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Jessy Fragments. Historical Society of Pennsylvania; Brown Family Papers (Collection 84), volume 25, pages 3 and 17.

Jessy fragment 1

HSP Brown Family Papers (Collection 84), volume 25, page 3.

Jessy embarked for Europe, 1788. Resided with her aunt in
London & the country, till 91. −3 years. Then with Harriet
Finch & her father, till the death of the latter, in '97. 6 yrs.
Embarked for America. Summer '98. Acquaintance with B.
November '99 Marriage Jan 7 1800.

Jessy was once in love. The object specious, but of mixed &
doubtful character. A kinsman of Finch. Young, independent
& rich. Disuaded from marriage by Mr. Finch. The lover proves
unworthy. Is killed in a duel, fought on her account, with
one, supposed by the lover to have successfully pretended to
Jessy. This entanglement, thus dissolved, lasted from 92. to 94.

Harriet Finch, accompanied by Jessy, & her father goes to
resides in Italy, for sake of health, & the taste of Mr. Finch.
The father & daughter die there, the second in autumn 96. −3 years.
The first in 1797, & leaves Jessy heiress by will to 3000. a year.
or 13.334$.

Mr. Finch had lived, during 5 years, on 1000 a year. The surplus,
half of it, he gave away. The other half laid up, which in five
yrs. accululated to 5000 − or 22.220.

Finch's estate was in Stock & money. This Jessy transferred to
America, whither she determined to remove. She purchased an house
in N.Y. furnished for 20,000 Dollars.

Her property at marriage was Income from B.U.St. Stock
10.000$ – in money, 20.000.

These memoirs should be interesting. The character no common one.

Jessy fragment 2

HSP Brown Family Papers (Collection 84), volume 25, page 17

Five years residence in Italy. Knowledge of the language acquired by
reading,writing. Formed a design of living wholly in Italy. Yet not
to assume manners religion or the like of Italy. This scheme Mr. Finch's
Harriet resolved to spend her life with her father. Jessika to spend
it with Harriet. Hence an imperfect expectation of living wholly in
Italy. Hence conformity in dress. Studious attention to language;
cultivation of Florentine acquaintances [gap].

Not studiously declining intercourse with English, nor seeking it,
but sought by them on account of their beauty & accomplishments
Many transactions of an interresting nature hence resulting. [gap] ed
from personal & national character & manners of the age.
Was it ever in her power to marry an Italian. might have had the heir
of the house of Montelione Caraffa, but declined the [gap] of a
youth who would have incurred family and royal indignation by
marriage with a plebian, a foreigner & an Heretic.

Was offered the [gap] of the duke of Portlands heir, but de-
clined. These incidents made much noise in Italy. a lady thus
attractive, & successively refusing the highest fortunes in Sicily &
Britain, was much distinguished by rumour