Mrs Archibald Thorburn was listed in post office directories as resident at No. 8 from 1874/75 to 1883/84. Sarah Jane Anderson was born in Edinburgh 3 January 1837, daughter of Michael Anderson and Jane Hogg. She married Archibald Thorburn on 7 January 1862 at Kirkliston. He died in 1873. In the census of 1881 she was described as having no occupation. She died at Malta Terrace later in 1881.
Four of her children were living in the house in 1881: Robert Thorburn, aged 18, also described as having no occupation; Elizabeth (15), Sarah (14), and Isabella (12). Robert continued to live there until 1887, and one of his sister’s (Miss Thorburn) until 1890.