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SoWal Beaches Forum - Blogs - Brenda Rees - Shaping Florida by Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/ en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:35:39 GMT vBulletin 10 http://sowal.com/bb/images/misc/rss.jpg SoWal Beaches Forum - Blogs - Brenda Rees - Shaping Florida by Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/ The Governor Stone -- Once in Eden, Pt. Washington -- Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/660-governor-stone-once-eden-pt-washington-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:31:14 GMT *THE GOVERNOR STONE: Once in Eden Gardens State Park, Pt. Washington, Florida --** by Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida* *Governor Stone Update November 13, 2009 * I was thinking about the... THE GOVERNOR STONE: Once in Eden Gardens State Park, Pt. Washington, Florida -- by Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida

Governor Stone Update November 13, 2009

I was thinking about the Governor Stone, built in 1877 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the other day and wondered how she was doing. The Governor Stone is currently in Ft. Walton Beach under the care of The Friends of Governor Stone. The Governor Stone had passed from The Friends of Eden of Pt. Washington, Walton County, Florida, to this new group.

Copy of Bob Swinford's painting of the Governor Stone. Brenda Rees copy from Bob Swinford. Bob Swinford married Mickey Wesley, the youngest of the nine children of William and Katie Wesley. They were married for 67 years. The historic "Wesley House" is located at Eden Gardens State Park in Pt. Washington, Walton County, Florida. Bob and Mickey spent part of their 1938 honeymoon there.

What prompted this fresh look at the Governor Stone was a recent visit with Bob Swinford, formerly of Eastern Lake in South Walton. You’ve perhaps read about him on some of my other history blogs about the Wesley House, Eastern Lake or Moon-dreaming. Bob prepared several plaques of the Governor Stone from photo copies of his original oil pastel painting. He recently donated several of these and others of Eden to the Friends of Eden and Virgie. On the back he had some information from a recent article that needs correcting and he asked that I pass that update along. The term of the Governor Stone’s namesake was in question. Governor John M. Stone was one of the first governors elected in Mississippi after the Civil War and Reconstruction. For a brief time the Governor Stone was docked at Eden. That the Governor Stone is not currently docked at Eden should also be noted. I do have a rare picture of the Governor Stone docked at Eden taken during a Friends of Eden event a few years ago. After she left Eden, the Governor Stone has wandered around several different ports. One day while having lunch at Uncle Ernie’s (which has Pt. Washington ties!) over near St. Andrews, I saw the Governor Stone docked there. The Governor Stone is a unique historical treasure. Hopefully, Walton County interests will continue to be very involved along with other interested parties. Ft. Walton Beach and Walton County have so many historical ties, this seems to be a good fit.

The Governor Stone off dock at Eden Gardens State Park, Pt Washington, Walton County, Florida. Photograph by Brenda Rees (c) All Rights Reserved

Virgie Thompson, instrumental in securing the Governor Stone for The Friends of Eden associated with Eden Gardens State Park and Historic Wesley House in Pt. Washington, Walton County, Florida, is also past president of the Friends of Governor Stone.

There is an interesting tie between my great grandfather T.T. Wentworth, Sr. of Pensacola, Florida and the Governor Stone. It is the storm of 1906. James P. Delgado notes in his National Historic Landmark Study of 1990 that the “ Governor Stone and Thomas Burns both survived a hurricane on September 26, 1906, that caught a fleet of several schooners on Herron Bay, Alabama. Stone capsized and Burns was washed ashore clinging to a skiff, the sole survivor of the 22 men serving aboard the lost schooners.” It was this same hurricane that caught T.T. Wentworth, Sr. offshore of Santa Rosa Island and Pensacola in his fishing boat. He was lost for days. Some of his children, including my grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Wentworth Jackson, survived by clinging to the top of a table that her mother and older brothers pushed across to the Pensacola Beach shore. The table is now at the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum in Pensacola. On her life’s journey, Mary Jackson moved to Walton County, ran the Jackson Motel on Highway 90 in DeFuniak Springs for many years with her husband Walter Webb (Jack) Jackson and eventually built a beach home in Eastern Lake Estates on Tresca Lake not far from the Wesley homestead.

Here are some notes from “Governor Stone, National Historic Landmark Study by James P. Delgado, 1990.” Delgado is currently President of Nautical Archaeology in College Station, Texas and Bodrum-Turkey from 2006 until present.

You can access Delgado's report at the site below:

http://www.nps.gov/history/MARITIME/nhl/govstone.htm

Present and Historical Physical Appearance
The two-masted schooner Governor Stone, official number 85508, … sails in “the shallow waters for which she was designed,” the shallow bays and inland waters along the Upper Gulf of Mexico.

Governor Stone as Built and Modified
As built in 1877, Governor Stone is a wooden-hulled vessel with a sharp stern and a round stern. Stone was and remains a single-decked centerboard schooner 39.0 feet long, with a 12.6-foot beam and a 3,3-foot depth of hold. Her length overall is 66 feet. Governor Stone has a 3.9-foot draft. The schooner is registered at 14.6 gross and 12 net tons. (1) The ship has a yellow pine keel and stem and double-sawn Cypress frames, planked with spike-fastened Cypress, and white pine and juniper decks and bulwarks. Goveernor Stone has been described as a “hog trough,” in that she is planked to the keel with no deadwood and is nearly double-ended.
In most respects the schooner closely fits the lines and model of the typical Gulf fishing and freighting schooners of the late 19th and the early 20th centuries, with a slightly raked stern forming an apple-cheeked full bow, and a straight stern with a skeg aft and the keel rabbet straight forward, with the rudder post fitted at the end of the skeg so that the rudder is well inboard, with a counter aft. (2)
Governor Stone was built as a two-masted, gaff-rigged topmast schooner. The vessel has retained her rig throughout her 113-year career. The masts are longleaf yellow pine, rising 38.8 feet from the forestep to the truck and 39.8 feet from the main-step to the truck. The mainmast is fitted with the topmast. The height of the mainmast, from waterline to the topmast truck, is 52 feet. The schooner is fitted with a bowsprit.
Governor Stone was first outfitted with an engine in 1923, when she carried a small 16-horsepower gasoline engine that drove a single screw. The schooner was fitted with a small gasoline-powered 50-horsepower Gray engine in 1940. By 1947, the engine was replaced with a 110-hp Chrysler Marine engine, which was removed in the early 1980s. When the schooner was restored in 1989-1990, a new Perkins 4.236 Diesel engine was installed that drives a single screw.
Governor Stone has a single raised cabin built onto her poop deck, and the flush deck is occupied by large hatches that lead into the open hold, which is divided by the centerboard trunk. A longleaf yellow pine samson post forward mounts the schooner’s original cast-iron windlass, which is bolted to cheeks on the samson post. Forwaard of the samson post, the bowsprit is stepped inboard and secured by chain shrouds. The forestay passes through the end of the bowspprit and leads to tthe single bobstay, which is reeved through a deadeye and chain to the shackle at the gripe. The bowsprit also mounts a traveler for the forestaysail club, which can be run out from deck to tighten the clew. The original cast-iron steering gear, reinforced with a stainless steel piece welded to the weather side of the shaft, is housed in a sheel box aft. The teak wheel was reportedly added in the 1940s.
The schooner was recently restored using original materials. A number of frames and outer hull plants were replaced, while the majority of major structural members, including the floors, were retained. In excellent operating condition, Governor Stone possesses a high degree of integrity and readily evidences the form and style of the shoal centerboard freight and fishing schooners of the Gulf coast.

NOTES

See Annual List of Merchant Vessels in the United States (Washington, D.C,: Government Printing Office, 1878) as well as later editions of the same, such as 1923.
The characteristics of Biloxi and other Gulf-built schooners are discussed in Howard I. Chapelle, The National Watercraft Collection (Washington, D.C.: The National Museum of American History, 1960), pp. 234-235

Statement of Significance
The most common American vessel type was the two-masted schooner. Developed in the mid-to-late 18th century, these vessels reached a more or less standard form by the mid-19th century, a design that continued to be built into the first decades of the 20th century. The only variation of note in the two-masted schooner, aside from the underwater form of the hull, or the lines, was the presence of a centerboard. Tens of thousands of these vessels were built and operated on the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts, and on the Great Lakes in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The “freight trucks” of their time, the coasting schooners carried coal, bricks, iron ore, grain, oysters, and numerous other bulk products between ports.
There are now only five surviving two-masted coasting schooners in the United States – Lewis R. French (1871); Stephen Taber (1871); Governor Stone (1877); Grace Bailey (1882); and Mercantile (1916); all subjects of separate studies. Of all of these vessels, Governor Stone is the only surviving Gulf-built schooner of thousands constructed and employed in the busy and nationally important Gulf fishing and general freight trades. Governor Stone is the sole known survivor afloat of the indigenous sailing schooners of the American South. After more than a century in service, including time as an auxiliary-powered oyster buyboat, Governor Stone was restored and placed in operation as a museum-operated historic vessel, carrying passengers on chargers and sail training cruises along the Gulf coast. ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/660-governor-stone-once-eden-pt-washington-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html The Counties of Florida http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/658-counties-florida.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:38:10 GMT

THE COUNTIES OF FLORIDA

Presented by

Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida

Walton County is one of the oldest counties in Florida and was created December 29, 1824. The first two counties created in Florida on July 21, 1821 were Escambia and St. Johns with the Suwannee River as the dividing line. Then, in 1822, Jackson was created from Escambia and Duval from St. Johns. Gadsden and Monroe were formed in 1823. Walton County was formed in 1824 along with Leon, Alachua, Nassau and Mosquito. The impact this county development had is discussed in some of my other blogs.

This 1836 Florida Map by Tanner shows Alaqua in Walton County. Also, South Walton is in Washington County at this time. South Walton was within the original borders of Walton County in 1824. Few counties exist in south Florida. Our current neighboring counties of Bay and Okaloosa don't exist. Counties were developed for political control of the legislature. Since this legislative configuration changed with the Voting Rights Act of 1964, perhaps we'll consolidate one day to save money.

There are 67 counties in Florida. Here is a listing of the year they were created. (Source: Florida Statutes 1941)

1. Escambia July 21, 1821
2. St. Johns July 21, 1821
3. Jackson Aug 12, 1822
4. Duval Aug 12, 1822
5. Gadsden June 24, 1823
6. Monroe July 3, 1823
7. Leon Dec 29, 1824
8. Walton Dec 29, 1824
9. Alachua Dec 29, 1824
10. Nassau Dec 29, 1824
11. Mosquito Dec 29, 1824 (name changed)
Orange Jan 30, 1845 (was Mosquito)
12.Washington Dec 9, 1825
13. Jefferson January 20, 1827
14. Madison December 26, 1827
15. Hamilton Dec 26, 1827
16. Columbia Feb 4, 1832
17. Franklin Feb 8, 1832
18. Hillsborough Jan 25, 1834
19. Dade Feb 4, 1836
20. Calhoun Jan 26, 1838
21. Santa Rosa Feb 18, 1842
22.Hernando Feb 24, 1843 (name changed)
Benton March 6, 1844 (was Hernando)
Hernando Dec 24, 1850 (was Benton)
23. Wakulla Mar 11, 1843
24. Marion Mar 14, 1844
25. St. Lucie Mar 14, 1844 (name changed)
Brevard Jan 6, 1855 (was St. Lucie)
26. Levy Mar 10, 1845
27. Holmes Jan 8, 1848
28. Putnam Jan 13, 1849
29. Sumter Jan 8, 1853
30. Volusia Dec 29, 1854
31. Manatee Jan 9, 1855
32. Liberty Dec 15, 1855
33. Lafayette Dec 23, 1856
34. Taylor Dec 23, 1856
35. Suwannee Dec 21, 1858
36. New River Dec 21, 1858 (name changed)
Bradford Dec 6, 1861 (from New River)
37. Clay Dec 31, 1858
38. Baker Feb 8, 1861
39. Polk Feb 8, 1861
40. Osceola May 12, 1887
41. Lee May 13, 1887
42. DeSoto May 19, 1887
43. Lake May 27, 1887
44. Citrus June 2, 1887
45. Pasco June 2, 1887
46. St. Lucie May 24, 1905
47. Palm Beach April 30, 1909
48. Pinellas May 23, 1911
49. Bay April 24, 1913
50. Seminole April 25, 1913
51. Broward April 30, 1915
52. Okaloosa June 13, 1915
53. Flagler April 28, 1917
54. Okeechobee May 8, 1917
55. Hardee April 23, 1921
56. Highlands April 23, 1921
57. Charlotte April 23, 1921
58. Glades April 23, 1921
59. Dixie April 25, 1921
60. Sarasota May 14, 1921
61. Union May 20, 1921
62. Collier May 8, 1923
63. Hendry May 11, 1923
64. Martin May 30, 1925
65. Indian River May 30, 1925
66. Gulf June 6, 1925
67. Gilchrist Dec 4, 1925 ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/658-counties-florida.html San Miguel and SoWal Day -- September 29, 2009 -- Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/604-san-miguel-sowal-day-september-29-2009-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:33:23 GMT San Miguel and SoWal – San Miguel Day, Tuesday, September 29, 2009 – Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida (c) Let’s celebrate San Miguel Day – September 29!! Image:... San Miguel and SoWal – San Miguel Day, Tuesday, September 29, 2009 – Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida (c)

Let’s celebrate San Miguel Day – September 29!!

A typical street parade in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. We probably won't dress like this Tuesday in SoWal, but some of us will wear our San Miguel shoes to Cafe Thirty-A Martini Night. 2005 Photograph by Brenda Rees. All photos by BR.

There are current and historical reasons to highlight this day in SoWal.

Around September 29, 1528, on what became the failed expedition of Panfilo de Narvaez, Spanish boats probably sailed past the shores of South Walton, Florida. Many of the doomed explorers likely came ashore seeking food, water and other needed supplies. We know about this account as one of the few survivors, Cabeza de Vaca, wrote of this disastrous early Florida expedition. His account of this trip would lead the way for future explorers to South Walton and Northwest Florida’s coast. Tristan de Luna would come in 1559 to settle Pensacola, Florida. (It wasn't until later in 1565 that St. Augustine was established. However, Ayllon's San Miguel de Gualdape 1526 and Ft. Caroline 1564 figure into this interesting mix -- another story, another time.)

Original painting by Brenda Rees depicting Narvaez and Cabeza de Vaca as they sailed by the shores of South Walton, Florida in 1528.

San Miguel de Allende, Jardin, Cathedral and Allende's home in Mexico.

Today, one of Mexico’s great cities, San Miguel de Allende, is a favored destination for many from SoWal. A number have homes here in SoWal as well as San Miguel. Perhaps we’ll be official “Sister Cities” one day. St. Michael or San Miguel, the Archangel, is one of the Patron Saints of San Miguel de Allende as well as being a Patron Saint of mariners. A San Miguel Day is September 29.

View from the home of a South Walton, Florida resident of the Jardin in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

A quiet trip to the beach will also be in order this day. Look out across the horizon and imagine Spanish explorers crowded into their makeshift boats. Was the gulf calm that day? How was the weather? Where might they have come ashore? Having slaughtered and eaten their horses or made ropes from the horses tails and manes, the explorers had melted their stirrups and other metal for nails to build these ships and used their clothes for sails. Separated from their wives and provisions for a long time at this point, what hope did they have for reaching Mexico or Spain?

Gulf of Mexico and beach area between Deer Lake State Park and Eastern Lake, a rare coastal dune lake, in South Walton, Florida. Early explorers might have landed to seek shelter and supplies in these coastal dune lakes that line the shore of the Beaches of South Walton.

Spanish armor has been recovered along the Coastal Dune Lakes and Beaches of South Walton. Perhaps you’ll be lucky and find a Spanish artifact left behind by these earlier travelers on San Miguel Day. The deck at Deer Lake State Park will provide a most authentic view of how our shores looked when Narvaez and de Vaca passed by in 1528. Only four men survived from the original land group of 300. They were probably passing out of what is known as West Bay into the Gulf around San Miguel Day and so also named a pass in this area "San Miguel."

View of the Gulf of Mexico, our beautiful beaches and sand dunes from the deck at Deer Lake State Park in South Walton, Florida. You can sit here and imagine Spanish explorers sailing by in 1528. Spanish armour as well as native peoples arrowheads have been found in the area. All photographs by Brenda Rees.

Then, to further celebrate San Miguel Day, there are Spanish and Mexican food inspired establishments and menu choices in SoWal. Lunch or dinner with a Spanish flair will certainly be on many schedules.

To top off this special day, Tuesday, September 29 is the regular Martini Night at Café Thirty-A located in the heart of 30-A. I’ll be there with fellow local history enthusiast Maunsel White, and many of his Seagrove Beach relatives and our friends, to remember our areas early Spanish Explorers and today’s SoWal San Miguel Travelers. Perhaps we can invent the “San Miguel Martini!” Join us about 5:30 p.m. for a toast.

San Miguel Day in SoWal -- An original event researched and presented by Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida.

Portrait in de Allende's Museum in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Another dancer in the San Miguel de Allende street parade. This picture was taken in 2005 in August. The Feast of Santo Domingo is around August 8th, so this parade might have been in honor of that special day. There is always a party or feast celebration going on in San Miguel and SoWal!! This man is one of my favorite pictures, so had to add him. His intensity and purpose impressed me.

BE SURE TO LOG IN TO SEE PICTURES.

San Miguel Day in SoWal 2009 Update. We had a great first celebration in SoWal for this San Miguel Day. Thanks to Harriet and staff of Cafe30A for the special service, Mayan Martini and wonderful tapas. Thanks to all who attended. See you and more next year, Sept. 29, 2010. I'd like to hear what others did on this day, where you ate, what you saw as you contemplated on our SoWal beaches. What a beautiful day!

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT FLORIDA AND WALTON COUNTY HISTORY? CHECK OUT OVER 32 BLOGS BY BRENDA REES -- SHAPING FLORIDA ON SOWAL.COM. UNIQUE STORIES AND PICTURES NOT FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE. ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/604-san-miguel-sowal-day-september-29-2009-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html <![CDATA[Anna's Stories - Back to School - Palmer College, TII - Brenda Rees - Shaping Florida]]> http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/584-annas-stories-back-school-palmer-college-tii-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:33:15 GMT Anna’s Stories – Back to School -- Palmer College, TII – Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida Florida’s First Junior College Early Florida Higher Education Institutions From the Papers of Anna Smith... Anna’s Stories – Back to School -- Palmer College, TII – Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida

Florida’s First Junior College
Early Florida Higher Education Institutions
From the Papers of Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon and her son, Ernest L. Hollingsworth, Jr. (Sonny and my mother recently retrieved these notes and papers from their attic.)
Presented by Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida
© All Rights Reserved 2009

Walton County was an early educational and cultural center for Florida. The Florida Chautauqua of New York started a winter program in DeFuniak Springs, Florida in 1885. Thousands traveled here to relax at this winter resort and to improve their education and religious training. The programs were a perfect blend of education, culture, recreation and religion. Formal education programs and institutions were also notable in Walton County. Among them was Palmer College. Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon attended Palmer College and Academy, and was a Senior in 1922. Enjoy another installment of Anna Smith’s stories as you read about her personal school experiences and view pictures from her scrapbook of Palmer College. Her son, Ernest L. (Sonny) Hollingsworth and his wife, Gloria, recently retrieved these pictures and notes from their attic. Gloria is my mother. Anna's family owned Grayton Beach and Camp Walton homes and resorts. – Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida

Anna Smith (Hollingworth Reardon) and her Class of 1922 at Palmer College and Academy. You'll see other Walton County historic names noted such as Catts, McCaskill, and McKinnon.

Palmer College and Academy existed from 1907 until 1935 or 1936 in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. A number of those early students were well acquainted with the beaches of South Walton, Camp Walton and other Emerald Coast beach locations. They often attended school in DeFuniak, and went to the beach in Grayton, Eastern Lake and other beaches in South Walton. You can read more about early resorts in Camp Walton and Grayton Beach in my other blogs on SoWal.com. – Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida

Class picture of the Palmer College Academy seniors of 1922.

Palmer girls in Anna's album.

