Letter #9, Post #2

Friday 6 April 2012
To Cassandra, from the Bull and George in Dartford, "You have already heard from Daniel, I conclude, in what excellent time we reached and quitted Sittingbourne, and how very well my mother bore her journey thither. I am now able to send you a continuation of the same good account of her. She was very little fatigued on her arrival at this place, has been refreshed by a comfortable dinner, and now seems quite stout." - Jane Austen, Wednesday 24 October 1798

Mrs. Austen must have taken ill while she was at Godmersham.

In the notes at the back of the book, Jane Austen's Letters by Deirdre Le Faye, say Daniel was the Godmersham coachman. He would have taken the Austen's to Sittingbourne in Edward Austen Knight's carriage. He is possibly the Daniel Boys who was buried at Godmersham on 22 December 1835 at the age of 73.

I found a link to WikiTree with a family tree listing to Daniel Boys.
http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Boys-209

I believe this would be the same Daniel Boys because of his location, Godmersham, and his death being listed in December 1835.

So, Daniel Boys was born 17 January 1764 in Godmersham. His father was Nicholas Boys and his mother, Sarah Oliver. He had two sisters Elizabeth and Sarah. He married Mary Ann Day and they had a son named William in about 1806. Their son was born in Godmersham.

I hope you enjoyed your day today!
Terrie