James E.B. Austin

Who was James E.B. Austin?

James Elijah Brown Austin was a Texian settler and brother of empresario Stephen F. Austin, "The Father of Texas." Counted also as one of the Old Three Hundred, he is listed in Spanish and Mexican records as "Santiago E.B. Austin". James and Stephen F. Austin are both brothers of Emily Margaret Brown Austin.

Born in Missouri, James attended high school in Washington, Connecticut before joining Stephen in Texas in December, 1821. Three years later, having established residence, he was granted title to three leagues west of the Brazos River, including Eagle Nest and Manor lakes; a labor in west Brazoria County; and another labor in Waller County. He went back to Missouri in May 1824 to bring his mother Maria Brown Austin and sister Emily down to Texas but returned the next year without them.

James entered into a partnership with John Austin to participate in the coasting trade and retail, opening a store together in Brazoria, Texas. He lobbied in Saltillo, the capital of Coahuila and Texas, for the continuance of slavery and succeeded in protecting the ownership of settlers already established. He returned from the capital with 300 Spanish horses.