Annie (Jones) Donovan (1865 - 1902)

Annie Jones was born July 14, 1865 in Marion, Virginia, United States. She was a daughter of Elias Jones and Margaret Robinson.^[1]

Jones joined Barnum's exhibition as a child of only nine months, Jones' parents received a $150-a-week salary. She was billed as a new "infant Esau". By the age of five, she had a mustache and sideburns, beard and became well known as the "Bearded Girl".

In an incident which may have been one of Barnum's publicity stunts, a New York phrenologist kidnapped Jones when she was a young child. Barnum and the police found her exhibited in a church fair. The matter went to court. When she was taken to the courtroom, she went straight to her parents when she saw them. The judge declared the case closed.

She married Richard J. Elliott on April 3, 1883 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States.^[1] They divorced about 1895.

She married her childhood sweetheart, William Donovan about 1896.

Annie died on October 22, 1902 in Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States from tuberculosis.^[2][3] She was buried at The Evergreens Cemetery Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States.^[2][3]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940, Richard J Elliott and Annie Jones, 03 Apr 1883; citing Marriage, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949, Annie Donovan, 22 Oct 1902; citing Death, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Find A Grave, memorial page for Annie “The Esau Lady” Jones Donovan (14 Jul 1865–22 Oct 1902), Find a Grave Memorial no. 12880059, citing The Evergreens Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings County (Brooklyn), New York, USA.

See also:

http://www.thehumanmarvels.com/annie-jones-the-esau-woman