Austen (Jane, novelist, 1775-1817).- Brydges (Sir (Samuel) Egerton, first baronet, styled thirteenth Baron Chandos, writer and genealogist, 1762-1837).- Brydges Family with some female Collateral Branches [including a poem by Jane Austen on Anne Lefroy], collection of c. 100 manuscripts, letters, cards and engravings, numerous newspaper cuttings, all laid down, bound in late 19th century paper wrappers, manuscript label on upper cover, upper cover torn, items v.s., 1748-1907; and a small collection of engravings of the Brydges and related families coats of arms, v.s., v.d. (2).

⁂ Manuscripts including:

(1). Brydges (Jemima, maiden name Egerton, wife of Edward Brydges and mother of Anne (Brydges) Lefroy, the friend of Jane Austen, 1728-1809) A.Ls to her mother Anne Egerton, 3pp. and address panel, sm. 4to, n.p., 14th August 1750, "We have had great rejoycings to day in our Neighbourhood on account of Mr Oxendn bringing his Lady home, Sr. George sent all the Tenants to meet them as far as Harbledown."

(2). Valentine, watercolour of a naval captain, with manuscript poem addressed to Miss Bridges at Rev. George Lefroy's house at Ashe, 2pp. with conjugate blank and address panel, sm. 4to, 1804.

(3). Elegiac Lines on Mrs Lefroy by Sir Samuel Egerton Bridges. Bath, "Deep Grief is dumb, she long ago, dear shade/Strikes in glad notes to the Creators praise" [first and last lines], inscribed at tail: "Mrs. Lefroy died by a fall from her horse on 16th of December 1807", manuscript poem, 2pp., sm. 4to, n.d.

(4). Austen (Jane) The following lines were addressed by Miss Jane Austen ro the memory of Mrs. Lefroy, who died Decr 16th the birthday of the composer, manuscript poem, 3pp., first f. slightly creased, 8vo, n.d.

⁂ This poem with the full 13 stanzas as written by Jane Austen, her nephew, Edward James Austen-Leigh, only published 11 in his memoir of 1869. Austen Leigh deleted stanzas 4 "At Johnson's death by Hamilton 'twas said" and 5 "So we of thee - unequalled in thy race".

(5). Austen-Leigh (James Edward, nephew of Jane Austen, son of her eldest brother James and his second wife Mary Lloyd, 1798-1894) A.Ls to the Rev John Branfill Harrison, 2pp. with conjugate blank, 8vo, Bray Vicarage, Maidenhead, 11th June 1870, thanking him for "sending the two stanzas, which are not given in my Memoir, of the verses of Jane Austen in Memory of Mrs Lefroy. Perhaps they may be thought long enough without them; as the whole is valuable rather as a record of the affection for her friend than for any great poetic merit, which could add to my Aunt's literary reputation", folds.

(6). Brydges (Edward, of Wootton Court, Kent, father of Anne Lefroy, 1712-80) 2 A.Ls.s. to his wife Jemima Brydges, together 3½pp. with conjugate blanks and address panels, slightly depressed and missing his wife.

Anne Bridges Lefroy (1747-1804), writer of prose and verse; daughter of Edward Brydges of Wootton Court, Kent. She married in 1778, George Lefroy (1745-1806), vicar of Ashe in Hampshire. Anne led a lively social life and as a writer was something of a mentor to the young Jane Austen. The Lefroys and Austens lived not far apart in Hampshire and socialised on a regular basis. As a young woman, Jane Austen met and fell in love with George Lefroy's nephew Thomas Lefroy (1776-1869, judge and politician) who was visiting from Ireland. George and Anne sent Tom away to London, as he was not in a position to marry Jane. Anne Lefroy died on 6 December 1804 (on Jane Austen's birthday) when she was thrown from a bolting horse and four years later, Jane Austen recorded her regard for Anne, with the above poem, written in 1804.

Provenance: Compiled by Edith Dering Harrison (1852-1934), daughter of Reverend John Branfill Harrison and a descendant of the Brydges family.