Women in Kent - Portraits
Eva, 1873-1875 
On her twelfth birthday in 1873, Eva Knatchbull-Hugessen of
Smeeth near Ashford was given a little book by her mother and
decided to use it as a diary.
This illustrated volume tells of her activities including
horse-riding, collecting birds' eggs and skating in the grounds of
their home. It also refers to Eva's education by governesses and
private tutors. The high points of the 12 year old's year were
parties, dances, trips to London, to Lords Cricket Ground, and her
introduction to the Duke of Edinburgh and the 'Cesarevitch of
Russia'.
Here Eva is suitably scathing about 2 sisters, Mabel and Sibyl
Legh, who have attended a children's party hosted by the
Knatchbull-Hugessen family, drawing 1 of them and commenting
adversely on the other. (CKS-U951/F30/1)
Jane Austen, 1814
Jane Austen had many family connections in Kent. In particular
her brother Edward lived at Godmersham Place, between Ashford and
Canterbury. Featured is an extract from 1 of her letters to
her favourite niece Fanny, Edward's eldest daughter. Written on 18
November 1814 when Fanny was 21, the letter is mainly devoted to
the 'so very interesting' subject of love. (CKS-U951/C112/1)
Transcript
"Poor dear Mr. J.P.! - Oh ! dear Fanny, your mistake has been one
that thousands of women fall into. He was the first young Man who
attached himself to you. That was the charm, and most powerful
it is. - Among the multitudes however that make the same mistake
with yourself, there can be few indeed who have so little reason to
regret it ; - his Character and his attachment leave you nothing to
be ashamed of. - Upon the whole, what is to be done?"
The Bride's nightie, 1425
This Settlement of 1425 divides the responsibility for the
provision of items in a forthcoming marriage. Written in Norman
French, it is dated 20 July 1425.
The document relates to the forthcoming wedding between Cecile,
daughter of John Pole, and Gerard Meynell. John Pole agrees to
provide the marriage feast and Gerard will, amongst other expenses,
cover the cost of "la vesture que le corps du dit Cecile one sa
chambre convenablement arraiez", or the bride's nightie!
(CKS-U269/T82)
A Discrete oulde and
maiden gentlewoman, late 17th century
These recipes have been extracted from a volume of recipes,
remedies and household hints from the Twisden family of Bradbourne,
East Malling. Entitled 'Diverse Receipts in Physicke and Cookery by
a Discrete Oulde and Maiden Gentlewoman', it is in a format very
much like Mrs Beeton's famous work, containing everything the busy
housewife (or in this case an old maid) needs to know!
The recipe featured is entitled 'M.dam Jans : receit for a water
for the face' and contains mercury, lemon, almonds and milk. Under
the title is written: "NB she was damned ugly and had the worst
complexion in the world". (CKS-U49/F15)
