Martha Lloyd was the eldest of three daughters born to Rev Nowys Lloyd, who was the Rector of Deane, a neighbouring village of Steventon, until 1788. After his death, his widow and three daughters stayed at the rectory, which was held by Rev. George Austen - this is just the tip of the iceberg in the Lloyd/Austen connections.

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Jane Austen's eldest brother James took up residence at Deane as Rector in 1792 and Rev Nowys Lloyd's widow, Martha and her sister Mary moved to nearby Ibthorpe. Martha's younger sister Eliza had married Rev Fulwar-Craven Fowle, who was the elder brother of Cassandra Austen's fiancé. Both Fowle brothers been students of Rev George Austen.

Martha's other younger sister Mary became the second wife of James Austen in 1797. Mary was the mother of Jane's first biographer James Edward Austen-Leigh.

Despite being 10 years older than Jane, born in 1765, Jane and Martha became great friends. Jane dedicated the first of her Juvinilia Frederic & Elfrida to Martha, which was added in 1789:

"My dear Martha, As a small testimony of the gratitude I feel for you late generosity to me in finishing my muslin cloak, I beg leave to offer you this little production of your sincere Freind. The Author."

Martha is also directly mentioned in Jane's poem Oh! Mr Best you're very bad, of which you can find a full copy here: http://www.poemhunter.com/best-poems/jane-austen/oh-mr-best-you-re-very-bad/.

Jane and Martha wrote to each other although only a few letters survive. Although it is through Jane's letter to Martha in 1813 that we know of Jane's dislike of the Prince Regent.

Mrs Lloyd died not many months after Rev George Austen, and Mrs Austen, Cassandra, Jane and Martha decided to combine finances and move together to Southampton to be with Frank Austen and his wife Mary. His wife was pregnant at the time and he was often away from home at sea, so the women were able to provide company to Mary and it was also beneficial comfort for the recently widowed Mrs Austen.

In 1809, the women all moved to Chawton cottage at the invitation of Edward Knight, Jane's brother. The women remained at the cottage after Jane's death and the duties of housekeeper were split between Mrs Austen, Cassandra and Martha.  

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Following Jane's death, Martha married her brother Frank Austen in 1828 becoming a wife for the first time aged 62. Whilst Martha had known Frank for many years, it must have been difficult becoming the step mother to 11 children! I also wonder how she felt after having stayed with and known Frank's first wife Mary.

Frank Austen received a knighthood in 1837 as Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, meaning Martha became Lady Austen.

 

As well as her friendship and marriage into the Austen family, Martha is now also known as a collector of recipes in her own right. Her household book is currently on display at the Jane Austen House Museum at Chawton. The recipes were published in the 1970s, and some also feature in Pen Volger's Dinner with Mr Darcy. Below is a extract of her Carraway Cake recipe. 

 

Martha died in 1843, but lived long enough to be photographed as the daguerreotype had been invented in 1839 (see right).