Austen-Leigh Family

Letters and diaries with some drawings, photos and volumes of poetry, relating to the Austen-Leigh family, and including Chenevix-Trench family papers, and letters of Chutes and Smiths. Includes the following (main series only):

Trench family.

Melesina Trench (nee St George, 1768-1827): diaries, 1799-1802; manuscript of her 'Recollections' with related papers, 19th century; typescript of 'Letters and Journals of Melesina St George' by R A Austen-Leigh, 20th century; prose and poems, 1792-1822; letters from her immediate family, 1804-27; letters from friends and acquaintances, c1780s 1828).

Richard Trench (1744-1860): letters from Melesina Trench (his wife), c1800-26; letters from family and friends, 1806-44.

Charles St George (1787-1864): letters from Melesina Trench (his mother) and other family, 1808-29; prose and poems, 1811-18; biography of, by R A Austen Leigh, 20th century.

Other Trench family members: letters to Francis Chenevix Trench (1805-86), 1814-42; letters to Richard Chenevix Trench (1807-86), 1832-66, with other papers including sermons, 1836-85; letters to relatives, friends etc from Melesina Trench, c1796-1826, and from Charles St George, 1813-46; miscellaneous letters and papers including poems and prose, mid 18th-mid 19th century.

Leigh and Perrot families.

Includes: letters to Jane Leigh Perrot (d1836), 1790-1827.

Walter family.

Includes: typescript copies of letters to James Walter (c1760-1845), (1787-1801) and to Philadelphia Walter (1763-1834), (1780-c1797).

Austen family.

Cassandra Austen (nee Leigh, 1739-1827): poems (copied by Anna Lefroy), 1779-1814.

Revd James Austen (1765-1819): journal of tour through Hants and Wilts, c1818; letters from family, friends etc, 1812-19; poems and prose by, or collected by James Austen, (1784-1819).

Edward Knight (1767-1852): accounts, 1827, 1841.

Mary Austen (nee Lloyd, 1771-1843): diaries, 1810-43; letters from family, 1806-36.

Sir Francis Austen (1774-1865): letters to and concerning, 1852-1870.

Jane Austen (1775-1817): facsimile of poem, 19th cent; copies of prose, 19th-20th century; printed and pictorial material concerning, 19th-20th century.

Caroline Mary Craven Austen (1805-80): diaries, 1871-8; letters from family, 1815-75; poems, 1825.

Smith and Chute families.

Judith Smith (c1755-1832): letters from Emma Austen-Leigh, 1821-31.

Eliza Chute (d1842): diaries, 1790-1840; letters from family and friends, 1791-1840; miscellaneous papers, 19th cent.

Augusta Smith (d1845): diaries, 1821-43; letters from family, friends etc, 1795-1845

Other Smith family members: letters to Emma Smith, 19th century, Eliza Gosling, 1798-1802, Augusta Wilder, 1810-33, Fanny Seymour, 1829-48, Eliza Le Marchant, 1813-41, Charlotte Currie, 1833-9; poems by Eliza Le Marchant, 1825-34.

Lefroy family.

Anna Lefroy (nee Austen, 1793-1872): letters from family, 1819-69, prose, 19th century; pencil sketch of, 19th century.

Austen-Leigh family.

Revd James Edward Austen-Leigh (1798-1874): diaries, 1820-71; letters from family, friends etc, 1839-70; typescript copies of letters from James Edward Austen-Leigh to family, (1815-74); poems, 1810-34; fictional and non-fictional prose, 1818-53.

Emma Austen-Leigh (nee Smith, 1801-76): diaries, 1815-76 and letters and papers found enclosed in them; letters from family, 1819-73; prose, 1813-c1876; photographs.

Other Austen-Leigh family members: letters to Cholmeley Austen-Leigh, 1825-50, to Amy Austen-Leigh, 1841-81, Edward-Compton Austen-Leigh, 1854-60; William Austen Leigh, 1853-1920.

Richard Arthur (RA) Austen-Leigh (1872-1961): letters to, mostly concerning the Austen family, 1897-1953; letters and papers concerning trips to America, 1903-20; published works and related papers, essays and poems.

Impey letters concerning Austen-Leigh papers and Jane Austen, 1972-85.

Miscellaneous letters, diaries, poems, prose (unidentified hands, recipients etc), 19th century; printed and pictorial material and genealogical papers, 19th-20th century

Deeds and papers concerning Workman/Cholmeley estates in Barbados, 1759-66 and 1867 and Austen-Leigh estates in Eton (Bucks), 1911-13.

