18 June 2025
Several of us are well aware of the connection between novelist Jane Austen (1775-1817) and 1st Lord Brabourne (1829-1893). I am reminded that the history is of interest to some ex-Caldecotts who recall 7th Lord Brabourne (John Knatchbull, 1924-2005) as prominent local peer and leading member of Caldecott Council (Trustees) for some 40 years to 1992. Going back to old days, it was quite common for educated persons to exchange lengthy correspondence and sometimes to keep detailed diaries. Often in those times families were large, so mothers or step-mothers were used to being responsible for looking after numerous youngsters.
Jane Austen's brother Edward was fortunate to be adopted out to be raised by rich Mr. Knight. Edward's wife Elizabeth gave birth in 1793 to Frances ('Fanny') Catherine Austen (later Knight in 1812 when her father changed his surname). Elizabeth had 10 more children, dying in 1808 just after the birth of the last of them. Fanny then age 15 was left to raise her brothers and sisters. She was Jane's favourite niece, 'almost another sister'.
Fanny did not marry until 1820 when she wed Sir Edward Knatchbull, 9th baronet of Mersham Hatch, a widower with five surviving children* for her to take over. She gave him another nine children. When he died in 1849, the oldest step-son became 10th baronet. She moved to Faversham. Her own eldest son, another Edward (who became 1st Lord Brabourne in 1880), married in October 1852. He and his wife lived with his mother for about three years before in early 1856 he and his wife moved into the Paddocks, Smeeth where he lived until he died. His mother had furnished it for them at great expense.
When Jane's sister Cassandra died in 1845, Fanny was the main beneficiary of Jane's correspondence. Fanny kept a diary for 60 years. She died in late 1882 at age 89. Her son, 1st Lord Brabourne, found the Jane Austen letters and edited them for publication in 1884.
* One son had died young in 1818.