The Old Three Hundred

The Old Three Hundred. . , The Old Three Hundred refers to the settlers who received land grants in Stephen F. Austin's first colony. In 1821, Moses Austin, Stephen's father, received the first land grant offered by the Spanish government to settle 300 families. Upon Moses Austin's death, the Spanish government recognized Stephen as his father's successor. When the Mexican government overthrew Spanish rule, Stephen F. Austin won approval from the Mexican government to continue his colonization efforts. Austin sought upright, moral persons who were Catholic, the state established church, willing to sign an oath of allegiance to Mexico before receipt of their land permit. The largest number of colonists came from the present day states of Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri. Most of the colonists were farmers and were persons of substantial means. By 1824, most of The Old Three Hundred were in Texas. Only 297 of the 300 grants were actually issued.