Scottish missionary Mary Slessor and her adopted Nigerian daughter Atim Eso, aka Janie Annan Slessor, visited Topsham, Devon, in 1885 and 1891. Mary Slessor (2 December 1848 – 13 January 1915) was a Scottish, United Presbyterian missionary who went to work in what is now known as Nigeria, in the nineteenth century, with the Calabar Mission.

Community Researcher Sally Ayres’ article is the story of Mary and Janie, how they journeyed together and their connection to Topsham.

Mary Slessor and Janie photographed in 1891

Photo courtesy of Dundee Art Galleries and Museum