Moses Austin

Moses Austin, (October 4, 1761–June 10, 1821), father of the founder of Austin, Texas, Stephen F. Austin, was born in Durham, Connecticut on October 4, 1761. He soon moved to Philadelphia and married Mary Brown.

Related Topics:
October 4 - 1761 - June 10 - 1821 - Austin, Texas - Stephen F. Austin - Durham - Connecticut - Philadelphia - Mary Brown

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He was also the founder of the American Lead industry.

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In 1798 Moses moved into Spanish land what later would become Missouri. He built his home Durham Hall, an imposing southern-style mansion, in Potosi, and developed the lead mining in that town. In 1808, he founded the town of Herculaneum on the Mississippi River, building a lead smelter there. The financial panic of (1819) left Moses financially ruined. After a visit to San Antonio, Moses managed to buy land from the Spanish government in Texas. After purchasing it with the help of Baron Felipe de Bastrop who presented the land scheme to the royal governor of Texas Antonio de Martinez. The governor passed along the favorable idea to his superior Commandant General of the Eastern Interior Province Joaquin de Arredondo. Moses was granted 200,000 acres (800 km²) of land of his choice. By 1821 he became ill with pneumonia and died. He left his son, Stephen, to fulfill his dream of owning and selling colonists land in Texas. Stephen doubtfully but dutifully, carried on his father's dream. This led to the settlement of Texas by Anglo-Saxons, and ultimately, the Texas Revolution.

Related Topics:
1798 - Durham Hall - Potosi - Lead - 1808 - Herculaneum - Mississippi River - San Antonio - Texas - Texas Revolution

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Moses Austin and his wife are entombed at the public cemetery in Potosi, Missouri.

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• Haley, James L. "Texas An Album of History"-Doubleday & Co.-ISBN0-385-17307-5