A native of Philadelphia, Mary Paul married New Yorker William Waldorf Astor in 1878. In 1882, the Astors moved to Rome after William was appointed American minister to Italy, and they established a residence in England in 1890. Mrs. Astor became a society leader in New York, Rome, and London. She shared her married name with her husband's aunt and social rival, Mrs. William (Caroline) Astor, the undisputed queen of New York society. Caroline Astor boldly claimed the title of the Mrs. Astor.

Elizabeth Marion Ashton was the second daughter of Thomas Ashton and Elizabeth (Gair) Ashton of Cheshire, England. In 1889 she was married to the historian and author James Bryce (1838-1922), who was created Viscount Bryce of Dechmont in 1914. James Bryce served as British ambassador to the United States from 1907 to 1913, during which period the couple resided in Washington, D.C.

Mary Houstoun, the daughter of Confederate general Robert Houstoun of Savannah, married New York lawyer William Allen. The couple frequently entertained members of high society at their home on East 65th Street, which boasted a grand display of silver inherited from Mrs. Allen's southern ancestors. In 1901, Mary Allen published a popular book, The Love Letters of a Liar, a story of passion and disloyalty told through the epistles of a smitten lover.

The husband-and-wife team of Carl and Fredrika Weidner painted this extraordinary miniature after an earlier photograph of the daughters of New York shipping magnate Robert Minturn, Jr. Peter Marié's collection also included individual portraits of Edith and Sarah May as well as one of their mother. Edith, who later married the architect and historian I.N. Phelps Stokes, was an acknowledged beauty who served as the model for Daniel Chester French's monumental "Statue of the Republic," created for the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. The four daughters of Robert Bowne Minturn, Jr., and Susanna (Shaw) Minturn were Edith, Sarah May, Gertrude, and Mildred.

Alice Bowers Lee was the older daughter of John Bowers Lee and Sarah (Hoyt) Lee. She married Ralph G. Miller on September 30, 1896. They separated about 1910 and on July 18, 1912, she married her second husband, James Frederick Bacon (d. 1929), a dry goods factor of New York.

Josephine Mozier Banks, the second daughter of Dr. James Lenox Banks (d. 1883) and Isabella (Mozier) Banks, was born at Middletown, Rhode Island. She married Charles H. Marshall (1838-1912) of New York on April 30, 1888. Mrs. Marshall was noted for her philanthropic activities.

Caroline Phelps Hoe was the daughter of Robert Hoe and Olivia P. (James) Hoe of New York. She married Léon Marié at the Church of the Covenant on January 19, 1888. Her husband was the son of Camille Marié and a nephew of the donor.