] Martha came to live with the widowed Mrs Austen and her family about the time that they moved to Southampton. She never left them, eventually marrying one of Jane's sailor brothers when in her sixties. She must have seen and done many things with JA..yet their relationship is barely touched upon- she's just a faint shadow on the Austen page.

] What can we say about her? I don't know much..I wish I knew more. Any thoughts on the lady, and her influence on our author?

From reading the letters it's clear that JA liked and respected Martha. She was Mary Lloyd's sister, Mary married James Austen (rector of Steventon) and I don't think JA liked Mary very much.