The three Cowan sisters (Sarah Anne, E.E. and A.C.) were the grandchildren of William Cowan—a wealthy gentleman, three times Provost of Ayr and managing partner of Hunters & Co bank (which later was acquired by the Union Bank of Scotland, Bank of Scotland and, most recently, Lloyds). The Cowan sisters resided at Hartley House in Ayr, with their parents Cuthbert and Eliza Jane (née Tingcombe).
