Submitted by Jennifer OHair on
By Bethanie DePalermo, San Felipe de Austin Staff
A striking pink granite bench with the simple inscription, “Austin’s Old 300,” sits under an oak tree at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site. The bench itself provokes questions from visitors and creates an interpretive opportunity for staff and volunteers. Guests are surprised and intrigued to learn that descendants from Austin’s original settlers are organized and active in a genealogical organization called “The Descendants of Austin’s Old 300."
The title Old 300 refers to the settlers who received land grants as part of Stephen F. Austin’s first colonial contract in Mexican Texas. These families had come from the Trans-Appalachian South and were virtually all of British ancestry, many of whom already had substantial means before their arrival. The actual number of grantees, excluding Austin’s personal grant, totaled 297, but the Old 300 name has stuck nonetheless.
In 1828, Stephen F. Austin created an administrative record of these early land grants. This handwritten book is called the Registro, and a digital copy of it is kept at San Felipe de Austin (the original is held in the collection of the Texas General Land Office in Austin). After noticing the benches, many guests inquire about the Old 300 and want to know more about where these families settled.
The Registro is an excellent resource that shows visitors the administrative copies of these early grants. The gift shop at San Felipe de Austin also carries the current collection of biographical sketches of many of the Old 300 settlers. This volume includes modern county maps to help visitors visualize and understand where these grants were located.
The Descendants of Austin's Old 300 held its first meeting on June 27, 1987 at the Stephen F. Austin State Park in San Felipe, underneath the oak tree where the bench now sits. Their main objective was, and still is, to inspire current and succeeding generations to preserve memories of the spirit, courage, and character of the men and women who came to Texas as part of Stephen F. Austin's first colony. This is the reason the organization has donated the benches at San Felipe de Austin and at Freedom Park in West Columbia.
Fred Strauss, the current president, along with Tommy Shelton, current second vice president, searched and located benches made of similar granite as the Marble Falls pink granite statue of Stephen F. Austin. The organization, with members in 26 states, supports the activities and interests of San Felipe de Austin because this is where their ancestors received land grants from Stephen F. Austin beginning in 1824. Members are excited to see recent improvements and anxious to help share this compelling story of Texas history with generations to come.
San Felipe de Austin is located in south-central Texas, approximately 50 miles west of Houston. The site is part of the Texas Independence Trail Region.
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Comments
Anne Bucklin Frost replied on Permalink
Mary Horn Survey
I am searching for the history relating to the Mary Horn Survey which was granted by Stephen S. Austin. I am searching for her descendants, and family history.
Rob Hodges replied on Permalink
Mary Horn Survey
Sorry for the delayed response, Anne. We had a temporary problem with blog comment notifications and missed this. San Felipe de Austin Site Manager Bryan McCauley suggested you get in touch with him at 979.885.2181 or Bryan.McAuley@thc.texas.gov. Thanks!
John Herzer replied on Permalink
Old 300
if you're a descendant with interest in your ancestor and other descendants,
www.sfaold300.org
John Herzer replied on Permalink
Old 300
if you're a descendant with interest in your ancestor and other descendants,
www.sfaold300.org
Sharion (Gay) Clark replied on Permalink
Old 300 ancestor
Elijah and Elisha Issacks were both members of the Old 300.is there still any gatherings of the ancestors of these courageous men? Is so, when and where. My email is dnsclark_houston1@comcast.net
Thomas Raymond ... replied on Permalink
Isaacks Reunions
every 4th of july at Rockport City Park
we have the Barber-Isaacks Reunion deceants of Elisha
John Herzer replied on Permalink
Old 300
if you're a descendant of the old 300,
www.sfaold300.org
j. m. reichert replied on Permalink
Old 300
I ran across this and just wanted to say hi, in regards to my fathers side of the family , I am the last grandson of the line who founded new baden, texas . The old settlement house is still standing and should be found in historic society archives. some noted family names are sybil, oscar, phillip, and fred. My dad actually had a shark tank he named with young white tips and named them after
Austin Weinert replied on Permalink
Old 300 desendants
I am also a desendant of the old 300 and would like to know if you still meet please let me know at atw213@msn.com
John Ray Isaacks replied on Permalink
Elijah Isaacks my 4th ggrandfather
Elijah Isaacks is my 4th Great Grandfather.
Sharion (Gay) Clark replied on Permalink
Correction
My family member was Samuel Isaacks. Elijah and Elisha were his sons or nephews. I'm not at my desk to look them up.
My mother's grandmother was Zettie Isaacks who was grand or great granddaughter of Samuel.
Rob Hodges replied on Permalink
Thanks for your inquiry about the Old 300
Thanks for your inquiry about the Old 300. This group, comprised of descendants of Austin’s first settlers in Mexican Texas, is indeed very active. The Old 300 hosts two reunions each year. The next (mini-reunion) will be in La Grange on Saturday, October 26. For more information about the Old 300, its membership, and its gatherings, visit their website at www.sfaold300.org.
