Father of

Texas

Moses Austin• The first Anglo American to get

permission from Spain to bring American settlers to Texas.

• Went to Texas to ask the Spanish government if he could have a contract to bring Americans to settle Texas.

• Then… Moses Austin died.

Stephen F. AustinOk Dad… I’ll

carry out your plans for

settling Texas.

•After his father’s death, Stephen Austin took over

his father’s dream of settling Texas.

Stephen F. Austin Empresario• Empresario - A person who was in charge of

bringing American settlers to Mexican land.

• Stephen F. Austin was the first empresario (he was also the most successful).

• Austin was to settle 300 families in Texas. By the end of the empresario period, he had 1, 500 families in his colony.

Austin’s Colony• The colony was between

the Colorado and the Brazos Rivers.

• The colony included a port to get settlers and supplies to the colony.

• Austin got a ship, the Lively, to take people and supplies to the new colony.

Stephen F. Austin Jailed•Stephen F. Austin wanted Texas to be independent from Mexico.

•He was sent to jail for treason against Mexico.

Stephen F. Austin – The Hero•After he was released from jail, Stephen F. Austin returned to Texas and served as commander of the Texas army.

•Stephen F. Austin ran for president after Texas won its independence from Mexico, but Sam Houston received the position.

Stephen F. AustinFather of Texas

• Austin died of pneumonia on December 27, 1836.• Upon hearing of Austin's death, Sam Houston

ordered an official statement proclaiming: "The Father of Texas is no more; the first pioneer of the wilderness has departed."

• The capital of Texas is named in honor of Stephen F. Austin.