Letter Fourteen, Post Twenty

3 October 2014
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "-Martha sends me word that she is too busy to write to me now, & but for your letter, I should have supposed her deep in the study of Medicine preparatory to their removal from Ibthrop." - Jane Austen, Wednesday 19 December 1798

Martha Lloyd Austen

Martha Lloyd (1765 to 24 January 1843) was Mary Lloyd Austen's sister. Mary was James Austen's wife. Martha must have sent word to Jane through Mary.

The words "but for your letter" are written above a longer phrase which Jane had cancelled out.

Martha was a kind person always helping someone or another. She lived with Mrs. Austen, Cassandra and Jane at Chawton for quite some time and did not marry until 24 July 1828 when she married Sir Francis (Frank) Austen, Jane's older, sailor brother. She never had any children.

I have written a bit about Martha also. If you are interested here is a link to the search.

http://allthings-jane-austen.blogspot.com/search?q=martha+lloyd

I hope you have a good today!
Terrie