Posted on Wednesday, 20 February 2002, at 6:45 p.m.

Jane Austen Characters - (from Sense & Sensibility)

Christopher Brandon

Age: 35
Characteristics: silent and grave, pleasing appearance, sensible countenance, gentlemanlike address, pleasure in music
Occupation: military (retired?), landed gentry
Lodgings: London (St James' St), Dorsetshire (Delaford)
Background: (Ch 1, Pt 2) Was in love with the first Eliza. On the eve of their elopement, when they were both 17, they were discovered and she was forced to marry Brandon's brother, who ill-treated her; they divorced. Brandon (in the East Indies for 3 years, on military duties) found her, destitute and very ill, 6 mos after his return to England; provided for her until her death a short while later; undertook the guardianship of her daughter, Eliza Williams, then 3 yrs old.

Eliza Brandon

(deceased at age 20-21)
Background: An orphan from infancy, with a large fortune; under the guardianship of Col Brandon's father; married against her will to Brandon's brother; divorced less than two years later and was lost to the family; was found by Brandon again when she was dying of consumption; lived only a short while longer; left behind a three-year-old daughter, Eliza Williams.

Eliza Williams - aka Beth Willison (age and background from S&S, everything else devised by this author)

Age: 16
Physical characteristics: medium height, slightly plump, hair: colour of honey, sparkling when sun shines on it, very long, slightly waved, eyes blue/grey, prefers shades of blue for her dress
Talents: Drawing, Silhouettes
Background: Disappears on a visit to Bath (Feb), ~ 7 mos before Brandon meets the Dashwoods; is reunited with Brandon in mid-Oct, near delivery of her child, whose father is revealed to be John Willoughby.

John Willoughby

Age: 28
Physical Characteristics: uncommonly handsome (a manly beauty), has charm of voice and expression; elegant, graceful, gallant, good dancer, frank manner, bold rider, decent shot, pleasant, good-humoured fellow
Occupation: gentleman?
Lodgings: Combe Magna (estate in Somersetshire)
Background: related to Mrs Smith of Allenham Court, expected to inherit from her.

Mrs Dashwood

Age: 40
Characteristics: (similar to Marianne)

Elinor Dashwood

Age: 19
Physical characteristics: delicate complexion, regular features, remarkably pretty figure
Characteristics: young, pretty, unaffected, strength of understanding, coolness of judgement, excellent heart, affectionate disposition, strong feelings - well-governed

Marianne Dashwood

Age: 16
Physical characteristics: handsomer than Elinor, her form more striking though not so correct (having the advantage of height), a beautiful girl, skin very brown but transparent, so that complexion is uncommonly brilliant, features all good, smile sweet and attractive, dark eyes with life, spirit and eagerness
Characteristics: young, pretty, unaffected, musical (sings well), sensible, clever, eager in everything (no moderation in either sorrows or joys), generous, amiable, interesting, everything but prudent

Margaret Dashwood

Age: 13
Characteristics: good-humoured, well-disposed, has Marianne's romance without much of her sense

Sir John Middleton

Age: ~40
Characteristics: good-looking, kind, generous, very chatty, of boisterous mirth, friendly, hospitable - delights in collecting about him more young people than his house can hold (the noisier, the better)
Occupation: sportsman
Lodgings: Barton Park, Devonshire

Mrs Smith

Characteristics: elderly lady of very good character, infirm, never stirs from home
Lodgings: Allenham Court, Devonshire
Background: relation of John Willoughby, rich.

Mr & Mrs Gardiner
Lydia Bennet
Earl of Matlock & wife
Charles Bingley

Sir John Murdock - aka Mr John Blevins (I)

Occupation: Retired after 41 yrs - Private Inquiry Agent
Home: 'the country'

John Thomas Barrow - aka Mr John Blevins (II), aka John Browning, aka Jonathan Brownleigh

Occupation: Private Inquiry Agent
Home: London

Timothy Scoggins

Occupation: footpad, burglar, petty thief
Home: London
Physical Characteristics: average height & coloring, slightly muscular build, dark hair, cold blue eyes
Background: a 'survivor', extremely intelligent, self-taught in reading.
Talents: 'photographic memory'

Willie Barton

Occupation: newly engaged as footman to John Thomas Barrow
Home: London
Physical characteristics: sandy-haired, light brown eyes, average height, apen, honest face. Has an upbeat, pleasant disposition. Quick study. Ambitious.

