Anne Erskine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anne Agnes Erskine
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1824 etching by Joseph Cross after John Arthur Cahusac
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| Born | 1739 |
| Died | 5 October 1804 (aged 64–65) |
| Education | home schooled |
| Occupation | administrator |
Ann(e) Agnes Erskine (born 1739 – died 1804) was an important woman in the 1700s. She was a close friend and helper to Selina, Countess of Huntingdon. Ann Agnes became a key leader in a group of churches called the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion. This group of churches still exists today.
Contents
Ann Agnes Erskine's Story
Early Life and Family
Ann Agnes Erskine was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1739. She was the oldest child of Agnes and Henry David Erskine. Her father was the tenth Earl of Buchan.
Ann Agnes had several famous brothers. One brother, David Steuart Erskine, started the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Another brother, Henry Erskine, was a well-known lawyer. Her youngest brother, Thomas Erskine, 1st Baron Erskine, became a very important judge. He was the Lord Chancellor from 1806 to 1807.
Ann Agnes and her brothers were taught at home by their mother. Their family was very religious. As an adult, Ann Agnes took care of her father. He lived in Walcot at that time.
Her grandfather was friends with Selina, the Countess of Huntingdon. He was also friends with George Whitefield. These two people were leaders in a Christian movement called Methodism. When Ann Agnes's father died in 1767, his funeral was held at Lady Huntingdon's chapel. George Whitefield led the service.
Working with a Countess
Ann Agnes Erskine later became Lady Huntingdon's secretary. She lived with the Countess at Spa Fields in Islington, London. In 1779, Lady Huntingdon bought a very large chapel there. This chapel could hold about 2,000 people. Lady Huntingdon called it "her private chapel."
The building was originally a theatre with a huge dome. Ann Agnes and Lady Huntingdon lived next door to the chapel. Their home used to be a place called the Dog and Duck. It had been rebuilt in 1756.
Leading the Connexion
In June 1791, Lady Huntingdon chose four people to manage her money and churches after she died. Ann Agnes Erskine was one of these trusted people. After Lady Huntingdon passed away, Ann Agnes continued to live in their large home. However, she did not have as much money as the Countess did to support the church work.
Even so, the chapels kept going. Ann Agnes took on the important job of finding new ministers. Many congregations stayed, but some people moved away. Ann Agnes relied on money given by the Spa Fields Chapel committee.
She died in 1804 in London. Ann Agnes Erskine was buried at Bunhill Fields. After her death, Reverend John Ford took her place as a trustee for the Connexion. Soon after, the Connexion changed how it was managed.
A book about Ann Agnes Erskine was published in 1833. Lady Huntingdon had asked that a book about her own life not be written for many years.
