Sunday 14 June 2020

Anne Longden

Benjamin Smith met Anne Longden who was a 25 year old milliner from Alfreton.
She became pregnant and he took her to a rented lodge at Whatlington, in Sussex.
There she lived as Mrs Leigh, the surname of his relations on the Isle of Wight.They went to America in 1828, for two years.
On their return to England they lived in Sussex at Brown`s Farm. By 1833 Anne had become ill and Ben took her to Pelham Place in Hastings, for the fresh sea air.
Later that year he took her to Ryde on the Isle of Wight, she died on 30 August 1834.
The record of her burial, in the name of Anne Smith states only that she died at Ryde, no home address.
She was buried at St. Edmunds Church Wooton. He never married Ann, they had 5 children
Anne [1831-], 
Barbara 
Isabella [1830-1873], 
William [1833-] 
Benjamin [Leigh Smith]
He was elected MP for Norwich and while at the House of Commons, he asked his wifes Aunt Dolly Longden or Aunt Julia Smith to look after his children.



thanks to many books about Benjamin Smith  Anne Longdon and their children.

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