Moses Austin
settlement in texas
Short biography of Moses Austin
Moses Austin (October 4, 1761 – June 10, 1821) played a large part in the development of the American lead industry and is the father of Stephan F. Austin a leading American settler of Texas After receiving a land grant from the Spanish government in 1820, Moses Austin planned to be the first to establish an English American settlement in Spanish Texas but died before his dream was realized. His son, Stephen F. Austin, led the colony to a now sovereign Mexico and in time, the settlers would demand autonomy and win independence from the Mexican ruler Santa anna thereby establishing the Republic of Texas
Why did he want to colonize?
Hoping to recover from bankruptcy with a bold scheme of colonization, Moses Austin meets with Spanish authorities in San Antonio to ask permission for 300 Anglo-American families to settle in
Did he have problems?
The only problems he really had were with the laws about slavery.
Was he successful?
The settlement of Austin's colony from 1821 to 1836 has been called the most successful colonization movement in American history. Many of the historical events of Southeast Texas owe their origin to this colony. Fort Bend County was one of the most heavily populated areas of the colony. Stephen F. Austin's father, Moses, laid the foundation for this colony in Texas during late 1820 and 1821, but died before being able to implement his plans. Stephen, although hesitant at first, decided to finish what his father had begun. Austin travelled to San Antonio de Bexar, where he was declared the rightful heir to his father's grant. Austin was issued an empresario contract to settle three hundred families in Spanish Texas. The Spanish demanded the settlers be, among other things, loyal to the official government and religion of Spain. Both the government and Austin realized the necessity of having colonists of reputable character, and both made this a prerequisite for immigration. Soon after gaining this contract, the eleven-year war for Mexican Independence ended successfully, and the new Mexican government affirmed Austin's contract to settle Texas with families from the United States
geographic location?
The location was good because theres allot of land in the great plains problem: there isn't allot of water but that can be fixed with a well