Ann Smith (activist) facts for kids
Ann Smith (fl. 1682–1686) was an English activist who stood up for her beliefs. She was a strong Baptist and helped hide a rebel leader named 9th Earl of Argyll. When he had to flee London in 1683, she and her family went with him to the Spanish Netherlands. After her husband passed away, Ann Smith used her own money to help fund two important rebellions in England and Scotland. She received a royal pardon in 1686, and after that, we don't have many records of her life.
Contents
Ann Smith's Early Life
We don't know much about Ann Smith's early life before 1682. At that time, she was married to a successful sugar-baker in London. She was involved in his business and they had at least one child together.
Why Ann Smith Became an Activist
After 1681, King Charles II started to be very strict with religious groups like the Dissenters. Since Ann Smith was a devout Baptist, this might have made her want to get involved in politics.
She knew some important people who were against the king. These included Major Abraham Holmes and Presbyterian minister Robert Ferguson. Ferguson was known as "the Plotter" because he was involved in many secret plans against the government.
Helping the Earl of Argyll
Ann Smith also knew Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll. He was a Scottish politician and Presbyterian who was planning a rebellion. In 1681, Argyll was accused of treason and sentenced to death. He managed to escape from Edinburgh Castle and fled to London.
Ann Smith helped Argyll hide in London. She arranged for him and his servant to stay in secret places. First, they lived near her home in Battersea, then they moved to a more comfortable house in Brentford. While in London, Argyll met with other important people to discuss plans for a rebellion. To avoid being arrested, Argyll had to flee to the Spanish Netherlands.
Moving to the Netherlands
In 1683, Ann Smith and her husband also moved to the Netherlands. They lived with Argyll in Utrecht. They also visited John Cochrane, another Scottish person living in exile. Cochrane joined their group of conspirators.
An English government report described Ann Smith as someone who "greatly encouraged plots."
Funding Rebellions
After her husband died in 1684, Ann Smith inherited his money. She quickly gave a large sum, £7,000 (which was a lot of money back then), to Argyll. This money was used to fund his rebellion in Scotland, known as Argyll's Rising.
This Scottish rebellion was planned to happen at the same time as the Monmouth Rebellion in England. Both rebellions aimed to remove the Catholic king, King James II of England. Argyll started his rebellion with only 300 men, which was fewer than he expected.
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth was also living in exile in the Netherlands. In early 1685, English exiles met in Utrecht to plan their revolts. Monmouth and Argyll met in Amsterdam and decided to invade England from both the north and the south.
Besides helping Argyll, Ann Smith also gave £1,000 to Monmouth. This money helped him hire a ship to sail to Lyme Regis in England. During these uprisings, Ann Smith stayed in the Netherlands. Her son joined Monmouth's rebellion, but we don't know if he survived.
Both rebellions failed. Argyll and Monmouth were captured and executed for treason in July 1685.
Ann Smith's Pardon
Ann Smith also helped another activist named Elizabeth Gaunt. She gave Gaunt shelter in Amsterdam in the spring of 1685. Elizabeth Gaunt was later put on trial in London and sadly executed.
During the difficult religious times of the 1680s, Ann Smith was one of only about twelve women known to be very active in supporting these revolutionary plans. She received a royal pardon in 1686, which meant she was forgiven for her actions. After this, records of her life stop.
See Also
Images for kids
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Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll.jpg
Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll
