Honora Sneyd was born in Bath, Summerset; she went to live with the Sewards in her childhood. She was nine years younger than Anna, and the two shared a household for thirteen years. Honora and Anna formed a close attachment; when Honora's father had her return to his household when she was nineteen, Anna was stricken, though relieved that Honora did not move far away and they could still spend time together.

In 1773, however, Honora married Richard Lovell Edgeworth. Anna was heartbroken. Judging from the poems she wrote at this time, she was consumed with anger and sorrow, feeling betrayed by Honora, who did not listen to Anna's attempts to talk her out of marriage.

When Honora died of consumption seven years later, Anna was inconsolable. Even thirty years later, she was writing of how she wept for the sight of her dear Honora.

The poems Anna wrote about Honora were not censored or disparaged by Anna's admirers, as romantic friendship was well-accepted at that time. But whether Anna's affection for Honora indicated intense friendship or lesbian passion is not clear.