Henry Austin to his daughter Nell, June 2, 1903

The letters and newspaper clippings in this collection document homesteading in central Florida in the last quarter of the 19th century. The Austins were involved in establishing orange groves and pineapple fields in the vicinity of Lake Beresford, west of DeLand. They frequently wrote to family, describing how they were progressing and encouraging others to move to Florida. Letters in this collection deal with many topics, and include notes about Henry Austin's and John Cannon's reconnaissance of DeLand, Fort Reid, Orlando, Maitland, Titusville and other places in 1875.

The bulk of the information in the letters revolves around the day to day life and hardships of planting and commerce. Letters tend to be lengthy and detailed. Early letters give accounts of clearing land, planting orange trees, soil conditions, natural surroundings, and suitable crops. Others tell of the progress made on Austin's homestead as well as the increasing activity in the area, with Austin describing how the county was filling up. A letter to Hettie Austin from Miami in 1898 includes a description of troops awaiting departure to the Spanish American War. It also describes the festivities that took place in Miami on the Fourth of July 1898, and the involvement of the troops in these festivities.

A family history by Hettie Austin discusses her project to get subscriptions from settlers to establish a local church. These subscriptions would eventually result in the first public building in DeLand.