Simmons

Occupation: valet to John Thomas Barrow for 6 yrs
Characteristics: discreet.

Cook

Background: Grandmother to Willie Barton

Phillip Gaston

Occupation: clerk to solicitor, training for the law
Home: London
Characteristics: "pleasant fellow", wished to see justice done as schoolboy
Background: schoolfellow of John Barrow at Eton; his pocketwatch was stolen, theft was blamed on Barrow (Thorne to blame); Gaston brought a servant to clear Barrow.
Family: father (William) with Bank of England; uncle (Thomas) a judge

Horace Robertson (1750 - )

Age: 60
Occupation: Tradesman (retired)
Physical characteristics: handsome, upright bearing, courtly manners, thick white hair, a ruddy face, faded-blue eyes, sickly
Background: (Ch 2, Pt 2)

Samuel T Pickens (1799 - )

Age: 11
Occupation: 'child of the streets', pickpocket
Physical characteristics: small, sharp blue eyes, thin face, freckles, pale orange hair
Background: (Ch 2, Pt 2)

Cecily Annabella Robertson (1792 - )

Age: 18
Lodgings: Dorsetshire / Bath
Physical characteristics: light brown ringlets, large hazel eyes, fashionable dress
Background: friend of Eliza Williams (fellow lodger in Dorsetshire), only person in Eliza's confidence about 'John'.

Michael Grahame (1780 - )

Age: 30
Occupation: Clergyman (living of Auldbridge: £150/yr)
Physical characteristics: tall, athletic build, light brown hair, wavy, grey eyes, lost left arm at age 18
Background: Son of poor family, two sisters, parents still living in north, went to sea at age 14 (1794-1798), sailed across Atlantic several times. After losing arm, went to church. Received living from Lord Auldbury ~5 yrs ago. (saw Mr Chase in Antwerp, on board 'East Wind' ~14 yrs ago, 1796).

Oliver Fairfield (1750 - ) aka the Earl of Auldbury / Lord Auldbury

A Peer / Address: My lord / Reference: Lord Auldbury
Age: 60
Occupation: Landed gentry, Magistrate
Home: Auldbury Hall
Physical characteristics: medium height, white hair, brown eyes
Background: (Ch 4, Pt 1) Oldest son, married at 30, widowed 10 yrs later (~20 yrs ago), wife died of consumption, two children died also, aged 6 & 8; traveled widely since death of wife, including America; traveled on continent, heard many composers and musicians, heard John Field in Paris in 1802, then again in St Petersburg in 1809; attended Händel's funeral in Westminster Abbey as 9 yr old boy.
Talent: Violin (studied from ~1760-1780), good horsemanship

Mrs Joanna (Johnson) Taylor (1767 - )

Age: 43
Occupation: postmistress (inherited from husband) @ £25/yr, bookseller, stationer (shop in High Street)
Home: Auldbridge, Surrey
Physical characteristics: short, plump, dark brown hair, brown eyes
Background: (Ch 4, Pt 1) widowed (20 yrs), husband died of consumption (same epidemic as Lady Auldbury), no children, adopted Jenny as 6 yr old (abandoned by parents, found by Betsey Stough, newly married in London), sister to Lucas Johnson.
Talents: Piano

Jenny Taylor

Physical characteristics: Medium height, brown hair, thin, 'simple'
Background: (Ch 5, Pt 3) born in London near the docks, abandoned by parents at about 5 years old when they discovered she was not normal. Betsey Stough, newly married & soon with child, had taken her for a while. Mrs Taylor heard of her via Lucas Johnson/Josiah Carter and adopted her.

