Beechey was born in Thorpe St Andrew near Norwich, Norfolk, in 1764 as Anne Phyllis Jessop.

She developed a successful portrait business and she met William Beechey who was also a painter.

William was in Norwich between 1782 and 1787 and it presumed they met at that time.

[2] William was a widower in 1793 with five children after his first wife, Mary Ann, died.

[2] Their children included a high number of notable painters.