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Edward Knight's Family Marianne Austen, later Knight. [2] Born September 15th 1801. 'In the Summer of 1880, when I paid a fortnight's visit to my grandmother at Dane Court – Aunt May was staying there. She was probably on a long visit and seemed to be thoroughly established. I was greeted at the door by her, an active, light lively little lady in a white cap with lavender ribbons. She greeted me with great kindness and led me into the drawing-room, where grandmama lay on a sofa. Throughout my visit Aunt May was much in evidence, she took full part in the family life and being 'very witty', contributed much to its gaiety. On many mornings she took me for walk, chatting gaily all the while. She certainly enjoyed herself, darting from one side of the lanes to the other, looking bird's nests, which were the passion of Dane Court. She encouraged me to pick flowers and was a very happy companion for a little girl. Her favourite expression was 'Gadge my love.' My sister remembered the same, 'Gadge my love, what filth' she exclaimed when out for a walk on a typical Irish day! This was at least ten years later, my grandmother was dead and Aunt May had left England to make her last home with her niece Cassandra Hill at Balgar in County Antrim. She was then naturally much older and frailer – but she still took little walks, visiting the poor in the village. 'Who is my rosy neighbour?' she said one day, looking across the table at my sister. 'That is Cecil's child, Aunt May.' 'Law, my dear, then I must get up and give her a kiss.' My sister said 'she was very charming, always bright and gay and never out of humour.' Though celebrated in the family as 'very witty', her remarks were never unkind. One little incident has been handed down, it always caused her great-nephew, Arthur Hill, much amusement. It took place at a railway station – Aunt May was at the booking office when an ungallant man tried to push her from her place. 'You may have heard' said he, 'That the first shall be last, and the last first.' 'Very likely', was her rejoinder, 'But I am first now,' and she stood her ground! She died December 4th 1896, at the age of 95. (Epitaph page 248) previous page [117–119] |