Austen was born in 1773 in Steventon , Hampshire . Her father was the Rev. George Austen ( 1731 â `` 1805 ) , and her mother was Cassandra , nÃ e Leigh ( 1739 â `` 1827 ) . Austen was born in 1773 at a rectory in Steventon , Hampshire to the Rev. George Austen ( 1731 â `` 1805 ) , a rector , and his wife Cassandra , nÃ e Leigh ( 1739 â `` 1827 ) .