To Cassandra, from Steventon, [p. 2] James seems to have taken to his old Trick of coming to Steventon inspite of Mary's reproaches, for he was here before Breakfast, & is now paying us a second visit.-Mary is quite well he says, & uncommonly large;- they were to have dined here to day, but the weather is too bad. I have had the pleasure of hearing that Martha is with them; -James fetched her from Ibthrop on Thursday, & she will stay with them till she removes to Kintbury.-" - Jane Austen, Saturday 27-Sunday 28 October 1798
James Austen, Jane Austen's eldest brother, married Mary Lloyd as his second wife, on 17 January 1797. Mary was, at this time, eight months pregnant with their son, James-Edward Austen who was born at Deane on 17 November 1798.
On 30 December 1796, the Austen's cousin, Eliza de Feuillide, wrote to a mutual cousin, Philadelphia Walter, this description of Mary, then Lloyd, also then commonly spelled Floyd:
"Has Cassandra informed You of the Wedding which is soon to take place in the family? James has chosen a second Wife in the person of Miss Mary Floyd who is not either rich or handsome, but very sensible & good humoured- you have perhaps heard of the family for they occupied my Uncle's house at Dean six or seven years since, and the eldest Sister is married to Mr. Fulwar Fowle who is Brother to Cassandra's intended; Jane seems much pleased with the match, and it is natural she should having long known & liked the Lady."
James had asked Eliza to marry him before he married Mary. It is said she refused him because he was a clergyman, (sound like Mary Crawford?). In fact, she wrote to her cousin, Philadelphia Walter on 13 December 1796, "... -Lord S's card has this moment been brought me which I think very ominous considering I was talking of Matrimony, but it does not signify, I shall certainly escape both Peer & Parson." Parson meaning James.
Martha Lloyd was Mary's sister. She lived at Chawton with Mrs. Austen, Cassandra and Jane after her mother died.
It is 4.82 miles or 7.75 Kilometers from Deane to Steventon, so it was not too far for James to travel to visit Steventon; with Martha at Deane he probably felt a little freedom.
I hope you enjoyed your day today!
Terrie
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