Miriam Marks was the oldest of three children to Levy Marks and Rachel Solomon. Her father was an English-born tailor who had settled in Philadelphia, where he was active with Congregation Mikveh Israel and enjoyed an intimate friendship with Michael Gratz. Miriam’s mother was the child of Bilhah Myers-Cohen and Joseph Solomon. In 1782 she married Revolutionary War hero Major Benjamin Nones. They made their home in Philadelphia and Miriam bore thirteen children, including Abraham B. Nones.