Lucinda Wells (maiden name: Baker) was born into slavery around 1840. Her owner was John Baker, and she married Sol Benson sometime before the Civil War. The couple was forced to separate when Sol's owner sold him away. She married Joshua Wells on October 9, 1869, in Pike County, Missouri. Witnesses reported that Joshua had been previously married, as well. Joshua had a son named James, but it is unclear which of Joshua's wives was James's mother. Joshua died on September 25, 1884, and Lucinda secured a widow's pension of $8 per month. The pension agency had increased her pension to $12 per month by the time of her death around 1894.