Mary Ann Ashford

Mary Ann Ashford (1787–1870) was an English cook. She was born in London in 1787 as the daughter of a licensed victualler, and by 1800 was an orphan. At the age of 13, she decided to become a servant which is said to have horrified her extended family who were upwardly mobile. Mary worked her way up to be a cook during her seventeen years as a domestic servant.