Jane Austen’s visits to Nonington

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.

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”.

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).