| Administrative History | Harriett Ann Spragg, was born in London 19 February 1817, eldest of six children of Samuel Spragg (c 1790-1832), attorney, and Harriet Spragg née Sydenham (c 1790-1872). In July 1835, she left for India having been appointed governess to the children of Rev Henry Baker and his wife, Amelia Dorothea (née Kohlhoff). Whilst in India, Harriett taught at the mission school in 'Cottayam' (now Kottayam) as well as looking after the Bakers. In May 1838, she married Benjamin Lyons Walcot Norton (1817-1848), second son of Rev Thomas Norton (1780-1840), CMS missionary to South India, and his first wife, Ann (1781-1822). Harriett and Benjamin had three children who were born in India: Benjamin Charles Spragge Norton known as 'Charles' (c 1839-1908), George Robert Francis Norton (1842-1845) and Harriet Mary Ann Norton (1845-1916). After her husband died in 1848, Harriett returned to England. In November 1851, she married her cousin, Charles Elger (d 1869). Charles spent the last eight and half years of his life in The Middlesex County Asylum. By 1871, Harriett and her daughter were running a 'School for Young ladies' in West Croydon. Harriett died 27 December 1891. On 4 October 1877, her daughter, Harriet Mary Ann, married Joshua Broughton (1843-1909); the couple's second daughter, Alice Eleanor Blackman (née Broughton) had a daughter, Dorothy Mary Blackman (1919-1999).
Gillian Webb, librarian and author. Written works include 'Life, Hah!'; 'Driven Dedication: The extraordinary, ordinary life of Dorothy Mary Shrimpton'; 'Clive Shrimpton: A goal achieved'. 'The Industrious Blackmans', 'Tough Times for the Broughtons', 'Thomas Norton: Man on a Mission' and 'Seasickness and Prayers: The Journal of Harriett Spragge'.
Source: the records; 'Register of missionaries (clerical, lay & female) and native clergy from 1804 to 1904', (Church Missionary Society, 1905); information supplied by the donor. |