Diary of Mary Anne Keene

Partially filled notebook containing the travel diary of Mary Anne Keene, describing journeys taken sporadically between 1794 and 1796. The journey described in most detail is that undertaken by Mary Anne and her parents through the west of England and Wales between 14 June and 17 October 1794 when Mary was aged about thirteen. She wrote in her diary almost every day recording the weather, the places they visited, daily activities and social life. It is written in a quite formal style more as a factual account of the family's itinerary with few hints to the writer's personal opinions or feelings but is a valuable record of a child's impressions of places and sites of interest. Her descriptions of her leisure activities such as bathing in the sea and rides and walks with her father also provide an insight into the relationship between the parents and child which was perhaps less formal and distant than might have been expected at that time. The change in tone and presentation of the diary as Mary Anne grew into adolescence perhaps reflects her increasing reluctance to continue the exercise of keeping a diary in the way she had so diligently when younger.

Mary Anne Keene (1781/2-1859) was the daughter of Benjamin Keene of Westoe Lodge, Cambridgeshire and Mary Ruck of Swyncomb, Oxfordshire. Her father was Member of Parliament for Cambridge from 1776-1784 and her grandfather, Edmund Keene, was Master of Peterhouse College, Cambridge, Bishop of Chester and then Bishop of Ely. Mary Anne's siblings included Frances, Benjamin (c 1786-1829), Charles and James. In 1801 Mary Anne married Sir William Blackett ( 1758-1816) of Matfen Hall, Matfen, Northumberland. They had seven children, William Douglas (1802-1805), Edward (1805-1885), Maria Patience (1806-1876), Henry Collingwood (1808-1856), Frances (1808-1826), John Charles (1813-1896) and Charles (1815-1898). Mary Anne's brother, Benjamin, married Augusta Fane in 1815. Mary Anne died aged 77 years on 7 August 1859 at 16 Portman Street, Marylebone, London and was buried at All Souls Cemetery, Kensal Green.

Sources accessed 2 April 2012:
http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1754-1790/member/keene-benjamin-1753-1837
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackett_Baronets
http://www.theblacketts.com/gedcom/family.php?famid=F1470

Open. Access to all registered researchers.

This diary was purchased in 2006.

Please see full catalogue for more information.

The custodial history is unknown