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Stephen F. Austin returned to his colony in
1823.
He found many problems and the residents
were very unhappy.
The resident’s first crop had failed because of
a drought, so they had to hunt for food.
They were also facing constant indian attacks
because the Native Americans did not like
them there.
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To help bring order to the colony, he
established a headquarters.
There he set up a system of government and
created rules to guide the colony.
These rules were a mixture of Mexican and
U.S. laws.
Austin also formed a militia, which led several
attacks against the Karankawa and Tonkawa
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Although he used a militia for protection he
tried to form friendships with the indians.
As Austin began to deal with the problems he
brought the residents of his colony closer
together. They began to act as one great
family looking to Austin as a father figure.
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Austin’s colonies numbers increased.
By the fall of 1824, Austin had nearly
fulfilled his contract.
297 families and single men had received
land in his colony.
These first settlers became known as the Old
Three Hundred.
What was promised to Stephen F. Austin if he
colonized 300 families?
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There were 1,790 colonist living in Austin’s
colony in 1825, about 440 were enslaved
African Americans.
What impact did this have on the colony and
how do you think it will effect the future?
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The settlers were educated.
Only 4 of the white colonist could not read.
The settlers were law abiding because of
Austin’s strict laws.
John P. Coles built a sawmill that supplied
lumber to the colony.
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Austin’s colony needed a capital.
Why are laws and government important to
societies?
In 1824 Austin founded San Felipe de Austin
better known as San Felipe.
The site of the capitol had many advantages.
It was in the center of the colony and halfway
between the coast and El Camino Real.
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San Felipe became the heart of Austin’s
colony.
The town’s population began to explode.
Austin moved here and built a log cabin.
The colony published a newspaper called
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Why was this newspaper important?
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“Telegraph and Texas Register”.
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Williamson became a judge of the colony.
He wore a wooden peg to support the knee of
a weak leg.
His nick name was “Three-Legged Willie” and
would later help form the Texas Court
System.
By 1827 the capital San Felipe had
approximately 200 residents. This was just
one town in Austin’s growing colony!
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By 1830 San Felipe was the largest business
center in Texas, after San Antonio.
Homes and stores lined the capital’s main
street. The town now had:
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A lumber mill
Newspaper office
Post Office
Hotel
Stephen F.
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List 3 problems that Austin’s early colony
might have faced?
List 3 solution’s to the problems.
Why do you think San Felipe was important?
Who were the Old Three Hundred?
Why was the location of San Felipe important.