Her parents Mary (born Kekwick) and William Rous were both Quakers[1] and that was the theme of her education.

She spent five years teaching at the Ackworth School, but she also offered private tuition.

She went to see her elder sister Elizabeth Comstock, a Quaker minister, was helping with the Underground Railroad, but she also spent time assisting in hospitals that were treating the wounded from the American Civil War.

[5][6] During her time as Superintendent informal singing was allowed but music and dancing lessons were not.

[2] In the following year a fund had been established at the Mount School to assist pupils wishing to go on to further education.