She was a lineal descendant of the original settlers of the Dutch colony of New Netherland and of those who participated in the American Revolutionary War.

Jonathan Knowlton while living in Canada, was pressed into the British service under General McKenzie, but made his escape and served in the colonial army during the Revolutionary war.

At the close of the war, she and her husband settled on the old battlefield of Harlem Heights, where she died at the age of 108 years.

Some time after his marriage, Charles Knowlton returned to his early home in North Brookfield, Massachusetts, and died there about 1840, leaving three children, namely: Ora E., who served in the American Civil War and died at the age of 45 years; Captain Emery E., an attorney in Canfield, Ohio, served in the Civil war and died at the age of 37; and Marion E.[2] While relatively young, Warner demonstrated a literary instinct, and developed a taste for standard literature.

Her stories appeared in the local papers, giving evidence of more than average ability and attracting attention.

Widowed twice, a large portion of her time was spent in overseeing her second husband's estate and caring for their daughter.