Nancy Maria Donaldson was born in New York State. Specific details about her place of birth, parents names and siblings are currently undocumented, reflecting the common obscurity of women's early lives in this period.

Likely received basic education common for girls of her time, focusing on domestic skills and perhaps basic reading and writing. The details of her education remain unknown due to limited historical documentation about women's education at the time.

Nancy Maria Donaldson entered adulthood during a period of significant social and economic change in the United States. The specifics of her occupation or activities during this period are currently unknown, as historical records regarding women's personal lives during this time are limited. It is likely she focused on domestic duties and community activities within her local area.