The state of Florida operated a Normal School in DeFuniak Springs until moving classes to Tallahassee and Gainesville. The Presbyterian Church purchased the Normal School and named it Palmer College in honor of Rev. B.M. Palmer, D.D. L.L.D. of New Orleans. The early curriculum consisted of academic courses, Bible study and physical education. The board, tuition and fees were around $350.00 in 1923 according to a catalogue of Mrs. Mack. E. Dennis of Pensacola per a story by Dianne Day in the DeFuniak Springs Herald – Breeze, Thursday, November 13, 1975. Day also wrote that the elementary section was where Everett Yates now had a home. An update here is that Yates son, Sonny Yates, is a past president of the Walton County Heritage Association. My father, Mac Anderson, was Sonny Yates teacher and football coach. – Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida

Anna Smith, in writing about her Auntie and Uncle (Mrs. and Mrs. L.I. Smith), shared a story about Palmer College. Anna wrote:

…”I recall that my parents were concerned about my health and for a while I walked from Palmer College to Uncle and Auntie’s for mid-day dinner. What feasts! We had old fashioned strawberry short cake with whipped cream every day for a month – fried chicken, pork chops, tiny fresh peas, new potatoes, biscuits, etc.

They were kind, loving and generous. During their last years of life, Cousin Eubert Fletcher and his wife, Mary, spent the winters with Uncle and Auntie. Sometimes their grown daughter, Liona, came along. Auntie was fond of Mrs. Sue Gillis, a Civil War widow who lived on Live Oak Ave.. Dr. Dye had built a house next door about 1922, so there was an almost perpetual game of “set-back” going on. My grandfather, Hugh Thornber, after playing cards with my father at home, would drop in at Uncle’s for a game, every afternoon. I was embarrassed to arrive and leave Palmer College and Academy in a car when everyone else was walking. I’d get Granddad to put me out a few blocks away from school, so I could walk, too, and I’d walk to Uncle and Auntie’s house to meet Granddad in the afternoon where the card game was in progress.”…

Anna Smith and her aunt, Mrs. L.I. (Anna Durinda) Smith in front of home on historic Circle Drive on Lake DeFuniak. This is probably the house from which Anna walked to Palmer College. Quality education was always important in Walton County. The sophisticated population attracted by the Florida Chautauqua demanded first class institutions to match the beauty of the area. Some early names used to describe places along Northwest Florida were "The Naples of America" or "America's Riviera."

Representative Palmer Students. Also, theatre and an appreciation of the arts was very important from the early days of Walton County education.

Elegantly dressed for a special event.

p. 32 handwritten note
…“Among L.I. Smith’s holdings in the Camp Walton – Mary Esther area were 200 acres on the sound beach adjacent to the present Santa Rosa County line, and acreage at what was known as the German dye plant, now on Eglin Air Force Base. He did much to develop that area, and always foresaw that some day it would develop. He helped many in Walton County, including assistance given to Thomas Industrial Memorial Institute, a Methodist private school.”

Thomas Industrial Institute. My mother's notes with this picture say it is 1921 and Mr. Bailey is the principal. Joe Arrington was a senior and captain of the football team.

Anna Smith, 1922, Palmer College and Academy, Senior Picture. This is the same picture that is on the composite of entire class.

End of Anna’s notes, pictures and writing.

Bessie Tervin also attended Palmer College. Her granddaughter, Christy Haynes, had several Palmer College Yearbooks from 1916 and 1918. Bessie is mentioned several times. Her daughter was Bets Haynes, which many on SoWal know from her efforts to save Grayton Beach. Another daughter of Bets and Gap Haynes, Kelly, now owns one of Anna Smith's Grayton Beach family homes. In addition, Bessie and her husband, Wells Nelson I think, bought Anna Smith's sister and brother-in-law's laundry business. Sonny said he worked for the Nelson's laundry service for a short while.

Palmer College Students Pictured in the 1916 Palmera. We're checking on identification. Perhaps Bessie is third from right. -- 9-1-09-- My Mom just said she thinks this is Bessie. Bessie was my Mom's math teacher. She checked her 1950s Walton annual. My Mom recalls Mrs. Bessie Nelson saying, "Now, watch me as I go through the board." I'll try to scan and include a picture later.

The Math Department with Mrs. Nelson. From my Mom's 1952 War Whoop Annual.

Bessie Tervin was President of the Wallace Bruce Club at Palmer College. Bruce is known for his early leadership of the Florida Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs. 1916 Palmera

Girls also participated in sports at Palmer College. This page in the Palmera of 1916 mentions Bessie Tervin and a track meet win. Bessie's daughter and granddaughters are from Grayton Beach in South Walton, Florida. Bessie's daughter lived in Grayton Beach in Walton County, Florida and was known as Bets Haynes or "Big Mama."

Anna Smith's family had owned "The Racket" store and you can read about it in my other blogs. The Thornbers retired and sold their store. The Jennings, who later owned "The Racket" store, bought an ad in the Palmer College Palmera in 1916.

There are over 100 schools of historical and current note in Walton County.

Some buildings still exist that were once part of Palmer College. I believe this was the boys dorm. It is now an apartment complex in DeFuniak Springs on College Avenue.

Gloria Jackson, a math student of Mrs. Nelson in 1952. Many generations of Walton County students were taught by teachers who attended Palmer Academy and College. Gloria is now married to Sonny Hollingsworth, the son of Anna Smith (Hollingsworth Reardon). ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/584-annas-stories-back-school-palmer-college-tii-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html <![CDATA[Henry M. Brackenridge, Alaqua, Walton Judge, Florida's 1st Forester]]> http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/563-henry-m-brackenridge-alaqua-walton-judge-floridas-1st-forester.html Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:25:23 GMT

Henry Marie Brackenridge, Alaqua, Walton Territorial Judge, Florida’s 1st Forester

By Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida
© Brenda Rees, All Rights Reserved
Pictures by Brenda Rees

As one of the earliest land grant holders in Walton County, an early judge for West Florida which included Walton County, and perhaps one of the earliest environmentalists in the State of Florida as well as Florida’s first federal forester, it is important you know Henry Marie Brackenridge.

Here are some pictures I've taken and documents I've collected that relate to his time here in Walton County and West Florida. Be sure to Log In to see all pictures and illustrations.

Henry M. Brackenridge’s 1829 grant in Walton County, Florida. This influential judge had one of the earliest land grants in Walton County. He was friends with George Walton, Jr., Walton County, Florida’s namesake. Brackenridge tutored Octavia Walton and would also know her as Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert. Their correspondence reveals a deep and enduring friendship. Octavia wrote many letters. One to Ellen Call Long may be accessed at http://www.floridamemory.com/Collect...pers/index.cfm Octavia is responding to Ellen about Pensacola questions and relaying family concerns.
Brackenridge's land grant pictured here was in the Alaqua area, an early county seat for Walton County. This Alaqua area is up near DeFuniak Springs close to Interstate 10 and 331. Brackenridge worked with and had joint land holdings with Richard Keith Call. Call would later become Governor of Territorial Florida.

Brackenridge and Richard Keith Call conducted early Florida business near this statue of Andrew Jackson in Pensacola, Florida. Jackson named Brackenridge the Alcalde and Notary of Pensacola according to Dr. Brian Rucker, University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College history professor. Call would later become Governor of Florida. Of course, George Walton, Jr., served as Acting Governor for a brief time after Territorial Florida Governor Jackson left Florida. In 1822, Brackenridge was a member of Florida's first territorial legislative council. However, according to Rucker, Brackenridge soon resigned as he "was appointed by President Monroe as federal judge for the district of West Florida." Walton County would be formed in 1824 and be under this West Florida jurisdiction.

Brackenridge, a tutor of Octavia Walton and early Florida Judge, would probably be quite familiar with “The Walton House” in Pensacola, Florida. This home once served as the Dorothy Walton Museum and was sold to Pensacola for $1 by its former owner, T.T. (Tom) Wentworth, Jr. (My Great Uncle Tom).

Brackenridge, whose family was also among the early patriots of America, would have known Dorothy Walton, wife of Declaration of Independence Signer George Walton. The Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution, dedicated the gravesite of Dorothy Walton at St. Michael's Cemetery in Pensacola. Dorothy's son was George Walton, Jr., secretary for West Florida in 1821, acting governor and then secretary for the territory of Florida until 1826. Dorothy's husband, George Walton the signer, had died in 1804 and had not moved to Florida from Georgia with the rest of the family. Dorothy died in 1832.

Wentworth’s collection is now housed in the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum in Pensacola, Florida.

The Anderson Homestead in Alaqua, Florida was probably known to Henry M. Brackenridge. Brackenridge's Walton County, Florida land grant was near here. The first two land grants in Walton County were in 1828 and signed by President John Quincy Adams. Hardy Wood's grant was in Alaqua and Catherine McLennon was near Big Branch. The following year, 1829, about 33 land grants were signed by President Andrew Jackson. Brackenridge had arrived in Florida in 1821 with Jackson and was involved with land grants and acquisitions. Brackenridge and Richard Keith Call were rewarded for their duties and acquired some prime land grants, including over a thousand acres of prime timber land on Santa Rosa Peninsula.

The Steele Church and the Alaqua Methodist Church (marker says 1827) were also near Henry M. Brackenridge’s land grant in Alaqua, Walton County. Henry M. Brackenridge wrote several letters to his wife, Caroline, one being from Alaqua, Florida. The original letters are at Pittsburg University Library with copies in the University of West Florida archives in Pensacola.

Henry M. Brackenridge was perhaps Florida’s first federal forester. He developed and oversaw the Naval Live Oak Preserve. His environmental efforts would later cause conflict with President Andrew Jackson. Brackenridge had served under Territorial Governor Andrew Jackson. This portrait is in the Gulf Islands National Seashore Visitor Center near Pensacola. The Naval Live Oaks Reserve is across Highway 98 from this center. Brackenridge and Richard Keith Call owned hundreds of acres in the area (one tract was 1360 acres).

This trail guide is in the Naval Live Oak Reserve. The Brackenridge Trail is nearby. You won't see any old large oak trees, but you can walk the trails and look across to Pensacola and see the view that Brackenridge enjoyed.

Santa Rosa Sound view from Brackenridge Trail in Naval Live Oak Reserve (NLO) area on north side of 98. You need to know to look for "NLO" as there was no sign on 98 that said turn here for Naval Live Oak Reserve. It just said "NLO."

Dr. Rucker wrote in his dissertation for The Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, p. 93 :

“… There, in 1821, he decided to go to New Orleans and seek out General Andrew Jackson who had just recently been appointed the first American governor of Florida. Brackenridge caught up with Jackson’s entourage and was asked by the famous general to serve as his civilian secretary and translator. Jackson recognized that Brackenridge’s legal training, diplomatic skills, and knowledge of Spanish and Spanish law would prove invaluable in the successful transfer of the Spanish government in Florida to the new American government. .. .” (12) Keller and Newlin William F. Keller, “Henry Marie Brackenridge: First United States Forester,” Journal of Forest History and Claude M. Newlin, “Henry Marie Brackenridge,” Dictionary of American Biography, and Keller’s Nation’s Advocate.

Tomorrow I hope to drive across the recently reopened Gulf Islands National Seashore road and visit the Naval Live Oaks Reserve section. I'll also visit the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Museum in Pensacola and view the new "Pensacolians and the Civil War" exhibit. With the development of iron ships for the Civil War navies, the need for oak ships ended and thus the need for trees from the oak reserve. The Wentworth museum is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The national parks are usually open until sunset.

My great-great grandfather, James Hamilton Wentworth, was captured at Gettysburg and is buried in Pensacola's St. Johns Cemetery. He should be featured in the Civil War exhibit at his grandson's museum.

James Hamilton Wentworth is featured in the new Confederate exhibit at the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum in Pensacola, Florida. I'll have to go back and read his letters written while a prisoner. He was captured at the Battle of Gettysburg. Wonder if he talked about the oaks at Brackenridge's preserve. He certainly would have been aware of the oaks and Brackenridge. Brackenridge had moved from Pensacola some time ago, while James Hamilton Wentworth is buried there in St. Johns Cemetery.

There would have been several ways for Brackenridge and others to travel across Walton County from Pensacola to Tallahassee, St. Augustine and beyond. One early road cut across Santa Rosa Island or Peninsula and then across what is now South Walton. Many of the roads in the north converged in Alaqua before continuing. Walton County was one of the earliest counties in Florida and was founded December 29, 1824. Walton County is named for George Walton, Jr., one of Brackenridge's friends and fellow early Florida territorial leader. Call, Brackenridge's land partner, was to have a county named for him in 1828 per an act of the territorial council, but the governor did not approve that portion of the act. This 1837 map was by J. Lee Williams. Note that Escambia and Walton counties are adjacent at this time. Other counties you may know today were not formed until years later. Florida now has 67 counties.

This is an oak tree near the visitor's center of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and Naval Live Oak Preserve. It is said that none of the trees from Brackenridge's time survived. This is perhaps a related tree. Maybe one of the older trees will be discovered. If you want to see large, very old Live Oak Trees, you can visit Eden State Gardens in Pt. Washington of South Walton, Walton County. Several are noted to be over 500 years old.

This is a great way to get from SoWal to Pensacola. The Gulf Islands National Seashore Road (renamed Bowden) is beautiful. The trip to see Brackenridge's land is less than two hours. You then just have to cross over the bridge into Pensacola. We did not pay a toll to cross the bridge at Navarre, nor from the island back up to Highway 98. There was a toll booth for those traveling south from Pensacola onto the island. You can also see the bike path. I would imagine that there is often sand on both the road and bike path.

This is the scenic drive you see for miles and miles. It is very exciting that this road has reopened. Ft. Pickens is also accessible by road once again. After Hurricane Ivan, until the recent reopening of the Ft. Pickens Road, you had quite a hike to see the historic fort. Now, you can drive right up and view a number of historic and scenic points of interest. A great day trip from South Walton and another reason to extend your stay.

Ft. Pickens once again has easy car access. This is close to Brackenridge's NLO. The parking lot is near here and on level ground. You don't have to climb these stairs!!! But, you can if you want to.

The national and state parks systems do a great job with their signs. They are often wood and fit into the natural landscape.

You'll easily spot the Ft. Pickens Road as it is near the well known Pensacola Beach Ball Water Tower.

Ft. Pickens entrance. End of the road. You'll turn off the Gulf Islands National Seashore Road on to the road to Ft. Pickens. You can travel down the Ft. Pickens road a short distance before reaching the Park Ranger Station. We paid an $8 fee which was good for the week. Even though we were only going to use the pass for the day, it was well worth the money. Now that the road is open again, would probably be worth it to get an annual pass. I think is was around $35, but would have to confirm.

This "Bracken" house was once located in the Alaqua area, near where Judge Brackenridge conducted the early territorial business of Walton County, Florida. I heard it was recently dismantled and moved. Lots more research needed here. Believe old graveyards accessible behind this lot. Photograph by Brenda Rees 2004

Here are extensive notes from Dr. Brian Rucker's dissertation. They will increase your appreciation and understanding of Henry Marie Brackenridge and the leadership he provided to a young Walton County from Alaqua. Brian and I enjoy discussing West Florida history. We are both multi-generational West Florida natives.

Copied with permission from Dr. Brian R. Rucker 8-11-2009

THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

BLACKWATER AND YELLOW PINE:

THE DEVELOPMENT OF SANTA ROSA COUNTY, 1821 – 1865

Volume I, Chapters I-X

By Brian R. Rucker

A Dissertation submitted to the

Department of History in partial

fulfillment of the requirements for

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Degree Awarded:

Spring Semester, 1990

Brian R. Rucker

Page 92

With the American acquisition of Florida in 1821, a few American settlers began crossing Pensacola Bay to Deer Point. One of the first and most important of these early American settlers was Henry Marie Brackenridge. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1786, the young Brackenridge grew up with both a “book learning” education and experience in travel on the frontier. At the age of seven his family sent him by flatboat down the Mississippi to Louisiana to learn French. Three years later he returned to Pittsburgh and continued his education, finally studying law and being admitted to the bar in 1806. Eventually he wandered westward to St. Louis, eagerly delving into natural history, geography, and the Spanish language. In 1811, Brackenridge made a voyage up the Missouri River with the Spanish frontiersman Manuel Lisa, making botanical observations during the trip. The experience of the trip gave birth to his first book, Views of Louisiana; Together with a Journal of a Voyage up the Missouri River, in 1811. Brackenridge then went south to New Orleans where he studied Spanish law. While in Louisiana, he helped frame the legislative act which established the state’s judiciary system. Subsequently, he served as deputy attorney general and district judge. In 1817, President James Monroe appointed Brackenridge secretary of a diplomatic commission sent to South America to study the political question of recognizing independence of the new Latin American republics. From 1817-

Page 93

1818, he visited Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, and Buenos Aires, returning to Maryland with a new book describing the voyage and urging American recognition of the new South American states. (11)
Brackenridge spent a short time in the Maryland legislature but then once again returned to St. Louis. There, in 1821, he decided to go to New Orleans and seek out General Andrew Jackson who had just recently been appointed the first American governor of Florida. Brackenridge caught up with Jackson’s entourage and was asked by the famous general to serve as his civilian secretary and translator. Jackson recognized that Brackenridge’s legal training, diplomatic skills, and knowledge of Spanish and Spanish law would prove invaluable in the successful transfer of the Spanish government in Florida to the new American government. Brackenridge arrived with Jackson in Pensacola in 1821, and during the first few months was indeed able to partially calm some explosive confrontations between Jackson and the outgoing Spanish governor, Jose Cavalla. (12)
Jackson quickly appointed Brackenridge the alcalde and notary of Pensacola. As an alcalde, the chief administration and judicial officer in a Spanish town, Brackenridge had the unenviable position of restoring order cut of the legal and administrative chaos of Pensacola’s transition government. But he performed the task admirably, quit the following year, and began to operate a law partnership with

Page 94

Richard Keith Call. In June 1822, Brackenridge was appointed a member of Florida’s first territorial legislative council, but he resigned almost immediately when he was appointed by President Monroe as federal judge for the district of West Florida. (13) The same year, Brackenridge also purchased a considerable portion of property at Deer Point – 800 arpents with law partner Richard K. Call and an adjacent 800-arpent tract by himself. (14) It was here on Santa Rosa peninsula that Judge Henry M. Brackenridge found an ideal retreat from Pensacola across the bay. In 1822 he began building a house fronting the Sound and was intent on improving his tract and conducting agricultural and horticultural experiments. (15) Brackenridge fell in love with the live oak covered peninsula and was a vigorous proponent for internal improvements, including a ferry service, a road from Pensacola to Tallahassee via Santa Rosa peninsula, agricultural experimentation, and eventually a revolutionary live oak forestry plantation. A firm believer in progress, the optimistic Brackenridge enthusiastically supported attempts “to make something of our barren sands in this neighborhood” by utilizing West Florida’s natural resources in the most practical manner. (16) Yet one of the first public projects to appear on Deer Point emphasized a chronic nineteenth century worry of southern seaports – yellow fever.
The true nature of yellow fever was not understood by physicians and scientists throughout the antebellum era; it …

Pages 95 and 96 detail the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1822
Pages 97 and 98 detail early transportation development on Santa Rosa Peninsula

Page 98

…Overland transportation was also needed for the full development of West Florida, and soon after the American acquisition plans were set in motion to connect the major cities of Florida. An east-west road from St. Augustine to Tallahassee to Pensacola was envisioned, and in 1823 Captain Daniel E. Burch, Assistant Quarter Master of the U.S. Army at Pensacola, was ordered to prepare a survey of the best possible routes. In his survey, Burch considered a northern route that entailed crossing the head of Escambia Bay to Floridatown and proceeding northeasterly from there to the Choctawhatchee River. However, because of the poor and undependable ferry service at Floridatown, a southern and more direct route was chosen. This route, though it entailed constructing an entirely new road, was seen as shorter and more convenient. It would commence at Deer Point opposite Pensacola and then follow an old Indian trail eastward to Choctawhatchee Bay. The road would then generally skirt the northern shore of Choctawhatchee Bay, proceed to the Walton County settlement of Alaqua, and then continue eastward to the Choctawhatchee River and Tallahassee. There were only two problems with this route – the region it fell in was sparsely populated and the road had to cross numerous creeks and swampy lands near the coast. 29
Preparations were made in 1824 for the construction of the road. It was intended that the road would be cleared sufficient enough “for a wagon to pass with ease,” and
Page 100 Hand drawn map of Santa Rosa Peninsula

