Richard Austin

Richard Austin (1598–1645) was an early puritan colonist who landed in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts on 16 May 1638 on board a ship called the Bevis. He was the immigrant paternal English ancestor and great-great-great-grandfather of Stephen F. Austin, empresario, considered the "Father of Texas" and founder of Texas. Early life Richard (Jr.) was born in 1598 to Richard Austin (Sr.) and his wife Annis (of unknown maiden surname) in Bishopstoke, Hampshire, England, and died in 1645 in Charlestown, Suffolk, Massachusetts. Richard (Jr.) was buried in Watertown, Massachusetts. Settlement in the colonies Richard Austin is the immigrant ancestor of a family named "Austin" that prospered, ultimately settling parts of Missouri and Texas; noteworthy descendants include Stephen F. Austin, Moses Austin, Emily Austin Perry, Guy Morrison Bryan, Moses Austin Bryan and Stephen Samuel Perry. Richard settled in Charlestown, Massachusetts. There are few references to Richard Austin, but in 1651, Richard Austin or a descendant by the same name held some public offices in Charlestown. Puritan religious conviction resulted in Richard Austin's decision to leave England for New England. Shortly after arrival, Richard's brother-in-law, Edmund Littlefield (who married Agnes Austin), "broke from his congregation" to then settle in Exeter in New Hampshire.