Saffery was possibly the daughter of William Andrews of Stroud Green, Newbury, Berkshire although other sources differ.
[2] At the age of fifteen, she started writing her first big piece and showed great abilities in doing so.
[1] Saffery was originally brought under the personal influence of Thomas Scott, the bible commentator.
Maria married John Saffery, pastor of the Baptist church at Brown Street in Salisbury, becoming his second wife, in 1799.
They had six children; the eldest, Philip John Saffery, succeeded to the office of pastor of the church at his father's death in 1825.