Page 101

Average width eventually ranged from 15 to 25 feet. Bridges, however, were required for the numerous creeks, and ditches and log causeways has to be laid through the lower, swampier lands. 30 Burch recruited seventy soldiers from the U.S. Army troops stationed at Fort Barrancas and Cantonment Clinch in Pensacola to serve as laborers, and the road was commonly referred to as “the Military Road.” Work on the road commenced at Deer Point on October 4, 1824, and work progressed smoothly as the soldiers cleared the trail which led eastward along the high ground in the center of the peninsula. By the end of the month, 35 miles of the road had been opened, and by March 1825, Burch’s men had reached the “Cow Ford” on the Choctawhatchee River. 31
By 1826, the entire road from Pensacola to St. Augustine was opened. 32 As a means of transportation, however, it was quite primitive. Tree stumps were left in the middle of the road but were cut low enough to prevent wagons, carts, or stages from becoming wedged or “stumped.” In swampy spots, pine poles were cut, laid in the mud, and used for causeways. 33 Bridges could easily be washed out, and repairs were often necessary. By 1829, the military was already making repairs to this southern route; the road was subsequently reported adequate enough for stages to travel between Deer Point and Alaqua, Walton County. 34 Nevertheless, by the late 1820s, the southern route had largely been discarded by travelers. …

Page 102 Road information

Page 103 Development, Navy, Arsenal

Page 104 Early Settlers on Santa Rosa Peninsula

Page 105 …

Judge Brackenridge was especially interested in converting his Deer Point property into a type of agricultural station. Brackenridge acquired his tract of property shortly after his arrival in Pensacola, and he soon used the site as a retreat from the yellow fever epidemic of 1822. He began erecting a six-room frame dwelling and other outbuildings on a high bluff overlooking Santa Rosa Sound, a site which had been utilized by Indians for over a thousand years. 48 Brackenridge’s house was one story with a large passage running through the center and a porch on both the front and the back of the house. A log kitchen stood nearby, along with a stable and several other small outhouses. Here he fenced seven acres and began growing corn, peas, beans, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and watermelons. Brackenridge experimented with the sandy soil, using decayed oyster shells and other materials for fertilizer. In 1824, he was able to grow 3,000 watermelons, some weighing as much as twenty pounds. The judge also set aside four or five acres for pasturage and raised pigs with a varying degree of success. 49
Though Brackenridge’s position as a judge often took him from his Deer Point retreat, he enthusiastically spent his spare time conducting agricultural experiments on his plantation. As a proponent of new crops for the area to improve the agricultural and economic status of the region, he

Page 106
Introduced a number of both practical and exotic plants to his Deer Point home. Various promoters of West Florida encouraged such offbeat projects as the cultivation of teak trees, oriental oak, yucca plants (for rope), genista myrtle bushes (for wax), indigo plants, prickly pears, and cochineal bugs (for dye). 50 Brackenridge avoided these more exotic projects but did successfully cultivate guinea grass, a tall African forage grass. 51 Fruit trees were Brackenridge’s passion, especially orange trees. Around 1825 he planted a wide variety of fruit trees around his Deer Point home – figs, peaches, lemons, pomegranates, almonds, olives, and oranges, as well as ornamental shrubberies. Brackenridge apparently acquired most of these various plants from the William Prince Nursery on Long Island, New York, whose agent in Pensacola was W. Hasell Hunt, the editor of the Pensacola Gazette. 52 Brackenridge especially took delight in his orange trees, having planted them by seed and later transplanted them from his nursery. By 1828 he had a sizable orange grove with the trees four to six feet high and beginning to bear. Brackenridge was so encouraged that he planned a grove of one thousand trees. 53
Brackenridge’s judicial obligations (he was twice reappointed judge of West Florida) delayed the completion of his house and gardens. He had to rely on poor and often drunken help, and he experienced some financuial difficulties as well. His frequent trips to court across the panhandle

Page 107 Employment of Samuel Davis, Sarah E. Davis, their five children

Page 108 Brackenridge’s Opinion of Mrs. Davis, Tutoring of Children, Including Walton Girl

Page 109

… Brackenridge, in his many travels, returned to his native Pennsylvania in early 1827 to marry Miss Caroline Marie, a longtime sweetheart. On March 22 of that year, the two were married in Philadelphia by Rev. Jacob C. Sears. Brackenridge brought his thirty-one year old bride back to Pensacola, but Caroline soon fell sick and displayed no interest in remaining in Florida. He sent her back to Philadelphia for her health and soon became quite lonely without her and wrote her numerous letters. Brackenridge grew increasingly dispirited, especially when another yellow fever epidemic struck Pensacola in the fall of 1827. By early 1828, Brackenridge considered leaving Florida entirely and selling his Deer Point property to the federal government for a proposed naval live oak reservation. Yet it was this project which soon captured Brackenridge’s enthusiasm and energy, leading him to stay on the peninsula with a unique position as the nation’s first forestry agent. 62
Live oak, which grows only along the southern coastal areas of the United States, had long been valued as a prime shipbuilding material. In the age of wooden ships, the United States Navy was especially interested in acquiring sizable supplies of the wood, a goal complicated because of the limited quantity of the live oak available and the prevalence of heavy logging of the wood. Before 1800, live oak resources were quite limited in the United States, and

Page 111 (Page 110 not included) Pictures by Dr. Rucker of Brackenridge’s home site and Naval Live Oak Plantation.

Page 112 Live Oak Program
Page 113 Brackenridge Sells Land for $2,200
Page 114 Brackenridge Remorse About Selling Land and Progress of Orange Trees

Page 115
…
Brackenridge began a correspondence with Southard which eventually evolved into a revolutionary forestry program. Brackenridge asked Southard to appoint him as an agent to “superintend and direct the plantation of live oak.” Brackenridge mentioned his own background in botany as appropriate credentials for such a post and presented scientific reports which described the history of live oak and its uses and the various methods to successfully cultivate the tree. Brackenridge basically suggested a revolutionary experimental forestry station devoted to the growing of live oak trees for use by the U.S. Navy. 73
Brackenridge’s letters extolled the advantages which Santa Rosa peninsula possessed for a live oak reservation and he also pointed out some of the current problems of live oak conservation. The judge described the thousands of small live oaks growing on the peninsula which could easily be transplanted and cultivated under supervision and care. Brackenridge pointed out the close proximity of the peninsula to the new navy yard and the ease with which water transportation could transport the live oak to the station where it could then be stored and used for repairs of ship construction. He also encouraged Southard to purchase even more land on the peninsula and extend the reservation some fifteen miles eastward to Williams’ Creek (present-day Navarre). …

…

Page 124

… With the departure of Henry Marie Brackenridge, the Deer Point experiment to cultivate live oak trees came to an end. Secretary of the Navy Woodbury placed the plantation under the superintendency of the commandant of the Pensacola Navy Yard and a caretaker was stationed at the site. But no more live oaks were planted, and Woodbury simply ordered that what Brackenridge had started be preserved. The judge never returned to Florida, although former Florida governor William P. Duval once urged him to try and obtain an appointment as Florida’s territorial governor in the early 1840s. Brackenridge, however, dabbled little in politics after 1832, contenting himself with private business and literature. Brackenridge lived a full life, dying in 1871, and left behind a substantial legacy. His years along Santa Rosa Sound were characterized by optimism, activity, and insight. In addition to his political duties, Brackenridge actively promoted a ferry service to Deer Point, a southern route for the military road, agricultural and horticultural experimentation, and the first United States forestry station. There along Santa Rosa peninsula, amid the numerous live oak stands, Brackenridge actively promoted forest conservation and the rational use of natural resources in a frontier age which saw enormous waste and the destruction of countless square miles of seemingly inexhaustible trees. 91 Unfortunately, few listened to Brackenridge’s visionary opinions on the conservation of live oak forests, and fewer still paused at the uncontrolled harvest of the yellow pine forests which lined Blackwater River and other areas in the northern portion of Santa Rosa. … ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/563-henry-m-brackenridge-alaqua-walton-judge-floridas-1st-forester.html <![CDATA[Octavia's Trip to Italy, Meeting Pope, Brownings -- by Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida]]> http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/537-octavias-trip-italy-meeting-pope-brownings-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:14:10 GMT Octavia’s Trip To Italy, Met the Pope and Brownings – Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida

Presidents of the United States aren't the only ones afforded private audiences with the Pope in Italy. Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert met Pope Pius IX in 1855 during her second European tour. Octavia is the daughter of George Walton, Jr., namesake of Walton County, Florida.

Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert met the Pope during her 1855 European tour. While in Italy, she also met the Brownings. She wrote about these extraordinary audiences in her “Souvenirs of Travel” published in 1857. (c) Brenda Rees, All Rights Reserved Pictures by Brenda Rees

My personal copy of Octavia's 1857 book "Souvenirs of Travel" which is published in two volumes.

Octavia wrote about her visit with Pope Pius IX (May 13, 1792 – February 7, 1878) in a letter to her mother and published in her "Souvenirs of Travel" book. Some of her remarks follow.

“Rome, Italy, April 19th, 1855
I cannot sleep tonight, precious Mamma, until I have written, and told you of the delight we experienced in being presented to the Pope of Rome, and of the affectionate and captivating kindness with which he received us. A cordial letter from our excellent Bishop Porter introduced us to Monsignore Barnabo, to whom we were indebted for the favor of this private audience.

Yesterday morning a charming note came from Count Vorromeo, informing me that his Holiness would gladly receive a visit from us at four o’clock this afternoon. Hence at that hour we drove to the Vatican (the winter residence of the Pope), attired, according to the etiquette of the court, in deep black, with long black veils thrown over our heads. Passing a group of Swiss Guards at the foot of the marble stairway, we were conducted by an officer along corridors, and through great apartments, to the ante-chamber. The walls of this room were glowing with the radiant pictures of Raphael, of Murillo, Titian, and Guido. As we stood admiring these masterpieces of painting, Monsignore Talbot (an English bishop) joined us, and we then proceeded to the reception room which was a long saloon, with exquisitely frescoed ceiling, but no adornment of furniture.

Near a table, at one end of the room, his Holiness was seated. He arose when we entered. Monsignore Talbot presented us, and immediately retired. As we approached him, he held out his hands, and a sweet voice said, “Welcome to Rome, my friends.” I knelt before him and kissed his hand, with the earnest reverence I would feel for an honored parent. At once we glided into conversation, and were soon completely charmed by his genial manner, so honest and truthful. He is an exceedingly handsome man, about sixty years old, we were told, although he appears much younger. His features are fine and his eyes beautiful. The expression of his mouth is indescribably sweet, and his smile possesses a magnetic charm which draws to him all hearts. Every word and look revealed the generous and sympathetic nature, which, were it within his power, would gladly shield every human creature from sin, suffering, or sorrow.

He spoke of our country, and its onward progress, with deep and warm interest, calling it the “noble land of Washington”. The New World, he remarked, had always been very dear to him, for the early days of his life as a priest had been passed in Buenos Ayres, South America. Its vast pampas he had traversed, and crossed over the Andes to the Pacific shore of the continent. During his residence in Chili, Pope Gregory had called him to Italy, and soon after named him Bishop of Imola. Oh! Mamma, it was a perfect enjoyment to listed to his descriptions of those far-away lands, and of the sublime scenery of the lofty mountains whose summits are nearest heaven.

We conversed at first in French and Spanish (English, the Pope said, he could never learn); but fearing it might be some effort to his Holiness to speak them, I begged he would address me in Italian, which, although not so familiar to me as the other languages, I could understand exceedingly well. How glad I was afterwards this thought came to me, for his utterance of the Italian was as soft and melodious as the strains of music, so rich, full, and sonorous. The orations of Cicero, and the verses of Virgil, were worthy of a language harmonious like this; for, though the Italian is somewhat changed, it is still the daughter of the Latin, and has all the exquisite grace of expression and flowing elegance of the parent tongue….

The Pope asked O. (Octavia’s daughter Octavia Jr.) her name, and she replied, “Octavia”, while I added, “She bears my name, your Holiness, and I was called after the Roman Octavia, whose character my mother greatly admired.” Whereupon his Holiness uttered a most charming panegyric upon the character of my illustrious namesake, saying, “You should be proud of that name, for the Roman Octavia possessed every virtue and grace which should adorn a woman. Even now, in Rome, you will find an undying remembrance of her noble and generous qualities, and many monuments to her memory.”

Thank you a thousand times, Mamma, for giving me the name of Octavia.
I wish I could repeat to you all of the words the Pope said, they were so genial, sparkling with intellect, and warm with kindness. After one hour’s interview, we bade him farewell. But ere we left him, he gave me his benediction. As I knelt before him, he placed his hand upon my head, saying, “May the blessing of God descend upon you, and his Holy Spirit guide you into all truth, may God’s providence protect you and your’s, and bring you in peace to the world of the redeemed.” …

Octavia met Elizabeth Browning in Florence, Italy. I picked up this steel engraving at an antique shop in New Orleans.

Octavia and her entourage met the Brownings in Florence. As usual, they had appropriate letters of introduction from mutual friends. Robert and Elizabeth Browning had moved to Italy for Elizabeth’s health. Octavia wrote in her book … “Then Mrs. Browning I loved directly. Oh! She is indeed a precious gem! With all her varied and profound learning, and high poetic gift, she is as simple and unassuming in manner as a child. What visit of joy it was to me, in their love-sanctified and art-beautiful home.” …

I portray Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert (see Florida Chautauqua programs). This 1860s black dress might have somewhat resembled what Octavia would have worn to meet the Pope in 1855.

Beauvoir, home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in Biloxi, Mississippi

Perhaps one consequence of Octavia's audience with the Pope, was his personal understanding of the Civil War. I understand Pope Pius IX wrote a letter and offered a prayer to Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Hosting many of the cultured and powerful of the day in her home, Octavia would have known about Jefferson Davis' home in Biloxi as well as Montgomery. I recently had the opportunity to visit both. Again, great day and side trips from South Walton. Travelers go both ways. I understand that Mississippi United States Senator Trent Lott was recently a guest at WaterColor in South Walton.

Confederate White House of President Jefferson Davis in Montgomery, Alabama. Another good day trip from South Walton. A night's stay at a historic bed and breakfast would also be a good choice. I've had good luck with the Drury, a hotel, in Montgomery.

Octavia's birthday is August 11, 1811. Perhaps she purchased this glass bowl in Venice, Italy in advance to celebrate. Bowl is on display at the Mobile Museum. Happy Birthday, Octavia. Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert's home in Mobile was filled with fine art, silver and the celebrated of society. Octavia had met with Pope Pius IX in Rome, Italy on April 19, 1855.

What else might Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert and Pope Pius IX have discussed? Perhaps they remembered the first religious service held in the Pensacola, Florida area August 15, 1559 -- The Feast of the Assumption by the Dominican Friars who were with explorer Tristan de Luna. Pensacola was founded in 1559, before St. Augustine which was established in 1565. photo by a.s. ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/537-octavias-trip-italy-meeting-pope-brownings-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html <![CDATA[Anna's Stories -- Planes, Trains and Automobiles -- Brenda Rees, Shaping Florida]]> http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/532-annas-stories-planes-trains-automobiles-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:41:58 GMT Anna’s Stories – Planes, Trains and Automobiles (& Boats!)

Walton County, Florida and its beautiful and historic venues are accessible by many modes of transportation. The historic Smith family utilized a number of methods to reach their DeFuniak Springs homes and dairy, and beach and resort homes at Grayton Beach, South Walton, Camp Walton and Mary Esther along the Emerald Coast. Read more about the Smith family in my other blogs under “Anna’s Stories.” Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon collected pictures and wrote about her family's adventures in Walton County and the Emerald Coast.

Anna Smith wrote: The "Bluebird" in front of the "Cedars. " Read more about "The Cedars" in my Camp Walton - Mary Esther blog of Anna's Stories. From the Anna Smith - Sonny Hollingsworth collection.

http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/510-annas-stories-masons-story-walton-county-fl-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html

http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/504-annas-stories-p-w-smith-dairy-1906-1949-historic-florida-dairy.html

http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/494-annas-stories-camp-walton-mary-esther-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html

http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/473-annas-stories-anna-early-walton-county-boat-1910.html

example from blog about the boat “Anna”

Anna’s Stories – Camp Walton – Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida
© Brenda Rees All Rights Reserved
Transcript from handwritten paper by Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon (33 pages)
From Anna’s papers left with her son Sonny Hollingsworth and presented to me.
(Sonny is married to my mother, Gloria.)

“Lewis Irvin Smith (1845-1932)
Anna Durinda Brown Smith (1843-1929)
As recalled by Anna Smith Reardon
DeFuniak Springs, Fla.
9-10-78

…page 15 ...Uncle and Auntie soon bought and found a summer home near the Gulf of Mexico. It was (and still is) in Camp Walton (now Fort Walton Beach,) facing the sound and just west of the Sheraton Marina Inn. They spent their summers there for several years. Uncle bought a

Page 16 nice cabin cruiser, or launch, and named it the “Anna.” He built a boat house near the front of his house, he never learned to operate the boat, but persuaded his friends, Mr. and Mrs. E.S. Buck, to move from DeFuniak Springs to Camp Walton. Mr. Buck bought or built a water front home nearby, for his family, which included a son, Ralph and a daughter Mabel (now Mrs. Mabel Buchanan who still lives in Ft. Walton Beach.) Mr. Buck built a general store over the water, to the west of the boat house. He dispensed gasoline to boats, sold all kinds of merchandise, and for many years was the village post master, with the post office in one corner of the store. On the days Uncle and Auntie chose to take a boat ride, Mr. Buck was the pilot and engineer. One favorite trip …" end of excerpt written by Anna Smith.

Here are some pictures from the Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon / Sonny Hollingsworth picture and postcard collection. Presented by Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida

One boat is swamped and being helped out by the other. The Florida is trying to pull the Swan per note on back.

Passengers utilized the Capt. Fritz to reach resorts along the Emerald Coast. The Capt. Fritz served Walton County citizens for many years until it sank in the Choctawhatchee Bay. Boating is still a very popular sport in SoWal.

Postcard from Mr. Buck, skipper of the Smith's boat the "Anna." Back of card with 1908 postmark talks about taking train to Glendale and Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs, Florida.

The "Anna" named for the great niece and wife of L.I. Smith. L.I. Smith owned the Gulfview Hotel in Camp Walton, a home in Mary Esther, Circle Drive in DeFuniak Springs, and other business ventures. He brought the Staffs and Gerlachs down to Camp Walton and they later purchased some of his property according to Anna's stories. Anna Smith spent many vacations at her Uncle L.I. and Auntie Anna Smith's summer homes along the Emerald Coast.

Anna Smith writes about how the Smith Dairy, one of the oldest and most continuous dairies in Florida in its day, used wagons to transport dairy products. This postcard with 1908 Camp Walton postmark from Anna's collection was probably purchased at the Florida Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs. Camp Walton was part of Walton County at this time per Sinko. Okaloosa County wasn't formed until 1915, half out of Walton County and half out of Santa Rosa County.

The "Maxwell" transported the Smith family from their Dairy in DeFuniak Springs to Freeport to catch a boat to Camp Walton, Grayton Beach, South Walton or Mary Esther and beyond. Anna Smith wrote in her personal notes, "I can recall trips on the “Captain Fritz,” a stern wheeler, the “Charles E. Cessna,” a side wheeler, the “Eugene,” a double deck gasoline powered boat...".

Sonny Hollingsworth, son of Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon, poses with some friends on Grayton Beach with an early airplane. Sonny was born in 1927.

Check out the cars parked in front of the "Smith House" at Grayton Beach. Alline and Tuff Smith built their beach home around 1924 from wood from a shipwreck. Tuff was Anna 's brother. Anna owned some beach property near them.

Historic Train Depot in DeFuniak Springs (photograph by Brenda Rees (c) All Rights Reserved). Thousands of visitors came to the Florida Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs by train. This was a favored Florida winter resort in 1885, long before Flagler built his train system to South Florida in 1888. The Walton County Heritage Museum is housed in this building and is open Wednesday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. The L&N Caboose is located on the same grounds and is open for special tours on Fourth of July. Many have mentioned that it would be nice to have passenger travel by train available again.

