Jane Austen’s visits to Nonington

Jane-Austen-1
Jane Austen, 1775-1817

In the early 1800′s Jane Austen was a frequent visitor to Fredville. She often stayed with her brother Edward and his wife Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir Brooke Bridges, at Rowling House on the Bridges estate in neighbouring Goodnestone parish.   In 1797 Edward inherited Godmersham Park from some childless relatives who had adopted him as their heir, as part of the adoption Edward changed his surname from Austen to Knight, and he left Rolling House and moved to Godmersham.

Goodnestone Park , the home of Sir Brooke Bridges, 4th baronet.

After her brother’s move to Godmersham Jane continued to visit Goodnestone and frequently wrote to Cassandra, her only sister, of the visits and short stays she made to Fredville with Mr. John Plumptre and his wife and their children, John Pemberton and Emma.  Jane often referred to John Pemberton Plumptre as ” J.P.P” in her later letters.
In one letter written to Cassandra in September, 1813 Jane said of her her friend George Hatton, ”He is so much out of spirits, however, that his friend John Plumptre is gone over to comfort him, at Mr. Hatton’s desire. He  (J.P.P) called here this morning in his way. A handsome young man certainly, with quiet, gentlemanlike manners. I set him down as sensible rather than brilliant. There is nobody brilliant nowadays”.

The Canterbury race course at Ileden on Barham Downs

There are indications that J.P.P. was a suitor of Jane’s niece Fanny Knight, the daughter of her brother Edward. Fanny makes reference to him in letters written to Jane from Goodnestone.

Regular visits were also made to see William Hammond and his family at nearby St. Alban’s Court. She often commented on how keen both men were on shooting and hunting, and reported how she and members of the Plumptre,  Bridges and Hammond families  visited the races on Canterbury race course and then attended  balls and soirees in Canterbury.
The racecourse was at Ileden on Barham Downs just across on the other side of the Wingham Road from Nonington parish. (For more information on  Canterbury race course go to http://www.greyhoundderby.com/Canterbury%20Racecourse.html).

Jane Austen died after a long illness on 18th July, 1817, aged 42, and was buried in Winchester Cathedral.

2 Comments

  • admin

    Thanks for the portrait, I’ll include it on the site. There is a lot of info online for the Hammonds. There is some research being done locally on the pre-St. Alban’s Hammonds, they appear to have moved from being free-holders at Crixhall in Goodnestone parish to to tenants at St. Alban’s Court. There are mentions of Hammonds going back into the 1300’s in the area around Nonington and possibly Sandwich but no definite genealogy has been established. They appear to have been well-to-do farmers and possibly trades-men.

  • Eliazabeth Smith

    I see William Hammond mentioned in this story. Do you have anything on the Hammonds please I would be delighted to send a pic of Ann Digges Hammond but your reply space will not support this action if you would send an email in which to forward this jpg. Thank You

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