Harriet was born on December 6th, 1829 in Surrey, London and was baptised on January 3rd, 1830 in St Mary, Newington, Surrey, London. Harriet's father was William North and her mother was Mary Coad. Her maternal grandparents were John Coad and Ann Hender. She was the third of six children. She had a brother and four sisters, named William, Martha, Mary, Elizabeth and Louisa.