Letter #6, Post #12

Friday 2 March 2012
To Cassandra, from Rowling, "Mr. Children's two sons are both going to be married, John & George-. They are to have one wife between them; a Miss Holwell, who belongs to the Black Hole at Calcutta.-" - Jane Austen, Thursday 15-Friday 16 September 1796

Again, Jane Austen's wit! John & George were actually Mr. John George Children. He had two first names. And Miss Holwell actually was associated with the Black Hole at Calcutta. Her grandfather, Governor Holwell, was a survivor.

Here is a link to information about the Black Hole of Calcutta and more information about Governor Holwell.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hole_of_Calcutta

                                                     Mr. John George Children

Mr. Children became a famous scientist but when he met Miss Holwell he was at Cambridge intending to take Holy Orders. He quit college and they lived with her father. After the birth of their daughter his wife never regained her health and she died some months later. He was twenty-three. The following link is to his obituary. He had an interesting life.

http://books.google.com/books?id=Tf4RAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA622&lpg=PA622&dq=mr.+children+of+ferox+hall&source=bl&ots=38VFLDWi8i&sig=eI5vL3k3ErEziqMtXYzijygZosk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=P11QT4CcBMnJiQKorODRBg&sqi=2&ved=0CCEQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=mr.%20children%20of%20ferox%20hall&f=false

This link is to some history of people associated with Jane Austen from Tonbridge, Kent. It has a great article on Mr. Children and his daughter, who also became a famous botanist and helped develop photography.

http://www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/people/the-childrens.htm#John George Children

You just never know who you are going to meet.

I hope you have a great Friday and weekend!
Terrie