Thomas Raymond ... replied on Permalink
old 300 dec.
Thanks
Thomas R. Isaacks replied on Permalink
Elijah and Elisha Isaacks
Elijah was father of Samuel and Elisha was his brother.
sue (McClain) goode replied on Permalink
A W McClain
W A McClain along with James McNair was granted land as one of the Austin Old 300
any one know more about him ( believe he came from TN and had a son, John Morgan McClain. birth death marriage ???
Rob Hodges replied on Permalink
A.W. McClain
It is wonderful to have a descendant connection to one of Stephen F. Austin’s colonists. As you know, there is very little information available about some of the earliest settlers that came to Mexican Texas. The Texas General Land Office holds the original land titles for these colonists, and our site staff at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site can help you with contact information for other agencies or organizations and can offer some research suggestions. You can contact them directly at 979.885.2181.
Paula replied on Permalink
Translation of original grants that were in Spanish
I have located the original LAN records for the person I am researching, Joseph San Pierre (sometimes spelled Sampier) but it is Spanish. I read somewhere that these had been translated but I don't know how or where to find the translations. Any suggestions?
Rob Hodges replied on Permalink
Translation of original grants that were in Spanish
Thanks for your question, and sorry about the delayed response. I understand that our site staff at San Felipe de Austin responded to this same inquiry via email. Please let us know if you need additional assistance.
Yvonne Wagner replied on Permalink
John Kelly
Is anyone out there related to John Kelly? He married Sarah Fisher, I believe. They had at least seven children. One of their daughters married, Margaretta, married Daniel Shipman. Hopefully, this is correct!
Rob Hodges replied on Permalink
John Kelly
Our site staff at San Felipe de Austin has some information that might be of interest. Please contact them at 979.885.2181 or san-felipe@thc.texas.gov.
Ron Sutton replied on Permalink
John Kelly
Hello, cousin,
I am Ron Sutton, son of Leslie Andrew Sutton, son of Ludie Katherine Morris, daughter of Sarah Elmira Kelly, daughter of John "Jack" Kelly, son of James Kelly, son of John Kelly (original 300).
James Herron replied on Permalink
John Kelly
Ron,my grand mother was the sister to Lucie,I have a picture of them together.
Linda Barnard replied on Permalink
John Kelly 1785-1848
I am a descendant of John Kelly. He had a son, James Kelly (1805-1846) married to Elmira Stevens. James was born before John married Sarah Fisher, and I have unknown mother for him and a sister, Marguretta. I do have another 5 children belonging to John and Sarah. James had a son, William Kelly (1837-1913) married to Mary Ann McCarty. They had a daughter, Hetty Susan Kelly (1868-1911) married first to James Robert Kell then James Newton Foust. Hetty and James Foust had a daughter, Jimmie Dale (1898-1967) who married Augusta Claude Spradley. They had a son, Nathan Weldon Spradley (1916-2005) who married Mary Josephine Boswell. They had me, Linda Kay Spradley Hawthorne Barnard. Hopefully somebody out there matches the info I have.
Mindy Hearn replied on Permalink
Elmira Stevens
Elmira Stevens is my husband's 4th great grandmother through her second marriage to James Jones. I have been trying to find info on her parents- would you know anything?
Rob Hodges replied on Permalink
Elmira Stevens
Please contact our staff at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site for information about the Old 300: 979.885.2181 (Tuesdays–Sundays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.).
James Herron replied on Permalink
Sarah Stevens
Her grand daughter was my great grandmother Sarah Elmira Kelly (married Morris) she was known to us as Big Mama.
Kathleen Kelly ... replied on Permalink
John Kelly 1785-1848
Hi Linda,
I'm also a descendant of John Kelly through Hetty Susan's younger brother, David Reece Kelly. He was my great-grandfather. He married Mary Elizabeth Young and they had a son, Virgel Isaac. Virgel married Nina Kathleen Crum and they had a son, John David who married Leora Alice Hartman. I am David and Lee's oldest child. I have very similar information as yours, except I didn't know that James and Margaretta had a different mother than their siblings. You can reach me at texirish5@aol.com. I'm still finding pieces of the family genealogical puzzle.
James Herron replied on Permalink
John Kelly
John Kelly,that married Sarah Elmira Stevens was my 3rd.great grandfather.His family ended up in Coryell co.Texas
Bob Moore replied on Permalink
Looking for info on Susannah DeMoss' husband Nicholas Moore
I am looking for information on Nicholas Moore who was married to Peter DeMoss' daughter Susannah DeMoss. Please contact me at revbobmoore@tx.rr.com if you have information as this is where I am stuck on my ancestry research.
Rob Hodges replied on Permalink
Looking for info on Susannah DeMoss' husband Nicholas Moore
While it is wonderful to have a family connection to some of Texas' earliest settlers, the lack of detailed information on so many of these pioneers can be frustrating. Our San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site frequently receives visits and inquiries of staff from people whose ancestors were among the Old 300 or later Stephen F. Austin contract settlers. Site staff regularly interact with the Texas General Land Office and other groups that have information about this era and these settlers. You might contact the site at 979.885.2181 (Tuesdays–Sundays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.) for more assistance.