Boats were pushed out through the coastal dune lake outfalls along the coast of South Walton out to the Gulf of Mexico to fish. No motor was required. This is probably Anna Smith's brother, Tuff, and friends. It is 1942 and they are returning through the Western Lake outfall at Grayton Beach. See additional pictures of this fishing trip on my Grayton Beach blog. South Walton, Walton County is fortunate to have such a large number of coastal dune lakes. These globally rare lakes are known to occur in only a few other places in the world. That Walton County and South Walton has such a large number, is indeed a rare treasure and wonder of the world.

Baldwin Avenue in DeFuniak Springs. According to Anna Smith's note on back of her postcard the date is about 1910 - 1912. The Smiths and Thornbers, Anna's grandparents and great uncle and aunt, were business entrepreneurs in Northwest Florida. Thousands of visitors were decending upon DeFuniak Springs as a winter resort. Many locals also had homes at the beach. They used their cars to get to Freeport and then took various boats to Grayton, Camp Walton and Mary Esther. The Wesley family of Pt. Washington had an early homestead on Eastern Lake. According to Anna, the Smith family also took the train on part of their trip to the beaches along the Emerald Coast. Similar vintage postcards are available for purchase at the Walton County Heritage Museum.

Another picture from the Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon - Sonny Hollingsworth collection. "The Bluebird" is probably in front of "The Cedars" with Santa Rosa Island and Sound in the background. This picture is similar to another that identifies "The Bluebird" at "The Cedars." Anna's great uncle, L.I. Smith, owned a great deal of property on Santa Rosa Island and surrounding beach.

Take a trip to Ft. Walton Beach today. Along 98 you'll be able to still see the Gulfview hotel and where the Cedars was located.

THIS MIGHT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE TYPE OF PLANE SHOWN IN THESE EARLY PICTURES OF GRAYTON, CAMP WALTON AND MARY ESTHER BEACHES.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY MR. DD - :clap:Thanks

DAVID J. GAUTHIER MEMORIAL COLLECTION
No. 8489. Blackburn Monoplane (G-AANI c/n 9)
Photographed at Shuttleworth (Old Warden) Aerodrome near Biggleswade, UK, by Bruce MacIntire

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12/31/2008. Designed by Robert Blackburn, founder of the Blackburn Aeroplane and Motor Company Ltd., this aircraft was reported in the Flight edition of April 5, 1913: "In general layout the aircraft is similar to the Mercury series but has a one-piece rudder and a divided elevator." A week before the magazine already reported of the first flight by the Monoplane owner, Cyril Foggin (although the aircraft had been flying since December 1912):

"During Easter week Mr. Harold Blackburn (no relation to the aircraft-constructor) has been giving exhibition flights at Leeds. On Good Friday and Saturday he made several ascents on Mr. Foggin's new 50 hp Gnome-Blackburn, rising on one occasion to a big altitude. This machine climbs exceedingly quickly and shows a speed of about 60 mph. At noon on Monday Mr. Blackburn made his first ascent, flying around Wakefield and the surrounding country. During the whole afternoon flying was in progress, no less than seven ascents being made by Mr. Blackburn.

The final flight was made by Mr. Foggin, who mounted his machine for the first time, and made a splendid flight of nearly 20 minutes. duration. He rose to a good altitude, and handled his machine in such excellent style that one could hardly believe that this was his first flight on this type of machine.

On Tuesday afternoon Mr. Blackburn made a long flight on Mr. Foggin's machine. He made some very fine banked turns with his usual skill, finishing off with a neat vol plané. The flights were witnessed by hundreds of spectators, who were very enthusiastic in showing their appreciation of the flights of Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Foggin."

Later in 1913, the Monoplane was modified to have rounded wing tips and was fitted with a new design of undercarriage. Subsequently it was sold to Montague Francis Glew, who crashed the it at Wittering, Lincolnshire in 1914. The Monoplane was abandoned at a farm, where it was discovered by Richard Shuttleworth in the late 1930s. Partly restored by the outbreak of WW II, the restoration was finished by Squadron Leader L.A. Jackson in 1949. The second maiden flight was made by Group Captain Allen H. Wheeler at RAF Hendon on September 17, 1949.

The aircraft was registered at the UK Register of Civil Aircraft of the CAA as the Blackburn Monoplane G-AANI on October 29, 1981.

Created December 31, 2008

END OF MR. DD'S INFORMATION. AGAIN, THANKS.

(c) Brenda Rees All Rights Reserved ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/532-annas-stories-planes-trains-automobiles-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html <![CDATA[Walton -- Patriotic & Historic Family for Walton County, Florida]]> http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/530-walton-patriotic-historic-family-walton-county-florida.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:51:36 GMT 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. ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/530-walton-patriotic-historic-family-walton-county-florida.html <![CDATA[Anna's Stories -- A Mason's Story, Walton County, FL -- Brenda Rees--Shaping Florida]]> http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/510-annas-stories-masons-story-walton-county-fl-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:50:58 GMT Anna’s Stories – A Mason’s Story, Walton County, Florida Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida Presentation Image:... Anna’s Stories – A Mason’s Story, Walton County, Florida
Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida Presentation

Masonic program from the collection of Anna Smith and Sonny Hollingsworth, 1955. Other pages posted at end of blog. Be sure to Log In to see historic pictures and program.

Anna Smith’s handwritten notes (Written around 1978 recalling her maternal grandparents.)
Hugh Thornber 4-8-1844 --11-30-1928
Martha E. Burrow Thornber 3-6-1851 – 8-4-36

Page 5 …
Granddad Thornber’s and Uncle L.I. Smith’s life-long friendship started in Tyndall. Granddad’s main interests were his business, the Masonic Lodge, card games such as “set back”, and lawn croquet.

Anna wrote on back of this picture "Granddad Thornber and Uncle L.I. playing croquet at Wiscasett." Wiscasett was the name of home at Smith Dairy in DeFuniak Springs. From the private collection of Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon and Sonny Hollingsworth. L.I. Smith's great nephew, Tuff Smith, had a beach home at Grayton Beach. L.I. and his nephew, P.W. Smith, made a trip to Grayton in 1899. Read about it in Grayton Blog. L.I. also owned other beach properties at Camp Walton and Mary Esther along with a home on historic Circle Drive in DeFuniak Springs.

Soon after the move to DeFuniak Springs in 1903, the Thornbers bought a large two-story house on the corner of Live Oak Avenue and 11th Street, now the home of Mrs. Bert McCall. One of my early recollections was of spending two weeks with grandma at the …

Page 10 …
Granddad had little interest in gardening. He loved to visit in town with his friends, “Uncle” Buddy Cawthon, Mr. M.A. Warren, Judge A.G. Campbell

Page 11 …
and others. He was proficient in the rituals of the Masonic Lodge, and was called on to perform burial services all over west Florida, and to instruct applicants for membership. His dress was inclined to be sloppy, and he chewed tobacco, which was a great cross for Grandma to bear. In the Masonic rituals, the Worshipful Master is required to wear a hat. As a joke, and possibly to get rid of the disreputable felt hat he always wore, the local lodge gave him a collapsible silk opera hat. He dug out a frock coat and gloves and Mr. Carden made his photograph in all this finery. I believe a copy of the picture still hangs in the Masonic Lodge hall in DeFuniak Springs.
Grandma was the one who dispensed presents to us …
(End of this segment of Anna’s handwritten notes.)
Excerpt follows of more notes from Anna, copied in Anna’s Boat Blog

"My mother married Percy Warren Smith, an abstractor and former school teacher,who lived with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. L.I. Smith. Hugh Thornber and L.I. Smith became lifelong friends. This uncle had been a merchant and banker in Lamar, Missouri, but had moved to Tyndall where he founded a bank, and owned considerable property.

These three families had comfortable homes, and "hired girls"; these were live-in maids, daughters of German immigrants in the area.

Hugh Thornber, L.I. Smith and P.W. Smith were members of the Masonic Lodge in Tyndall. My parents were members of the Eastern Star there. Later, all resumed their memberships in DeFuniak Springs. …”

Masonic membership, 1955, DeFuniak Springs, Florida. p. 2

p. 3

p. 4 Some of these Smith, Wesley, and Anderson members, along with other Masons, also had homes in South Walton. Wonder if they knew the county's namesake had Masonic ties as well as his famous father, George Walton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Masonic sign on top of Hotel DeFuniak.

Hotel DeFuniak lobby. Building in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, has historic Masonic symbols on outside of building.

Masonic Cornerstone on northeast corner of Hotel DeFuniak Building. Notice the Lodge No. 170 on this cornerstone is the same as the Lodge No. 170 on the Masonic Membership book cover.

To see the South Walton beach home and summer vacations in Camp Walton of Masonic member Kenneth Robert "Tuff" Smith, view blogs on Grayton Beach and Camp Walton by Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida. Tuff's name is on page 4 of 1955 membership roster displayed here. You may also want to read about P.W. Smith's first trip to Grayton Beach in 1899.

P.W. (Percy Warren) Smith of Tyndall, South Dakota and Walton County, Florida. His family was one of the early settlers from South Dakota to move to Walton County. The Chautauqua was a primary influence as well as the beauty and business opportunities. P.W. was Anna Smith's father and grandfather of Ernest L. (Sonny) Hollingsworth, collector of many of these historic Walton County related pictures. Anna wrote about her father's early Masonic membership in South Dakota and Walton County. Anna's brother, Kenneth Robert "Tuff" Smith is listed in this 1955 booklet.

Kenneth Robert "'Tuff" Smith of Grayton Beach and DeFuniak Springs.

Claudine Thornber Smith (Mrs. P.W.), Anna's mother and Eastern Star member.

Read about a true patriotic family --- the George Walton family. George Walton was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. His son, George Walton, Jr. is the namesake of Walton County, Florida. George Walton's granddaughter, Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert, was instilled with the original intent of America's founding fathers by her grandmother Dorothy Walton's stories. Read more about Octavia in my other blogs. Octavia's life story reveals her understanding of freedom. I'll be adding more to Octavia's blog and story soon.

John K. McDonald is buried at Red Bay in Walton County, Florida with Masonic Symbol on headstone. Born 1806 Died 1875. It is just a short trip from Red Bay to DeFuniak Springs. My dad's name was John McDonald Anderson and his name is in this 1955 Mason directory.

Mark Anderson, Woodmen of the World, headstone at Alaqua, Walton County, Florida. 1890-1928

This home of Mr. and Mrs. L.I. Smith on Circle Drive in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, would be the location for many entertaining events for area Masons. Lake DeFuniak, which is surrounded by beautiful Victorian and historic homes on Circle Drive, also provided a beautiful backdrop for the Florida Chautauqua. The Chautauqua was probably the single most significant event that brought these Masons to Northwest Florida. ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/510-annas-stories-masons-story-walton-county-fl-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html <![CDATA[Anna's Stories -- P.W. Smith Dairy 1906-1949 Historic Florida Dairy]]> http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/504-annas-stories-p-w-smith-dairy-1906-1949-historic-florida-dairy.html Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:00:56 GMT Anna Smith's son, Ernest L. (Sonny) Hollingsworth, and her sister-in-law, Alline (Tuff's wife) Smith, wrote an account in 1990 of the P.W. Smith Dairy in DeFuniak Springs, Walton County, Florida. They noted it as "The Oldest Continuous Run Dairy in the State of Florida." P.W. Smith was Anna's father and Sonny's grandfather. Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon is quoted and referenced in a number of history books as "Anna Reardon."

It was these dairy farmers and entrepreneurs who were among the early visitors and beach home owners in South Walton's Grayton Beach and Camp Walton (once part of Walton County). The Florida Chautauqua was most important in attracting an affluent and educated population. Read Anna's story about P.W. Smith's trip to Grayton Beach in 1899 in "Anna's Stories -- Grayton Beach ... " blog by Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida.

Here is their story saved among the papers and pictures of Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon. Historic pictures as well as a picture of Sonny visiting his former home on Friday, May 5, 2009 will be included in this report. Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida (c) pictures by Brenda Rees All Rights Reserved

Sonny Hollingsworth kept a dairy bottle lid from his family's dairy farm.

(Sonny and Alline's Story as Written in 1990)(Recently scanned pictures and captions are inserted throughout their text along with several new pictures.)
PW Smith Dairy 1906 – 1949
The Oldest Continuous Run Dairy in the State of Florida
By E L Hollingsworth, Grandson of P W Smith And
Mrs. Kenneth (Alline) Smith, Daughter-In- Law
August 7, 1990

Mr. and Mrs. P W Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Thornber (Parents of Mrs. Smith) came to Walton County first in 1900 after hearing about the advantages of living in a warm climate so different from their home their home in Tyndall, S.D. The Smiths rented a home on what is now 331 South near Sunbright, while the Thornbers lived at the corner of 11th Street and Live Oak Avenue. This arrangement continued for two winters, then in 1903 they decided to live permanently in Walton County.

As Uncle of P W Smith, L. I. Smith, followed the Smiths a few years later and purchased Wiscasset – the home where Mr. and Mrs. John McDonald now live. P W Smith had been reared by his Uncle L. I. Smith due to his parents’ early death.

A new home called The “Shelter” was built for the P W Smiths. (This place was destroyed by fire in 1937.) More land was purchased and a small barn was built behind the new house. Farming was done and in 1906 a decision was made to begin a dairy as there were none in the area. In 1908, after living in rented houses, The Thornbers built North of The “Shelter” and lived in that home until their deaths. They named their place “Bide a Wee” and it is still in existence.

Homes on the Smith Dairy, Wiscasset, The Shelter and Bide A Wee. Picture from Anna Smith - Sonny Hollingsworth collection (c)

P W Smith went to a dairy farm in another state and purchased 5 Jersey milk cows and one Jersey bull. Later Holsteins were added to the herd. By 1910 they had a successful dairy. All milking and feeding was done by hand. Delivery was by horse and wagon. As the herd increased, the large “Red Barn” was begun and enlarged from time to time. Milking stalls were at the floor level and storage was in the upper loft level. Later, as the dairy expanded, a milk house was constructed near the barn. (Now torn down along with the milk processing building.) By now they were separating cream from milk – making butter and delivering by truck. Still every phase of dairying was done by hand. The milking stools were hand made and were in the shape of a T and were a little difficult to balance until you got the hang of it.

In 1918 a Son joined the Army. This caused another Son to drop out of school to help with the chores of the dairy. Later, this Son was sent to Georgia Military Academy in Atlanta to finish his high school courses.

Kenneth Robert "Tuff" Smith, graduate of Georgia Military Academy. His nephew and wife wrote this account of the Smith Dairy. Tuff is well known for his fishing prowess at Grayton Beach. He posed with his flounder catch at Camp Walton in 1913. Anna Smith was his sister and Sonny Hollingsworth was his nephew. P.W. Smith was Anna and Tuff's father. Tuff wrote poetry. I'll add his untitled poem about a dog later. It is written on Smith Dairy paper. Tuff and Alline loved dogs and they loved all of Walton County. There was no difference.

P. W. Smith, because of his ailing health, sold the dairy to a daughter and her husband, Mr. & Mrs. M L Master. They later auctioned the property off and it was purchased by Dr. Edgar Myers who later sold to Mr. Jerry Hodges. In turn, Mr. Hodges sold a small piece of his property, including the Red Barn, to the County for a “Farmers Market”. end --

Additional pictures by Brenda Rees and from the collection of Anna Smith and Sonny Hollingsworth. (Remember to Login to See Pictures.)

Ernest L. (Sonny) Hollingsworth, son of Anna Smith, visits his family home on the historic Smith Dairy on Highway 331 near Interstate 10. My mother, Gloria, and I enjoyed seeing "Wiscasett" with him on Friday, May 5, 2009. Sonny is now 82. His father died in a tragic dairy accident when he was a toddler. Sonny spent many days at Grayton Beach with his Uncle Tuff and Aunt Alline. Photograph by Brenda Rees (c)

Sonny had the upstairs corner room at Wiscasett. He pointed this out on our tour on May 5. Photograph by Brenda Rees (c)

Historic picture of Wiscasett at the Smith Dairy from the Anna Smith - Sonny Hollingsworth collection.

Anna Smith's childhood home, DFS 1911 Anna would later own property at Grayton Beach. Sonny said there were two indian girl graves on the Grayton lot. The lots were sold and traces of the indian girl graves are unknown Back of picture says in pencil at the top "Claudia Smith and daughter at their home near DeFuniak Springs, Florida. (In ink, looks like by Anna) This is the house where I was born. House was built about 1903 -1904 and burned in early 1930s. Billie in front yard - looks to be about two so picture probably made about 1911."

During this time, L.I. Smith owned this house on the historic circle in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Being on "the circle" was a premier location for the Florida Chautauqua which was held each year. The Chautauqua Building was also located on Lake DeFuniak. L.I. Smith was the great uncle of Anna Smith. L.I. raised P.W. Smith, Anna's father. Photograph by Brenda Rees (c) I was with Sonny Hollingsworth, who is married to my mother, the day I took this photograph. We also stopped by his former home, Wiscasett, that day. It is for sale.

View of Lake DeFuniak from Mr. and Mrs. L.I. Smith's home. The grounds of the lake yard have been preserved close to their original development and the spectacular and peaceful view is available for all to enjoy. Visit DeFuniak Springs and take your own walk around the lake, and step back in time as you relax and experience history. The Walton County Heritage Museum, located on the circle, has a video describing the homes. The museum is open Wednesday - Saturday from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is free. Photograph by Brenda Rees (c)

Dr. Albert A. Dye lived next door to L.I. Smith on Circle Drive in historic DeFuniak Springs. Dr. Dye's first wife, according to Sonny, was Auntie's sister. Anna Smith has many stories and pictures of her Uncle (L.I.) and Auntie (Anna). Read more about them in other blogs by Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida. Photograph by Brenda Rees (c)

Anna Smith's grandparents, the Thornbers, lived here on 11th and Live Oak in DeFuniak Springs. The Thornbers later built a home at the Smith Dairy. Their home "Bide A Wee" was moved to Pt. Washington, Florida in South Walton. Anna wrote that "Bide A Wee" meant stay awhile. Anna also wrote that the Smiths were not of Scottish desent, just liked the name. Photograph by Brenda Rees (c)

Smith Dairy Letterhead from the Anna Smith - Sonny Hollingsworth collection. I like "Satsumaland." Mother and Sonny have some wonderful Satsuma trees on their property at Lake Stanley. Their property on Lake Stanley, Sonny said, used to be part of the Harbeson Dairy. Car races were held nearby at Harbeson Field in the early 1900s. A painting recently loaned will soon be on display at the Walton County Heritage Museum.

Mrs. P.W. Smith -- Claudine H. Thornber Smith -- An elegant and sophisticated woman. This is the type of person who came to Walton County in the late 1890s and 1900s. They were attracted by the beauty of the area, business opportunities, good farmland, culture and educational assets. Today, Walton County attracts a similar visitor and resident. Those seeking exceptional beaches, state parks, premier accommodations, educational appreciation and historic authenticity are attracted to Walton County. Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon wrote a story about Claudine's dress and used this picture in a story in the DeFuniak Herald in 1982.

Percy Warren (P.W.) Smith This picture was probably taken about the time of P.W.'s 1899 trip to Grayton Beach and just before he and his family moved to Walton County, Florida.

Tuff’s Untitled Dog Poem – Jan 26-30

Oh, Nomad feet that would wander wide at will!
Oh, Nomad restless heart, that never could be still!
Why must this brave pair yield to time and age
Until both lie dead; perhaps grieving
For journeys yet undone?
No longer obedient to the lure of far off woods,
Of golden fields, and unconquered hills.

No other dog neither hound, shepherd or bull
Could be more noble or more beautiful
Than him, who was more courteous than people.
Whose head was higher and whose body would ripple
More silkily than any of his kind.
When he with gentle hope to please
Brought in a bird and with a humorous fare
Dropped it in my hand, I lacked all hateful
thoughts

(signed) Tuff

I'll also post this poem by Kenneth Robert (Tuff) Smith in the Grayton Beach Blog. Tuff loved his dogs and probably always had some with him where he was. Grayton Beach is especially known for being a special place for dogs.

