The Austens

It is not known how the Austens acquired their wealth. Robert Austen had clearly prospered under the rule of Parliament and continued to do so under the Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell and the restored Charles II. Charles appointed him High Sheriff of Kent and created him a Baronet in 1660. The Austens were closely associated with the Cinque Ports, the (originally five) south coast towns which had, since the Middle Ages, enjoyed special trading and naval privileges on account of their close proximity to the Continent. Sir John Austen, the second Baronet and his brother. Robert, were MPs respectively for Rye and Winchelsea and as Barons of the Cinque Ports held the royal canopy at the Coronation of William III and Mary II in 1689. The family was also engaged in the Levant trade, and indeed a third brother is believed to have died in Turkey. This connection may have brought the family into contact with another dynasty of Turkey Merchants, the Dashwoods, who were also instrumental in the overthrow of James II. The fourth baronet, Sir Robert Austen, son of the third baronet, Sir Robert Austen, inherited the title at the age of four in 1701. He continued the family connection with the Cinque Ports, holding the Parliamentary seat of New Romney from 1728 to 1734. He was the last Austen to live in Hall Place. Subsequent generations preferred to rent out the house. This was despite large scale renovation of the building in the proceeding decades.