Green DeWitt was an empresario in Mexican Texas. He founded the DeWitt Colony . In 1822, DeWitt petitioned the Mexican government for permission to settle colonists in Texas but was denied. After teaming up with Stephen F. Austin, an influential Texas empresario, he finally got the petition granted in 1825.
Where did Green DeWitt settle in Texas?
Green DeWitt-. Green DeWitt was the empresario of DeWitt's colony. He got an empresario grant in 1825 to settle 400 Anglo-Americans on the Guadalupe River and was authorized to establish a colony. He settled along the Guadalupe River next to Stephen F. Austin's colony.
Who was Green DeWitt and what did he do?
Green DeWitt. Green DeWitt was an empresario in Mexican Texas. He founded the DeWitt Colony. In 1822, DeWitt petitioned the Mexican government for permission to settle colonists in Texas but was denied. After teaming up with Stephen F. Austin, an influential Texas empresario, he finally got the petition granted in 1825.
What was the DeWitt Colony?
He brought families from the United States to what is now South Central Texas and founded the DeWitt Colony . Green Dewitt was elected as the first Ralls County, Missouri Sheriff in 1821 and served for three years before heading to Texas for adventures that would make him an icon of American History.
Why did DeWitt settle on the Guadalupe River?
He got an empresario grant in 1825 to settle 400 Anglo-Americans on the Guadalupe River and was authorized to establish a colony. He settled along the Guadalupe River next to Stephen F. Austin's colony. DeWitt did this because he was inspired by Moses Austin's success and petitioned the Mexican authorities for his own empresario contract.
See more
When did green DeWitt settle in Texas?
April 15, 1825DeWitt's Colony was founded by Green DeWitt (1787-1835) as a result of his empresario contract of April 15, 1825 to settle 400 families. The colony was located south of the San Antonio Road in the area between the Lavaca River and the divide of the Guadalupe River and the San Antonio River.
What area was green DeWitt responsible for?
The DeWitt Colony (ca. 1820s through the 1840s) was a settlement in Mexico (now Texas) founded by Green DeWitt. From lands belonging to that colony, the present Texas counties of DeWitt, Guadalupe and Lavaca were created. The hub of the colony was primarily located, however, in what is now Gonzales County.
When did green DeWitt get his land grant?
April 15, 1825Aided by Austin and the Baron de Bastrop, he was awarded an empresario grant on April 15, 1825, to settle 400 Anglo-Americans on the Guadalupe River and was authorized to establish a colony adjacent to Stephen F.
Who brought the first families to Texas?
After Moses Austin's death in 1821, Stephen Austin won recognition of the empresario grant from the newly independent state of Mexico. Austin convinced numerous American settlers to move to Texas, and by 1825 Austin had brought the first 300 American families into the territory.
What were two problems with Green DeWitt's colony?
For the most part the colony was materially and financially a burden to DeWitt, and the citizens of Gonzales failed to make the town a commercial hub. Still, DeWitt's colony is generally considered after Austin's the most successful of the Anglo-American colonies in Texas.
Who is Green DeWitt and why is he important?
Green DeWitt (February 12, 1787 – May 18, 1835) was an empresario in Mexican Texas. He brought families from the United States to what is now South-central Texas and founded the DeWitt Colony.
Who was the leader of the Texas Army during the Texas Revolution?
By March 17, as the Mexican army approached, a constitution had been written, approved, and signed; interim officials had been elected; and Sam Houston had been confirmed as the commander of the army.
Why did Texans declare independence from Mexico?
The most immediate cause of the Texas Revolution was the refusal of many Texas, both Anglo and Mexican, to accept the governmental changes mandated by "Siete Leyes" which placed almost total power in the hands of the Mexican national government and Santa Anna.
Who is Green DeWitt and why is he important?
Green DeWitt (February 12, 1787 – May 18, 1835) was an empresario in Mexican Texas. He brought families from the United States to what is now South-central Texas and founded the DeWitt Colony.
Who was the leader of the Texas Army during the Texas Revolution?
By March 17, as the Mexican army approached, a constitution had been written, approved, and signed; interim officials had been elected; and Sam Houston had been confirmed as the commander of the army.
Which empresario founded the town of Victoria?