The Smith Dairy Story in the SoWal Blog of Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida May 2009
Story given to Brenda Rees by Sonny Hollingsworth April 2009
Sonny Hollingsworth is Married to My Mother, Gloria Anderson Hollingsworth

Here is just one of the properties Mr. and Mrs. L.I. Smith owned in Camp Walton. To learn more about their beach and resort homes check out my Camp Walton - Mary Esther blog as well as other "Anna's Stories." L.I. Smith was a successful businessman in Northwest Florida and was involved in banking, the dairy business and resorts. My blog on South Walton Real Estate gives some of the border development of Northwest Florida and Walton County. Walton county is one of the oldest counties in Florida, founded December 29, 1824. Mr. and Mrs. L.I. Smith were the aunt and uncle of Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon. This picture and others were recently found in the attic of Anna's only son, Sonny Hollingsworth of DeFuniak Springs. He is married to my mother, Gloria. ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/504-annas-stories-p-w-smith-dairy-1906-1949-historic-florida-dairy.html <![CDATA[Anna's Stories -- Camp Walton and Mary Esther -- Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida]]> http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/494-annas-stories-camp-walton-mary-esther-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:26:43 GMT Anna’s Stories – Camp Walton – Mary Esther --Smith's Resorts -- Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida
© Brenda Rees All Rights Reserved
Transcript from handwritten paper by Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon (33 pages)

Anna's story reveals details about Ft. Walton Beach that many don't know or have forgotten. What a wonderful beach camp on the sound. Many of these pictures and notes are not included in other publications.
The Smiths were certainly early resort pioneers in this resort driven beach community.

As a historic and well known resort area on the Emerald Coast, more exposure to Ft. Walton Beach's past is important. Its beautiful and strategic location attracted early natives, explorers, the best entrepreneurs and daring individuals. The high elevation of this area protected early native peoples and provided strategic harbors and sites for the military over many years. The beautiful dunes and sand satisfied a sophisticated and demanding beach crowd. Boating and fishing were long part of Ft. Walton Beach's legacy and livelihood.

Picture, the "Sewing Circle" from Anna Smith's Album. Friends and Family in the Gulf in 1913. They had a resort home at Camp Walton and traveled there by their boat "The Anna." All historic photographs from the Anna Smith - Sonny Hollingsworth collection. (c) All Rights Reserved

Anna Smith wrote about the Smith and Thornber families' adventures in Walton County and at the beaches along the Emerald Coast in Northwest Florida. I'll post some pictures from the selection Anna left for her son, Sonny Hollingsworth. Some are just incredible. One shows Tuff Smith, who many know from "The Smith House" in Grayton Beach, with one of his early fish catches at Camp Walton. Another shows a group of "The Sewing Circle" ladies in 1913 bathing suit dresses in the Gulf. Many of these pictures are premier presentations on this blog.

Enjoy this excerpt. To discover or review other unique facts and stories about Florida and Walton County, please see my other blogs. Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida

(Remember to Log In to See Pictures.)

Typed by Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida 5-28-2009
From Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon's papers left with her son, Sonny Hollingsworth, and shared with me.
(Sonny is married to my mother, Gloria.)

Notes from Anna that follow were handwritten by her in 1978, so keep that in mind. Detailed in black with page #.

“Lewis Irvin Smith (1845-1932)
Anna Durinda Brown Smith (1843-1929)
As recalled by Anna Smith Reardon
DeFuniak Springs, Fla.
9-10-78

…page 15 ...Uncle and Auntie soon bought and found a summer home near the Gulf of Mexico. It was (and still is) in Camp Walton (now Fort Walton Beach,) facing the sound and just west of the Sheraton Marina Inn. They spent their summers there for several years. Uncle bought a

The summer home of Mr. and Mrs. L.I. Smith at Camp Walton. L.I. and Anna Smith are checked. Picture from the collection of L.I.'s great niece, Anna Smith, and her son, Ernest L. Hollingsworth.

Postcard "The Anna" 1910 Probably at Camp Walton resort where the Smiths enjoyed the summer or Freeport. The Smith-Thornber families often traveled to Camp Walton from their DeFuniak homes on their boat "The Anna." It was named for L.I. Smith's niece, Anna Smith and his wife, Anna Durinda Smith.

Page 16 nice cabin cruiser, or launch, and named it the “Anna.” He built a boat house near the front of his house, he never learned to operate the boat, but persuaded his friends, Mr. and Mrs. E.S. Buck, to move from DeFuniak Springs to Camp Walton. Mr. Buck bought or built a water front home nearby, for his family, which included a son, Ralph and a daughter Mabel (now Mrs. Mabel Buchanan who still lives in Ft. Walton Beach.) Mr. Buck built a general store over the water, to the west of the boat house. He dispensed gasoline to boats, sold all kinds of merchandise, and for many years was the village post master, with the post office in one corner of the store. On the days Uncle and Auntie chose to take a boat ride, Mr. Buck was the pilot and engineer. One favorite trip

Mr. Buck mailed this postcard to his daughter Mabel in 1908 from Camp Walton. I'll post the back and his notes sometime. Mr. Buck was the skipper of "The Anna" for L.I. Smith, Anna's great uncle. Mr. Buck had been to the Chautauqua up in DeFuniak Springs. This post card might have been purchased at Chautauqua and then mailed from Camp Walton.

Page 17 was to Camp Pinchot to visit Mr. and Mrs. I.F. Eldridge (Mr. Eldridge was the National Forester.) Another was to the Elce Studios, where a brother and two sisters painted in oils, had hand painted china for sale, as well as hand carved wooden articles. On most trips, Uncle bought hand painted china for Auntie and for friends. He commissioned one of the artists to paint two oil paintings. I have one.

I’m fairly sure that Uncle had a financial interest in the “Brooks House,” one of the earliest hotels in Camp Walton. I recall it as an unpainted two-story frame building. My family often visited Uncle and Auntie at Camp Walton, and we took meals at the “Brooks House” occasionally. A recent history of the area calls this the “Brooks Hotel” but I don’t

Page 18 recall ever hearing it called by that name. It was located about where the Sheraton Marina Inn is now.

The Smith Children, Anna and Billie, resting on the roots of a giant pine tree in front of the "Gulfview." Their brother, Tuff, was probably fishing. You can see the sign on the balcony. Their great uncle L.I. Smith had bought the hotel and the house next door. This picture and others from the collection of Anna Smith and her son, Sonny Hollingsworth. I drove over to Ft. Walton Beach the other day and was pleased to see the "Gulfview" was still there and in good hands of the Emerald Coast Junior League.

Uncle was not entirely satisfied with the location of his house, so soon disposed of it and bought the “Gulfview Hotel” and the house just west of it. I don’t recall who ran the hotel at that time, or whether it was being operated. I do remember that Uncle L.I. entered into an agreement with the Staff and Gerlach families, whereby they came from Indiana to operate the hotel. Uncle and Auntie spent their summers in the cottage next door and took their meals at the hotel. One summer, I remember that my parents and I, with my sister and brother, Kenneth, stayed for two weeks at the hotel. Other summers we stayed at the cottage and took our meals at the

Kenneth "Tuff" Smith, Anna's brother, with his flounder in 1913 at Camp Walton. Tuff became well known for his fishing prowess at Grayton Beach. Tuff lived with his parents Mr. and Mrs. P.W. Smith, brothers, sisters and other family members at the Smith Dairy in DeFuniak Springs, Walton County, FL.

Bathing at "The Shallows" near Camp Walton about 1913.

Page 19 hotel. Uncle and Auntie were very hospitable, one summer, the vacation group included a friend of the family, Miss Steptoe Campbell of King William, Va. My older brothers took their vacations with Uncle and Auntie, as well as many others.

When we were there, Papa would row us to a swimming spot west of Camp Walton, called “the shallows.” This was usually before breakfast. Also, at least once a day we went by row boat or launch to Santa Rosa Island where we walked across and bathed in the gulf. The island was entirely uninhabited and without litter of any kind.

Emerald Coast Dunes on Postcard in Anna Smith's collection. Probably around 1910 and near Camp Walton and Santa Rosa Island. The Emerald Coast, from Cola to Cola (Pensacola to Appalachicola), has beautiful dunes, beach and gulf waters along with significant Florida history.

I remember the day the Staffs and Gerlachs arrived from Indiana on one of the passenger boats that traveled from Pensacola to Freeport. After that, we enjoyed

This picture was in album near other Camp Walton pictures and is probably Anna and her sister Billie in the row boat that they took from Camp Walton across the Santa Rosa Sound to Santa Rosa Island. There was no "Okaloosa Island" as there was no Okaloosa County until 1915 when it was founded, half out of Walton County and half out of Santa Rosa County. Walton County is one of the oldest counties in Florida, founded December 29, 1824.

Page 20 bountiful meals of good German cooking. Miss Agnes Gerlach often made twenty pies in the morning. She did most of the baking, but I believe Mrs. Staff, her sister, made the bread. Miss Frances Gerlach ran a store built over the water. Mr. Staff had a fine garden, fished, and raised pigs and cows, thus providing most of the food for the hotel. They were a musical family, and often joined the guests in singing and playing musical instruments at night.

In the early years, travel to Camp Walton was by boat from Freeport. Sometimes we came home by way of Pensacola, traveling by train for the last lap. I can recall trips on the “Captain Fritz,” a stern wheeler, the “Charles E. Cessna,” a side wheeler, the “Eugene,” a double deck gasoline

Capt. Fritz at Camp Walton (Ft. Walton) Pavillion. From the collection of Anna Smith and Sonny Hollingsworth.

Postcard to Billy from Uncle. Text on back to follow. The Florida trying to pull Swan.

Postcard Anna Smith had of Shipley's Hotel (noted on back). The Cedars.

Page 21 powered boat, and possibly others. The “Ruth” was the mail launch for many years, and took passengers, but it was small, so we never traveled on it.

Within a few years the Staffs and Gerlachs had bought the hotel. Meanwhile, Uncle had loaned money to Mr. Charles Shipley, who ran “The Cedars,” a hotel at Mary Esther, a few miles west of Camp Walton. Uncle and Auntie had wearied of the summer crowds at Camp Walton, so built their final vacation home on Santa Rosa Sound at Mary Esther. When we visited there, we usually had our meals at “The Cedars,” and sometimes they were prepared in a small house in the yard by a cook. Auntie didn’t like the odor of cooking food in the house, so the completely equipped kitchen was

The Smith Resort Home at Mary Esther. What a nice beach home this family of note from DeFuniak Springs owned.

Page 22 seldom, if ever used. The house had a basement and a furnace, two bath rooms and two large, wide porches.

All these years, Uncle and Auntie returned to their “Wiscasset” home in DeFuniak Springs for the winter months. When the roads became passable, one of my brothers or my grandfather would furnish transportation for them back and forth to Mary Esther. Uncle and Grand-dad bought at least two cars together (a Maxwell and a Dodge), but Uncle never learned to drive. (I recall that I was terribly embarrassed because much of Uncle and Auntie’s luggage was wrapped in newspaper and tied with string, though they owned elegant leather luggage.) ... End of this typed excerpt from Anna Smith's papers. Please enjoy additional pictures.

The "Maxwell" car used to transport the Smith family. Billie is in the back seat and Lewis in front. The Maxwell, according to Anna, was used to transport the family from their DeFuniak Springs homes down to meet their boat transportation to Camp Walton and Mary Esther.

Miss Nell, Anna and her sister, Billie among the "Wild Oats" on Santa Rosa Island across from their Camp Walton beach home.

Postcard Mr. Buck, skipper of "The Anna" for the Smith family and Camp Walton resident, sent to his son, Ralph, in 1908. Mr. Buck's text on back talks about taking train to Glendale and Chautauqua.

(This picture temporarily removed to make room for other pictures)
Another picture of Mr. and Mrs. L.I. Smith and their summer resort home at Mary Esther. Anna wrote "Uncle and Auntie at Mary Esther" on back of picture.

Postcard from Anna in 1912. Be sure to note the Camp Walton postmark.

Camp Walton postcard 1910.

Mr. Lewis Irving Smith (Known as L. I. Smith) was a distinguished gentleman of Walton County and Northwest Florida. His great niece was Anna Smith. L.I. raised Anna's father, P.W. Smith due to his parent's early death. L.I. had businesses and homes in DeFuniak Springs, Camp Walton and Mary Esther. His family established in Walton County and had homes along the beaches of South Walton. More information about L. I. Smith will be posted on future blogs.

The Smith and Thornber families had moved permanently to Walton County from South Dakota in 1903. L.I. and his nephew P.W. Smith had visited Grayton Beach in 1899. They also attended Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs and wintered at the DeFuniak Springs winter resort in 1900-01, 1901-02 and 1902-03. The beauty, business, culture and climate attracted them to the area. Today, the Smith family is important to the local history story.

View from the water of Camp Walton in 1912, from Anna Smith / Sonny Hollingsworth collection. The "Anna" used to transport the Smith's from DeFuniak to Camp Walton is docked and you can also see the building built out over the water.

Ernest L. (Sonny) Hollingsworth on Santa Rosa Island near Camp Walton with the Smith Family around 1932. Anna's sister, Billie, and her husband owned a laundry. They sold it to the Nelsons (Bets Haynes parents). The Haynes's children live in Grayton Beach and South Walton. See Anna's Stories -- Back to School.

"Wiscasett" home at Smith Dairy in DeFuniak Springs. Wiscasett was home to a number of the Smith family. L.I. Smith and his wife, Anna, would come here when they were not at their resort homes in Camp Walton or Mary Esther. L.I. Smith also owned a home on the fashionable and now historic Circle Drive in DeFuniak Springs. (Photograph by Brenda Rees - (c) 2009)(Picture temporarily removed due to space allotments.)

The Gulfview in 2009. I was so pleased to visit this with my friend in Ft. Walton Beach. The Emerald Coast Junior League is to be commended for restoring and preserving this historical building. You can see this building when you visit Ft. Walton Beach. It is located near the current Ft. Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Building. Staff's restaurant is also nearby on Highway 98. L.I. Smith once owned this building and was instrumental in the Staff and Gerlach families coming to Florida and the Emerald Coast. (see Anna's remarks above)

End of this installation of Anna’s Stories – Camp Walton – Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida
See the other blogs by Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida to learn about the Real History of the Real Florida. You might be particularly interested in seeing the blog about graves of the Walton family. Ft. Walton was named for George Walton Jr., the namesake of Walton County, Florida. Walton County was founded December 29, 1824. George Walton Jr. was Secretary for West Florida under Governor Andrew Jackson in 1821. Walton was named Acting Governor when Jackson left Florida and returned to Tennessee. After Duval finally showed up in Florida to become Governor, Walton became Secretary of the Territory of Florida and remained in that position until 1826. George Walton's father, George Walton, was a signer of The Declaration of Independence. George Walton, Jr.'s daughter, Octavia Walton Le Vert was a Belle of the Nation and world renown. See more about her in other blogs by Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida. ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/494-annas-stories-camp-walton-mary-esther-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html <![CDATA[Anna's Stories - Grayton Beach, The Smith House, Sonny, Friends and Family]]> http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/486-annas-stories-grayton-beach-smith-house-sonny-friends-family.html Thu, 28 May 2009 00:04:39 GMT Anna's Stories - By Brenda Rees - Shaping Florida
Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon enjoyed Grayton Beach with her family and friends. Here is the second blog by Brenda Rees - Shaping Florida about her stories and picture collection. Many of the pictures in this particular blog are from 1940-1970. Her son, Sonny Hollingsworth, spent many summers with his Uncle Tuff and Aunt Alline at "The Smith" house. Anna owned lots south of The Smith House. Sonny said there were several "Indian girl graves" on the lots. The lots were sold and he doesn't know what became of the "Indian girl graves." Sonny and my mother recently found a number of pictures and documents in their attic. (c) Brenda Rees All Rights Reserved See "Anna" An Early Walton County Boat for background. Be sure to log on to see pictures!

The Smith House at Grayton Beach in the 1940s. Sonny Hollingsworth, the son of Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon, said his mother owned the lots south of the Smith House. He remembers two Indian girl graves on the lots. What happened to the two Indian girls after Anna sold her lots is unknown.

More pictures to follow.

Anna's beach picture.

Walton girls doing their part to keep the troops happy. Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon is on far left. Also pictured are Jeanette Anderson McDonald and Marybea Kennedy Smart. (sp?)

Sonny Hollingsworth with an airplane that landed on Grayton Beach, probably around the late 1930s. Other children are identified on back of picture as Kelly Bryant and Simpsie Bryant. Sonny didn't remember the story behind this, maybe some will.

A Grayton Beach fishing trip, 1940. Picture from the Anna Smith / Sonny Hollingsworth collection. Residents used the outfall to get out to the gulf to fish. I love the composition of this picture.

Grayton Fishing Trip 1940 - Showing Off The Catch! Western Lake is obviously fairly shallow at this point. "Tuff" Smith's Pompano story is great. Anna Smith kept a copy of her brother's fishing story and letter to editor in 1945.

Sonny Hollingsworth and Thornber Smith at the Grayton Beach outfall, 1942.

Sonny Hollingsworth of DeFuniak Springs hunting at Grayton Beach in 1942 with his Uncle Kenneth "Tuff" Smith. There was a perfect blend of North and South Walton.

Van Ness Butler, Sonny Hollingsworth and Thornber Smith 1942 Grayton Beach. The Smith family had visited Grayton Beach as early as 1899 (see Anna's story about her father's first trip to Grayton Beach at the end of this blog) The Smith House was across the sand road from the Grayton Store and what is now known as the Red Bar.

Sonny Hollingsworth on some beach debris at Grayton in 1943. Sonny's mother was Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon.

Alline Smith with Bullet and Sister at Grayton Beach in 1954. Alline was married to Anna's brother, Kenneth "Tuff" Smith. They had a home in DeFuniak Springs and at Grayton Beach. They also had many beloved dogs that enjoyed the beach. Western Lake looks low so might have just opened to the Gulf. This picture and others are from the Anna Smith - Sonny Hollingsworth collection. Sonny recently donated Alline's 1902 Christening dress to the Walton County Heritage Museum.

Frieda and Fran II at Grayton Beach in 1965. Enjoying the view that many enjoy today. Thanks for keeping South Walton and Walton County beautiful for us.

Alline Smith at The Smith House in Grayton after the 1975 Hurricane. Alline was Sonny Hollingsworth's aunt.

Alline Smith at Grayton Beach after Hurricane Eloise 1975.

Here's another picture of the three boys at Grayton Beach. They are showing off one of their "finds" in front of the Smith House. (Van Ness, Thornber and Sonny) Their families had moved to Walton County from South Dakota years earlier.

Smith House at Grayton Beach in 1962.

Kenneth Robert "Tuff" Smith as a young man. He and his wife Alline built and owned "The Smith House" in Grayton Beach. The materials were salvaged from a shipwreck washed up from the Gulf around 1925. The house had additions and changes over the years. A longtime Grayton Beach family are the new owners and current loving caretakers of this home. Tuff, an avid sportsman, is also known for his fish stories. The Smith family had migrated permanently to Walton County from South Dakota around 1903. Tuff's father made a camping trip to Grayton Beach in 1899 and other Smith family members rented homes and attended Florida Chautauqua festivities in DeFuniak Springs in 1900 -01, 1901-02 and 1902-03.

Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon wrote many stories about Walton County. Here is a story about her father, Percy Warren Smith, and his first trip to Grayton Beach. Percy’s children and grandchildren (and now great and great-great grandchildren) enjoyed and loved Grayton Beach as you’ve seen in some of the pictures in this blog. Anna Reardon had this story published in the Herald-Breeze around 1972 (date unclear on copy). Enjoy "Anna's Stories" -- Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida

Percy Warren Smith was the father of Tuff Smith who was the first owner and builder of The Smith House at Grayton Beach. This story is by Percy's daughter, Anna (Smith) Hollingsworth Reardon. (Photo from Anna's collection left with her son, Sonny Hollingsworth)

Bits and Pieces of Walton County History
Grayton Beach
By Anna Reardon

"A recent inquiry about early days of Grayton Beach brings to mind a tale my father used to tell. He (Percy Warren Smith) was born in Lamar, Missouri, and by his early teens, was homesteading land in the Dakota Territory. By age sixteen, he taught a one-room school on the prairie, and was cited for bravery in protecting the school children during the great blizzard of 1888.