• <persname>Trench, Melesina, 1768-1827, authoress</persname><famname>Austen-Leigh family of Hampshire</famname>
• <famname>Leigh, Austen-, family of Hampshire</famname>
• <famname>Trench family of Hampshire</famname>
• <famname>Austen family of Hampshire</famname>

23M93/M1 Microfiche copies of letters not deposited in Hampshire Record Office

See Drawer 32 of the microfiche cabinets, fiche nos. 121-125. Microfiche viewers must be booked, preferably in advance, please ask staff for details.

Fiche 121: Letters from Eliza de Feuillide, nee Hancock, afterwards Austen to her cousin, Philadelphia Walter, 1780-1791

Fiche 122: As above, 1791-1797

Fiche 123: Letter, correspondents as above, 1801;

Letters from Cassandra Austen, nee Leigh, to Mary Austen, nee Lloyd, 1796-1822, and to Caroline Austen, 1820;

Letters from James Edward Austen-Leigh to his father, James Austen, 1815, and to Anna Lefroy, 1818-1822, and to Caroline Austen, 1818-1823;

Letters from James Austen to James Edward Austen-Leigh, 1817-1819 and to Caroline Austen, 1818

Fiche 124: Letter from Mary Austen, nee Lloyd, to Anna Lefroy, 1829; letter from James Edward Austen-Leigh to Mary Austen, nee Lloyd, 1833;

Letter from Anna Lefroy to James Edward Austen-Leigh, 1833; and verses from the latter to the former, n.d.;

Verses by James Edward Austen-Leigh, Edward Knight, George Knight and another;

Letters from a variety of people to Mr and Mrs Leigh Perrot at the time of Mrs Leigh Perrot's trial, expressing sympathy over her ordeal and congratulations on her being acquitted, 1799-1800

[Letter writers are: R.W., Ben Dunford, Elizabeth Stevens, Dr Lysons, E Elford, A Foley, G.L.R., B Burton, Mrs Scadding, Jos. Bradshaw, Anne Timbrel, and C.H. and B.L.]

Fiche 125: Letter from a well-wisher [William Nethersole] to Mr Leigh Perrot, 1800

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ORIGINALS OF THESE ITEMS ARE NOT YET HELD AT HAMPSHIRE RECORD OFFICE

FICHE 121 (See Miscellaneous Microfiches drawer - next to Cemetery Registers)

Letters from Eliza de Feuillide, nee Hancock, afterwards Austen to Philadelphia Walter, her cousin[See 23M93/54/1 for transcripts of many of these letters]

Paris. 1780. Describes Paris and compares it to London. Gives details of the dress and appearance of Queen Marie-Antoinette, whom she saw at Versailles recently. Discusses the fashions of the Court. 16 May

Comblaville. 1780. Compares dancing in England with France. Mentions Queen Marie-Antoinette. Refers to her friend the Comtesse de Tournon. Reports her mother has received a letter from G[eorge] Austen, informing them of the safe arrival of Eliza's portrait at Steventon. 27 Jun

Paris. 1783. Mentions "my Aunt and Uncle Austen" who are due to visit Phila's family whilst on a tour at Easter. Describes the fashionable practice of visiting Longchamp in the Bois de Boulogne to parade up and down in carriages. Discusses the current fashions in France and the influence the Queen has in these. 1 May

Paris. 1784. Mentions the Austens at Steventon being in good health. Gives an account of public experiments with hot-air balloons. Mentions the weather, and musical performances she has attended. 7 May

Chateau de Tournan. 1786. Describes life at Bagneres near the Pyrenees where she is staying. She is pregnant, and hopes if they have a son he can be brought up in England. 17 Jan

Guyenne. 1786. Discusses her plans to return to England in June or July. 23 May

Orchard Street [London]. 1787. Henry Austen is to visit at the end of the month. Describes her little son and her life in London. 9 Apr

Orchard Street [London]. 1787. Asks Phila to spend Christmas with her and her Austen relatives in Hampshire performing plays together. Informs her James [Austen] will be back from France to take part in the acting. 16 Nov

Orchard Street [London]. 1787. Urges Phila once more to join the acting party. Assures her only a "select party of friends" will be the audience and her mother's scruples are unwarranted. 23 Nov

Orchard Street [London]. 1788. Asks her what she thinks of her Uncle [George] Austen's looks, as they have both had a visit from the Austens. Mentions Cassandra and Jane Austen. 22 Aug

