Sarah Marshall was born in Craven County, North Carolina, around 1832. As a child, she likely experienced the hardships and limitations placed upon African Americans in the pre-Civil War South. Specifics of her early life and education remain unknown, highlighting the challenges in documenting the lives of marginalized communities during this era.

Sarah Marshall married James Boone, a free Black man, in 1847. Marrying a free man was a significant event for Sarah, especially if she was born into slavery. The marriage offered a semblance of security and autonomy, although racial prejudice and discrimination remained pervasive.

Sometime before the outbreak of the Civil War, Sarah and James Boone moved to New Haven, Connecticut. This move likely represented a search for better opportunities and greater freedom than what was available in the South. New Haven, while still not without its challenges, offered a more progressive environment and a burgeoning African American community.

While specific details are limited, it's reasonable to infer that Sarah Boone was involved in her community in New Haven during the Civil War. She raised a family (having at least eight children), contributed to her household, and likely witnessed and participated in the growing abolitionist movement.

The most significant event in Sarah Boone's life occurred on April 26, 1892, when she received U.S. Patent No. 473,653 for her improved ironing board design. Her invention specifically addressed the difficulty of ironing the sleeves and bodies of women's garments. Her design, a narrow, curved, and foldable board, was a notable improvement over existing ironing surfaces.

The impact of Sarah Boone's patent on her personal life and financial situation remains unclear. While the patent provided her with legal protection for her invention, it doesn't guarantee commercial success. There is no evidence to confirm whether she mass-produced or sold her ironing boards widely, or if she continued to invent in other areas.

Sarah Boone passed away in 1904 in New Haven, Connecticut. While her life may not have been widely celebrated during her time, her patented invention has cemented her place in history as a resourceful and innovative African-American woman who sought to improve the lives of others.