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What did Austin do as a young man?
As a young man, he opened dry goods stores in Philadelphia and Richmond. After winning the contract to roof the new Virginia capitol, Austin acquired the state's richest lead deposit and brought miners from England. In establishing the American lead industry, he became a wealthy man.
What did Austin do before he died?
Austin soon received a land grant in what is now the state of Texas. Austin contracted pneumonia on his return to Missouri and died two months later. Two days before his death, he called his wife to his sickbed and begged her to tell his son Stephen to take his place as leader of the Texas colony.
Where did Austin settle?
In 1798, Austin moved into the Spanish territory of Louisiana and founded the first Anglo settlement west of the Mississippi River at what is now Potosi, Missouri.
What was Moses Austin's impact on the United States?
Although he made major impacts in both the mining and political sectors he died in debt, and more than 100 years after death his story continued!
Who oversees Moses' bones?
Overseeing the work was Thurlow B. Weed, an undertaker from Texas who claimed to be on official business. Weed said the Texas Historical and Landmark Commission had divined that Moses' bones would be better resting next to those of his son, Stephen, in the Texas capital city bearing their last name.
Did Austin's descendants remove the gravesite?
Texas officials countered that Austin's descendants had consented to the removal and said the gravesite was shabby. Edmonds said it was "in excellent condition until their workmen tore out the side."
Who was Moses Austin?
Introduction. Moses Austin was an American merchant and lead miner who brought national attention to America’s mineral wealth. He built communities on the frontiers of Virginia and Missouri, and laid plans for the colonization of Texas.
Where was Moses Austin born?
Early Years and Education. Moses Austin was born in Durham, Connecticut, on October 4, 1761. He was the youngest of nine children born to Elias Austin and Eunice Phelps Austin. As a child, Moses attended Durham’s small community schoolhouse. Although his formal education was limited, he developed a love of books.
What happened to Moses Austin and his workers?
As they approached the Mississippi River, they got lost in a huge snowstorm, ran out of food, and ended up sixty miles off course.
What did Moses and Stephen do in 1789?
In 1789 Moses and Stephen became partners in a mine on the Virginia frontier. Initially, they were greatly successful. They convinced the U.S. Congress to raise a tax on lead imported from foreign countries, which encouraged people to buy American lead. They also were paid to put a lead roof on the Virginia state capitol building. More good news came in 1793 when Stephen F. Austin, Moses’s son and brother Stephen’s namesake, was born.
Why did Moses and his brother buy the land around their mine?
Moses and his brother bought the land around their mine in order to expand the business, built a town for their workers called Austinville, and spent a lot on transportation improvements. This expansion caused debt, which worsened when the Virginia capitol roofing project failed. In 1794 they tried to sell the mine but could not find a buyer. Around this time, Moses read an account of the vast mining potential of Spain’s Louisiana Territory and started planning a trip after his daughter, Emily, was born in 1795.
How did Austin profit from the new mine?
Business at the new mine boomed. Austin profited by mining the rich ore, renting land to other miners, and selling merchant goods. He also employed new technologies, like a special machine to wash out impurities and new furnaces which were so efficient that many of the region’s miners paid Austin to smelt their ore for them. Just as he had done in Virginia, Austin continually expanded his mine in Missouri and built transportation links like roads, bridges, and ports. For four straight years, starting in 1805, Austin’s mine produced over 800,000 pounds of lead.
What was Austin's stately mansion?
Within a year, many buildings were erected, including Austin’s stately mansion, Durham Hall. Unfortunately, the French settlers living in the area disputed Austin’s land claims, and the resulting tension cost him his partnerships with both Vallé and Jones. In 1800 the two sides came to a working agreement concerning land rights, which became official in 1802.
