Anne Brydges Lefroy facts for kids

Anne Brydges Lefroy (born around 1747 or 1748, died 1804) was an English writer. She wrote stories and poems, some of which were published without her name on them. Four years after Anne passed away, her friend Jane Austen wrote a sad poem about her death.

Anne's Childhood and Family

Anne was the oldest child of Edward Brydges and Jemima Egerton. Her parents got married around 1745. Anne was likely born in 1747 in Wootton, Kent. She had many brothers and sisters. Some of them, like John and John Egerton, sadly died when they were babies.

Anne's younger brother, Samuel, later wrote about her. He said Anne was very good at poetry. She knew many famous English poems by heart, especially those by Milton, Pope, Collins, Gray, and Shakespeare. She could also write her own poems easily.

As a young woman, Anne loved to read and write. She also helped teach her younger brothers and sisters. In the winter, the Brydges family would go to parties and dances in Canterbury. Anne wrote many poems for her siblings. Some of these were collected and published after she died by her son Christopher Edward in 1812.

Anne's Marriage

Anne likely met Isaac Peter George Lefroy through her brothers. Both Isaac and his brother Anthony went to The King's School, Canterbury. The Lefroy boys' father was a merchant from Italy who collected old coins and sculptures.

Isaac Peter George, known as George, and his brother traveled from Italy to attend school. George later went to Oxford University. He became a priest in 1772. Anne and George got married on December 28, 1778.

Married Life in Ashe

The Lefroys first lived in London, then moved to Basingstoke. Their first child, Jemima Lucy (called Lucy), was born there in 1779. Two other children died very young. Their son Anthony Brydges was born in the early 1780s. In 1783, George and Anne moved to the Rectory at Ashe, Hampshire.

Anne was very active in her local community. In 1787, her friend Katherine Powlett, Duchess of Bolton, invited her to act in a play. Anne politely said no in a poem, explaining that as a wife and mother, she couldn't be on stage.

ALL to the task unused my faultering tongue,
Would mar the tuneful strains that Rowe has sung.
Can I, a wife, a mother, tread the stage?
Burn with false fire, and glow with mimic rage?...

Even though she didn't act, Anne remained good friends with the Boltons. Anne's letters show she had a busy social life. The family of Jane Austen lived nearby, and the Lefroy and Austen families were close.

Anne kept writing poems and stories. Some of her articles were published without her name in a magazine called Gentleman's Magazine. One article was about a cat taking care of a baby squirrel. Another discussed a passage from the Bible.

Anne's Children

Anne and George had several children who grew up. They were:

• George (died 1823), who married Sophia Cottrell.
• Lucy (1779–1862), who married Henry Rice in 1801.
• Anthony Brydges (died 1800), who passed away as a teenager after falling from a horse.
• Christopher Edward (1785–1856), who never married.
• Benjamin (1791–1829), who married Anna Austen in 1814. Anna was Jane Austen's niece.

Community Work and Health

As the wife of the local priest, Anne helped educate the children in the village. She started a Sunday school where she taught reading, writing, and useful skills like knitting and sewing. Her husband, George, taught more about church beliefs.

Anne also helped with public health. After Edward Jenner created a vaccine for smallpox, Anne received vaccine material from him. Each winter, she and her neighbors helped vaccinate people in the surrounding areas. She wrote in 1803 that many people were eager to get vaccinated because smallpox was in nearby villages. She noted that those she had vaccinated earlier had not gotten sick, even when caring for infected neighbors.

Anne also got involved in community efforts when England feared an invasion from Napoleon Bonaparte around 1803–1804. Volunteer groups were formed, and Anne sewed flags and prepared patriotic songs. She even joked that she would use a musket if England were attacked!

I think I could handle Cartridges if not fire a musket myself upon such an occasion...

Friendship with Jane Austen

The Lefroy and Austen families were neighbors and friends. When Jane Austen was about 20, she met George Lefroy's nephew, Tom Lefroy, who was visiting from Ireland. They met at dances and at each other's homes. Some historians think Anne encouraged a relationship between Jane and Tom. However, others believe Anne and George were disappointed that Tom had led Jane on without being able to propose marriage.

Anne remained friends with Jane and her family. Jane Austen's poem about Anne suggests that Anne had been kind to her since she was a young girl. It's possible Anne encouraged young Jane in her early writing, though there's no direct proof.

Anne's Death

On December 16, 1804, which was also Jane Austen's birthday, Anne died. She had fallen badly from a horse that bolted. She was buried on December 21, with Jane's brother, James Austen, leading the service.

Anne's brother Samuel wrote a long tribute to her that appeared in several publications. He wrote that Anne was loved by everyone, old and young, rich and poor. He described her as having a brilliant mind, quick thoughts, a great memory, and a wonderful imagination.

Four years later, Jane Austen wrote her own poem honoring Anne Lefroy. This poem showed deep feelings and was shared within the Austen and Lefroy families. It was later published in family histories.

The day returns again, my natal day;
What mix'd emotions with the Thought arise!
Beloved friend, four years have pass'd away
Since thou were snatch'd forever from our eyes...