She was a milliner when she met and married the Quaker William Alexander in Doncaster on 13 February 1801.
[1] Alexander invested the life assurance paid out from her husband's death into the business and took over the leadership.
Her share reduced as new partners were added to the business, but by the time of her retirement in 1838 she still owned a third of the company and had £1000 a year.
[1] Her son, George William Alexander, was a noted treasurer of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society.
[1] The company that she managed went on to become Alexanders Discount plc, and it was still trading in 2000.