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Mary Smith (1795 - 1871) was born at Plantation Farm, Dukinfield, Cheshire on 24th May 1795, the only daughter of John Smith, a prosperous nursery gardener. The household was a devoutly Christian one. Mary attended school at the nearby Fairfield Moravian settlement where she showed a precocious interest in missionary work, an interest which was encouraged by her tutors at the school .

Early in 1816 Robert Moffat, came to work as a gardener for her father at Plantation Farm. Robert sailed to South Africa later the same year to begin his new life as a missionary, it was understood between them that Mary would follow on as soon as she had overcome strong objections from her parents. Finally, after a great deal of pleading with her parents, Mary travelled to Cape Town in 1819. The marriage took place almost immediately, with both bride and bridegroom being then 24 years of age. Following the ceremony Mary cut off her dark curls, tucked her hair under a matron's cap and became the wife of a minister. Then began a seven week journey by ox-wagon, beyond the Orange River to Lattakoo, a mission station 600 miles north of Cape Town.

Learning to adapt to life in the Kalahari wasn't easy but Mary's dedication to Robert saw her developing her own lifestyle mission. This involved parenting support to your Tswana mothers and language translation. Her eldest daughter (also Mary Livingstone) married David Livingstone in Kuruman and whilst this marriage met Mary's blessing she considered Livingstone to be irresponsible in his role as a husband and father.

Letters between from Mary to her son in law show a growing tension as her witnessed her daughter struggling with multiple pregnancies as well as malaria.

Mary died on the 10th January 1871 in Brixton just five months after they returned from South Africa.

Mary Moffat's biography based on her letters "Beloved Partner" was written by Mora Dickson and is now out of print.