Land agent whose job is to bring in new settlers
to the area
Often, empresarios encouraged Anglos (white
Americans whose ancestors come from
England) to come to Texas.
1820-First Anglo
American to secure
permission from Spain to
bring American settlers to
Texas.
Because he lived in
present-day Missouri
when Spain controlled
Louisiana in 1798, he was
familiar with Spanish laws
and regulations.
When a depression hits his home, he sets out
for Texas to meet with Spanish governor
Antonio Martinez.
He wants to get a contract that will allow him to
start a colony and bring 300 families to Texas.
At first, his request is denied.
Then, his request is approved.
Unfortunately, he catches pneumonia while
preparing for the colony.
Austin dies on June 10, 1821.
His dying wish is for his son, Stephen, to carry
out plans for settling Texas.
“Father of Texas”
Founded the first
Anglo American colony
in Texas
Possessed the strength
of character that
allowed him to set up
his father’s colony
Wants to set up colony between the Colorado
River and the Brazos River
Fertile soil
Mild climate
Abundant water
Strict guidelines for colonists
“no drunkard, no gambler, no profane swearer, no
idler” would be allowed
Austin surveys, or measures, the land.
Wants to sell land for 12.5 cents per acre
(cheap)
A man will receive land for:
Himself-640 acres
Wife-320 acres
Each child-160 acres
Each slave-80 acres
Are attracted to Texas because of low land
prices and good farmland
MUST become citizens of their new country and
take oaths of allegiance to Spain-and them
Mexico
MUST become Catholic and have good moral
character
Jared E. Groce is wealthiest of the new
colonists.
March 1822-Austin travels to San Antonio to
report of his colony’s progress
He learns that Mexico has won its
independence from Spain.
Under the new Mexican laws, his right to
colonize Texas is not recognized.
He travels to Mexico City to solve the problem.
Unorganized
Many Americans are
seeking colonies in Texas
Skeptical of Austin’s desire
to start a new colony
Under this law, Austin receives a contract.
Families who raise livestock and farm will
receive 4,605 acres of land.
The Mexican government is convinced of
Austin’s loyalty, honesty, and sincerity and
believe he will be a loyal Mexican citizen.
In turn, Austin learns Spanish, meets important
leaders, and learns about Mexican customs.
Mexican emperor Augustin de Iturbide is
overthrown in 1823
A new constitution is written
Texas and the Mexican state Coahuila become one
state
Coahuila y Tejas
Austin returns his colony and issues land titles
to 297 families.
“Old Three Hundred”
Families choose land plots in fertile areas along
the Brazos, Colorado, and San Jacinto Rivers, as
well as Oyster Creek and Buffalo Bayou (Fort
Bend and Houston)
Capital of Austin’s colony is San Felipe de Austin
(Sealy)
Many of the
Old Three
Hundred settle
around this
area!
Shipwreck in 1821 with some of the original
settlers
Drought
Land disputes
Conflict with Karankawas and Tonkawas
Adjusting to laws of Mexican government
Jane Long (wife of James Long)
Aylett Buckner (Gutierrez-Magee expedition)
R.M. Williamson-uses a wooden log to support
his weight
Mary Crownover Rabb
Rebekah Cumings
Thomas Pilgrim-opens a school
The city of Richmond
sits on land granted to
Jane Long.
Opened a boarding
house in Fort Bend
county
Austin receives more contracts to bring settlers
to Texas.
His colonies remain successful.
Ability to deal successfully with Mexican authorities
He speaks Spanish.
His colonists had little difficulty getting land titles.
His militia made the Natives less of a threat.
His contracts included land with fertile soil.
End
Empresario from Missouri
Most successful after
Austin
1825-brings 400 families
to Texas
His colony is west of
Austin’s colony
Town of Gonzales is
headquarter
Native American raids
slow early growth of
colony
Mexican horseman and
rancher
Settles along the
Guadalupe River
Establishes Victoria
Despite Native American
raids, colonists prosper by
farming and ranching
From Ireland
Settle Irish immigrants along the Gulf Coast
Establish the town of Refugio
Establish a second colony of Irish immigrants at
San Patricio
Every year on St. Patrick’s Day, the citizens of
San Patricio hold a two-day fair.
Encouraged German immigrants to come to
Texas
Large German influence today in Kelberg,
Warrenburg, New Braunfels, and Fredericksburg
German for “slippery road”
David Burnet and Lorenzo de Zavala-later
became involved in Texas independence
movement
Complete the Empresario chart at the end of
your notes!
Record where the empresario is from, where they
settled, who settled there, and a unique fact.
You may need to use pages 172-179 in the
textbook.
Imperial Colonization Law recognized slavery
BUT outlawed slave trading.
Slavery was a fact of life in Texas but did not
exist to the extent of slavery in the South.
There were free African Americans living in
Texas.
Life was difficult for women
Worked alongside men
Building houses
Tending livestock
Held few rights
Could not vote
Could not serve on jury
Could not hold public office
However, Jane McManus was an empresario.
Not provided by Mexican government
Educating children was left to the colonists
Some sent their children to the United States
for school
Thomas Pilgrim opened the first school in San
Felipe de Austin
Frances Trask opened the first school for girls