He became an abstracter, married, and had four children. They lived in the small town of Tyndall, South Dakota. Also living there were his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. L.I. Smith and my maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Thornber.

They wearied of the severe winters, so by the late 1890s, my great uncle began a series of exploratory trips to the southeastern United States. Sometimes he was accompanied by other family members. About 1899, Uncle L.I. and my father discovered DeFuniak Springs. While they were here, my father, who enjoyed hunting and fishing, went on a camping trip.

I don’t recall the names of others who went along, but I’ve heard many times of “Pink” Boone’s fish camp on the Choctawhatchee River, near what is now Bruce. After several days there, they traveled by mules and wagons to Grayton beach. They must have forded the river at the Cowford, and followed a sand trail to the Gulf.

My father was overwhelmed by the wild and desolate beauty of Grayton Beach. There probably were a few early settlers nearby, and no doubt the old hotel, later known as “Washaway,” was there. (“Washaway” was so named because in a hurricane it was washed and blown intact from the wide sand beach, over the dunes to its later location north of the dunes.) At any rate, the camping party stayed at Grayton several days.

This extended family (Smiths and Thornbers) returned to DeFuniak Springs for the winters of 1900, 1901 and 1902. They liked it well enough so that by 1903, they moved here permanently.

My father, who knew nothing of farming, became a farmer and dairyman. So for as I know, he never hunted and fished again after the “Pink” Boone trip. It must have been in the 1930s before he returned to Grayton Beach, but he never forgot his first visit there. "

Tuff's Poem About Dogs -- The original poem written on Smith Dairy paper is posted in the blog on the dairy.

Tuff’s Untitled Dog Poem – Jan 26-30

Oh, Nomad feet that would wander wide at will!
Oh, Nomad restless heart, that never could be still!
Why must this brave pair yield to time and age
Until both lie dead; perhaps grieving
For journeys yet undone?
No longer obedient to the lure of far off woods,
Of golden fields, and unconquered hills.

No other dog neither hound, shepherd or bull
Could be more noble or more beautiful
Than him, who was more courteous than people.
Whose head was higher and whose body would ripple
More silkily than any of his kind.
When he with gentle hope to please
Brought in a bird and with a humorous fare
Dropped it in my hand, I lacked all hateful
thoughts

(signed) Tuff

July 4th, 2009, Ernest L. (Sonny) Hollingsworth shows off his Aunt Alline Smith's 1902 Christening Gown he recently donated to the Walton County Heritage Museum in DeFuniak Springs. Alline and Tuff Smith built one of the early homes at Grayton Beach and also had a home at the family's historic Smith Dairy in DeFuniak Springs. Sonny spent much of his childhood and life with them at both places.

Footnote to Big Mama's girls: I stopped by to give Sonny his birthday present (early). His birthday is Aug. 10, guess he'll be 83. He told me his mother's sister, Billie, and her husband had sold their laundry business to Big Mama's (Bets) relative, Mr. Nelson. (I need to research just what relation this was. Bets Haynes mother and father were L. Wells and Bessie Tervin Nelson. Bessie Tervin was a student at Palmer College in DeFuniak in 1916-1918. Anna Smith, Sonny's mother, was a senior at Palmer in 1922. I'll post more about Palmer College later.) Billie moved to Miami shortly after that. What a small world. You might want to go to my Smith Dairy Blog and see more about Billie, etc. There is a great picture of Billie and her husband on the beach near Camp Walton on my Camp Walton - Mary Esther blog. I also think I've told you the story about Bets Nelson Haynes' mother teaching my mother math. My Mom, Gloria, remembers her saying, "Now, watch me as I go through the board." as she put math problems up for them to complete. This would have been at the school up in DeFuniak. ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/486-annas-stories-grayton-beach-smith-house-sonny-friends-family.html <![CDATA[Anna's Stories - "Anna" An Early Walton County Boat - 1910 -- The Smith Family]]> http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/473-annas-stories-anna-early-walton-county-boat-1910-smith-family.html Sun, 17 May 2009 22:46:50 GMT "Anna's Stories" will take years to tell. We'll start easy. I'll tell you about a boat named for Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon and built in DeFuniak Springs around 1910. Pictures scanned from originals from the Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon/Sonny Hollingsworth collection will also be included. Brenda Rees, Shaping Florida (c) All Rights Reserved (LOG ON TO SEE ALL PICTURES!)

The "Anna" was named for Anna Durinda Brown Smith and Anna Smith, the wife and great-niece of L.I. Smith. Connections to Grayton Beach, Camp Walton, DeFuniak Springs, etc. The back of this picture says "WINNER OF FIRST HANDICAP July 4, 1920 Equipped with 20 h.p. 11 STANDARD MOTION Length 32'6" Breadth 8'8" DRT. 3' Speed 22 KAH. signed by
Anna Reardon

Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon's papers are vast and many were given by her only son Ernest L. (Sonny) Hollingsworth of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, to the John C. Pace Library at University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida. Anna Reardon wrote for the DeFuniak Springs Herald - Beach Breeze. Sonny spent many childhood days on the beach at Grayton at the "Smith" house. His father had died in a tragic dairy accident when he was a young child.

Sonny Hollingsworth is married to my mother, Gloria. While cleaning out the attic the other day, Sonny and my Mom came across a number of additional photographs and notes from Anna. Anna's family moved to Walton County from Tyndall, South Dakota around 1903 and started one of the areas earliest dairy farms off the Freeport Road, now 331. They also had homes and property at Grayton Beach in South Walton, Camp Walton and Mary Esther. One of the original homes on the dairy property was moved and is now in Pt. Washington. The original "Smith" beach house is still at Grayton Beach. "Wiscasett" now stands alone on the former Smith Dairy on Highway 331 in DeFuniak Springs.

Anna Smith, her great-uncle L.I. Smith, and Billie Smith about 1919. L.I. Smith owned considerable property in Northwest Florida, including a home on the historic circle in DeFuniak Springs, to beach homes and resorts in Camp Walton and Mary Esther.

Anna wrote that the boat "Anna" was built by Mr. Ruby Burdick, a skilled carpenter, cabinet maker and boat builder, who lived in DeFuniak Springs from about 1900 to 1910. While in DeFuniak, he built at least two boats. One was the "Anna" and was sold to Mr. L. I. Smith around 1910. Mr. L. I. Smith had traveled to DeFuniak and visited the "Chautauqua" in the late 1890s and early 1900s. The "Anna" was named for his wife, Anna Durinda Brown Smith and his great-niece, Anna Smith.

The young, beautiful, educated and talented Anna Smith for whom the "Anna" was named.

Anna said the boat was "called a launch, but would probably qualify as a yacht today. , It had two cabins, with wide seats cushioned with leather-covered life preservers which could be used as matresses." Anna said her great uncle never learned to operate the boat so hired Mr. E.S. Buck as skipper. Mr. Buck had moved to DeFuniak in 1906 and then to Camp Walton in 1908. Anna wrote "... at Camp Walton, Mr. Buck built a home and a water front store, which housed the post office for a number of years."

The Camp Walton area appears to have been in Walton County during the Civil War and this time period, about 1851 - 1915, per my research and Sinko Atlas of Florida counties. Place names on numerous maps varied. An 1882 Rand McNally map that shows Pt. Washington, only has "Anderson" in the general area now known as Ft. Walton Beach. A 1917 State of Florida map shows Camp Walton (See my academic blogs on borders, South Walton Real Estate History and John Wesley in Spanish Florida, for more information on place locations -- Brenda Rees, Shaping Florida)

Anna Durinda Brown Smith, the wife of L.I. Smith. The other namesake for the boat "Anna."

Here are some pictures of Anna's Family, early Walton County residents.

Anna Smith. Perhaps in the front yard at the dairy farm.

Claudine H. Thornber, Anna Smith's mother. Picture taken in Tyndall, South Dakota, the location from where several other Walton County families migrated.

Percy Warren Smith, Anna's father. Before moving to Walton County, Florida. His children included Lewis Thornber, Dorothy, Hugh Percy, Kenneth Robert, Anna Martha, and Claudine Elizabeth (Billie). Many in Grayton Beach will remember Kenneth as "Tuff" Smith who lived with his wife Alline for many years at Grayton Beach at the "Smith" house. I'll post more pictures on the "Smith" house later, probably in a separate Grayton Beach blog. It is still at Grayton.

The following excerpt is from handwritten note by Anna Smith Hollingsworth Reardon. This should give you some insight of the early Walton County residents who enjoyed both North and South Walton. There are more pictures and stories about their beach trips, homes and adventures.

... "My mother married Percy Warren Smith, an abstractor and former school teacher,who lived with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. L.I. Smith. Hugh Thornber and L.I. Smith became lifelong friends. This uncle had been a merchant and banker in Lamar, Missouri, but had moved to Tyndall where he founded a bank, and owned considerable property.

These three families had comfortable homes, and "hired girls"; these were live-in maids, daughters of German immigrants in the area.

Hugh, Thornber, L.I. Smith and P.W. Smith were members of the Masonic Lodge in Tyndall. My parents were members of the Eastern Star there. Later, all resumed their memberships in DeFuniak Springs.

By the late 1890's, these families had wearied of the severe winters, so L.I. Smith made several trips to Florida, Georgia and perhaps other parts of the southeastern United States. My father, P.W. Smith, and my oldest brother, Lewis Thornber Smith, accompanied him at least once. They liked DeFuniak Springs, which was a winter resort then, so decided to spend winter vacation here. This they did the winters of 1900-01, 1901-02, and 1902-03. The Thornbers had reliable clerks in their store, so they came, too. The three families rented houses on west Live Oak Avenue, and attended the Chautauqua sessions.

Finally, in November 1903, all moved here. The Thornbers bought the house on Live Oak Avenue, now known as the Bert McCall house, and opened a "Racket Store" on Baldwin Avenue and 7th Street. In 1904, just before Christmas, the entire block burned, destroying the "Racket Store" and many toys and gifts which had been left there until the holiday. Hugh Thornber refunded all the money to these customers. Soon, he established a store in the block just west of the first location. The store flourished, but by 1910, the Thornbers decided to retire, so sold the store to W.K. Jennings, who took over Jan. 1, 1911." ...
(end of Anna's notes)

I wasn't aware of the term "Racket Store" until I read Anna's report. Another picture in the files identifies the Thornber store in Tyndall, South Dakota as a "Racket Store." It appears to be a general merchandise store. Will post that picture later. Here it is:

The Racket Store, Tyndall, S.D. Hugh Thornber. Written on back of picture "The Racket Store Tyndall, S.D. Owned by Hugh Thornber Picture shows Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Thornber, Lewis Smith & Dorothy Smith directly in front of store Mrs. P.W. Smith & Hugh Smith to left." (this would be Anna's mother and brother) Dorothy died as a toddler in 1900. The older P.W. Smith children were born in South Dakota. Anna and Billie were born in Florida.

Little Dorothy Smith, 1897 - 1900. Pictured with her family in front of the Racket Store in South Dakota. She died at a tender age and thus did not make the move to Florida with the rest of her family.

Further reading of Anna's notes has revealed more about the "Racket Store." Anna wrote "It was called 'The Racket Store' and was more or less franchised by a chain using this name. The idea was that each store was supposed to have a noise-maker outside to make a racket, presumably to attract customers. My grandfather preferred not to have a racket-maker, but did use the name."

In addition to boats and stores, the Smith-Thornber family was connected to early banks.

Clock, DFS 2009 The First National Bank Clock in DeFuniak Springs. Anna Smith wrote "Hugh Thornber and L.I. Smith helped establish the First National Bank in 1904. Each bought five shares of stock. Later, Uncle's shares were sold to my grandfather, so he could qualify as a director. He served in that capacity from January 13, 1910 until about the time of his death." More about the efforts to restore and preserve this clock (Take Stock in The Clock) will be posted on another blog. ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/473-annas-stories-anna-early-walton-county-boat-1910-smith-family.html Walking Tour, Eastern Lake Trail to Old Historic Bridge Remains in Lake http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/469-walking-tour-eastern-lake-trail-old-historic-bridge-remains-lake.html Thu, 14 May 2009 23:05:57 GMT Pictures from my walk in May, 2009 of the Eastern Lake / Cassine Trail in South Walton of Walton County, Florida, leading to the old historic Eastern Lake Bridge and a bygone road to the beach. This... Pictures from my walk in May, 2009 of the Eastern Lake / Cassine Trail in South Walton of Walton County, Florida, leading to the old historic Eastern Lake Bridge and a bygone road to the beach. This is the bridge and road Bob Swinford talks about in my "Moon-dreaming" blog. This walk probably rates in the top 10 things I've done in my life. Beautiful day, beautiful scenery. The environment and scenery was very much like it was many years ago when Bob and Mickey were "Moon-dreaming." A bonus was my childhood Eastern Lake beach area girlfriend from Atlanta was in SoWal and we took this walk together. She is a birding and plant aficionado and added so much to the journey. We used to ride her horses around Eastern Lake beach.

I'll add pictures in the order taken on our walk. Additional commentary will also be added later.

We started our tour at the trail that begins on Scenic 30A across the street from the Eastern Lake Nursery. There are a few other trails that will get you to the Old Historic Eastern Lake Bridge, but this is quick and easy.

You will be walking through a Florida State Forest. Pt. Washington State Forest in Northwest Florida adds to the beauty and value of this historic and environmentally unique place. The Florida State Parks that surround many of the globally rare coastal dune lakes in South Walton of Walton County are a must see. The Florida State Park system sets a good example with natural trails. Less is better. Parking lots and lighting are also often built with nature in mind.

The Trail begins.

It was quite cool and comfortable on this May day morning (about 9 a.m. CST)

Excellent and abundant specimens of Deer Moss.

You'll come to a more open and sandy part of the trail. We were walking and had no trouble. My friend said she struggled a little bit on this part of the trail with her bike on an earlier trip.

Decision time. A fork in the trail. We go right. Soon we'll be joining the Cassine Trail and the path is marked with an occasional blue paint mark on a tree.

We come to a very shady, slightly damp place on the trail that is just "hopping" with little frogs. We have to step lightly and make a little noise to get them to scurry off the trail.

A beautiful damselfly greets us at this point. There were a few more mosquitos around here. Prepare accordingly. I had put on a little bug spray. My friend had on lightweight pants. I'll let you know what this is when my friend emails me. She said, "The "butterfly" is probably one of the pond Damselflies, since we were in a boggy area with the frogs (note the dragonfly body, but folded wings). " http://www.giffbeaton.com/ponddamsels.htm

We saw several types of ferns. Ferns: Cinnamon and Royal (the Osmunda fiber is used to grow orchids), Bracken, Resurrection. Thanks for the identifications, JJJ2!

Right before the first foot bridge, you come up on some POISON IVY. Be careful. There is just a little, but steer clear.

This foot bridge is sturdier than it looks. My friend offered to go across first!

Another foot bridge across a beautiful gurgling creek. Interesting and different plants in this more damp part of the trail.

We can see the north end of Eastern Lake now through the trees.

And, Ta Dah! We come to the Old Historic Bridge on Eastern Lake. It is out more now than in years past. Don't know why some of the reeds aren't as thick now. But, you can see a lot more of the bridge than in recent years. Think about moon-dreamer Bob Swinford in 1938, the Wesley Family walking down to their Eastern Lake homestead in the 1890s and early 1900s, and other Walton County, Florida residents in earlier days walking or driving across this bridge. I can also imagine Bob and Edgar having to make several attempts to get up the steep sandy road on the other side.

Mickey Wesley was the youngest of the nine children of William and Katie Wesley (They built the Wesley House, now part of Eden State Gardens in Pt. Washington, Florida). Bob Swinford, her husband, told me of Mickey telling him of remembering holding her brother or mother's hand when she was a very little girl as they walked down to the beach at Eastern Lake. Mickey's mother was a Strickland, known to be in the Pt. Washington area before the Wesleys.

A few days earlier, my Atlanta friend and I had rowed my john boat up to the bridge from the lake direction you can see in the upper lefthand part of the picture. Suggest you take a quiet kayak, canoe or john boat so you can hear all the birds and animals and notice plants.

There is a picnic bench just north of the bridge. Several of the Eastern Lake trails come to this picnic bench. We spotted an unusual bird or two for this area. From JJJ2 "And of course the Summer Tanager at the picnic table along with the Great Crested Flycatcher on the road across the bridge."

Just north of the picnic bench is a sand road. This is the same type road Bob Swinford came down in my "Moon-dreaming" blog. My dad also would come down to the beach on similar roads for many years. His sister told me she remembers them staying at the Wesley House in Pt. Washington. The Anderson family lived next door to Florida Governor Catt's DeFuniak Springs home.

On the way back we saw this cute "fence" lizard. Our hike/walk there and back again took us about a leisurely hour and a half. In this challenging economy, it is wonderful to have such a fantastic off beach venue that is FREE, healthy, historic and beautiful.

Additional trail notes from JJJ2.
ps. I went back the next day: I should also have had Netted Chain fern and I can't believe I missed a big patch of Jack-in-the Pulpit right next to the first bridge plus the 15' native azalea towering over the bridge.

And if you get a chance to go left instead of right, back toward Cassine Gardens, there are two small bald cypress swamps complete with some pretty big trees with the flaring bases in the water. Very cool. ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/469-walking-tour-eastern-lake-trail-old-historic-bridge-remains-lake.html Eden State Gardens and Wesley House Vintage Photos, 2003-2005 http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/463-eden-state-gardens-wesley-house-vintage-photos-2003-2005.html Wed, 13 May 2009 20:56:19 GMT Many people have enjoyed my blog "Moon-dreaming" about Bob Swinford's story of his first South Walton date with Mickey Wesley in 1938. Here's some of my pictures from 2003, 2004 and 2005 of the Wesley House and Eden State Gardens in Pt. Washington, Florida. The Wesley House has changed somewhat since Bob and Mickey spent the last part of their honeymoon on its enchanting grounds . However, Eden State Gardens and the Wesley House personify the beauty and historical significance of South Walton and Walton County. The Wesley's also have significant historical ties to the beaches in South Walton. I remember my dad, with family in Alaqua and DeFuniak, telling me how he spent many nights as a boy at the Wesley House and the beach.

The pictures include a Christmas portrait of the Wesley House in 2003, the Christmas Open House 2004, the Friends of Eden reception for the new pavilion in 2004, and the Friends of Eden reception for the Walton County Chamber of Commerce in 2005. Read more about the Wesley House and South Walton in my other blogs. All pictures (c) by Brenda Rees

Wesley House photograph displayed in the home of Dr. Bob Swinford. Bob's wife died about three years ago. She was Mickey Wesley Swinford, the ninth and youngest child of William and Katie Wesley, builders of The Wesley House. Mickey homesteaded on Eastern Lake and built one of the earlier houses on the beach in that location of South Walton. The Wesley House at Eden State Gardens was changed by its new owner Lois Maxon after she purchased the house in 1953. She later donated the house and property to the State of Florida. ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/463-eden-state-gardens-wesley-house-vintage-photos-2003-2005.html <![CDATA["Moon-dreaming" A Love Story from 1930s Eastern Lake in South Walton, Florida]]> http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/454-moon-dreaming-love-story-1930s-eastern-lake-south-walton-florida.html Thu, 07 May 2009 02:40:56 GMT Image: http://www.sowal.com/bb/members/brenda-rees-albums-moon-dreaming-picture3994-moonset-1-09-046-eastern-lake-gulf-south-walton.jpg A full moon is ready to set over Eastern Lake in South...

