Ann (or Anne) Brunton was born 30 May 1769 in
Covent Garden, England, one of 14 children of John Brunton (b. 1741), an actor and
manager of the
Theatre Royal, Norwich. In February 1785, she first appeared at the
Theatre Royal, Bath as Euphrasia in
The Grecian Daughter, which was followed by other leading parts, and on 17 October of the same year she made her debut at
Covent Garden theatre in London as Horatia in
The Roman Father. Here she attained great distinction, and by many was rated second only to
Sarah Siddons. An illustration of her in the role of Horatia appeared in the July 1787 edition of Walker's Hibernian magazine. In 1791 Brunton married
Robert Merry, a poet and playwright known by his pen-name "Della Crusca". He had run through his patrimony, but at that time still figured in fashionable circles. She at once retired from the theatre, and went with her husband to Paris. They returned in 1792 and her husband's comic opera
The Magician no Conjuror at Covent Garden was not a success. She performed the character Juliet, for the Benefit of her sister at Yarmouth theatre, and as Donna Violante in
The Wonder for Mr. Waddy's Benefit, when she took her leave of the stage. Mr Kemble was reported to wish to engage her for the Theatre-Royal, Newcastle in 1795. When their means were entirely exhausted she wished to return to her former occupation. Family considerations on the part of Mr Merry forced her to leave the London stage, but an offer that was made through
Thomas Wignell, of the
New Theatre, Philadelphia, was readily accepted. The terms were reported as 'one thousand guineas, and two clear benefits for the Philadelphia season alone, for three years', the expenses in passage out were defrayed by the manager. The couple arrived in New York City, 19 October 1796. Ann renewed her career at the
Chestnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia on 5 December of the same year as Juliet in
Romeo and Juliet. From 1797 until 1808 she performed with undiminished success in the large cities of the United States. Robert Merry died in 1798, and she returned to England and was engaged for the ensuing season at the Covent-Garden theatre in March 1800. On 1 January 1803, Ann married
Thomas Wignell, who died seven weeks later from an infection on his arm. From 1803 to 1805, she was the co-manager of her late husband's theatre company. In 1806, she became the wife of
William Warren. ==Death==