Sense and Sensibility_.

1814, Jan. _Emma_ begun.
March Jane went to London with Henry (reading _Mansfield Park_
by the way).
May _Mansfield Park_ published.
Threat of lawsuit for Chawton.
Nov. Marriage of Anna Austen to Ben Lefroy.

1815, March _Emma_ finished.
Oct. Illness of Henry.
Nov. Jane shown over Carlton House by Dr. Clarke.
Dec. Publication of _Emma_.

1816, March Bankruptcy of Henry Austen (Jane's health began to break
about this time).
May Jane and Cassandra at Kintbury and Cheltenham.
July _Persuasion_ finished.
Aug End of _Persuasion_ re-written.
Henry took Orders.

1817, Jan. Jane began new work.
March Ceased to write.
Death of Mr. Leigh Perrot.
Jane made her will.
May 24 Jane moved to Winchester, and revived somewhat.
June 16 Cassandra sent a hopeless account to Fanny Knight.
July 18 Death.
July 24 Burial in Winchester Cathedral.

JANE AUSTEN

CHAPTER I

AUSTENS AND LEIGHS

1600-1764

At the end of the sixteenth century there was living at Horsmonden--a
small village in the Weald of Kent--a certain John Austen. From his will
it is evident that he was a man of considerable means, owning property
in Kent and Sussex and elsewhere; he also held a lease of certain lands
from Sir Henry Whetenhall, including in all probability the manor house
of Broadford in Horsmonden. What wealth he had was doubtless derived
from the clothing trade; for Hasted[4] instances the Austens, together
with the Bathursts, Courthopes, and others, as some of the ancient
families of that part 'now of large estate and genteel rank in life,'
but sprung from ancestors who had used the great staple manufacture of
clothing. He adds that these clothiers 'were usually called the Gray
Coats of Kent, and were a body so numerous that at County Elections
whoever had their vote and interest was almost certain of being
elected.'

John Austen died in 1620, leaving a large family.[5] Of these, the
fifth son, Francis, who died in 1687, describes himself in his will as a
clothier, of Grovehurst; this place being, like Broadford, a pretty
timbered house of moderate size near the picturesque old village of
Horsmonden. Both houses still belong to the Austen family.