Jane was born in Steventon Rectory on 16th December 1775. She was the seventh child of Cassandra Leigh and the Rev. George Austen who had become the incumbent of Steventon in 1761. Jane’s father George was Rector at St Nicholas Church, where Jane was a regular worshipper.
Although she was baptised at home, Jane was received into the church on 5th April 1776.She spent her first twenty five years in the village. Her life in Steventon would have involved helping to run the family home, visiting friends and neighbours as well as drawing and playing the piano. With her family she would read and put on plays. From an early age Jane enjoyed writing and her experience of life in Steventon and its surroundings would have provided a rich source of material for her novels.
The first of these was Love and Friendship, followed by The History of England, which she also illustrated. She also began drafts of Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey and Pride and Prejudice in Steventon although these were not published until later.
In 1801 Rev George Austen retired as active Rector and the family moved to Bath. However, he remained as absentee Rector until his death in 1805. Jane’s eldest brother Rev James Austen became Curate-in-Charge, eventually succeeding his father as Rector upon his death.
Sadly nothing remains of Jane’s childhood home which was demolished in 1820; although an impressive lime tree, planted by her brother James, still proudly flourishes close by the site of the old rectory. James died in Steventon in 1820 and is buried in the churchyard.