Elizabeth Maria James

From 'The James, Pyne, Dixon Family Book' - the Reminiscences of Edith Elizabeth Chaplin, 1913:

(Aunt Maryanne) was the only one of our Grandfather's children who remembered the Great Aunt and Uncle Winpenny, and from her comes the story of Aunt Bessy's remark when taken as a child to dine with them. At the end of the meal, not being amused with the company, she turned to her parents with the observation: 'Had our dinner; let's go', and much offended her elderly relations, with whom Aunt Maryanne remained the favourite.

Aunt Maryanne was the beauty of the family in the eyes of her parents, who admired her dazzling pink and white complexion and chestnut red hair, an opinion confirmed by my Mother-in-law, Mrs. Chaplin, who shared their taste. But Aunt Bessy's Byronic type of beauty, ivory complexion and raven black hair and a fine figure, was more consonant to the general taste of that day, and my Mother has told me how greatly she was admired. She married John Dixon, by whom she had eight children and was left a widow early in middle life. I have a recollection of her good looks in her married days, particularly of seeing her once just before she was going to a dinner party. We were having tea at her house and she came in to speak to us and left on my mind the image of a gracious and rather magnificent presence.

Of her children, only three survived middle life. John married and settled in New Zealand; Frederick married and lived at Brighton. Both have families who have inherited some of the family good looks and done well in life. Herminah ('Minny') married a Mr. Boulter, lived to 60 but had no family. I remained fond of Aunt Bessy all her life but cared less for the children and the current of life has drifted us apart.