Tunbridge Wells. 1788. Discusses plans to meet up while she is in Kent. 31 Aug

[Paris]. 1789. M. De Feuillide has been ill. Their son, Hastings, is well and making progress. Mentions accounts of theatrical performances in Steventon. 11 Feb

Margate. 1791. Her husband, being a Royalist, is in Turin, awaiting his chance to help re-take France from the Republicans. Gives her opinion of E[?] Austen. 7 Jan

1791. Her mother is ill, but improving slowly. Has had a visit form Edward Austen who is about to visit the Lakes with Mr and Mrs K[night?] 23 Jun

Orchard Street [London]. 1791. Her mother is still ill. Reports that Charles Austen is going to the Naval Academy at Portsmouth; James Austen has the living at Sherborne; and the young ladies [Jane and Cassandra] gain "hearts by dozens" 1 Aug

Orchard Street [London]. 1791. The tumour in her mother's breast is reduced, so she is feeling better. 13 Oct

Orchard Street [London]. 1791. Her mother has had a relapse, but now seems recovered. 14 Nov

FICHE 122

[London]. 1791. Describes her mother's health. Mentions the building of Cumberland Place, London. 23 Dec

[London]. 1792. Her husband has been obliged to return to France or risk forfeiting his property. Plans to visit Steventon in the summer. Describes the political unrest in London. 7 Jun

Orchard Street [London]. 1792. Has had chicken pox quite severely. 16 Jul

Steventon. 1792. Remarks on the likeness between Rev George Austen and her late mother. Describes Cassandra and Jane, who have both improved in manners and person since her last visit. Jane is her favourite. Describes Henry Austen, who has also improved. Both Mrs James Austen and Mrs Edward [Knight] are pregnant. 26 Oct

[Tunbridge Wells]. nd [1796?]. Urges Phila to meet up with her at Brighton for sea bathing. She is currently at another, unnamed, resort [probably Tunbridge Wells] to give her boy the benefits of sea bathing. Describes her social engagements. 22 Sep

[London]. nd [1796?]. Has recently seen Phila and now misses her. Describes the news from London 17 Oct

[London]. nd [1796?]. Describes medical treatment she has been receiving for an illness, including the application of leeches. Has seen the Princess of Wales in the park.

Manchester Street, London. nd [1796?]. Has just moved house. Describes her continued poor health. Mentions the death of Marianne Austen, of which Jane has just informed her. 13 Dec

[London]. nd [1796?]. Her health is improved. Mentions the forthcoming marriage of James Austen to Mary Lloyd - "Jane seems much pleased with the match". Also refers to Cassandra's "intended" [Rev Thomas Fowle] 30 Dec

[London]. nd [1796?]. Discusses the Princess Royal's forthcoming marriage and that of the Earl of Derby. Describes the impact of the Rev Thomas Fowle's death on all the Austen family. Mentions Henry Austen having been in town. 3 May

Manchester Street, London. nd [1797?]. May go to Brighton in the summer. Rev George and Charles Austen have dined with her. Cassandra has inherited £1000 from her late fiance. Discusses the war and criticizes Lord Malmesbury for his failure to achieve peace. 3 Jun

Cheltenham. nd [1797?]. Describes her unpleasant journey there. Has met some relatives of Cassandra Austen, nee Leigh, namely Mr and Mrs Leigh and Lord and Lady Say and Sele. Plans to go to Lowestoft for her son's sake. 4 Aug

Lowestoft. nd [1797?]. Describes her son Hastings' health. Alludes to Henry Austen being at Norwich and insists her own stay nearby in Suffolk is unrelated. 22 Sep

Manchester Street, London. nd [1797?]. A planned trip up north has had to be postponed owing to Hastings' ill health Has heard from Jane Austen, in Bath with her mother and sister. 11 Dec

Ipswich. nd [1798]. Is now married to Henry Austen, who is a Captain in the Army. Discusses the possible invasion by the French. 16 Feb

Dorking, Surrey. 1799. Sympathizes with Phila over her sufferings caused by her father's behaviour. Mentions Warren Hastings, the politician, who is a friend of the family. Henry Austen is at Dublin. 29 Oct

FICHE 123

Upper Berkeley Street [London]. nd [1801]. Describes her feeling upon the death of her child, Hastings. Henry Austen has been ill. The Austens of Steventon have spent the summer in Devonshire and are now in Bath while their new house is being fitted up. James Austen is now the owner of Steventon. 29 Oct

