Ann was born on November 6, 1863 and was always close to Melba.

In her book, Helen McPherson Smith recalled Ann was a big woman, a grand, old lady, very dignified and very social and had been mother to the young Mitchell children – Dora, Charles and Ernest. (1)

Ann accompanied David Mitchell and Melba to Mackay and also to England in May 1886 on the RMS Bengal.

Annie was at Nellie’s side when she accompanied her and George to Paris for Melba’s audition with Matilda Marchesi. (2)

Several years later when Nellie and George returned to Paris in 1889, she pleaded with David Mitchell to allow Annie and Bella, now back in Australia, to join them. (3)

In 1905 Ann married Harry Box and they had no children. She later moved to Sydney and bought a home at Belle Vue Hill. (4)

References:

1. H. McPherson Smith, A Child of Cave Hill, Helen McPherson Smith, Albury 1995, p24
2. P. Vestey, Melba A Family Memoir, Pamela Vestey, Coldstream, 2000. p28.
3. P. Vestey, op. cit. p54.
4. H. McPherson Smith, op. cit., p24.