Miss Tabitha Ross (1764 - )

Age: 46
Occupation: Nurse
Home: shares cottage with Rose Black
Physical characteristics: short, medium build, brown, greying hair
Background: (Ch 5, Pt 2) only child of apothecary, learned much from him; traveled in Europe as companion to Lady Hartworth (Lord Auldbury's aunt), learned newest healing discoveries, saw nuns and women's societies caring for sick, poor, etc...; led to do similar work in England, sponsored by Lord Auldbury.

Miss Rose Black (1770 - )

Age: 40
Occupation: Governess / Teacher
Home: shares cottage with Tabitha Ross
Physical characteristics: small, slim, light brown hair, hazel eyes, blind
Background: (Ch 5, Pt 2) lost eyesight at ~20 yrs, former betrothed of Warren Burke, broke off engagement when loss of eyesight was found to be permanent; teacher of Phoebe & Julia Hobart, Jenny Taylor and others; former teacher of Hannah Burns, Ralph Gilbert, Stephen Hobart.
Talents: Phenomenal memory, singing (painting), riding

Joseph Burns (1753 - )

Age: 57
Occupation: retired carpenter (worked at Auldbury Hall)
Physical characteristics: stooped, wasted, can no longer walk unsupported, becoming hard of hearing, blue eyes
Background: originally from Scotland, came to England as a lad of twelve as apprentice to a carpenter, found work with Lord Auldbury at seventeen, married not long after; father of Hannah Burns, widower, eight sons (living other places), patient of Tabitha Ross.
Sons: David (36), Jacob & Joel (33), Simon (30), Thomas (28), Andrew (26), Mark (23), Philip (20)

Hannah Burns (1792 - )

Age: 18
Occupation: maid-of-all-work
Physical characteristics: tall, slim, shining straight brown hair, blue eyes, lame
Background: contracted illness as a child, lame since then; betrothed to Stephen Hobart; daughter of Joseph Burns, youngest of 9 children (the only girl), mother died when Hannah was a small child.
Talents: Singing

Sydney & Martha Hobart (1772 - ; 1773 - )

Ages: 38; 37
Occupation: Shopkeepers: drapers - linens, ribbons, lace, fabrics (High Street)
Physical characteristics: (Sydney) short, fat, black eyes, black hair, cheerful, agreeable; (Martha) tall, thin, blond, grey eyes, worrier, absentminded/scatterbrained
Background: parents of Phoebe (8 yrs old, blonde), Julia (9 yrs old, chestnut-colored hair) and Stephen (below).

Stephen Hobart (1789 - )

Age: 21
Occupation: Trainer / Stable 'manager' to Lord Auldbury
Physical characteristics: tall, muscular, lithe, sun-bleached curly blond hair, blue eyes, handsome
Background: betrothed to Hannah Burns.
Talents: training horseflesh of any kind & dogs (animals in general)

Denis & Amelia Gilbert (1771 - ; 1774 - )

Ages: 39; 36
Occupation: Innkeepers: The Swallow's Nest Inn (High Street)
Background: one son, Ralph (below), (mother deludes herself in thinking he's gifted in some art); Mrs G alternately gossips and feuds with Miss Gilbert; Mr G says little.
Talents: Repairs, 'inventions'; Pastries

Ralph Gilbert (1792 - )

Age: 18
Talents: carpentry & repairs, pennywhistle & recorder

Hester Goldsmith (1782 - )

Age: 28
Occupation: Seamstress (cottage on High Street, lives above shop)
Physical characteristics: short, plump, curly fair hair, blue eyes
Background: not as good a seamstress as Miss Hetty, resents comparisons; 'interested' in Michael Grahame.
Talents: 'Gossip'

Josiah Carter (1745 - )

Age: 65
Occupation: Steward/Groundskeeper of Auldbury Hall
Physical characteristics: small, wizened, bent, sinewy arms, wispy white hair, weathered complexion
Background: widower, two daughters living in London: Emily Twickenham, married to proprietor of Swan with Two Necks, Lads' Lane; Betsey Stough, married to proprietor of Wild Goose Tavern, Pennington St (5 children, youngest is Josiah).
Talents: 'Green thumb'

Lucas & Ruth Johnson (1758 - ; 1762 - )

Age: 52; 48
Occupation: Butler; housekeeper of Auldbury Hall
Background: Lucas is brother to Joanna Taylor; one of his sons, married with 4 young children, rents Deepwell Farm from Lord Auldbury & will take in Jenny when & if necessary.

