Godmersham

stationed at the Naval Dockyard, in Southampton. Jane's brother, Edward, had been formally adopted by a rich and childless relative, which led to his elevation as a country gentleman. Cassandra had been sent to assist with his domestic arrangements at Godmersham Park, near Canterbury. He also owned Chawton House, Hampshire and in 1809 offered a home to his mother and sisters on the estate there. The family settled happily and it was here that Jane was to enjoy the success of the publication of her first

not by the community or by the churcws hierarchy, but by the person who owned the right to "grant" it. -3- Two separate wealthy relatives granted George Austen the livings of churches in neighboring parishes. A distant cousin, Thomas Knight of Godmersham in Kent, owned the living at Steventon, which he offered to George, and Francis Austen, George's uncle and primary benefactor since childhood, purchased the living at the neighboring community of Deane which he presented to his nephew as a gift