Empresario Martín De León founded the city of Victoria and played a key role in settling the Texas Coastal Bend. De León was born in 1765 to an aristocratic family in Burgos, Mexico. After serving as a soldier, De León married and planned to settle his new family in Texas.
Why does Mexico want to take the cannon?
In 1831 the Mexican government had loaned the cannon to Texan colonists at Gonzales to defend the colony against American Indians. In 1835, as tensions between Texans and the Mexican government were rising, the Mexicans sought to retrieve the cannon.
Why did DeWitt join Austin and De Leon?
In 1827, DeWitt joined Austin and De Leon in signing a peace treaty with the Karankawa so that their colonies would be safe from raiding.
What did DeWitt do to the Comanche?
DeWitt also negotiated a peace treaty with the Tonkawa, but he was unable to reach terms with the Comanche. As Comanche raids took a toll on the settlement, the political chief in Bexar (northern Texas) sent the settlers of Gonzales a small cannon to use for defense.
What county is Green DeWitt in?
Green DeWitt is the namesake of DeWitt County, Texas.
What did DeWitt do to help the colony?
By 1831 the colony was becoming more successful, but DeWitt's finances were depleted. He had used personal family funds (chiefly his wife's) to help support the colony. In 1835, near the time of the start of hostilities that would result in the Texas Revolution, DeWitt traveled to Monclova, in Mexico, in an unsuccessful attempt to gain more premium land for his colony. While in Monclova, he contracted cholera, and died on May 18, 1835. He was buried there. Following his death, during the Battle of Gonzales, his wife Sara and daughter Naomi cut up a dress to make the banner " Come and Take It ", which has since become a symbol of pride for the community.
How many families did DeWitt settle?
When his contract expired on April 15, 1831, DeWitt had settled a total of 166 families. Because he had been unable to meet the terms of the contract, unassigned lands in his colony reverted to the Mexican government, and DeWitt was unable to get a further contract. By 1831 the colony was becoming more successful, ...
Why did DeWitt have a dispute with the Mexican government?
His family there included his wife, two sons, and three of his four daughters; one daughter had already married in Missouri. Because the Mexican government had made an error and included another colony in the contract grant , DeWitt had numerous disputes with founder Martín De León.
Where did the Native Americans settle in 1826?
In July 1826 Gonzales was raided by Native Americans looking for horses. Most of the settlers fled temporarily to Austin's colony. Although the colonization laws specified that settlements should not be established within 10 leagues of the coast, DeWitt gained permission from the authorities to establish a temporary settlement, which they called Old Station, on Matagorda Bay near the mouth of the Lavaca River. The settlement was allowed there until enough colonists had arrived to secure their safety in Gonzales. By October 1826, 40 people lived in Old Station, including Dewitt and his family. His family there included his wife, two sons, and three of his four daughters; one daughter had already married in Missouri.
How did DeWitt help the colonists?
By April 1826 DeWitt and a small party of colonists set out for Texas: the Stephens, Locklands, and Reynolds families, along with DeWitt's wife, two sons, and three of four daughters. The party traveled from Missouri down the Mississippi River to New Orleans and arrived at the mouth of the Lavaca River by a schooner that, owing to the difficulty of navigating the Gulf, anchored only in July. DeWitt sent word to Kerr at Old Station for assistance and for protection against Indians. By October more colonists had arrived, bringing the population of Old Station to some forty people, who built cabins and planted crops. Although the Mexican government could issue no titles since the settlers were inside the forbidden zone, Saucedo did appoint James Norton as temporary alcalde. Kerr was made attorney for the colony in July 1827, thereby becoming DeWitt's official agent, a powerful position allowing him to administer the colony and freeing DeWitt to recruit more colonists.
What were the Indians doing in 1827?
