susanna.

It was through her son William that Mary became acquainted with Cowper and with their common commitment to evangelical principles quickly led to friendship. Cowper became a paying guest at her home in 1765 in Huntigndon. It was the death of her husband in a riding accident that presaged the move to Olney where John Newton was curate.

In 1791 Mary suffered the first of a series of strokes and by 1793 her speech and movements were severely impaired. In 1795 Johnny Johnson took care of her and Cowper in his home in East Dereham, Norfolk. She died on 17 December 1796 and was buried in the parish church. Her headstone bears a memorial inscription by William Hayley.