Biographical information provided by Jared Davidson, Archives New Zealand, for the He Tohu exhibition:
Annabella Findlay Hammond (nee Alston) was born in Yardley, East Birmingham (England) around 1847. She was the daughter of Mary Forgham (formerly Alston, nee Havenhand) and John Alston, and the step daughter of Thomas Forgham of Fernbank, Waitemata. In 1879 she became the second wife of William Francis Hammond, Architect and Surveyor. William had moved to Birkenhead from Ponsonby after his first wife, Rebecca, died in 1877, leaving him with nine children. It is said that William kept a diary of his courtship with Annabella, which was accompanied by pen and ink drawings. Together William and Annabella had five children.
William and Annabella owned a 30 acre property called Raven Hill in Birkenhead. Ravel Hill was a very substantial property with swooping driveways and well planned grounds. Annabella’s parents, the Forghams, came to live near their daughter, and their house on the ridge opposite the Zion Hill Church was called Highbury Cottage. From then on, the name spread to the area surrounding the house and in recent years has been adopted by the local shopping mall.
Annabella died on 12 December 1922, aged 75 years.
Related images:
Image reference: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 31-71512
Click on sheet number to see the 1893 petition sheet this signature appeared on. Digital copies of the sheets supplied by Archives New Zealand.
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