Hannah Wilkinson was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, into a family with strong connections to the local community. Her early life was likely typical for a young woman of her time, involving domestic duties and basic education.

Hannah Wilkinson married Samuel Slater, an English immigrant who had memorized the designs for British textile machinery and was instrumental in establishing the first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill in America. This marriage would profoundly shape the course of her life, immersing her in the burgeoning textile industry.

Hannah became actively involved in the operations of Slater's mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. While her exact roles are not fully documented due to the historical record focusing primarily on her husband, it's understood she contributed to the daily management and oversight of the mill's operations.

Hannah is credited with inventing a stronger, finer two-ply cotton sewing thread. This innovation was crucial because the existing thread at the time was not strong enough for the power looms and new textile machinery that Slater's mill was employing. Her thread significantly improved the quality and durability of the fabrics produced, contributing to the mill's success and allowing for the expansion of the American textile industry.

The Slater family moved to what would become Slatersville, Rhode Island, where Samuel Slater established a new, larger mill complex. Hannah would have played a crucial role in establishing the family and business in this new location, likely overseeing domestic arrangements and contributing to the new community development.

During this time, Hannah was responsible for managing the household and raising her children within the growing mill town of Slatersville. The industrial community relied on women's work both in and outside the home. Her role in supporting her family and the community directly impacted the success of the mill.

Hannah Slater died in 1812 at the relatively young age of 38 in Slatersville, Rhode Island. While the cause of her death is not specifically documented, her contributions to the American textile industry, particularly her invention of improved sewing thread, left a lasting impact. Her contributions helped cement the Slater family's legacy and advance the growth of manufacturing in the United States.