Annie Griffin

Biography and images contributed by Sarah Semple, great great granddaughter

Ann (Annie) Lancely Strong was born in the small village of Broughton in Hampshire, England on 8 January 1840.  She was the illegitimate daughter of William Lansley, a shepherd and Caroline Strong.  She was raised by her maternal grandparents in Broughton.  Her grandmother died in 1853.  In the 1861 census, she was living in London at a night refuge for homeless females and was working as a domestic servant.

She returned to Broughton and married Henry Griffin on 20 September 1862 at the Registry Office in nearby Stockbridge.  Henry was the illegitimate son of Moses Ray and Jane Griffin.  He was working as a farm labourer at the time of their marriage.

They had eight children – Laura Mary Ann (b. 25 March 1864 in Broughton), Samuel Benjamin (b. 7 November 1865 in Broughton), Caroline Jane (b. 2 November 1867 in Broughton), Frank James (b. 6 March 1870 in Broughton), Eliza Ann (b. 16 May 1872 in Broughton), Emma Ada (b. 28 March 1874 in Broughton), Harry Strong (b. 10 May 1877 in Waimate) and Mabel Alice (b. 23 October 1879 in Waimate).  Their son Samuel and daughter Emma died in infancy.

Annie emigrated with her husband and children Laura, Caroline, Frank and Eliza onboard the Duke of Edinburgh which arrived in Lyttelton on 17 November 1875.  The family settled in Waimate.   They most likely stayed at the Waimate Barracks before moving to a house near the corner of Belt Street and Manse Streets.  They initially leased this house and later leased the next door section before purchasing both sections.

The Griffin’s attended Knox Presbyterian Church.  Annie was baptised at Knox Church on 28 July 1893.  Henry and Annie were very active in their local church.  In 1900, Annie was in charge of the infant class at Sunday School.  She was a member of the Ladies Missionary Society and was an active member of the Waimate branch of the Mother’s Union.

Henry and Annie raised their granddaughter Daisy Ogg until Daisy was about nine years old.  It is thought that Daisy returned to her parents after Annie died in 1904.

Annie died on 17 July 1904 in Waimate.  She had suffered from a fatty degeneration of the heart for many years.  Henry died in Waimate on 24 December 1925. 

Ann Lancely Strong

Annie Griffin and children.

Sources

Birth certificate – General Register Office, England
Marriage certificate - General Register Office, England
Passenger list – Timaru Herald, Issue 1277, 3 November 1875, page 2
Death certificate - NZ Department of Internal Affairs
Photo of Annie - courtesy of Rosemary Semple (Annie’s great granddaughter)
Photo of Annie with her two youngest children outside their home in Waimate – courtesy of Pat Parahi (Annie’s great granddaughter)