A Memoir of Jane Austen

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Appendix 189
5. Letters to Anna Lefroy, 1819–69 and undated (HRO, MS
23M93°/84/1). From a letter of 8 July 1869 from JEAL then
on a research trip to Steventon, in preparation for the Memoir.
July 8
1869
Dear Anna
I accomplished my visit to Steventon, where I was kindly
received, & found much to interest me. There is certainly no
entry of the burial of young Hastings° either at Deane or Steventon;
& the beautiful accuracy with which our Grandfather kept
his register prevents the possibility of his having omitted to make
an entry of such interest to him. I can only suppose that the
child died else where (possibly having been sent some where
for his health) or that by the desire of his family he was buried
else-where.
The chief discovery that I made is that we were all mistaken in
supposing that our Grandfather was not Rector of Steventon, as
well as of Deane, from 1764, the year of his marriage. The Steventon
Register proves conclusively that he was. He signs himself
‘Geo: Austen, Rector,’ at the bottom of every page from 1764 to
1800. The entries for 1801 and 1802 are signed by ‘James Austen
Curate.’ After that date the entries are made in my father’s hand,
but no farther signature occurs.
All traces of former things are even more obliterated than I had
expected. Even the terrace has been levelled, & its site is to be
distinguished only by the finer turf on that place.
They have discovered & opened an old well, which must have
been in our Grandfathers old garden, between the house & the
terrace. Did you know of any such? One Lime planted by our
father° near that part has become a magnificent tree. The Lime on
the top of the other Hill looks healthy, but from its position must
always be a one sided affair. Several of the trees in the East
plantation are become good timber. The view from the parsonage
windows is as pretty as good falls of ground & abundance of trees
can make it; all that is seen is grass. W Knight° is very careful of
the trees, though time gradually thins them. The great Elm close
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