Warren Burke (1765 - )

Age: 45
Occupation: Manservant/valet (to Lord Auldbury)
Physical characteristics: tall, muscular, wavy dark brown hair, brown eyes
Background: has been with Lord Auldbury for 25 yrs, betrothed to Rose Black, began traveling with master after death of Lady Auldbury & breaking of engagement. Grandmother was blind; mother went blind before death 5 yrs ago - Burke was given leave by Lord A to attend her for the last months before her death.
Talent: carving (wood, ivory, horn), plays fiddle

Mr Stanton

Age: mid-fifties
Occupation: Farrier
Talent: Fiddle
Background: friend of Mr Burns.

Mr Brown

Age: between 57 & 60
Occupation: Baker
Background: friend of Mr Burns.

Mrs Georgette Foster, aka Miss Hetty (1735 - 1805)

(deceased at age 70)
Occupation: Sailor's widow, housekeeper to Eliza Brandon during last days of Eliza's life
Background: originally French, married English sailor; sailed everywhere with husband; five children: one died at birth, one died as a child, others married & living far away: one in Scotland, one in Northumberland, one in Yorkshire.
Talent: Sewing

Joshua Scribney (1750 - )

Age: 60
Occupation: painter, engraver, artist
Physical characteristics: tall, thin, stooping, long fingers, sparse graying hair, full graying beard, spectacles, deep blue eyes
Background: (Ch 5, Pt 1) Friend of Sir John Murdock, and Lord Cantering
Talents: painting, cello

Harris Egerton (1775 - )

Age: 35
Occupation: Gambling overseer (Watier's), middleman for passing forged money

Lord Thomas (Dorothea) Barking (both in mid-40s)

Baron & Baroness / Address: My lord & my lady / Reference: Lord Barking & Lady Barking
Characteristics: Lord Barking: gruff, speaks in broken phrases / Lady Barking: dithery, good-natured
Background: 5 children; a noble who had fallen upon hard times. Much of wealth and investments to do with French trade, lost or seized during past twenty years; expected to inherit a large estate entailed on him from a distantly related uncle, who was in very poor health. Uncle dies early Aug - just before invitation to Lord A's estate.
Previous connection to Blevins: Mr Blevins I called on to help with recovery of some wealth, unsuccessfully.
Reaction to hiring of Blevins: Skepticism - if Blevins was unsuccessful previously, why should he succeed now?

Sir Peter ('Lady Laura') Woolwich (not yet 30)

Baronet / Address: Sir Peter & my lady / Reference: Sir Peter & Lady Woolwich
Residence: Audley St, London
Physical characteristics: Lady Woolwich: very beautiful: dark, waved hair, large, deep brown eyes, fringed with long, dark lashes, clear, fair skin, a beautifully-proportioned figure, 'a delicate watercolour come to life.'; Sir Peter: extremely near-sighted; white hair (albino).
Background: At least one son (also albino), one daughter. Sir Peter's older sister married to Frenchman: distant relative of Louis XVI (live in Kent) good at cards, financial wiz, good at classical languages, OK rider (income: £15,000/yr);Lady Woolwich has extensive knowledge of gardening and botany, both native and exotic species; 'Lady Laura' is nickname, leftover from nursery and schooldays, called so only by old and close friends. Lady Woolwich's older brother: James; family home in Suffolk, an old rambling Abbey. Sir Peter and James met at Cambridge. Lady Laura's dowry: £10,000.
Previous connection to Blevins: Father helped by Mr Blevins I several times.
Reaction to hiring of Blevins: Relief - from good experience of father

