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