Moses Austin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Moses Austin
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Portrait of Moses Austin
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| Born | October 4, 1761 |
| Died | June 10, 1821 (aged 59) Missouri Territory, United States
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| Occupation | Businessman, empresario |
| Known for | Being awarded the first land grant to settle Anglo-Americans in Spanish Texas |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Brown Austin |
| Children | Stephen F. Austin, Emily Austin Perry, James Elijah Brown Austin |
| Relatives | Nannie Webb Curtis |
Moses Austin (born October 4, 1761 – died June 10, 1821) was an American businessman and explorer. He played a big part in developing the lead industry in the early United States, especially in Virginia and Missouri. He was the father of Stephen F. Austin, who became one of the first American settlers in Texas when it was part of Mexico.
Moses Austin received a special land grant from the Spanish Crown in 1820. He dreamed of being the first to create an American settlement in Spanish Texas. Sadly, he passed away before he could make this dream come true. On his deathbed, he asked his son, Stephen, to finish what he started. Stephen F. Austin then led many settlers from Missouri to colonize northern Mexico in 1825. Over time, these settlers wanted to govern themselves and eventually won independence from Mexico under President Antonio López de Santa Anna, forming the Republic of Texas.
Moses Austin: A Pioneer's Journey
Early Life and Family
Moses Austin was born on October 4, 1761, in Durham, Connecticut. His parents were Elias and Eunice Phelps Austin.
In 1784, Moses moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to work in the dry goods business with his brother, Stephen. Later, he moved to Richmond, Virginia, to open another store. In 1785, he married Mary Brown, who came from a wealthy family involved in iron mining. She became known as Mary Brown Austin. Moses and Mary had three children. Their second child, Stephen F. Austin, was born in 1793. Their daughter, Emily Austin Perry, was born in 1795, and another son, James Elijah Brown Austin, was born in 1803.
The Lead King in Virginia
Moses Austin wanted to start his own mining business. In 1789, he traveled to southwestern Virginia to explore a lead mine. He saw great potential there. By 1791, his family joined him in what is now Wythe County, Virginia. Moses, his brother Stephen, and other partners worked to industrialize the area. They built several smelters (places to melt metal), furnaces, stores, blacksmith shops, and mills. The small village around the mines became known as "Austinville." Moses earned the nickname "Lead King" because of his success. However, the Austin brothers' company soon faced financial difficulties and failed. To avoid the legal consequences of debt, Moses left Virginia. He then looked towards the rich lead deposits in Missouri, which was then part of upper Spanish Louisiana.
New Beginnings in Missouri
In December 1797, Moses Austin traveled to investigate the Spanish mines in Missouri. His brother Stephen stayed behind to try and save the Virginia business. This caused a disagreement between the brothers that lasted for many years.
In 1798, the Spanish colonial government gave Moses a large piece of land (about 4,428 acres) to start lead mining. In return, he promised loyalty to the Spanish Crown and agreed to settle some families in Missouri. Working with Francois Valle, Austin learned about lead mining practices in Missouri.
Mining Operations and Labor
In Missouri, Moses Austin adopted the practice of using enslaved people for labor in his mines. These individuals were forced to perform the difficult work of digging and processing lead ore, as well as supporting the mining operations. This was a common but unjust practice during that time.
Business Ventures and Challenges
In 1803, Missouri became part of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase. Austin became a founder and major owner of the Bank of St. Louis. However, the bank failed during a financial crisis in 1819, causing him to lose all his money. Once again, he sought help from Spain.
A Dream for Texas
In 1820, Austin traveled to the Presidio San Antonio de Béxar in Spanish Texas. He presented a plan to Governor Antonio María Martínez to bring Anglo-American settlers to Texas.
Planning a New Settlement
Moses Austin had tried many business ideas before his plans for Texas. He faced financial problems after his bank failed and from bad shipping deals. In 1820, he was in a difficult situation with debts. In November 1820, Austin learned about the Adams–Onís Treaty. This agreement between the United States and Spain placed present-day Texas within Spain's territory. Moses Austin hoped the Spanish government would allow trade with the United States. He left for Texas, hoping to start a new business. His wife, Mary Brown Austin, wrote to her cousin, explaining Moses's plan to colonize Texas to support their family.
Negotiations with Spain
Austin's main goal was to create a trading post on the Texas coast. On December 23, 1820, he arrived in San Antonio to talk with the Spanish government. He struggled at first, but then teamed up with a Spanish interpreter, Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop. They planned a settlement called "Austina" on the Texas coast.
On December 26, 1820, Austin and Baron de Bastrop formally asked Governor Antonio María Martínez for permission. They wanted to bring three hundred families to a port in Texas. Austin stressed that these settlers were loyal to Spain and would help defend the land. Austin convinced Spain to restart the empresario system in Texas. This old system gave land to immigrants who promised loyalty to the Spanish crown. So, Austin's settlement depended on its loyalty to Spain.
The Colonization Plan
After successful talks in San Antonio, Austin returned to Missouri to find settlers. In April, he created a "Form of Contract for Emigration to Texas." This document explained what each settler needed to do. Austin required emigrants to help build community structures. He also told them to own a "Spanish carbine," a type of gun, to protect the settlement. Austin hired these settlers to work from their departure in May until the following January. In return, he promised transportation, tools, and supplies to start the settlement. In 1821, Governor Martínez's friend, Erasmo Seguín, brought Austin the good news. He had been granted land and permission to settle three hundred families in Texas! On his way back to Missouri, Austin became ill. He died in June 1821, shortly after arriving home. He passed away from pneumonia. His tomb is in Potosi, Missouri. His son, Stephen F. Austin, carried out his father's plan a few years later. Stephen led the three hundred families to what became the first Anglo-American settlement in Texas. This movement of people into Texas eventually led to the Texas Revolution in 1836 and Texas joining the United States in 1845.
Family Connections
Moses Austin had many relatives who helped settle Texas. These included his son Stephen F. Austin and daughter Emily Austin Perry. His grandson, Moses Austin Bryan, also played a role. It's important not to confuse Moses Austin with his grandson, Moses Austin Bryan. James Bryan was his first son-in-law, and James F. Perry was his second son-in-law. Moses Austin lived in a large home called Durham Hall in Missouri, named after his birthplace in Durham, Connecticut.
Images for kids
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Tomb of Moses and Maria Brown Austin
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Moses Austin statue, San Antonio, Texas
See also
In Spanish: Moses Austin para niños
