Biography contributed by Bernadette Siebert
Ann was born Ann McLeod (sometimes Annie Georgina McLeod) about 1830 in Rosshire, Scotland, of highland parents, Angus and Janet. At the age of 24, Ann and Catherine McLeod (possibly sisters) arrived on the Sandford from London, arriving in Auckland on 9 July 1856. By the end of that year Ann was married to James Grant in St. Andrew's Church, Symonds Street, Auckland.
James Grant was born in Sutherland, Scotland about 1824, son of John and Emily. He followed his brother William to New Zealand about 1850. They worked as sawyers and ship builders and took up adjoining land at the Mahurangi Heads.
Soon after they married, James and Ann came to Mahurangi Heads.
Four sons were born:
- William John (1857–1880)
- Angus Donald (1859–1918)
- George Robert (1863–?)
- Sutherland (1861–1938)
The eldest son William, a highly respected citizen of Mahurangi, died at age 22 from consumption (tuberculosis). The couple remained at Mahurangi Heads the rest of their lives. Ann died first in November 1913. Her obituary recalls, 'For the last twelve months she had been ‘wearing awa like snaw when 'tis thaw,’ taking to her bed about three months ago and passed away peacefully, …aged 83 years.' James died in September 1917. They are both buried together in the Mahurangi Heads Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Ann Grant is the mother-in-law of 379 Rose GRANT
Sources
PAPERS PAST Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 26 November 1913, Page 3
PAPERS PAST Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIII, Issue 943, 11 July 1856, Page 2
'Jade River – A history of the Mahurangi' Ronald H Lockyer