Walton -- Patriotic & Historic Family for Walton County, Florida
Posted 07-03-2009 at 09:51 AM by Brenda Rees
Updated 02-03-2010 at 09:01 PM by Brenda Rees (Garland - Nat'l Defense Comments, GSU, Caribbean, Haiti, SAR, Sons of the American Revolution add)
Updated 02-03-2010 at 09:01 PM by Brenda Rees (Garland - Nat'l Defense Comments, GSU, Caribbean, Haiti, SAR, Sons of the American Revolution add)
In honor of America's Fourth of July celebration, I'll post something about the patriotic and historic Walton family. Walton County, Florida was named in honor of George Walton, Jr. His father, George Walton, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert's rich and famous history, although largely unknown today, is weaved through the early territorial days of Florida and Walton County.
Walton County was founded December 29, 1824 and is one of the oldest counties in Florida. The history of Walton County matches its beauty and environmental treasures.
While the Walton family did not live in Walton County, they probably traveled through it a number of times and perhaps stayed with family and friends during their many travels. Octavia was tutored by her grandmother, Dorothy Walton, and knew first hand the true story of America's quest for freedom. See my other blogs on Octavia, Edgar Allan Poe, Alaqua, etc.
Be sure to login to view all pictures and maps.
(c) Brenda Rees, All Rights Reserved
All Photographs by and (c) Brenda Rees
Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert was world renown and a treasure to her home states of Florida, Alabama and Georgia. Walton County, Florida was named for her father George Walton, Jr. Her grandfather signed the Declaration of Independence. This watercolor is in the Alabama Museum of Archives and History in Montgomery, Alabama. Picture by Brenda Rees. (c) All Rights Reserved
Dorothy Walton, wife of George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, had a museum named for her in Pensacola. T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum displays a tribute to her.
The Walton House in Pensacola, Florida. T.T. (Tom) Wentworth Jr. owned the house and sold it to Pensacola for $1. Tom is my great uncle. His sister and my grandmother, Mary Wentworth Jackson, was an early settler on Tresca Lake in South Walton. Mary Wentworth Jackson and her husband, Walter Webb (Jack) Jackson owned one of the early motels in DeFuniak Springs, Florida -- The Jackson Motel on Hwy. 90.
Dorothy Walton's gravesite in Pensacola, Florida. Dorothy came to live in Florida with her son and family in 1821. George Walton, Jr. had been named Secretary for West Florida. He also served as Acting Governor and Secretary for the Territory of Florida. George Walton, the signer, had died in 1804 and did not live in Florida. Dorothy died in 1832. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) have a marker at Dorothy's grave in St. Michaels Cemetery in Pensacola. George Walton, Jr. had prepared an invitation to her funeral in English and Spanish. The Spanish and Galvez, along with the French and LaFayette, were key to the success of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence's purpose. The Waltons knew this. Octavia's trip to Mobile to see LaFayette in 1825 acknowledged this relationship. Her grandfather, George Walton, was a signer. Today, Spanish and French American Revolutionary descendants may join the SAR and DAR. The SAR is planning a trip to Spain this year.
George Walton, Jr. portrait painted by William E. West on display at the Oakleigh House in Mobile Alabama. Leora Sutton, author of "The Walton House" told me it was Caldwell Delaney who helped save many Walton family portraits and artifacts now under the care of the Historic Mobile Preservation Association. I uncovered this portrait for today's Walton County citizen. Walton history association members were not aware of its existence until my location in 2006.
Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert (portrayed by Brenda Rees) and President Abraham Lincoln (portrayed by Michael Krebs) visit at the Florida Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs. Octavia was a Vice Regent of the Mount Vernon Society, formed to save President Washington's home. President Lincoln was a gentleman advisor for this committee.
Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert (Brenda Rees) and Mary Todd Lincoln (Debra Ann Miller) at Florida Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs.
2010 Florida Chautauqua Assembly Jan. 28 - Jan. 31 in DeFuniak Springs
Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert will be at the 2010 Florida Chautauqua Assembly in DeFuniak Springs. Join her at one of two teas where she will discuss her connections to the Caribbean. Ties to LaFayette, Haiti, the American Revolution and pirates will also be part of Octavia's portrayal by historic re-enactor Brenda Rees. Washington Irving was a personal friend of Octavia. His writing influenced what people thought and knew about Columbus and the Caribbean for many years.
"I'm very excited about this new program for Octavia. In addition, the splendid victorian dress makers in Walton County, Rickie and Jim Bovay, are preparing a new dress. It will be a copy of the gown in the portrait at the top of this blog." -- Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida
Individual tickets for the teas are $18. Octavia's teas are at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30. Other pay as you go tickets available.
