By Abby Zarate, this document describes her family's time living in Austin's colony in Texas in the 1820s. They arrived with $1,000 and were granted 1,120 acres of land, which they had to pay off over three years. The first few years were difficult, with harsh winters, supply shortages, and poor crop yields. However, by 1824 they had paid off their land and ended the year with $400 saved up after selling crops and lumber. The document provides a first-hand account of the challenges of settling in Austin's colony during that time period.