Letter number eight was written by Jane Austen to Philadelphia Walter on Sunday 8 April 1798 on the occasion of the death of William-Hampson Walter, Philadelphia's father.
William-Hampson Walter was the Reverend George Austen's step-brother. Their mother was Rebecca Hampson Walter Austen. She first married William Walter, M.D. c. 1720. They had one son, William-Hampson Walter in 1721. Rebecca married, for the second time, William Austen in 1727. Rebecca and William Austen had George and Philadelphia Austen. George Austen was Jane Austen's father. (Philadelphia Austen should not be confused with Philadelphia Walter. They are two different people.)
William-Hampson Walter (1721-1798) settled at Seal, Sevenoaks, Kent and married Susannah Weaver (1716-1811) of Maidstone. They had seven children: Weaver (1747), Susannah "Sally" (1749), William (1750), George (1754), John in 1757, but he died young, James (1759) and Philadelphia in 1761, to whom this letter was written.
Philadelphia Walter married George Whitaker of Pembury, Kent in 1811. They did not have any children.
It is thought that Philadelphia sent this letter on to her brother, Reverend James Walter because the letter was passed down to his great-grandson John Charles Guy Nicholson of Castlefield House, Sturton-by-Scawby, Brigg, Lincs. He died unmarried in 1925. This letter was found amongst some of his effects that were purchased by Reverend R. G. Binnall of Manton, Lincs. at an auction.
The letter was then inherited by Canon Peter Binnall and Mrs. Stephanie Binnall. Mrs. Binnal gave the letter to the British Library in 1993.
What a treasure to find!
http://bumblebutton.blogspot.com/
I hope you have a good day today!
Terrie
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