Reasons togo to Chawton , apart from James being able to ride over...

1) Henry had tried to buy the rectorship of Chawton, but hadn't succeeded. He did end up being a curate there. There does seem to be an overall Austen /night interest in the living, apart from the fact that it was Edward who had the advowson.

2) Frank was living there! His wife gave birth to a girl just after they arrived.

3) Edward sent his sons to nearby Winchester School- I'm not sure when that started, but I do know that the Austen's cottage provided a convenient 'break' in the journey from WInchester to Godnmersham, and the Austen ladies saw a lot of Edward's boys this way.

4) Although there are Kentish Austens, they were not really close to Godmersham, and there doesn't seem to have been any really strong family ties to that area...as far as I can see, anyway.

Amazing what one chapter of Dierdre LeFaye will reveal....!