Hannah was an African American woman enslaved by Robert M. Smith. Additional research has revealed that at the time of the trek, Hannah was the mother of Ann, Lawrence, Nelson, and Jane. She later had more children including: Charles, Marion, Martha, and James. 

It is interesting to note that the 1850 Census listed Hannah's "color" as "yellow". At that time, a designation of "yellow" may be indicative of a multi-racial background. While the 1860 Census listed her "color" as "M" for mulatto. "Mulatto" was a term used to identify individuals with mixed racial backgrounds.

While still in slavery, Hannah and her children were taken to California (by Robert M. Smith) where they eventually gained their freedom. In the 1860 Census she was listed under the surname "Sunily."

Indirect evidence indicates that Hannah was born sometime between 1822 and 1825.