Mr Edgar (Naomi) Rainham (The Honorable) (mid 30s)

Background: mean, parsimonious, treating animals better than humans; purchases cheapest things possible, haggling and browbeating vendors and shopkeepers over price, prides himself on his thrift and honesty; no debts, nor any unusual habits. His wife reputed to suit him admirably; no discord between them. Both equally despised, though grudgingly acknowledged to be scrupulous in observing the letter of the law; no children; dislike dirt & disorder, despise dogs, despise French or anything connected with France.
Previous connection to Blevins: Sought illegal, or unethical, help from Mr Blevins I, regarding former servant - turned down; holding grudge against him.
Reaction to hiring of Blevins: Fear - suspicion may be on them because of previous dealings

Lord Paul Goosely (40s)

Viscount / Address: My lord / Reference: Lord Goosely
Background: eccentric, recently taken title after death of father, misanthropic, shuns company, especially women (father extremely eccentric - saved everything!!!), most prized possession: collection of French coins and currency, avid chess player (with high standards), plays backgammon, has interest in botany.
Previous connection to Blevins: none
Reaction to hiring of Blevins: Confidence - believes in reputation of Blevins from stories of friends, though not having needed him himself

Sir Daniel (Susan) Eckington (50s/40s)

Baronet / Address: Sir Daniel & my lady / Reference: Sir Daniel & Lady Eckington
Background: heavily in debt to many tradesmen in town; wife is said to spend extraordinary amounts in acquiring all the latest fashions in dress, rumoured never to wear a fine gown more than once; re-fits London house up regularly, also in keeping with the very finest and newest to be had; nothing passé tolerated. He tolerates her; love died as he saw all she cared about was his money. She is tolerable only when she gets what she wants. Several children: older sons, one daughter 'out', another not yet. Sir Daniel sponsors Stockleys in Society in return for financial help and favors; has purchased paintings (French, especially) on behalf on Mr Chase, is owner, but now in name only, of gambling establishment; real owner is Chase, sponsors Chase as member of directorship; is a good shot.
Previous connection to Blevins: none (has heard of him)
Reaction to hiring of Blevins: Embarrassment - at his own situation, and fear, that his dealings might come to light

Mr Charles (Hester) Stockley (40/27)

Physical characteristics: he is large, bear-like; she is small, mouse-like, very shy
Background: newcomer to London Society, much looked down upon by many, having acquired his sizeable fortune quite recently, very shrewd business sense; reputed to have more money than could possibly be spent, accepted into several clubs and seen in several salons - his uneducated country-born wife even accepted into Society - where men of his recent elevation in wealth rarely are. Sponsors concerts - ties to Paris music scene. No children yet (married ten years). Discreetly 'buys' his way into society, from Sir Eckington, among others; excellent shot.
Previous connection to Blevins: none
Reaction to hiring of Blevins: Discomfort - wants to leave past behind; doesn't want anyone to highlight it

Sir Isaac Feldridge (40s)

Baronet / Address: Sir Isaac / Reference: Sir Isaac
Background: In trouble with a French maid some time ago (while still living with his parents); good at cards.
Previous connection to Blevins: loose ends from above tied up by Mr Blevins I
Reaction to hiring of Blevins: Embarrassed - to have old story remembered/brought to light

Lord Archibald (Jemima) Latham (60s/70s)

Viscount & Viscountess / Address: My lord & my lady / Lord Latham & Lady Latham
Background: good friends of Lord A. Plain-living; resemble each other after so many years of marriage. Traveled extensively, owned property in France before Revolution, he is good rider, she is good at backgammon
Previous connection to Blevins: One son, in trouble, helped by Mr Blevins I.
Reaction to hiring of Blevins: Surprise - that Mr Blevins I is still working (don't know that he is retired, and don't know he has a 'successor')