In 1841 she acquired her country house and estate, Charmandean at Broadwater, West Sussex.
She maintained Samuel Smith and his family at Charmandean, funding his daughters' education until they left to marry.
Meanwhile, Samuel managed her accounts.
Ann made many additions and improvements to Charmandean.
In one room she installed panelling which had been removed from St. Mary's Church, Broadwater during repairs, and in her chapel-room she fitted a stained-glass window from the same church.
She added an iron-framed conservatory, and two pairs of wrought iron entrance-gates made as replicas of the former Buckingham Palace gates.
The western gates were requisitioned in World War II.
The eastern iron gates remained in Charmandean Lane for some years but are now gone, leaving only the carved gateposts.
The house was demolished in 1963.
In 1841 she acquired her country house and estate, Charmandean at Broadwater, West Sussex. She maintained Samuel Smith and his family at Charmandean, funding his daughters' education until they left to marry. Meanwhile, Samuel managed her accounts. Ann made many additions and improvements to Charmandean. In one room she installed panelling which had been removed from St. Mary's Church, Broadwater during repairs, and in her chapel-room she fitted a stained-glass window from the same church. She added an iron-framed conservatory, and two pairs of wrought iron entrance-gates made as replicas of the former Buckingham Palace gates. The western gates were requisitioned in World War II. The eastern iron gates remained in Charmandean Lane for some years but are now gone, leaving only the carved gateposts. The house was demolished in 1963.
Ann Thwaytes