Stephen F. Austin: Texas's Family-Man Magnet (Emphasis on the Many)
So, you're curious about Stephen F. Austin and his Texan family reunion of epic proportions? Buckle up, history buffs (and those who enjoy a good chuckle), because we're about to untangle this whole "how many families" business.
The OG Invitation: 300 Families for a Texas-Sized Adventure
Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas" (cue dramatic music), wasn't one for small get-togethers. In 1821, he waltzed into Mexico with a plan: bring 300 families to settle in Texas. Now, 300 families might sound like a lot for a barbecue, but this was Texas, y'all. There's a reason they say everything's bigger in Texas, including the number of folks you can convince to move there.
From 300 to...Hold My Stetson, There's More!
Those initial 300 families, known as the "Old Three Hundred" (because, you know, originality wasn't a top priority back then), were just the beginning. Austin, the ultimate Texan cheerleader, secured permission to bring in an additional 1,700 families between 1825 and 1831. That's right, folks, we're talking about a full-blown migration party.
But Why So Many Families?
Here's the thing: Texas was a bit on the empty side back then. Think tumbleweeds and tumbleweeds, with a sprinkle of cacti for good measure. Mexico, ever the gracious host, figured more people meant more, well, everything. More people to build towns, wrangle cattle (because what's Texas without cattle?), and maybe even scare away the occasional tumbleweed.
The punchline?
Stephen F. Austin wasn't just the "Father of Texas," he was the state's original family-planning advocate (well, sort of). By the time the land offices closed in 1835, there were almost 1,000 land titles issued in Austin's Colony. That's a whole lot of families putting down roots in the Lone Star State.
So, the answer to your burning question?
A whole lot more than 300! Stephen F. Austin was the pied piper of families, luring them to Texas with promises of wide-open spaces, adventure, and maybe even a decent chance of surviving a tumbleweed stampede.
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