Biography

From find-a-grave: "Mrs. M. E. Gwin, widow of Wm. M. Gwin, who once represented the State of California in the United States Senate, died this morning at her home, corner of Sacramento and Hyde streets.
Mrs. Gwin was 86 years old and her advanced age is given as the cause of her death. She was one of California's pioneer women, having arrived in this State in the earliest days of the gold excitement. She had been very prominently identified with higher circles of social life in San Francisco.
Three children survive her, Wm M. Gwin, Jr., who was United States shipping commissioner at this port; Miss Carrie Gwin and Mrs. E. J. Coleman
[Oakland Tribune 26 Jun 1901 page 1 col. 3]"

Her husband served on the Senate until March 1861. Anna mentions in 1861 that she bought some household items from Mrs. Gwin. Possibly as the Gwins were leaving Washington, AWS was purchasing their items that would be left behind.