Her gravestone is inscribed “Spence, Mahala A., Wife of Johnson M. Spence, Aug. 4, 1846 - Mar. 20, 1912”. The birth date is probably off by one year, though. She was recorded as age 3 in 1850 (census taken 22 August), and as age 12 in 1860. More significantly, her older brother William, listed as age 4 in 1850, age 13 in 1860 and age 23 in 1870, is recorded on his gravestone as born 18 Nov 1846.