A special 4-day Passport is $125. This includes all keynote and breakout sessions; sceduled continental breakfasts and lunches! ;Coice of two Performance Teas; first 100 registrants receive free copy of Ana's Story by Jenna Bush Hager with personally autographed bookplate.
A one day pass is $60. There are many free events and exhibits. Walton County students are participating once again.
Jenna Hager,author, NBC contributing corresondent and Chair of UNICEF's Next Generation and daughter of former President and Mrs. George W. Bush, will be the Keynote Speaker Friday, 9 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. FAMU' s Bahamian Rhythm Rushers are featured dance performers. There will be live animal exhibits and shows with Brian Staples of Brian Staples Animal Reserve & Rescue.
For more information go to
www.florida-chautauqua.org
The Assembly Hotline: 850-238-2612
Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert brings history to life in her presentation at the recent Florida Chautauqua. A replica of her dress worn as Vice Regent of the Mt. Vernon Society was created especially for Brenda Rees and her portrayal of Octavia by Rickie and Jim Bovay. The dress was premiered at Florida Chautauqua 2010 -- Travels to the Caribbean.
Greg Garland presenting Keynote address to Florida Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs, Florida on Saturday, Feb. 30, 2010. He discussed Spanish influence and Florida as door to the Caribbean. His talk was in the First Methodist Church of DeFuniak Springs. The quilt behind him was locally made and auctioned.
I was particularly honored to have Greg Garland attend Octavia's tea on Friday. Garland is Research Fellow at the National Defense Intelligence College, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. He was most kind and generous in his keynote remarks the next day about the depth and research behind my tea as well as the entertaining factor. He referenced my presentation several times in his keynote address.
Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert shared some witty repartee with these clever pirates from the Caribbean. Octavia's Uncle Boundurant had been captured by pirates in 1816 off Ocean Springs. Her grandmother had been taken as prisoner during the American Revolution and transported to the Island of Eustacia. It was British officers who captured Dorothy Walton, however, not rogue pirates.
This British officer (Craig Reynolds) had some explaining to do to Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert. Octavia's grandmother, Dorothy Walton, wife of Signer of the Declaration of Independence George Walton, had been captured during the American Revolution and taken prisoner to the Caribbean Island of St. Eustacia. She was released after an exchange for two British officers was arranged. Dorothy bravely withstood taunts by her British captors to abandon her husband and the American colonies' fight for freedom.
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Want to know more? Dig deeper?
Washington Irving, Columbus, The Caribbean, Spanish Orientalism, Moors
If you'd like to read a fascinating dissertation on some of the politics from 1492 until today and the philosophy behind Spanish Orientalism here's a link to Michael Stevens' Georgia State University paper -- Washington Irving and the Romance of the Moors. http://etd.gsu.edu/theses/available/...200712_phd.pdf
Walton County was founded December 29, 1824 and is one of the oldest counties in Florida. The history of Walton County matches its beauty and environmental treasures.
While the Walton family did not live in Walton County, they probably traveled through it a number of times and perhaps stayed with family and friends during their many travels. Octavia was tutored by her grandmother, Dorothy Walton, and knew first hand the true story of America's quest for freedom. See my other blogs on Octavia, Edgar Allan Poe, Alaqua, etc.
Be sure to login to view all pictures and maps.
(c) Brenda Rees, All Rights Reserved
All Photographs by and (c) Brenda Rees
Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert was world renown and a treasure to her home states of Florida, Alabama and Georgia. Walton County, Florida was named for her father George Walton, Jr. Her grandfather signed the Declaration of Independence. This watercolor is in the Alabama Museum of Archives and History in Montgomery, Alabama. Picture by Brenda Rees. (c) All Rights Reserved
Dorothy Walton, wife of George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, had a museum named for her in Pensacola. T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum displays a tribute to her.
The Walton House in Pensacola, Florida. T.T. (Tom) Wentworth Jr. owned the house and sold it to Pensacola for $1. Tom is my great uncle. His sister and my grandmother, Mary Wentworth Jackson, was an early settler on Tresca Lake in South Walton. Mary Wentworth Jackson and her husband, Walter Webb (Jack) Jackson owned one of the early motels in DeFuniak Springs, Florida -- The Jackson Motel on Hwy. 90.
Dorothy Walton's gravesite in Pensacola, Florida. Dorothy came to live in Florida with her son and family in 1821. George Walton, Jr. had been named Secretary for West Florida. He also served as Acting Governor and Secretary for the Territory of Florida. George Walton, the signer, had died in 1804 and did not live in Florida. Dorothy died in 1832. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) have a marker at Dorothy's grave in St. Michaels Cemetery in Pensacola. George Walton, Jr. had prepared an invitation to her funeral in English and Spanish. The Spanish and Galvez, along with the French and LaFayette, were key to the success of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence's purpose. The Waltons knew this. Octavia's trip to Mobile to see LaFayette in 1825 acknowledged this relationship. Her grandfather, George Walton, was a signer. Today, Spanish and French American Revolutionary descendants may join the SAR and DAR. The SAR is planning a trip to Spain this year.
