Mary Elizabeth Lowe was born on September 15, 1836, in Green Turtle Cay, Abaco to William B Lowe (1806-1859) and Mary Amelia Ann Russell (1806-1891). She is a great granddaughter of Gideon Lowe Jr & Nancy Saunders Lowe.

Her siblings included…

• William C (1828)
• John Thomas (1830)
• Robert (1838)
• Amos (1839)
• Lorenzo (18??)
• Sarah Jane (1848)

On December 9, 1856, in Key West, Florida, Mary married John Lowe Jr (1833-1917) from Green Turtle Cay, Abaco. He is the son of John B Lowe (1805-1893) and Bianca ‘Binky’ Kemp (1809-1896).

Their children included…

• George Livingstone (1868)
• Stephen Francis (1872)

Mary’s husband, John, launched his own natural sponge business, becoming Key West’s leading sponge dealer. His fleet of vessels also operated in the wrecking industry, salvaging goods from shipwrecks—a vital part of the island’s economy. He built a ship chandlery and a large lumber yard at Simonton and Greene Streets, installing Florida’s first electric sawmill. His ships supplied building materials from various ports, helping shape the architectural landscape of Key West. Their home at 620 Southard Street remains one of Key West’s architectural treasures.

Mary Elizabeth Lowe passed away on February 26, 1919 (age 82) in Key West, Florida. She is my 2nd cousin 4 times removed.