Steventon, 17th Dec. 1775

Dear Sister,

You have doubtless been for some time in expectation of hearing from Hampshire, and perhaps wondered a little we were in our old age grown such bad reckoners but so it was, for Cassey certainly expected to have been brought to bed a month ago: however last night the time came, and without a great deal of warning, everything was soon happily over. We have now another girl, a present plaything for her sister Cassy and a future companion. She is to be Jenny, and seems to me as if she would be as like Henry, as Cassy is to Neddy. Your sister thank God is pure well after it, and sends her love to you and my brother, not forgetting James and Philly. Have you had any fresh news from Jamaica? I suppose you have heard of the poor way Cope Freeman is in. I am most sincerely sorry both for him and his father. I have not been able to get any information about the Fellowship of St. John’s since I wrote my brother an answer to his enquiries; but think I was right in what I then told him. Let my brother know his friend Mr. Evelyn is going to treat us with a plowing match in this neighbourhood on next Tuesday, if the present frost does not continue and prevent it, Kent against Hants for a rump of beef; he sends for his own ploughman from St. Clair. Does my brother know a Mr. Collis, he says he is very well acquainted with him, he visited me to buy some oats for Evelyn’s hunters.

I am, dear sister, Your affecte. brother, Geo. Austen.