George Walton, Jr. portrait painted by William E. West on display at the Oakleigh House in Mobile Alabama. Leora Sutton, author of "The Walton House" told me it was Caldwell Delaney who helped save many Walton family portraits and artifacts now under the care of the Historic Mobile Preservation Association. I uncovered this portrait for today's Walton County citizen. Walton history association members were not aware of its existence until my location in 2006.
Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert (portrayed by Brenda Rees) and President Abraham Lincoln (portrayed by Michael Krebs) visit at the Florida Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs. Octavia was a Vice Regent of the Mount Vernon Society, formed to save President Washington's home. President Lincoln was a gentleman advisor for this committee.
Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert (Brenda Rees) and Mary Todd Lincoln (Debra Ann Miller) at Florida Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs.
2010 Florida Chautauqua Assembly Jan. 28 - Jan. 31 in DeFuniak Springs
Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert will be at the 2010 Florida Chautauqua Assembly in DeFuniak Springs. Join her at one of two teas where she will discuss her connections to the Caribbean. Ties to LaFayette, Haiti, the American Revolution and pirates will also be part of Octavia's portrayal by historic re-enactor Brenda Rees. Washington Irving was a personal friend of Octavia. His writing influenced what people thought and knew about Columbus and the Caribbean for many years.
"I'm very excited about this new program for Octavia. In addition, the splendid victorian dress makers in Walton County, Rickie and Jim Bovay, are preparing a new dress. It will be a copy of the gown in the portrait at the top of this blog." -- Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida
Individual tickets for the teas are $18. Octavia's teas are at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30. Other pay as you go tickets available.
A special 4-day Passport is $125. This includes all keynote and breakout sessions; sceduled continental breakfasts and lunches! ;Coice of two Performance Teas; first 100 registrants receive free copy of Ana's Story by Jenna Bush Hager with personally autographed bookplate.
A one day pass is $60. There are many free events and exhibits. Walton County students are participating once again.
Jenna Hager,author, NBC contributing corresondent and Chair of UNICEF's Next Generation and daughter of former President and Mrs. George W. Bush, will be the Keynote Speaker Friday, 9 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. FAMU' s Bahamian Rhythm Rushers are featured dance performers. There will be live animal exhibits and shows with Brian Staples of Brian Staples Animal Reserve & Rescue.
For more information go to
www.florida-chautauqua.org
The Assembly Hotline: 850-238-2612
Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert brings history to life in her presentation at the recent Florida Chautauqua. A replica of her dress worn as Vice Regent of the Mt. Vernon Society was created especially for Brenda Rees and her portrayal of Octavia by Rickie and Jim Bovay. The dress was premiered at Florida Chautauqua 2010 -- Travels to the Caribbean.
Greg Garland presenting Keynote address to Florida Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs, Florida on Saturday, Feb. 30, 2010. He discussed Spanish influence and Florida as door to the Caribbean. His talk was in the First Methodist Church of DeFuniak Springs. The quilt behind him was locally made and auctioned.
I was particularly honored to have Greg Garland attend Octavia's tea on Friday. Garland is Research Fellow at the National Defense Intelligence College, Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. He was most kind and generous in his keynote remarks the next day about the depth and research behind my tea as well as the entertaining factor. He referenced my presentation several times in his keynote address.
Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert shared some witty repartee with these clever pirates from the Caribbean. Octavia's Uncle Boundurant had been captured by pirates in 1816 off Ocean Springs. Her grandmother had been taken as prisoner during the American Revolution and transported to the Island of Eustacia. It was British officers who captured Dorothy Walton, however, not rogue pirates.
This British officer (Craig Reynolds) had some explaining to do to Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert. Octavia's grandmother, Dorothy Walton, wife of Signer of the Declaration of Independence George Walton, had been captured during the American Revolution and taken prisoner to the Caribbean Island of St. Eustacia. She was released after an exchange for two British officers was arranged. Dorothy bravely withstood taunts by her British captors to abandon her husband and the American colonies' fight for freedom.
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Want to know more? Dig deeper?
Washington Irving, Columbus, The Caribbean, Spanish Orientalism, Moors
If you'd like to read a fascinating dissertation on some of the politics from 1492 until today and the philosophy behind Spanish Orientalism here's a link to Michael Stevens' Georgia State University paper -- Washington Irving and the Romance of the Moors. http://etd.gsu.edu/theses/available/...200712_phd.pdf
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