In 1749, Anna's father was appointed a Canon-Residentiary at Lichfield Cathedral. The family moved there, where her father educated her at home. In 1754 they moved into the Bishop's Palace in Cathedral Close. When a family friend, Mrs Edward Sneyd, died in 1756, the Sewards took in one of her daughters, Honora Sneyd, who became an adopted foster sister to Anna. Honora was nine years younger. Anna Seward described in her poem "The Anniversary" (1769) how she and her sister first met Honora, on returning from a walk. Sarah (known as Sally) died suddenly of typhus at the age of 19 in 1764. Sarah was said to have an admirable character, though less talented than her sister. Anna consoled herself with affection for Honora Sneyd, as she describes in "Visions", written a few days after her sister's death, where she expresses a hope that Honora ("this transplanted flower") would replace her sister (referred to as Alinda) in her and her parents affections.