Agnes Snell nee Grewar, 1836–1920

Agnes Grewar was born in 1836 in Kirkton of Glenisla, Forfarshire, Scotland, the daughter of Archibald Grewar (1799–1883) and Margaret McLaren (1809–1881).

About 1850 Agnes and her parents and siblings emigrated to Victoria where they settled in Avoca.

There, in 1858, Agnes married Edmund Snell, a storekeeper. They had nine children.

Agnes Snell served for many years as treasurer of the Avoca Ladies’ Benevolent Society and on occasion as its president. She was also an active member of the local Methodist Church.

In 1890 the Snell family left Avoca and moved to Melbourne. Edmund Snell sold his business, which was renamed Snell and Co. Mrs Snell was farewelled by the Ladies’ Benevolent Society with a picnic held in her honour.

Avoca Mail, Friday 19 December 1890, page 2

FAREWELL PICNIC TO MRS SNELL.
On Wednesday last the Committee of the Avoca Ladies' Benevolent Society held a picnic, in honour of Mrs E. Snell, who has been a member and collector for the Society since its inception, and last year occupied the position of President. The members of the Committee considered Mrs Snell's services to the Society deserving of recognition, and very sensibly adopted the idea of a trip amongst the beautiful scenery or the Pyrenees, as one of the practical methods of showing their esteem, ere she took her departure-from the Sweet Vale. The party, which numbered about thirty, composed of the members of the Committee and their families, drove out to Elmhurst, and selecting a very pretty spot near Mr Easterbrook's, camped for the day. After partaking of a most recherche, luncheon, the picnickers divided themselves in fishing, shooting and exploring parties, and a most enjoyable time was spent. Gathering again for tea about five o'clock, a very pleasing ceremony took place. The Rev. J. A. Ball opened the proceedings by remarking that he had been requested by the Ladies' Committee to express to their guest, Mrs Snell, the great regret they felt at her approaching departure from Avoca. They had always found her anxious to further the work of the Society in every way, since she became a member of the Committee on its inauguration, and they would greatly miss her in the future. He would not detain them with a lengthy address, as he knew the President of the Society, Mrs Gilbert, had a pleasing duty to perform in presenting Mrs Snell with a parting souvenir from her fellow members on the Committee. Mrs W. P. Gilbert then handed a very handsome mother-of-pearl card case to Mrs Snell, bearing the inscription. "To A. G. S. from the A. B. C., 1890," and in doing so she said that it was with much pleasure she presented the small memento from the Committee of the Ladies' Benevolent Society, as a token of the esteem and regard in which they all hold her. They regretted very deeply her leaving them, as she had always been such a practical, sympathetic and harmonious worker amongst them. Her absence would cause a blank that would not readily be filled. On behalf of the Ladies of the Committee and herself, Mrs Gilbert wished Mrs Snell and family every happiness in their new home. Mrs Snell thanked the Committee sincerely for their kind gift, which she would value highly as a remembrance of her co-workers, and of the kindly feelings they had expressed for herself and her family. She wished them and the Society every prosperity in the future. Mr Bacon briefly expressed the regret that he knew their fellow townspeople felt at parting with Mr and Mrs Snell and their family, and he trusted it would not be long before they would come back to live in Avoca once more. Tea was then partaken of after which the horses were harnessed up, and the party were soon bowling along on the return journey, Avoca being reached shortly after eight o'clock. Those who took part in the day's proceedings were the Rev. J. A. and Mrs Ball, the Rev. W. and Mrs Presley, Cr Paten and Mrs Paten, Cr. Wiltshire and Mrs Wiltshire, Mr and Mrs Ebeling, Mr and Mrs Chellew, Jun., Mr and Miss Bacon, Mrs Gilbert, Mrs Poynter, Mrs and Miss Sproston, Miss Mockett, the guest Mrs Snell, and the younger members of the respective families.

Less than a year later the Snell family returned to Avoca, and Agnes’s husband Edmund repurchased the business.

Avoca Mail, Friday 5 October 1894, page 2

The Avoca District Butter, Cheese and Freezing Company's Factory was opened on Wednesday last, in the presence of a large number of people. Mrs E. Snell, wife of the Chairman of directors, started the machinery, and christened the engine " Excelsior," at the same time breaking a bottle of champagne over it, amid cheers.

When Edmund Snell died in 1896, Agnes, with her children, operated the business.

Agnes took a leading part in the local branch of the Australian Women’s National League (AWNL), an Australian political lobby group first established in 1904.

Ballarat Star, Wednesday 31 March 1920, page 6

AVOCA.
OBITUARY.
The death of Mrs Agnes Snell, which occurred at an early hour on Tuesday morning, has caused profound regret. Mrs Snell came to Avoca in the early digging days, and it was at this town that she married the late Edmund Snell, who conducted a business as general merchant, until his death. Since that time Mrs Snell and the members of the family have carried on the business, which is a large one. Mrs Snell was a prominent figure in public life; she was kindly disposed, and her work for the local Benevolent Society was marked by liberality. A friend to the poor and needy, Mrs Snell will be greatly missed. She took a leading part in the local branch of the Women’s National League, and the day before she was taken ill Mrs Snell attended a meeting at the Shire Hall, where Mrs Berry, the well-known organiser, addressed the members. In church circles she was also an ardent worker; every Sunday she attended the local Methodist Church, and although bordering on 80 years of age; she had a bright intellect, and took much interest in the services. Her death has removed one of the most highly esteemed residents of the town, and as she was only ill a few days her friends received a great shock at the sad event.

Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic), Saturday 3 April 1920, page 30

Obituary
Mrs Agnes Snell, head of the firm of Snell and Co., general merchants, Avoca, died on Tuesday, aged 80 years Mrs Snell, who left a family, had lived in the district for 60 years. She was a prominent member of the Women's National League.

The Snell store at 172 High Street later became a supermarket. An Avoca Shire Heritage Study of 1993/94 remarked that the then

"Welcome Mart is a typical and largely intact example of a nineteenth century shop dating from a period when Avoca's main street was lined with similar buildings. Its design is expressive of its continuous use as a general store/supermarket since the 1860s."