Anna Amanda Knowlton, known as Annie, was born on 9 March 1824 in rural Quebec. She was the only child of Samuel Willard Knowlton, a farmer, and his wife, Amanda Lewis. Life in Shefford County during Annie’s childhood would have been simple and work-focused, centred around family and farming. When her mother died in 1840, Annie was just sixteen, and it’s likely she took on adult responsibilities early.