A full moon is ready to set over Eastern Lake in South Walton, Florida. It was a full moon like this that captivated Bob Swinford on his first trip to South Walton in the 1930s. A beautiful moonset over Eastern Lake and the Gulf provided the perfect backdrop for his date with his future wife, Mickey Wesley. His story,as sent to me a few years ago, follows. Early travel roads and secrets are a bonus. Enjoy "Moon-dreaming." Picture (c) Brenda Rees, All Rights Reserved

“Moon-dreaming”

Excerpt from an article written by Dr. Kenneth R. “Bob” Swinford in 2002

From Items Given by Bob Swinford to Brenda Rees

“A WEEKEND VISIT TO EASTERN LAKE, SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGO”

By Kenneth R. “Bob” Swinford

Bob’s article has many special remembrances of his and Mickey Wesley’s lives. Mickey was the youngest of the nine children of William and Katie Wesley, builders of the Wesley House now known as Eden State Gardens in Pt. Washington, Florida. “Moon-dreaming” is a story about Bob and Mickey’s first date in South Walton at Eastern Lake. It wasn’t their “first” date as you’ll see by the story, but perhaps you can capture some of the romance one full moon night as you relax along the beach in South Walton. – Brenda Rees, Shaping Florida

(page 19) It was to be a long fourth of July weekend that summer of 1938, and I looked forward to spending it with my new girl friend, Marie Louise Wesley, known by all her friends as Mickey. We had met on a blind date just a few months earlier, and had been seeing a lot of each other prior to the end of her regular school term at the University of Florida’s P.K. Yonge Laboratory School where she was the school nurse. She had left the first part of June to spend her summer vacation at the cottage she had built a few years earlier at Eastern Lake, a few miles East of Seagrove Beach. Mickey’s brother, Edgar, and I would drive over from Gainesville after classes Friday evening to join Edgar’s wife, Sarah, Mickey and a couple of her friends at the cottage.

I was completing my first year as a Teaching Fellow in the University of Florida’s School of Forestry and Edgar was attending summer school to upgrade his teaching certificate. Mickey had introduced me to Edgar shortly after he registered for the summer term. I had met her older brother, Guy, when I went to pick her up for our blind date. I was yet to meet two other brothers, Rupert and Billy, and an older sister, Mable Burlison, who lived in Point Washington, close by her parent’s home, the Wesley estate, one of the historic landmarks of the area.

The long drive from Gainesville took us through the remote San Pedro Bay area, south of Perry, where cautious driving was necessary to avoid cattle which roamed freely over the unfenced range. After several near misses, where we had to slow to a snails pace to work our way through groups of cattle bedded down on the cool road surface, we finally reached Perry and then made good time to Tallahassee, arriving around 9:30 PM. From there, we headed towards Marianna on US 90. Going by way of Blountstown would have been much shorter, but we couldn’t (page 20) chance missing the last trip of the ferry over the Applachicola River at the new bridge site just east of Blountstown. We made good time, however, since the likelihood of cattle in the road was minimal. We drove through Quincy, Chattahoochee and Marianna without incident and reached Cottondale, where we turned south towards Panama City. Since we had gained an hour when we entered the Central Time Zone near Chatachoochee, we were less than 100 miles from our destination and it was only 10:30 PM.

We made good time on US 231 until a few miles beyond Youngstown, when the engine started to skip and I realized that we were running out of gas. About a half-hour later we were able to hail a car coming our way and the driver agreed to push us to the nearest service station, which he claimed was about 5 miles on down the road. We then began one of the wildest rides I’ve ever experienced. The accommodating driver, who apparently was pretty well into his booze, pushed us at speeds of nearly 50 mph for what seemed like an eternity. Luckily, the road was straight and we met few cars and didn’t catch up with any going our way.

Edgar and I both were quite relieved when the pusher eased off and let us pull into what looked like a roadside jook joint with a gas pump out front. Our benefactor would take nothing but our thanks for his efforts, and hastened on with his friends towards Panama City.

We were able to get our gas, but had difficulty convincing the lady at the cash register that we did not have time to stop a while and have some fun. After promising to come back at a later date, we finally managed to get back on the road. Laughingly, we decided that we had probably stumbled upon something a little more alluring than a jook joint. And we had fun accusing one another of being the primary object of the “madam’s” attention. We agreed that this would make a great story to relate to those awaiting us at the cottage.

After passing through a sleeping Panama City and along the bay front at Saint Andrews, we crossed the bay bridge and headed west on US 98. We saw very little traffic until we reached (page 21) the Panama City Beach area, where there seemed to be a few people taking in the night life at the few dance halls and eating places scattered along the highway. After this, there seemed little development except in a few scattered locations where roads came into the beach highway from the north. The road ran right along the beach for several miles and I was provided my first view of the mighty Gulf, which seemed almost as calm and peaceful as one of the lakes in my native Indiana. A full moon partially illuminated the scene, with a golden pathway of light being reflected from the slightly turbulent water.

All too soon the road curved inland. We then crossed the bridge over the Inlet and headed on west through a corridor of what appeared to be scrubby hardwoods and pine trees, underlain by palmetto and low shrubs. Ten minutes or so of travel along this isolated stretch brought us across what Edgar called Peach Tree Creek and to Holley’s store and gas pump. Following Edgar’s directions, I turned into a rather indistinct, narrow sand road directly across from the store and headed south towards the beach. The going was slow, requiring considerable care to stay in the ruts when we passed over sandy spots. It was obvious that leaving the ruts in such places might result in getting stuck. Fortunately, the sandy stretches were interspersed with short intervals of more solid ground, which would afford a turn out in the event of meeting another vehicle. After a seemingly endless journey, which actually was less than two miles, our road dropped down a slight grade and we practically crawled across a rather rickety wooden bridge over a narrow neck of the upper end of Eastern Lake. It took a couple of attempts to climb the incline on the opposite shore, and then we were finally on the last stage of our journey. The remaining half mile or so was deep sand all the way. Deep ruts and scuffed up places at several locations suggested trouble experienced by previous travelers. Edgar pointed out several spots that he had been stuck in. We were most fortunate that a good rain had fallen on the area a few days earlier, helping make the ruts more firm than they might have been otherwise.

(page 22) So, we eventually reached the drive into the cottage, aptly named “Happy Landing”, blowing our horn to announce our arrival and awakening our hostess and friends at about 2 AM Saturday morning. They had long since decided not to wait up for us; however, they were out in minutes with glaring flashlights to give us a most welcome greeting. Several kerosene lamps and a coleman lantern were soon burning to illuminate the interior of the beautiful little cottage. A hour or so later, after we had refreshed ourselves with a beer and a snack of cold crab meat and left over hush puppies, wild tales and conversation began to ebb and all the group, except Mickey and I, found their way to bed. I was so up-tight after the long drive, and so interested in the new surroundings and the reunion with my girl friend, that sleep would have been impossible. Mickey sensed this and suggested that the two of us take a moonlight walk to the gulf.

Leaving the cottage, we walked barefoot, arm in arm along the edge of the lake, pausing now and then to remark about the beauty of the scene before us. The opposite shore of the lake was vaguely visible, but clear enough to indicate a sizeable body of water. Towards the gulf, ghostly white sand dunes monopolized the view. They extend as far as eye could see in an east-west direction. To our front, however, they were interrupted by a pass of some one hundred yards which apparently had been breached by high water in the lake, helped by high tides and heavy waves of the gulf during hurricanes. A narrow body of shallow water extended through the pass, angling westerly. It ended thirty or so yards short of the surf, two feet or more lower than the sand of the beach and well below the apparent high tide mark.

Mickey related her previous experiences in opening up the lake when it was full of rain water. During an ebb tide, a ditch of one or two feet in width was dug from the edge of the lake to the waters of the gulf. Being several feet above the gulf level at that time, the water would flow rapidly from the lake, eating away the edges of the ditch and expanding rapidly into (page 23) a broad stream of fast flowing water that would soon be twenty or more feet wide. Water would continue flowing from the lake until the level matched that of the water in the gulf. Eventually gulf water would flow into and out of the lake during high and low tides, intermingling with the fresh lake water and increasing its salinity. For a week or so thereafter, before sand thrown up by the surf could close the opening, the lake would become an extension of the gulf. During this period, small game fish such as trout, redfish and flounder, as well as blue crabs and other marine species, would migrate into the lake in search of food. Many would become landlocked as the lake closed, eventually stocking the lake with a goodly supply of salt water fish. Mickey stated that net fishermen had depleted the population somewhat in recent years, but in earlier days redfish and trout were taken from the lake regularly. “Even today”, she said, “we can catch trout and an occasional redfish; and, tomorrow night I’ll show you how to gig some nice flounder.”

The view down the beach was impressive. The sugary white sand seemed to sparkle in the moonlight, and the sound of the low swells, breaking on the beach so regularly, almost lulled us to sleep as we relaxed on the sand just above the waters edge. We had the place entirely to ourselves. As far as we could see along the beach, there was no sign of life, except a faint glow on the eastern and western horizons, apparently from the lights at Panama City and Ft. Walton. It was easy to imagine ourselves as the sole occupants of a beautiful tropical paradise, completely oblivious to the trials and worries of the everyday world.

After an indeterminable interlude of “moon-dreaming” and fond caressing, which undoubtedly left both of us with great expectations regarding the future of our relationship, we reluctantly and sleepily made our way back to the cottage. It would be but a few hours until sunrise. … to be continued

Here are a few more moonsets to enjoy from Eastern Lake and SoWal beach. All pictures (c) by Brenda Rees.

"Happy Landing" sketch by Bob Swinford. Bob sent me a copy of his sketch of Mickey Wesley's house on Eastern Lake in 1938. He says "only cottage on Eastern Lake 1938."This sketch goes well with his "moon-dreaming." Eastern Lake is where the Wesley family came to the beach.

The Wesley House at Eden State Gardens. This is how Mickey's family house in Pt. Washington mentioned in this story looks today. I've made Christmas Cards from this photograph. If you are in SoWal at Christmas, the tour of the Wesley House is a Holiday must do. Tours are available all year. The Wesley family would travel from Pt. Washington to the beach at Eastern Lake. They would cross that old bridge Bob mentions in his story. The Wesley House was built in 1897.

The old Bridge across Eastern Lake as mentioned in "Moon-dreaming" blog of Bob Swinford's story of first SoWal date with Mickey Wesley. Walking this trail and seeing this old historic bridge rates in my top 10 things to see and do in SoWal (and it is FREE). The walk along a stunning trail from Eastern Lake Nursery on 30A takes about 35 minutes (each way) at a very easy pace. You can get to this spot from the Eastern Lake Pt. Washington access off 395, too. You can just imagine Bob traveling across this rickety bridge in the middle of the night and having to make several attempts to get up the sandy hill on the other side.

An old sand road near the historic and old Eastern Lake Bridge mentioned in "Moon-dreaming." This illustrates Bob's description of the sand road he took to South Walton back in 1938 for his date with Mickey Wesley. The Wesley Family would travel from what is now Eden State Gardens down sand roads like this to their beach property at Eastern Lake.

Portrait of Bob and Mickey Wesley Swinford displayed at their home in Gainesville. Picture of this portrait taken during recent visit with Bob, August 2009. He is still very interested in Eastern Lake, the Wesley House, Eden State Gardens and South Walton. Mickey passed away several years ago. They had been married 67 years.

Bob Swinford has this picture of his wedding day in1938 displayed at his home. Picture is at back of Wesley House now part of Eden State Gardens in Pt. Washington,Florida. Bob said the back rooms to the left no longer exist. ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/454-moon-dreaming-love-story-1930s-eastern-lake-south-walton-florida.html The Florida - Georgia Border Dispute by Brenda Rees, Shaping Florida http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/447-florida-georgia-border-dispute-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html Mon, 04 May 2009 16:36:26 GMT Here's a paper I wrote and presented at the Gulf South History and Humanities Conference in 2006 on the Florida - Georgia border dispute. I mentioned this paper in another blog on ancient people and natives of Florida and Walton County. I've added some pictures and maps at the end that are quick and easy to review. I'll add more later. But, if you are caught inside for the day, you might want to take a look at this academic paper. This is an original paper and concept. Footnotes are included if you want to do your own research. Another short title I use for presentations is "John Wesley in Spanish Florida." Brenda Rees, Shaping Florida, (c) all pictures by Brenda Rees (LOG OR SIGN IN TO SEE PICTURES & MAPS)

Ship on the St. Marys River, the current border between Florida and Georgia, looking out from Fort Clinch across to Cumberland Island. This photograph, and others on the blog, by Brenda Rees.

THE FLORIDA – GEORGIA BORDER DISPUTE AND ITS IMPACT ON THE HISTORICAL TRAVELS OF JOHN WESLEY IN THE COLONY OF GEORGIA AND SPANISH FLORIDA DURING 1736 – 1737

A PRESENTATION FOR THE 2006

GULF SOUTH HISTORY AND HUMANITIES CONFERENCE

BRENDA ANDERSON REES

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA

OCTOBER 5-7, 2006

(Original paper written in Methods, University of West Florida, Carolyn Knefely, Instructor, April, 2006 )

John Wesley, founder of Methodism, preached in Florida during 1736-1737. By analyzing John Wesley’s personal journals and diaries, geography, maps, treaties, conflicts, an Act of Congress, an 1887 U.S. Supreme Court case, and other documents, a case can be made that John Wesley preached not only in Georgia, but also in Florida.[1] To date, a review of history books on America, Florida, Georgia, or Methodism, that mentions John Wesley, James Oglethorpe or the Methodist movement in America, will cite Wesley in Georgia, a British colony, but fail to mention that he was also in Spanish Florida. That John Wesley was in Florida is significant and should be reflected in the literature. This paper, and a growing acknowledgement of the diversity of America, will allow this to happen. Wesley’s tremendous volume of published writings influenced the founding of America and documented many moments. His Calm Address had enormous circulation.[2]He lived to be 88 years old and died in 1791. His last letter was written to fight slavery, particularly in America.[3]

La Florida or Florida’s borders have twisted and turned many times.[4] As the oldest European named state on a map of America,[5] these border changes were fraught with almost inexhaustible disputes between warring nations and peoples. From secret treaties ceding parts of Florida from Spain to France[6] to outright disregard for borders by Englishman James Oglethorpe,[7] John Wesley’s host in Georgia, it is no wonder that writers, historians, and Wesley have been unaware or unsure of Florida’s borders.

Understanding Florida and Georgia’snatural borders and geography is important as both have seaward or coastal barrier islands. John Wesley visited such a barrier island and wrote of the landscape throughout his journals and diaries. Frederica, on the coastal barrier island of St. Simon’s Island, now in Georgia, was in Florida in Wesley’s time. Wesley lived, fell in love, and labored as an evangelist in Frederica. The original charter for Georgia was between the Savannah and Altamaha rivers.[8] St. Simon’s Island in Glynn County, Georgia, is “south of the Altamaha River.”[9] Wesley observed white sand and blackish sand.[10]

Florida’s physical borders have been changing and receding, like its political borders, for some time. The shape of Florida affected by water, time, and geography influenced Florida’s history and John Wesley’s religious travels. Geography, religion, and history are connected as stated in Edwin Scott Gaustad’s atlas, “Contrary to this modern (in) sensibility, the New Historical Atlas of Religion in America suggests that geography matters; that human relationships to the land matter; that region and religion affect one another.”[11] The shore where John Wesley landed to join James Oglethorpe in the Colony of Georgia and Spanish Florida was similar to today’s shoreline; although with renewed acceleration coastal cities will be submerged.[12] Archaeological and history research should proceed with this in mind. The land, the sand, and the sea level had stabilized around 3,000 years before present.[13] Sea level was rising about 25 cm per 100 years and had slowed down to about 4 cm per 100 years.[14] Barrier islands developed.[15] Archaeologist Max White said, “Barrier islands, often bordered on the mainland side by saltwater marsh, form some of the most picturesque places in Georgia.”[16] Understanding Frederica is on a barrier island matters as it is south of the Altamaha River, Colonial Georgia’s purported early southern border.

With the geography of Florida and Georgia in mind, the debate of the political borders can now begin. The political border dispute from a historical Spanish perspective is over 500 years old. Native peoples’ claims, thousands of years old, or their aboriginal depopulation,[17] are not addressed in depth here. Native peoples also regularly replaced other native peoples from occupied land.[18]

But, to begin the exploration of complex European border struggles for control, it must be acknowledged American history is anglicized. As a result, Spanish history has been ignored, slanted or treated in a condescending manner by many American historians. Perhaps this is why no one noticed John Wesley had been in Florida before now. While the British busily established colonies in the early 1600s, other countries, particularly Spain, also settled, produced documents, and drew maps of this new world. In fact, Spain had settlements in Florida about 40 years before Jamestown and Plymouth.[19] Pensacola had a settlement in 1559 and St. Augustine established in 1565.

Some Spanish settlements, now located in modern Georgia, were in Spanish Florida very early and in John Wesley’s time. Max E. White said, “Along with efforts to establish settlements, the Spanish began missionary work among the tribes, and in 1568 two Jesuits were stationed along the Georgia coast in Guale territory.”[20] It is evident a number of events catapulted the Spanish, as well as Portuguese, French, Dutch, and English into shaping the new world. Centuries old historical treaties and documents are important in understanding the Florida – Georgia border dispute. Early European battles and attempted domination of the new world must be taken into account.[21]

Background is needed here and is similar to that offered by Justice Bradley in his Opinion for the Coffee v. Groover case cited in this paper. Justice Bradley said, … “As the case before us depends upon a disputed boundary between two states, it cannot be properly understood or determined without adverting to the historical facts connected with that boundary….”[22]

Two historical events, Pope Alexander VI’s papal bull, the Inter Caetera of May 4, 1493, and Ponce de Leon’s arrival on the shore of Florida in 1513, are particularly significant in understanding early European world supremacy tactics. Historian Francis Simkins wrote, “In 1493 Pope Alexander VI divided the world outside Europe in two halves as though the earth were an apple. He gave Africa, Asia and Brazil to Portugal, and the rest of the Americas and the Philippines to Spain.”[23] This decree, while disputed or ignored by other countries,[24] was issued by a known world political, spiritual leader. The Inter Caetera of May 4, 1493 said, “…by which the Pontiff donated and granted dominion over all lands discovered and those yet discovered to the Catholic Kings, Ferdinand and Isabella.”[25]

This papal bull was after, and in response to, Columbus landing on an island off the mainland of North America in 1492. Columbus had been “acting under a prerogative granted by the king and queen of Spain….”[26] In 1513 Ponce de Leon consummated the land of Florida and North America for Spain by actually landing on and penetrating the shore of what was to become Florida and the United States of America.

There are numerous other treaties and documents that particularly affect the Florida – Georgia border dispute following Ponce de Leon’s claim of La Florida for Spain in 1513. Early on, the French challenged the Pope, Spain, and Portugal as French corsairs frequented America. Another Treaty of Madrid between Spain and France was in 1526.[27] The Treaty of Madrid in 1670 addressed the border dispute between the British colony of Carolina and Spanish Florida. This 1670 border “was latitude 32°30”, about ten miles north of the Savannah River, where Hilton Head is located, and the present boundary between South Carolina and Georgia.”[28] However, this did not stop the English from encroaching on Spanish Florida.[29] An extra complicating factor was native peoples used this border dispute to rile up the Spanish and English against each other. Historian Charles Arnade said, “The major region of dispute was the unsettled land between the Savannah and the St. Johns rivers, that is, between English Carolina and Spanish Florida, which historian Herbert E. Bolton called the ‘Debatable Land.’”[30] Part of this contentious land, known for a while as West Florida and East Florida, played a larger role in American history than has been fully realized.

John Bannon, in Bolton and the Spanish Borderlands, included, “In a very real sense the Florida – Georgia area shows the defensive role which the Borderlands often played in the broader American story.”[31] Although in West Florida, the French and Spanish did show signs of border agreement in 1719 by recognizing the Perdido River as the boundary between French Louisiana and Spanish Florida.[32]

Documents and treaties tell part of the story, but it is also early maps from the 1500s forward that illustrate the broad expanse of Spanish borders in North America and help explain how John Wesley was in Florida. A map of La Florida by Geronimo de Chavez of Spain[33] shows Florida encompassed all of the current southeastern United States as well as land to Texas and up to Newfoundland.[34] Other maps reveal encroachment or disputed borders between the European powers, with almost all showing Spain having at least some claim to the area where John Wesley traveled in 1736-1737. A map of Queen Anne’s War from 1702-1713 shows troop movements of French, British, Spanish and Native Americans.[35] Another map of Florida to Mexico 1685-1721 shows the northern limit of the Spanish claim by the Treaty of Madrid in 1670.[36] Georgia was founded as a British Colony in 1733.[37] Now, Spanish Florida added Georgia to its list of entities vying for a piece of its claimed land.

