Harriet Annie Grove [g.6.1]

Harriet Annie Grove was the twin of Henry Charles Grove the first children of Henry William Grove & Mary Ann Mays. They were christened November 6th, 1853 at St James, Croydon Common, Surrey.

In 1861 Harriet was at home with her parents at North End, Croydon.

In 1871 Harriet (18) was a domestic servant for Robert Gitleson a clerk in the wine trade. The home was in New Bond St, Hanover Square, Westminster.

She married Albert Edward Fry on April 24th, 1878 at Christ Church, Croydon, Surrey. Witnesses at their wedding were Alice Sarah Fry, Albert’s younger sister, & Thomas Mays, Harriet’s uncle. Both Harriet & Albert gave their address as Stanley Rd which was where Thomas Mays [m.1.6] & his family lived. Albert was the seventh child of Samuel Fry & Sarah Smeed born September 13th 1856 at Pax Hill, Lindfield.

In 1881 Albert & Harriet were living at Brookshill Farm, Hartfield with a daughter Florence Zillah (2) & son Frederick Samuel (6 months). Albert was an agricultural labourer. They were living with Albert’s brother Arthur John Fry, farmer of the 117 acre farm. Also there was Albert’s niece Emily Heasman (14), the daughter of Albert's sister Phoebe Fry & her husband William Heasman.

Albert & Harriet had moved to Chartners Farm by 1889, as Albert is referred to in the ‘Chartners papers, 1889 settlement, plan 22’. Albert died aged 34 on October 11th, 1890 at Chartners Farm, Hartfield. He died of chronic mitral valvular disease (heart condition). He was buried October 16th, 1890 at St Mary's, Hartfield next to his father, Samuel. The Sussex Agricultural Express of October 18th, 1890 reported on Albert's sudden death. He had been milking the cows as usual that morning & was returning home with the pails when he collapsed near his house. Albert had a history of heart disease & had been attended by a doctor for a long while.

Widowed Harriet, left with 7 young children, continued to farm at Chartners, being recorded there in 1891 with daughters Florence, Mary May (8) & Edith Sarah (4), & sons Albert Edward (6), Arthur William (2) & Percy Grove (8 months). Son Frederick was not at home, but visiting Harriett’s uncle & aunt - Robert Hubbard & Elizabeth Mays. They were living at Croydon, Surrey where Robert (60) was a carman & with them was a son William (27).

On November 16th, 1893 Harriet died of cancer at Chartners Farm. The death certificate reveals that the informant of her death was niece Emily Heasman & that there was some uncertainty about Harriett's age. She was buried November 21st, 1893 at St Mary's, Hartfield.

Harriet's headstone at St Mary's, Hartfield

A brief obituary for Harriet was published in the local paper which ended with the following:

By her early demise a large and young family are left orphans.

The children of Albert Edward Fry & Harriet Annie Grove were:

f.2.6.8.1 Florence Zillah Fry christened November 3rd, 1878 at Christ Church, Croydon; died July 29th,1970 at Whitehanger, Fernhurst, Sussex
f.2.6.8.2 Frederick Samuel Fry born Oct-Dec 1880 at Hartfield; died 1915 in France
f.2.6.8.3 Mary May Fry born July-Sept 1882 at Hartfield; died October 2nd, 1964, at Berwick Manor Rest Home, Rainham, Essex
f.2.6.8.4 Albert Edward Fry born December 8th, 1885 at Hartfield; died 1953 at Leeds
f.2.6.8.5 Edith Sarah Fry born July 6th,1886 at Brookshill Farm, Hartfield; died May 14th, 1966 at Haywards Heath, Sussex
f.2.6.8.6 Arthur William Fry born Jan-March 1888 at Hartfield; died July 12th 1970 at Concord, Sydney, Australia
f.2.6.8.7 Percy Grove Fry born August 1st, 1890 at Chartners Farm, Hartfield; died February 26th, 1972 at Kogarah, Sydney, Australia