Indians remained troublesome, but not serious. By 1827 a campaign against the Karankawas was launched by Austin's and De León's colonies, assisted by Mexican federal troops under General Bustamante, then in Texas to squelch the Fredonian Rebellion. The Karankawas were defeated and a peace treaty signed on May 13, 1827, in La Bahía by Bustamante, Martín and Fernando De León, Jacob Betts for Austin, DeWitt, and Kerr, and by Father Miguel Miró and chief Antonito for the Indians. DeWitt colonists were also able to negotiate a peace with the Tonkawas. But they were still subject to Comanche raids, which were particularly bad in 1830. The Indians generally stole livestock from outlying settlements; Gonzales itself was probably never attacked after 1826. Despite DeWitt's prompting, the Mexican government was unable to send troops or establish a garrison at Gonzales because the few available soldiers were concentrated at La Bahía and San Antonio, which suffered raids more frequently. Only with the growth of contraband trade between San Antonio and San Felipe did the government order regular patrols of the area and deliver an artillery piece to DeWitt, in March 1831, though the troops were withdrawn to San Antonio in September after a defeat by the Comanches. Nevertheless, there was relative peace; from 1825 to 1836 only ninety-seven people were killed by Indians around San Antonio, La Bahía, and DeWitt's colony combined.
Why did DeWitt resurvey Gonzales?
Gonzales remained the only town in the colony. In April 1831 the jefe político ordered Navarro to resurvey the town because Kerr, DeWitt's original surveyor, had not made provisions for public squares in 1825. By 1836 Gonzales had thirty-two structures, twenty of which were built before 1831. The colony's growth, however, was halted upon the passage of the Law of April 6, 1830, which prohibited further foreign immigration into Texas. Although DeWitt's colony was excluded from this ruling through Austin's influence, immigration was affected and finally ended anyway; no new arrivals were recorded after April 1, 1831, though immigration during the first three months of that year increased the colony's population to 531. DeWitt's contract expired on April 15, 1831, which also contributed to his failure to bring in the 400 families stipulated in his contract; he petitioned for an extension, but was unsuccessful. Since the greater portion of his grant was still unoccupied, the vacant lands reverted to the government to grant to any empresario it wished. Hence, grants were issued to Martín de León and another Mexican empresario, Juan Vicente Campos, though they too had to respect the rights of previous settlers. For the most part the colony was materially and financially a burden to DeWitt, and the citizens of Gonzales failed to make the town a commercial hub. Still, DeWitt's colony is generally considered after Austin's the most successful of the Anglo-American colonies in Texas.
Why did the DeWitt edict result in the colonists relocating the colony in an?
The edict resulted from the increasing suspicion that DeWitt's colonists were engaged in contraband trade and were permanently relocating the colony in an illegal place, as well as a growing distrust among Mexican officials of all foreigners.
What was the name of the colony that DeWitt moved to?
Also in 1834 the Mexican government divided Texas into three departments, and moved DeWitt's colony into the Department of the Brazos under the jurisdiction of the jefe político of San Felipe (rather than of San Antonio).
What was the most successful colony in Texas?
For the most part the colony was materially and financially a burden to DeWitt, and the citizens of Gonzales failed to make the town a commercial hub. Still, DeWitt's colony is generally considered after Austin's the most successful of the Anglo-American colonies in Texas.
When did DeWitt return to Missouri?
DeWitt arrived in October 1825 to inspect the site, then returned to Missouri, his home state, by year's end or by early 1826 to promote his colony. In July 1826 Indians attacked the budding settlement on a horse-stealing raid. Whiteman was killed and others fled to Austin's colony on the Colorado River. The vulnerability of Gonzales ...
What war did DeWitt fight in?
Before coming to Texas, DeWitt fought in the War of 1812 with the Missouri militia.
Who was the wife of DeWitt?
DeWitt and his wife Sarah moved their family to the colony in 1826. But the colony soon struggled, and by 1831, DeWitt had lost his contract. Sarah , however, successfully petitioned the Mexican government for a land grant in her maiden name of Seely as a hedge against her husband's misfortunes.
Who was Green DeWitt?
Green DeWitt, empresario (or land agent) of the DeWitt colony, was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky on February 12, 1787, to Walter and Sarah DeWitt. His father moved the family to a land grant in Missouri territory when Green was six years old. DeWitt grew up in the Spanish-held territory. When he was 18, he went back to Kentucky for two years to complete his education, then returned to Missouri where he married Sarah Seely of St. Louis in 1808. As a young man, DeWitt served in the Missouri state militia during the War of 1812, then served as sheriff of Ralls County.
Why did DeWitt travel to Monclova?
