Extract from chapter 21

1828: Frank Falls out of Favour

Follow the argument between Frank Austen and his Aunt Leigh-Perrot over the future of Scarlets.

Photo: the will of Mrs Leigh-Perrot (ancestry.co.uk)

Frank and Martha were wed in St. Michael’s Church in Winchester on 24^th July 1828, which was the same wedding anniversary as the date Frank had married his first wife in Ramsgate, twenty-two years before.

Mrs Leigh-Perrot disapproved wholeheartedly of the match, and her wrath ran deep. At one point in her recent ramblings she had contemplated passing on her home of Scarlets to Frank when she died. She was fond of his visits and the attention he showed her, but she held no such liking for Martha. She was infuriated by Frank choosing her as a wife, and abruptly changed her will, securing the future of Scarlets to her favourite, James Edward, instead.

The normally placid Frank was uncharacteristically outraged by this move and would not let the matter drop. He had made many tedious visits to the old lady over the years to ensure he remained in her favour and was offended by her disrespect.

‘I’m sorry,’ Martha had tried to appease him. ‘But try not to let it spoil things. I’m happy to live here or anywhere you choose. It really doesn’t matter.’

‘But it does matter,’ Frank returned in a temper. ‘She has gone back on her word, and she has no right to insult you. I have played the dutiful nephew to her every tune I take her rejection of you as a slight to myself.’

Photo: on display at Jane Austen's House, Chawton

Martha had heard enough stories about Mrs Leigh-Perrot from her sister, Mary, and the abominable way she had treated James, to know that Frank had little chance of succeeding. Nevertheless, he wrote a lengthy letter to argue his point, which the old woman burned without even opening. The reply Frank had expected never arrived, and so his quarrel rumbled on.

Photo: Painting of HMS Namur (public domain)

He decided to look for somewhere else to live and favoured Portsmouth, so that he and Martha could raise his children by the sea. In order to put an end to the bitter dispute, Mrs Leigh-Perrot gifted Frank the sum £10,000 on the understanding they have nothing more to do with one another.

The money was welcomed, and Frank used it to purchase a property called Portsdown Lodge, just north of the Naval Academy. From there, he watched the second of his sons, Herbert Grey, sail away to sea as a volunteer bound for the Cape of Good Hope.

Mrs Leigh-Perrot’s squabbles did not trouble them for much longer, as she passed away soon after. Cassandra, Mary, James Edward and Caroline were with her when she died and, at the grand old age of ninety-two, she joined her husband in their burial vault in the grounds of Wargrave church.

Photo: Mrs Leigh-Perrot's grave, St Mary's church, Wargrave.

Frank deliberated for days whether or not to attend the funeral, but Martha quietly pointed out that his honourable qualities as a Christian far outweighed the undesirable treatment he had received from his aunt. In the end, amongst the three coaches of mourners that attended Mrs Leigh-Perrot’s burial, stood Henry, Frank, Charles and James Edward.

The following year, Frank discovered he was to be decorated for his naval service and became Knight Commander of the Bath (KCB). This entitled him to use the title of Sir, and for Martha to assume the title, Lady Austen.

How they wished momentarily that Mrs Leigh-Perrot were still alive so that they could see her face when they introduced themselves. How they would have laughed!

Photo: Order of the Bath (Wikipedia- click image for details)