Letter #12, Post #8

Monday 27 August 2012
To Cassandra, from Steventon, "You must tell Edward that my father gives 25s. a piece to Seward for his last lot of sheep, and, in return for this news, my father wishes to receive some of Edward's pigs." - Jane Austen, Sunday 25 November 1798

Edward would be interested in this because Mr. Bridger Seward was Edward's farm bailiff at Chawton. He and his wife lived in the cottage at Chawton. After he died in 1808 Edward refurbished the Cottage for his mother, Cassandra, and Jane, and later Martha Lloyd.

                                   Chawton Cottage, Mrs. George Austen, Cassandra and Jane's House

I think Edward sometimes gets a bad rap for waiting so long after his father's death to provide a stable home for his mother and sisters, but, perhaps his hands were tied. The Seward's still lived at Chawton and Edward does not seem like the type to just kick them out. He must have been an amiable person; there was a reason the Knight's liked him well enough to adopt him when he had a perfectly good family at home;)

    

                                    Chawton House, Edward's House

Edward's House is now a library. How awesome is that!

I hope you had a great day today!
Terrie