Letters from Cassandra Austen, nee Leigh, to Mary Austen, nee Lloyd[NB See 23M93/62/2 for transcripts of these letters]

Steventon. 1796. Assures her of her pleasure that James has chosen Mary to be his wife. 30 Nov

Stoneleigh Abbey. nd. Describes her surroundings at the Abbey in detail. Stoneleigh Abbey is owned by Mr Leigh. 13 Aug

Chawton. 1820. Describes Mr Knight's household. Cassandra has been with him to see her "new sister" at Steventon. The news from Scarlets is that Mrs Leigh Perrot is unwell. 27 Apr

Chawton. 1820. Gives news of family and friends, including the fact that "Cassy" is to spend the winter at Keppel Street and a female servant of Mrs Digweed is pregnant and unmarried. 19 Nov

Letter from Cassandra Austen, nee Leigh, to Caroline Austen

Chawton. nd [1820]. Edward Knight and his two eldest sons are staying. Describes their plans for Christmas. 2 Dec

Letter from the same to Mary Austen, nee Lloyd

Chawton. 1822. Complains of feeling more infirm each day. Reports her inheritance of half her late brother's property. Passes on family news about the Knights, Knatchbulls, and Frank and Henry Austen. 24 Mar With a note on the reverse side from Cassandra Austen, her daughter, 1822

Letter from James Edward Austen-Leigh [JEAL] to his father, James Austen

Winchester. 1815. Sets out his plan for getting home to Steventon. Mentions Mrs Heathcote and sends messages to his mother and sister. 2 Jul

Letter from James Austen to JEAL

Steventon. 1817. Describes the hunting season so far and passes on family news. 3 Dec

Letter from JEAL to Anna Lefroy

Steventon. 1818. Writes in the form of a humorous poem concerning a dance he has attended. 11 Oct

Letter from James Austen to his daughter Caroline Austen

Steventon. 1818. Discusses Mme de Sevigny's literary style. Describes the rebuilding of Deane Church and comments on JEAL's progress at school. Thursday [?]

Letter from James and Caroline Austen to JEAL

nd [1819]. James describes the Greek and Latin he has been reading and his hunting exploits. Caroline reports the marriage of William and Emily Fowle and the illness of Mary-Jane Austen

Letters from JEAL to Anna Lefroy

Exeter College, Oxford. 1819. Transcribes and discusses two poems he has found. 5 May

Donnington Road Cottage. 1821. Describes his visit to the Alresford Ball and the members of his family present there. Plans to spend Christmas at Kintbury. 20 Dec

Donnington Road Cottage. 1822. Gives news from Speen in the form of a fictional newspaper: "Domestic Telegraph or Speen Herald" 3 Apr

Letter from JEAL to Caroline

Woolley Park. 1823. Has attended the Assizes. Gives family news. Jul

FICHE 124

Mary Austen, nee Lloyd, to Anna Lefroy

Sidmouth. 1829. Describes Caroline's and her journey and their stay in Devon. C.W[?] who is with them has had several fits. 9 Jul

JEAL to Mary Austen, nee Lloyd

Tring Park. 1833. Discusses and quotes from a letter he has received from Mrs Leigh Perrot concerning his inheritance from her. 4 Jan

Anna Lefroy to JEAL

1833. [First page virtually illegible] Family news; discusses the story she has had published. 21 Jan

Copies of verses by family members

Poems by C.E. Austen, G[eorge] K[night], E[dward] K[night], and JEAL, nd

Poem in JEAL's hand

Poem "My lectures o'er my books packt up" addressed to Anna Lefroy, nd

Letters to Mr and Mrs Leigh Perrot at the time of Mrs Leigh Perrot's trial

All expressing sympathy with her ordeal, and congratulations on her release.

R.W. to Mr Leigh Perrot, 29 Oct 1799

Ben Dunford to the same, nd

Eliz. Stevens to Mrs Leigh Perrot, nd

Dr Lysons to the same, 11 Jan 1800

E Elford to the same, 24 Jan 1800

A Foley to the same, 11 Feb 1800

G.L.R. to Mr Leigh Perrot, 12 Feb 1800

B Burton to Mrs Leigh Perrot, 1 Apr 1800

Mrs Scadding to the same, 8 Apr 1800

Jos. Bradshaw to Mr Leigh Perrot, nd

Anne Timbrel to Mrs Leigh Perrot, 12 Apr 1800

C.H. & B.L. to Mr Leigh Perrot, 30 Apr 1800

FICHE 125

William Nethersole to Mr Leigh Perrot, 15 May 1800