Mary Ashley (1842 – 1903) of New King Street Bath.
Having read your request for information re the above named, I have done a little research and my findings are as follows:
You are probably aware that Mary Ashley died on March 28, 1903, as you say you have found her place of burial. She was the daughter of the Reverend John Ashley LLD and his wife Catherine, who was the daughter of Charles Ward and his wife Elinor (the daughter of the Right Hon. Stephen Radcliffe) who lived at Holly Mount in the Queen’s County and at Merrion Square, Dublin, Ireland. Elinor Ward died at Avenue House, Southampton, in 1857, age 87.
The Reverend John Ashley, who was born at Ashley Hall in Jamaica, married Catherine Ward on August 3, 1824, at Millbrook, Hampshire (Ancestry and Gentleman’s Magazine). Catherine died on October 13, 1867, at 28 Gay Street, Bath. She previously lived at number 18. Mary’s sister, Ellen, died the following month. The sister Catherine was a landscape painter. On September 15, 1868, John Ashley married Elizabeth Treadwell at Marylebone, by licence. She was half his age. John died in 1886 (Probate in Principal Registry). He was a founder of a mission for seamen. Mary’s grandfather, also John Ashley, was a slave owner (died 1850 – probate in Prerogative Court of Canterbury) and Mary’s father was also involved.
Mary’s age on census returns is consistent: 1851 (age 8); 1861 (18); 1871 (28), 1881 (38), which gives her date of birth as c1844. Her baptism can be found at Shirehampton, Gloucestershire on October 30, 1844. However, an image of the baptism which may be viewed on Ancestry, shows an entry in the right-hand margin which states she was baptised privately shortly after her birth. An entry in the left-hand margin gives her date of birth as September 1, 1842.
The 1851 census, incidentally, shows John Ashley’ wife as Mary which is clearly in error. The details match that of Catherine. The details of Mary’s siblings are in full agreement with other censuses, so it is the same John Ashley.
Interestingly, Mary appears to have lodged a patent (17354) according to the Langport and Somerton Herald of September 14,1901. The print is smudged so I am not able to fully make out what is written but it appears to be something to do with decorations! You may be able to find out more with the patent number.