Desperate to improve his fortune, DeWitt traveled to Monclova in 1835 where he hoped to buy random 11-league grants from the governor. DeWitt knew of eighty families who wanted to buy premium land to settle in Texas. The governor wanted to sell the land to raise money for defense. Unfortunately, DeWitte was not able to acquire any land. While in Monclova, he contracted cholera. He died on May 18 and was buried in an unmarked grave.
Who designed the come and take it flag?
If you haven’t yet visited Gonzales, Texas this would be an excellent time to plan a trip! The first shot of the Texas Revolution was fired at Gonzales, and Sarah DeWitt designed the Revolutionary “Come and Take It!” flag featuring the first Lone Star. There’s more to see and do in Gonzales than you might imagine!
Where did DeWitt get his settlers?
DeWitt recruited most of the settlers from Missouri. He obtained a four-year contract with a schooner called Dispatch, captained by William Jarvis Russell, and with this he made his way down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, Louisiana .
How many families did DeWitt settle?
When his contract expired on April 15, 1831, he had settled a total of 166 families. Because he was unable to meet the terms of the contract, any unassigned lands in his colony reverted to the Mexican government, and DeWitt was unable to get a further contract.
What is the DeWitt colony?
Texas portal. v. t. e. The DeWitt Colony (ca. 1820s through the 1840s) was a settlement in Mexico (now Texas) founded by Green DeWitt. From lands belonging to that colony, the present Texas counties of DeWitt, Guadalupe and Lavaca were created. The hub of the colony was primarily located, however, in what is now Gonzales County.
Why was DeWitt arrested?
In late 1826, DeWitt was arrested, on the authorization of the Mexican government, due to Martín De León claiming tobacco being shipped into the colony was contraband. As a result of the arrest, however, Mexican authorities ordered that Old Station be abandoned, and Gonzales was reestablished. By December, 1827, DeWitt had completed the construction of a fort in the previous location of Gonzales. The construction had been hampered by numerous Comanche raids, but after its completion, all settlers relocated to that location.
What river did Dewitt settle in?
He was given permission to settle 400 respectable, industrious, Catholic families in an area bounded by the Guadalupe River, San Marcos River, and Lavaca River. This colony was southwest of Austin's.
Why did DeWitt sign a peace treaty with the Karankawa?
In 1827, DeWitt joined Austin and De Leon in signing a peace treaty with the Karankawa so that their colonies would be safe from raids. DeWitt also negotiated a peace treaty with the Tonkawa, but were unable to reach terms with the Comanche.
How many families did the Mexican colony have in 1830?
By 1829 the colony had experienced a boom, expanding to 30 families and 34 single men. By 1830, the colony had 56 families, and 65 single men. In 1830 Mexican authorities passed a law prohibiting further immigration to Texas from the United States.
What was the plan of the Three Guarantees?
The Plan of the Three Guarantees was a revolutionary proclamation on February 24, 1821, in the final stage of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain. The Plan stated that Mexico was to become a constitutional monarchy, whose sole official religion would be Roman Catholicism, in which the Peninsulares and Creoles of Mexico would enjoy equal political and social rights. It took its name from the city of Iguala in the modern-day state of Guerrero. The two main figures behind the Plan were Agustin de Iturbide and Vincente Guerrero, revolutionary rebel leader and later President of Mexico. The Army of the Three Guarantees was formed by the unified forces Iturbide and Guerrero to defend the ideals of the Plan of Iguala. On August 24, 1821, Iturbide and Spanish Viceroy Juan O'Donoju signed the Treaty of Cordoba, Veracruz, ratifying hte Plan of Iguala, and thus confirming Mexico's Independence.
What did the colonists resent about Spain?
Colonist resented Spain's half-hearted attempt to rule them. Colonists were excluded from the best jobs.
What was the result of the Mexican Constitution of 1824?
This Constitution divided the nation into 19 states and 4 territories. The results of the Mexican Constitution of 1824 was that Texas and Coahuila were united into a Mexican state because there were not enough people for them to be independent alone.
What did the Saltillo legislature do to increase the population of Texas?
They hoped to increase the state's population by designing laws that would attract settlers. Foreigners, such as settlers from the United States, were invited to immigrate, or move, to Texas. Settlers in Texas could gain titles to land by themselves or through an Empresario.
Why did Haden Edwards and his brother flee Texas?
