Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

ANNESLEY-PRIEST FAMILY

Robert Annesley and wife, Anne, were born in Ireland and left County Carlo, Ire. in 1849 for the U. S. They then had two children, Robert, Jr., and Mary, (who became in later years Mrs. John Priest). They located in Chicago where Letitia (Mrs. William Jackson) was born. Some years before the great Chicago fire they sailed across the lake to Singapore where they lived until the mills were moved to The Flats or Newark, where Mr. and Mrs. Annesley passed the remainder of their lives, he always working in the mills as did the sons as they grew to manhood.

While in Singaore four children were born, Joseph, Anne (Mrs. Kruisenga of Holland), Abigail (Mrs. Megley of Grand Rapids), and Beaumont and Eliza (Mrs. William Burch of Brazil, Ind.) was born at The Flats. Surviving are Mrs. Kruisenga and Mrs. Megley.

The father died in 1869 and the mother in 1890. The eldest daughter, Mary Annesley, married John Priest in1867. Mr. Priest was born in Cariboo, Nova Scotia, in 1837 and came to the United States at the age of eighteen; worked in eastern shipyards as shipsmith, which was his trade. He came to Michigan and when war was declared he enlisted in Company A, 3rd Michigan Cavalry, at Allegan; served to the end. He then returned, working at Bridgman a few months, then came to Saugatuck, put up a shop and used to iron all the boats built here when ship-building was the town's greatest industry.

Mr. and Mrs. Priest are survived by their only daughter, Mary Anne Heath, who with her grandson, Heath Crowe, live in the ancestral home of her parents. NOTE- When the Annesleys lived at Singapore the older children walked to Saugatuck attending school each day in the Pine Grove. (Now Fursman property).