Sarah Ann Haynsworth was born January 18, 1804, in Sumter County, South Carolina.
She was the granddaughter of Henry and Sarah (Furman) Haynsworth; great-granddaughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Hesse) Haynsworth, the former of Virginia and English descent, the latter a native of Basel, Switzerland, and of Judge Wood and Rachel (Brodhead) Furman.
Francis Scott Key, the author of "The Star-Spangled Banner", who was sent by the president of the United States as "Special Commissioner" to Alabama in 1835, addressed to her a "beautiful poem as a personal compliment to herself, which was published and greatly admired."
Garrett says: "She was a general favorite, and admired by all for her many shining virtues and talents which adorned social life.
[6] Sarah Ann Haynsworth Gayle died July 30, 1835, in Tuscaloosa, her death occurring as a result of lockjaw, caused by a dental operation.