Haden Edwards and his brother were angered because their land grants were revoked, so they declared the colony to be the Republic of Fredonia, causing an uproar. He was forced to flee Texas when the Mexican army arrived to put down the rebellion and did not return until after the Texas Revolution had broken out.
When did Sara Dewitt move to Texas?
He failed at convincing 400 families to settle and on April 6, 1830, Mexico passed the law which limited immigrants to Texas. Sara Dewitt (his wife) petitioned to move the land to her name in 1831, which was granted. Even though Dewitt faced struggles within his achievements, his colony is considered one of the 2nd most successful Anglo American colonies of Texas.
Where was the Battle of San Antonio?
This battle was fought approximately 20 miles south of San Antonio de Bexar (modern-day downtown San Antonio) on August 18, 1813, as part of the Mexican War of Independence against Spanish authority in Mexico. Most of the rebels were killed in battle, and others were killed after surrendering. The Spanish also tracked down and killed colonists in San Antonio who had helped the Republican Army. In fear for their own lives, colonists deserted the towns of Goliad and Nacogdoches. A few Republican soldiers escaped capture. Some made their way back to the United States, and others went to Galveston Island. The results of the Spanish crackdown was so brutal that Texas remained Spanish for another seven years.
Moses Austin-
Moses Austin, the father of Stephen F. Austin, was the first man to obtain permission from the Mexican Government to bring Anglo-American settlers into Spanish Texas. He recieved permission to go forward with his plan in 1820. That December, he arrived in San Antonio to seek permission to bring in colonists.
Stephen Austin-
Stephen Austin was the empresario and founder of the Anglo-American settlements in Texas.
Juan Erasmo Seguin-
One of the most important actions Seguin performed was notifying Moses Austin that his petition for a colony in Texas had been accepted in 1821. He also was elected alcade of San Antonio.
Martin De Leon-
Martin DeLeon was the only Mexican empersario to start a colony in Texas. The colony was found on the lower the Guadalupe. Martin DeLeon had an excursion to La Bahia, San Antonio, and Nacogadoches in 1805 which introduced DeLeon to Texas.
Green DeWitt-
Green DeWitt was the empresario of DeWitt's colony. He got an empresario grant in 1825 to settle 400 Anglo-Americans on the Guadalupe River and was authorized to establish a colony. He settled along the Guadalupe River next to Stephen F. Austin's colony.
Overview
Texas empresario
In 1822, DeWitt petitioned the Mexican government for permission to settle colonists in Texas, but was denied. After teaming up with Stephen F. Austin, an influential Texas empresario, the government authorized DeWitt's contract in April 1825. He was given permission to settle 400 respectable, industrious, Catholic families in an area bounded by the Guadalupe, San Marcos, and Lavaca Rivers. This colony was southwest of the one founded by Austin.
Missouri
Green Dewitt was elected as the first Ralls County, Missouri Sheriff in 1821 and served for three years before heading to Texas for adventures that would make him an icon of American history. During his tenure as sheriff, the first courthouse and jail were housed in a log structure built in 1822. The jail was two rooms on the first floor, one a dungeon with no windows, the other a cell with a barred window. Both were entered by trap doors from the courtroom above. An area surro…
Later years and death
By 1831, the colony was becoming more successful, but DeWitt's finances were depleted. He had used personal family funds (chiefly his wife's) to help support the colony. In 1835, near the time of the start of hostilities that would result in the Texas Revolution, DeWitt traveled to Monclova, in Mexico, in an unsuccessful attempt to gain more premium land for his colony. While in Monclova, he contracted cholera, and died on May 18, 1835. He was buried there. Following his death, durin…
Legacy
Green DeWitt is the namesake of DeWitt County, Texas.
Further reading
• Roell, Craig H. (1994). Remember Goliad! A History of La Bahia. Fred Rider Cotten Popular History Series. Austin, TX: Texas State Historical Association. ISBN 0-87611-141-X.
• Preserving the Past - Protecting the Future: A History of Missouri's Sheriffs - (2014) Nancy Hogland - Produced by Missouri Sheriff's Association
External links
• Green DeWitt, Texas Online
• Green DeWitt
• Affairs of Texas, 1825 - 1830
• Fort Tours, Gonzales