Angela replied on Permalink
Sylvanus Castleman descendent
I am a descendant of Sylvanus Castleman. He was my 5th great grandfather. I am looking for other descendants.
Rob Hodges replied on Permalink
Sylvanus Castleman descendant
Our staff at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site often talks to visitors whose ancestors were among the Old 300 or later Stephen F. Austin contract settlers. You might contact the site at 979.885.2181 (Tuesdays–Sundays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.) for more assistance in reaching out to other descendants.
Denise Macy replied on Permalink
Sylvanus Castleman
My sister has two foster children who are descendants of Sylvanus Castleman. Brooke Washington is 16 and Riley Washington is 17. There father is Kevin Washington son of Travis Washington and Wanda Nell Bailey ( living her name is Wanda Meeh lives in Texas 806-400-2981. She is the daughter of Hallie Marie Wooley Bailey she was the daughter of William Elijah Wooley and Dollie Harris and Dollie Harris is the daughter of Doc Harris and Matilda Chesney. Matilda Chesney is the daughter of Elizabeth Castleman who is the daughter of Sylvanus Castleman. The children live in Rock Island, Le Flore County, Oklahoma. Brooke wants to become a Doctor.
Victoria Sanger replied on Permalink
Descendent of Sylvanus Castleman and son-in-law, John Chesney
Hello,
I am a descendent of Sylvanus Castleman and I know several others. Also, I am a descendent of Sylvanus' daughter, Elizabeth Castleman and John Chesney. John Chesney received a land grant from Stephen F. Austin in his Fifth Colony. My email is vcsanger@gmail.com
Danny Jones replied on Permalink
I am also a descendant of Sylvanus Castleman.
My dad's grandmother, Sophronia Castleman Jones, was the granddaughter of Sylvanus and Sophronia Castleman.
I live in Wimberley, Texas. I have traced my ancestry quite a bit, have a cousin who has "warehouses" ha! full of research. Danny
Teresa Penny replied on Permalink
Sylvanus Castleman
My husband is also a 5th great grandchild of Sylvanus Castleman through his daughter Lavinia.
Tobin Hope replied on Permalink
James Hope and sons Richard, Prosper and others
Thank you for this site. Looking for information on James Hope that I think was one of the original 300 families.
Thank you
Tobin Hope
Rob Hodges replied on Permalink
James Hope and sons Richard, Prosper and others
Please contact our staff at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site for information about the Old 300: 979.885.2181 (Tuesdays–Sundays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.).
Tobin Hope replied on Permalink
Thanks I will! Great site
Thanks I will! Great site by the way
Andrew Hooper replied on Permalink
James Hope
Tobin, id be interested in connecting and learning what info you have, I'm also a descendant of James Hope, Thomas Gay and chriesman
Linda Lindsey Boone replied on Permalink
James Hope and son Prosper Hope
I only found this site today. Prosper Hope was one of great great grandfathers. Found an obit today that had mentioned the old three hundred. Had not come across it in the genealogy work I had done. I would really like to know more.
David Gay replied on Permalink
Thomas Gay
He is my ggggrandfather.
Marilynn Reeves replied on Permalink
Application for Old Three Hundred Membership
Where do I obtain or download form to join. Am a decendant of Walter Sutherland.
Rob Hodges replied on Permalink
Application for Old Three Hundred Membership
The Descendants of Austin's Old Three Hundred organization is redesigning its website, and it appears the application form is not there at the moment. Please contact Judy Menasco or one of the secretaries listed on the page below, and they should be able to help:
http://www.sfaold300.org/page-1328020.
gianna replied on Permalink
texas
Hi I am a 4th grade student at Madison,Monroe school 16 in Elizabeth nj, i was born in Vineland NJ but moved up here in the summer before i started 1st grade. Yes i am country girl as well... i am doing a report on the beautiful state of Texas but i just cant seem to find where your descendants come from if you can figure out email me at babygigi2005.gmail.com
Billie Humphries replied on Permalink
old 300
My dad always said that his family came to Texas with Austins first group. Unfortunately the court house records burned in Limestone. I am trying to track back from Katherine Clark. Does anyone have a suggestion of how to get beyond the burned records?
Rob Hodges replied on Permalink
old 300
Please contact our staff at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site for information about the Old 300: 979.885.2181 (Tuesdays–Sundays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.).
Jackie cunningham replied on Permalink
find list of old 300
i would like to know how to access a list of the old 300
Rob Hodges replied on Permalink
find list of old 300
Please direct all inquiries about the Old 300 to our staff at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site: 979.885.2181 (Tuesdays–Sundays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.).
Jerry White replied on Permalink
Austin's Old 300
I BELIEVE I AM DESCENDENT OD OLD 300
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