Simplify the following text for a Grade 9 native English-speaking person.
Original: Austen 's parents , George Austen ( 1731 â `` 1805 ) , and his wife Cassandra ( 1739 â `` 1827 ) , were members of substantial gentry families .
Simplified: Austen 's parents , George Austen ( 1731 â `` 1805 ) , and his wife , Cassandra ( 1739 â `` 1827 ) , were both part of the gentry .