Annie E. Tennyson-Smith

Biography contributed by Kate Riddick.

Previously transcribed as Annie E. Tennyton-Smith.

Annie Euphemia Searell was born about 1864, in Llandudno, Wales. [1] Her family originated in Devon, England but came to North Wales to work in the copper and slate industries. She married Edward Tennyson Smith, 14 years older than her, an extreme temperance campaigner from Birmingham. [2]

The Tennyson Smiths toured Britain, the US, Australia and New Zealand, lecturing for temperance reform. Edward was referred to as "Temperance Tennyson” or the “Second Gough” after John Gough, a US temperance speaker during the 1840s - 1860s, and Tennyson Smith gave stirring recitals of Gough’s orations. [3]

Edward was “obliged in 1890 to leave England on account of his wife’s health, he went to Australia... continued temperance work achieving marked success.” [4]

Contemporary newspapers show the couple toured New Zealand extensively April 1891 - July 1893, to enthusiastic crowds. [5] Edward was described as an eloquent and entertaining speaker. A charge was made for attendance at local halls, with significant funds often raised. Prohibition Leagues were formed at the conclusion of meetings. [6]

Some sources describe Tennyson Smith as sanctimonious, having long oily hair. It was suggested he had changed his name from Thomas to Tennyson to look better in advertisements. [7] Some meetings were not well received, and poorly attended. Tennyson Smith was reported blaming the public and media for his performance income not meeting expectations. [8]

In May 1892 the Tennyson Smiths were in Invercargill, where Annie’s mother’s concerns about Annie being eaten by “wild beasts” in the bush were described. [9] Annie signed the 1892 suffrage petition in Mosgiel around this time.

The 1893 suffrage petition was signed by Annie, probably in February while touring the Hawkes Bay. [10]

In England in 1895 Tennyson Smith described public life in the colonies as corrupt, cautioning parents sending sons to Australia as “an express ticket to perdition”. [11]

While touring America, Annie died in Virginia in 1906, and was buried in Llandudno. Edward Tennyson Smith remarried in Melbourne in 1912, continued touring and died in 1925. He is buried next to Annie. [12]

Sources

[1] Gwynedd Council - Wales, Rhagorol online catalogue, XS3407/19

[2] Conwy Archive Service, Family Photographs of the Searell and Tennyson Smith Families

[3] The Ardross-Man, 7 November 2017, Temperence Tennyson; Tuapeka Times, 21 February 1894, Is it the "Second Gough"?; Wikipedia, John Bartholomew Gough; Thames Star, 29 May 1893, Mr E. Tennyson Smith

[4] South Wales Daily News, 12 October 1895, Edward Tennyson Smith

[5] Lyttelton Times, 24 April 1891, Notice to Temperance Churches and Societies; Thames Advertiser, 8 July 1893, Departure of Tennyson Smith; Grey River Argus, 4 May 1891, Prohibition Contest in Oamaru

[6] Poverty Bay Herald, 21 July 1893, Mr E Tennyson Smith's Entertainment; Poverty Bay Herald, 18 July 1893, "The Second Gough"; Colonist, 11 November 1891, Lower Moutere; Thames Advertiser, 11 May 1893, Tennyson Smith at Rotorua

[7] Observer, 15 April 1893, Free Lancings; New Zealand Mail, 19 April 1895, Echoes of the week

[8] Western Star, 13 April 1892, Orepuki; Auckland Star, 8 April 1893, Auckland in Disgrace

[9] Otago Witness, 5 May 1892, English ideas of New Zealand

[10] Hawke's Bay Herald, 17 February 1893, Advertisements - Theatre Royal

[11] Evening Post, 15 April 1895, The Tariff

[12] Wairarapa Daily Times, 20 September 1906, Mrs Tennyson Smith; Evening Post, 2 September 1912, Women in Print; Conwy Archive Service, Family Photographs of the Searell and Tennyson Smith Families