Autograph memorandum of personal accounts, [1807 Dec.].

High reserve.
Part of a collection of 8 autograph letters from Jane Austen, 2 autograph letters from Cassandra Austen, a memorandum of accounts in Jane Austen's hand, and a memorandum in Cassandra's hand concerning the dates of composition of Jane Austen's novels. Items in the collection are described in 12 individual records (MA 2911.1-12).
Written on a page from a printed account book. Printed at top of page: "Memorandums at the End of the Year 1807" and "December, 12th Month, 31 Days."
This is the only record of Austen's annual personal expenses. Until her father's death in 1805, her annual allowance was £20. After his death, Austen received an allowance from her mother that was augmented by her brother Edward and a small annual allowance from Catherine Knight, who had adopted Edward in 1783. This document reveals that in 1807 her expenditure totaled £42.4s.8d. Some of her expenses for the year included £13.19s.3d. for "Clothes," £8.14s.5d. for "Washing" (the laundering of clothes), £3.17s.6d. for "Letters and Parcels," and £3.10s.3d. for "Charity."