Sarah Ann Holland was born in Liverpool 22 February 1805 - a daughter of William Holland a wholesale Grocer and a Merchant., of Liverpool and Sarah (Cain) his wife. They married at St. Anne's Church, Richmond Row, Liverpool on the 18 October 1804. William Holland died in Liverpool on the 1 October 1818 from a 'long and protracted illness' He is buried in the churchyard of St. Mary, Edge Hill, along with his wife Sarah and two children Ellen, and William. He and Sarah had 11 children.

Sarah Ann Holland came to Little Woolton about 1840 and opened her Academy in 'Higher Grange' later to be known as Gateacre Grange. She taught young ladies from the age of 10 and in the census returns for 1841-1881 the names of the young ladies are listed. They came from all parts of the country. Up until 1861 her school was listed at Higher Grange, but in 1871 and 1881 her school was listed at 25a Catharine Street, Liverpool - a large house which is still to be seen. At the coming of Sir Andrew Barclay Walker to Little Woolton, in c.1869, Higher Grange was bought by him and re-built by his architect Cornelius Sherlock - and was then known as Gateacre Grange.

By 1891 Sarah Ann Holland's name disappears from the Liverpool directories. After some research we find that she died at Kilburn Priory, Maida Vale on the 24^th August 1893 She is buried in Hampstead Cemetery. There is a headstone over her grave.

In the 1891 census she is living at Kilburn Priory together with her brother Charles Holland, who had been born Liverpool 1818.

The siblings of Sarah Ann Holland were:-

Sarah Ann 1804-1893
Thomas 1805 -
William 1807-1861
Philip 1808-1855 ( in Canada)
Henry 1810-1866
Hannah Maria 1811-1878
Ellen 1812-1854
Mary 1813-1893
Catherine 1815-
Charles 1818-

After the early death of their father it appears some of the children were sent to London to be educated. The daughters were to become School Mistresses. The sons became Merchants, and went around the world.

It was whilst looking on the internet three insurance policies were found - All three were for Sarah Ann Holland, and her sister Eliza Mary Holland. They were from the Sun Fire Office, in London. Copies of these policies were obtained from the Guildhall Library, London. The first is dated 31^st July 1829. They were living in Spring Terrace, Wandsworth Road, Surrey and they were Schoolmistresses. Their household goods, wearing apparel, books, and plate were insured for £200. The second policy is dated 4^th April 1833. They are now living at No. 28 Gun St. Spital Square. Here they are described as Gentlewomen. Their household goods, wearing apparel, printed books, and plate is insured for £100. The third and last policy is dated 24^th July 1833,and their address is Spring Terrace, Wandsworth Road, Surrey. They are stated to be Schoolmistresses. Their household goods, wearing apparel, printed books, and plate are now insured for £300. It is now held that the above addresses was where they had their school.

Continued . . .