We are giving thanks this Father's Day for Stephen F. Austin, who is known as the "Father of Texas."  In 1821, his father Moses Austin had petitioned the Mexican government for an empresario grant to allow 300 families to colonize the region, but Moses died before the approval came from the Spanish governor Antonio Maria Martinez. The request for colonization was finally granted, and then was legally transferred to his son Stephen who had promised his ailing father to carry on the work of colonizing Texas. Stephen F. Austin then traveled to Texas on horseback in search of the perfect plot of land to settle 300 American families.

The City of Houston and our restaurant are located in his original colony - a fertile swath of prairie running between the Lavaca and San Jacinto Rivers, stretching to the coast. Farming families in the “Old Three Hundred” received 177 acres, and cattle ranchers received 4,428 acres, so long as they followed Catholicism and pledged allegiance to Spain. However, as the wagons began arriving, Austin had to race to Mexico City to defend his Empresario grant due to Mexico’s newly gained independence. While there, he successfully defended the grant, taught himself Spanish, gained influence, and achieved homestead rights for the new Texans, ensuring their homes could not be seized to pay debts. Austin also advised the framers of the Mexican Constitution of 1824, which limited the powers of the President and created a federal system of government in Mexico.

Austin’s caution and moderation, coupled with a fierce determination, helped transform a wilderness into an advanced and populous state. Revered by all, he achieved unparalleled influence over the often unruly settlers of Anglo Texas. Austin died on December 27, 1836, at age 43 after being imprisoned in Mexico City during the fight for independence. He is best remembered for speaking profound words of hope and encouragement during the darkest days of the Texas revolution.

We are honored to display the extremely rare signature of Moses Austin in the front hall of the Taste of Texas. In addition, the Texian Loan document on display in the front hall of the Taste of Texas is signed by Stephen F. Austin, as he secured money, supplies, and recruits to support Texas’ newly-formed Army in 1836.