Our Chapter's Namesake, Stephen Fuller Austin
1833 Portrait of Stephen Fuller Austin
Stephen F. Austin died on December 27, 1836 and was given the moniker "The Father of Texas" by Sam Houston. Austin was the first Empresario who brought colonists into the Mexican territory of Texas, as early as 1821. The first three hundred families are referred to as the Old 300.
His father, Moses Austin was originally given the empresarial grant that would allow him to bring 300 American families to Texas. As he was dying from pneumonia, he directed that this mission would be taken over by his son Stephen. Although Austin was reluctant to carry on his father's Texas venture, he was persuaded to do so by a letter from his mother.
This 76 foot statue is located in the Stephen F. Austin - Munson Historical County Park in Angleton.
Upon his death in 1836, Stephen F. Austin was buried on his sister's property at Peach Point in Brazoria County. In 1910, his remains were moved by train to Austin. He was then buried in the Texas State Cemetery and this monument was placed in his honor.
The sacred ground of the Texas State Cemetery serves as a burial site for state officials, Texas cultural icons and honored Texas citizens of all kinds.
