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Residents to mark Austin birth at death site
Published November 3, 2009
WEST COLUMBIA — Though the Father of Texas won’t be there to celebrate his 216th birthday, distant relatives of his and residents from around Brazoria County will honor the man with all the pomp and circumstance he deserves, officials said.
Today at 1 p.m., the Cradle of Texas Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas is hosting Stephen F. Austin’s annual birthday celebration at his death site outside West Columbia, event chairwoman Tissie Schwebel said.
Austin was born Nov. 3, 1793, in southwestern Virginia, and 216 years later that day still is honored in Brazoria County.
“We invite an elementary fourth grade class to come, and they have really a history lesson because we have a group there that brings all the flags from the State of Texas and we have a man who portrays Stephen F. Austin,” Schwebel said.
The students will get to visit several different stations and learn about sewing, butter-making and other crafts as they learn some of the history of Texas, Schwebel said.
Also, descendants of Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin’s father, participate in the celebration and a flower arrangement is laid on Austin’s death site, seventh-generation descendent Charlene Cammack Buck said.
“The ones of us that live local and the ones of us that are able to attend, we’re still proud to say this wonderful man is a relative of ours, and we’re very proud of the history that he’s created for all the descendants to actually carry on into the future generations,” Buck said.
Students who attend will perform songs or skits tailored to the celebration, Buck said.
“It’s going to be a beautiful day,” she said. “If people have nothing else do to, come watch the kids perform. They’re always phenomenal. Come enjoy the celebration with the rest of us.”
Austin’s death site is off North Highway 36, on CR 467. For information, call Schwebel at 979-345-3335.
Erin McKeon is a reporter for The Facts. Contact her at 979-237-0152.
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