Anne Oglethorpe facts for kids
Anne Henrietta Oglethorpe (1683–1756) was an English woman who supported the Jacobite cause. This was a group that wanted to bring back the old royal family, the Stuarts, to the throne of England. Anne worked to help James II become king again after he lost his power. After James II died, she continued to support his son, James Francis Edward Stuart, who was also known as the Old Pretender. She worked for this cause for the rest of her life.
Anne's Family and Early Life
Anne Oglethorpe came from a family that was very loyal to the Stuart kings. Her mother, Eleanor Oglethorpe, worked for King Charles II and King James II. When James II had to leave England, Eleanor followed him to France. Anne's father, Theophilus Oglethorpe, also wanted to help King James.
Anne's parents secretly returned to their home, Westbrook, near London. There, they continued to work for the Jacobite cause. Anne was the only daughter who stayed in England with her parents. Her three sisters lived in France and married into French noble families.
Anne helped her mother raise her younger brother, James Edward Oglethorpe. He later became a well-known person in England. James Edward was a reformer in Parliament. He also founded the Georgia Colony in America. When James was older, Anne moved to Europe. She was given the title of Countess of Oglethorpe by James III.
Working for the Jacobite Cause
Anne Oglethorpe became involved in politics when she met Robert Harley. He was a powerful minister to Queen Anne. Anne had been questioned about a trip to France. She used her connection with Harley to help James III communicate about becoming the next king after Queen Anne.
At Westbrook, Anne and her mother helped plan ways to bring back the Stuart family. They wanted to replace George I, who became king after Queen Anne. There is evidence that they found secret ways to raise money for their cause. A hidden tunnel from the town of Godalming to their house allowed for secret meetings. It is even thought that James III's son, Charles Edward Stuart (the Young Pretender), might have stayed there during a secret visit to England.
Because of their secret activities, many stories and myths grew around the Oglethorpe family.
