Harriet Atwood was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA in October 1793. In February 1812 she married Samuel Newell who was about to go out to Burma as a missionary. On reaching Calcutta they, together with their fellow-missionaries; Adoniram and Anne Judson, Gordon Hall and Samuel and Rosanna Nott were ordered to leave by the East India Company. During the subsequent voyage to Mauritius Harriet gave birth to a daughter who died on 14th October 1812, five days after her birth. Harriet herself died, shortly after their arrival in Mauritius, on the 30th November 1812 aged nineteen years of age.
Following her death her husband compiled a memorial volume, including extracts from her diaries and letters. This was later published and widely read.
From the guide to the Newell, Harriet, ca. 1805-1812, (School of Oriental and African Studies)