Border conflicts closer to Wesley’ time and Georgia’s beginning are abundant. Georgia’s early boundaries are often noted. One such reference stated, “When the colony of Georgia was founded, the ceded lands lying between the Savannah and the Altamaha rivers and extending their headwaters indefinitely toward the west were occupied by Indians….”[38] It is amazing such a peaceful river, the Altamaha, as depicted in a picture published with William Bartram’s work,[39] had such consequence on contentious disputes. With border conflicts and changes already centuries old by the time John Wesley visited Spanish Florida and the British Colony of Georgia; it is understandable he did not realize he preached on Florida soil. While Wesley admitted to being lost and not knowing exactly where he was as he traveled about on occasion,[40] he knew of Florida. In The Journal of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M. edited by Nehemiah Curnock it said, on Thursday, December 9, 1736, “With Mrs. Musgrove he read an account of Florida. On his return in the evening he twice visited Mrs. Clark, the woman referred to in the text.”[41] Even after Wesley returned to England in 1737, the Florida – Georgia border dispute raged on. Boundaries were not settled between these “old empires … until the middle of the nineteenth century.”[42] From Pope Alexander VI’s papal bulls dividing the world, to the United States Supreme Court case in 1887, encompassed the Florida – Georgia border dispute. So, while Frederica was in Spain’s domain while Wesley was there 1736-1737, the Florida – Georgia boundary dispute lingered on for another 150 years.

Maps and treaties show this lingering conflict. It was not just a passing conflict, but a serious claim by Spain on the disputed area before, during, and after Wesley’s time. One map shows Frederica and Santa Catalina south and within the northern line of Spanish claim. Text with the map, in Mark Carnes’ Historical Atlas of the United States, said, “Spain, England, and France all attempted to control the strategic Southeast. Despite conflicting claims and the construction of forts and settlements, the Southeast remained in Spanish hands until after the Seven Years’ War, when, in 1763, it was ceded to Britain in return for Cuba.”[43] Another map, 1700-1760, depicting Colonial Frontiers illustrated Spanish control and predictably took in the Frederica area.[44]

Following this review of maps of Spanish Florida, more treaties and conflicts that affected the Florida – Georgia border are important to note as Spain continued to claim disputed areas. A few are before Wesley’s visit, but most are after and important as they show continued dispute.

They are: 1702, English Campaign against St. Augustine;[45] 1739, War of Jenkins Ear;[46] 1740, English Campaign against St. Augustine;[47] 1742, Battle of Bloody Marsh;[48] 1763, Treaty of Paris;[49] 1783, Treaty of Paris;[50] 1795, Pinckney’s Treaty;[51] 1800, Treaty of San Ildefonso, October 1, 1800 (also known as the Secret Treaty);[52] 1812, War of 1812;[53] 1819, Adams - Onis Treaty;[54] 1872, An Act of Congress in 1872;[55] and 1887, U.S. Supreme Court case Coffee v Groover.[56] The 1887 Supreme Court case acknowledged border encroachment between Spanish and British provinces.

After traveling to the nineteenth century and the U.S. Supreme Court case of the Florida – Georgia border dispute, we must step back and look once more at the Florida – Georgia world of James Oglethorpe and John Wesley. John Wesley reckoned his whereabouts from Oglethorpe. Oglethorpe knowingly stretched the borders of Georgia. An example of Oglethorpe’s creative map and border making included text in Thomas Hodler’s Georgia atlas which said, “The Martyn Map (first map of Georgia) was used by Georgia’s founder to project an appealing image and to gain public support.”[57] One Emanuel Bowen map of 1752 showed the borders of Georgia as between the Savannah and Altamaha rivers.[58] The Emanuel Bowen map and text on the inside cover of Hodler’s atlas showed an extensive border for Georgia and said, “Also interesting is Bowen’s treatment of Georgia’s southern boundary, the Altamaha, here spelled Alatamaha. Bowen shows a branch of that river threading to the sea between Cumberland and Amelia islands, far south of its true course.”[59] This depiction illustrated “cartographic warfare.”[60] Oglethorpe traveled at least all the way into Florida’s Fort St. George. A map reproduced with permission from the Colonial Office in The Journal of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M. edited by Nehemiah Curnock illustrated Fort St. George on St. George’s Island, south of Amelia Island, Florida.[61] In a large fold out map in this same book, Frederica is clearly shown on St. Simons Island.[62]

As early as 1735, Oglethorpe was setting up colonists in Frederica.[63] Land titles from the list of original settlers are somewhat sketchy from the Frederica area. Mrs. Pat Bryant noted in A List of the Early Settlers of Georgia, “Fee simple titles to the land were not given by the trustees.”[64] Whether and how Oglethorpe had attained additional land from native peoples might also be questioned. One treaty for South Carolina “forbade the establishment of trading posts south of the Savannah River.”[65] Wesley’s first contact with native people came on Saturday, February 14, 1736. The day before he had word he was to meet “Tomo-chachi.”[66] Tomochichi “was chief of a small party of Creek Indians settled four miles from Savannah and four hundred miles from the main body of the Creek Tribes.”[67] Yamacraw chief Tomochichi admitted he had been banished and had just moved into the area.[68] Tomochichi’s ability to cede anything might be questioned. Oglethorpe continued “… to increase his power surreptitiously….”[69] There is evidence of a later cession by native peoples to Georgia concerning the Altamaha, but well after Wesley left. “In 1782 at Augusta and 1785 at Galphinton, certain Creek tribes ceded lands between the Altamaha River and the Florida boundary to the Georgians. These treaties were disputed by other Indians, led by Alexander McGillivray.”[70]

Notwithstanding, disputed cessions are used by Oglethorpe to justify expansion into Spanish Florida.
Wesley was aware of conflicts with the Spanish. On Thursday, May 27, 1736, Wesley acknowledged, “Within and without there were the gravest causes for anxiety. The Spaniards disputed Oglethorpe’s right to establish an English colony on St. Simon’s Island, claiming it as a possession of the Spanish Crown, and Horton knew that the colony was a rope of sand.”[71] On Friday, August 27, 1736, Wesley noted “Fr. Don Antonio de Arredondo came to St. Simon’s from the Havanna, to treat with Mr. Oglethorpe.”[72] Another confrontation between Oglethorpe and the governor of Spanish Florida, Francisco del Moral Sanchez, in 1737, produced “an agreement with Oglethorpe according to which the Georgian withdrew north from the St. Johns while sustaining his claim as far as the Altamaha.”[73] Sanchez may have paid for this concession with his life. Spain refuted his actions of conceding even to the Altamaha and considered latitude 32˚ 30” up near South Carolina as a border.[74] On Friday, August 13, 1736, Wesley said, “…where I delivered Mr. Oglethorpe the letters I had brought from Carolina. The next day he set out for Fort St. George.”[75] Fort St. George is south of Florida’s Amelia Island. Likewise, Cumberland Island, where Oglethorpe had set up a camp, was occupied by those under the pastoral care of Wesley. Fort Clinch, near Fernandina, Florida, overlooks Cumberland Island, Georgia, just across the St. Marys River. A clear view of the beach from Fort Clinch is offered where those under Wesley’s pastoral care might have wandered and guarded. Wild horses from that era still run free on the beach.[76] The true head of the St. Marys and its course to the Atlantic marks today’s Florida – Georgia boundary.[77] The “Georgia Fractions”[78] show a lingering conflict.

The border analysis of Florida from early Spanish claims through various treaties and wars lends credibility to the discovery presented in this paper and builds the case that John Wesley preached in Florida. Wesley’s journals and diaries reveal in his constant stream of commentary a multi-racial, multi-cultural world co-existing in Colonial Georgia and Spanish Florida. Understanding John Wesley’s location, where he traveled and preached, developed methods for sermons and hymns, and how it eventually led him to found what has become the United Methodist Church is important.[79] Nehemiah Curnock included a notation in the Wesley Journal he edited that, “…the spirit of the evangelist…was in him long before he reached Aldersgate Street….”[80] This could apply to Wesley’s time in Florida.

The religious world he entered when he stepped off the boat anchored near Tybee Island[81] was contentious like the border as “…the Protestant religion, the maintenance which was regarded as all important. On the west of the province were the French, and the Spaniards to the south – Papists all.”[82] Wesley, aware of the Spanish presence in his developing parish, took Spanish lessons from Dr. Nunes, a Spanish Jew.[83] He wrote of many peoples and conflicts. He met Dutch, French,[84]English, Germans, Italians, Spanish,[85] and native peoples. Serious conflict was everywhere. He wrote graphically of fighting, burning, and torture among the French and Chicasaws.[86] On the trip over, Wesley taught an officer of the Prussian government, Mr. Van Hermsdorf, who later organized “the defense of Frederica against the Spanish.”[87]

While this great mix of humanity and an epic battle among European powers raged in the new world, Wesley’s overwhelming and inspired evangelism, plus a botched love affair with Miss Sophy, eventually hastened his time off the shores of Florida and Georgia. These great trials and exposure to diverse people had a significant impact on Wesley and could be attributed to his conversion.

John Wesley visited Frederica, a key settlement, at least five times. Each Frederica trip can be examined by reviewing Wesley’s journals and diaries. In the First Frederica Journal he arrived on Saturday, April 10, 1736,[88] and departed on Saturday, April 17, 1736.[89] In the Second Frederica Journal he arrived on Sunday, May 23, 1736,[90] and departed on Wednesday, June 23, 1736.[91] In the Third Frederica Journal he arrived on Friday, August 13, 1736,[92] and departed Thursday, September 2, 1736.[93] In the Fourth Frederica Journal, he arrived on Saturday, October 16, 1736,[94] and departed Monday, October 25, 1736.[95] In the Fifth Frederica Journal he arrived on Wednesday, January 5, 1737,[96] and departed on Wednesday, January 26, 1737.[97] Wesley’s parting words to Frederica were, “After having beaten the air in this unhappy place for twenty days, at noon I took my final leave of Frederica. It was not any apprehension of my own danger, though my life had been threatened many times, but an utter despair of doing good there, which made me content with the thought of seeing it no more.”[98]

In addition, if the borders were adjusted and recognized by the Spanish treaties, such as the Treaty of Madrid in 1670, even Savannah and all areas south would also be considered in Florida. This would include many areas listed in John Wesley’s journal as places he visited.

This paper is one small illustration of a significant historical event that can be more accurately illuminated by examining Florida’s historical borders. Most of the history about Florida does not reflect its true historical significance in American history. Florida shaped more than just the 2000 presidential election.[99] The physical shape of Florida played a key role in shaping the history of America and the Methodist Church. Just as Charles Vignoles admitted in his 1823 book Observations Upon The Floridas he slighted information on West Florida because he did not have the resources to go there in preparing his book,[100] other writers and historians have slighted Spanish Florida and missed Wesley’s visit.

Wesley, the founder of Methodism,[101] spent time in Georgia, a British colony, and Spanish Florida. John Wesley not only preached and had influence in Florida, but Florida had a significant role in his conversion experience. The rough and wild terrain, as well as the wild behavior, affected him. Furthermore, Wesley wrote extensively and influenced America in its early development. To know exactly where he was while he was in America is important. That Florida shaped Wesley, America’s history, and the history of the world is a theory worthy of further exploration.

[1]Brenda Anderson Rees, unpublished research, 2006.

[2]John Wesley, The Journal of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M. Sometime Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, Enlarged from Original Mss., with Notes from Unpublished Diaries, Annotations, Maps, and Illustrations, Standard Edition, vol. 6, Edited by Nehemiah Curnock, Assisted by Experts (London: The Epworth Press, 1909, Reprinted, 1938), 100.

[3] Basil Miller, John Wesley (Minneapolis: Bethany House Publishers, 1953), 138.

[4]Peggy Tuck Sinko and Kathryn Ford Thorne, comps., Florida Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, ed. John H. Long (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1997), 5. Listing of Florida border changes from 1719.

[5]Michael Gannon, ed., The New History of Florida (Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1996),xiv.

[6]Coffee v. Groover, 123 U.S. 1 (1887), 24.

[7]Charles A. Arnade, “Raids, Sieges, and International Wars,” in The New History of Florida, ed. Michael Gannon(Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1996), 110.

[8] Charles C. Jones Jr., The History of Georgia, vol. 1 (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1883, Reprint, Spartanburg, SC: The Reprint Company, 1969), 1.

[9]State of Georgia, “Community of St. Simon’s Island,” accessed March 12, 2006, available online: http://stsimonsisland.georgia.gov/05/home .

[10]John Wesley, The Journal of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M. Sometime Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, Enlarged from Original Mss., with Notes from Unpublished Diaries, Annotations, Maps, and Illustrations, Standard Edition, vol. 1, Edited by Nehemiah Curnock, Assisted by Experts (London: The Epworth Press, 1909, Reprinted, 1938), 403.

[11]Edwin Scott Gaustad and Philip L. Barlow, New Historical Atlas of Religion in America (Oxford: University Press, 2001),391.

[12]Joseph C. Britton and Brian Morton, Shore Ecology of the Gulf of Mexico (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1989), 320.

[13]Anthony F. Randazzo and Douglas S. Jones, eds., The Geology of Florida (Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1997), 158.

[14]Ibid., 156.

[15]Ibid., 158.

[16]Max E. White, The Archaeology and History of the Native Georgia Tribes, with a forward by Jerald T. Milanich (Gainesville: University of Florida Press, 2002), 8.

[17]Howard F. Cline, Notes on Colonial Indians and Communities in Florida 1700-1821, reprinted as Florida Indians I (New York and London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1974),57.

[18]Howard F. Cline, Provisional Historical Gazeteer with Locational Notes on Florida Colonial Communities, reprinted as Florida Indians II (New York and London: Garland Publishing, Inc., 1974),the entire book is a listing and map illustration of native peoples’ communities from 1700-1823. Analysis is possible by studying and observing the 186 communities and 16 maps.

[19]Kenneth C. Davis, Don’t Know Much About History (New York: Avon Books, 1990), 10.

[20]White, Archaeology and History, 98.

[21]Jeremy Adelman and Stephen Aron, “From Borderlands to Borders: Empires, Nation-States, and the Peoples in Between in North American History,” American Historical Review 104, no. 3 (June 1999), 815.

[22] Coffee v. Groover, 11.

[23]Francis Butler Simkins, A History of the South (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1956), 14.

[24]Frances Gardiner Davenport, ed., European Treaties Bearing on the History of the United States and Its Dependencies to 1648, with a forward by Samuel Flagg Bemis(Gloucester, Mass.: Peter Smith, First published in 1917, Reprinted, by Permission of Carnegie Institute of Washington, 1967), i.

[25]Guadalupe Jimẽnez Codinach, The Hispanic World 1492-1898 (Washington: Library of Congress, 1994), 27.

[26]Florida, Helpful and Useful Matter, Whitfield’s Notes, Vol. III. Statutes, 1941, 98.

[27]Davenport, European Treaties, 2.

[28]Arnade, “Raids, Sieges, and International Wars,” 101.

[29]Ibid., 102.

[30]Ibid., 108, 109.

[31]John Francis Bannon, ed., Bolton and the Spanish Borderlands (Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1964),133.

[32]Sinko and Thorne, Florida Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, 5.

[33]Geronimo de Chavez, La Florida map, archives, T.T. Wentworth Jr. State Museum, part of Historic West Florida, Inc., Pensacola, Florida, scanned copy in author’s personal collection from great uncle’s collection.

[34]Edward A. Fernald and Elizabeth D. Purdum, eds., Atlas of Florida (Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1992), 82. The La Florida map was first published in 1584 in Ortelius’ Atlas of the World.

[35]Mark C. Carnes, and Malcolm A. Swanston, cartography. Historical Atlas of The United States (New York: ROUTLEDGE A member of the Taylor Francis Group, 2003), 64.

[36]Carnes, Historical Atlas, 57.

[37]Arnade, “Raids, Sieges, and International Wars,” 109.

[38]Jones, The History of Georgia, 1.

[39]William Bartram, Travels in Georgia and Florida 1773-74 (Philadelphia: The American Philosophical Society, 1943), Plate IX, F13. Picture of Altamaha on March 11, 1940.

[40]The Journal of John Wesley, 268.

[41]Ibid., 301.

[42]Davenport, European Treaties, i.

[43]Carnes, Historical Atlas of The United States., 56.

[44]Ibid., 58.

[45]Arnade, “Raids, Sieges, and International Wars,” 107.

[46]Ibid., 111.

[47]Ibid., 113.

[48]Ibid., 114.

[49]Coffee v. Groover, 11.

[50]Davenport, European Treaties, i; Department of State, “Treaty of Peace,” September 3, 1783, Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America 1776-1949, vol. 12, compiled by Charles I. Bevans, 1974, 10; Carnes, Historical Atlas of The United States, 97.

[51]Samuel Flagg Bemis, Pinckney’s Treaty: America’s Advantage from Europe’s Distress, 1783-1800. Rev. Ed. (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1960), 313, 314.

[52]Adelman and Aron, “From Borderlands to Borders,” 835; The Avalon Project at Yale Law School, Treaty of San Ildefonso: October 1, 1800, accessed March 1, 2006, available online: http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/ildefens.htm, 3.

[53]Department of State, “Peace and Amity” (Treaty of Ghent), December 24, 1814, Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America 1776-1949, vol. 12, compiled by Charles I. Bevans, 1974, 43.

[54]Harris G. Warren, “Textbook Writer’s and the Florida ‘Purchase’ Myth,” Florida Historical Quarterly 41, no. 4 (1963): 327; Department of State, “Amity, Settlement, and Limits,” February 22, 1819, Treaties and Other International Agreements of the United States of America 1776-1949, vol. 11, compiled by Charles I. Bevans, 1974, 529.

[55]Frederick Cubberly, “Florida Against Georgia: A Story of the Boundary Dispute” Florida Historical Quarterly 3, no. 2 (1924): 29; Act to settle and quiet the Titles to Lands along the Boundary Line between the States of Georgia and Florida, Statutes at Large 17 (1872).

[56]Coffee v. Groover, 11.

[57]Thomas W. Hodler and Howard A. Schretter, The Atlas of Georgia (Athens, Ga.: The University of Georgia, 1986), 65.

[58]Emanuel Bowen, A New & Accurate Map of Mexico or New Spain, 1752, archives of Florida State Museum, Tallahassee, Fl., OCLC #39717976, reproduction in author’s personal collection.

[59]Hodler, Atlas of Georgia, inside cover.

[60]Ibid.

[61]The Journal of John Wesley, 203.

[62]Ibid., 78.

[63]E. Merton Coulter and Albert B. Saye, eds., A List of the Early Settlers of Georgia, 2nd edition (Athens: The University of Georgia Press, 1967), 1.

[64]Mrs. Pat Bryant, comp. Entry of Claims for Georgia Landholders 1733-1755 (Atlanta: State Printing Office, 1975), xi.

[65]Jones, Georgia History, 119.

[66]The Journal of John Wesley, 156.

[67]Ibid., 159.

[68]Jones, Georgia History, 134, 138.

[69]Arnade, “Raids, Sieges, and International Wars,” 111.

[70]Mills Lane, The People of Georgia, An Illustrated History 2nd ed. (Savannah: Library of Georgia, 1992), 97.

[71]The Journal of John Wesley, 221.

[72]Ibid., 267.

[73]Arnade, “Raids, Sieges, and International Wars,” 111.

[74]Ibid.

[75]The Journal of John Wesley, 258, 259.

[76]Brenda Anderson Rees, personal observation at Fort Clinch, Florida overlooking St. Marys River and Cumberland Island, Georgia, October 2, 2004.

[77]Burke G. Vanderhill and Frank A. Unger, “Georgia-Florida Land Boundary, Product of Controversy and Compromise.” West Georgia College Studies in the Social Sciences 18 (1979): 59.

[78]Ibid., 70.

[79]The Journal of John Wesley, 265, 302, 311.

[80]Ibid., 265.

[81]Ibid., 145.

[82]Jones, Georgia History, 108.

[83]The Journal of John Wesley, 345.

[84]Ibid., 355.

[85]Ibid., 397.

[86]Ibid., 368.

[87]Ibid., 112.

[88]Ibid., 192.

[89]Ibid., 195.

[90]Ibid., 221.

[91]Ibid., 235.

[92]Ibid., 258.

[93]Ibid., 269.

[94]Ibid., 282.

[95]Ibid., 287.

[96]Ibid., 310.

[97]Ibid., 312, 313.

[98]Ibid.

[99]Brenda Anderson Rees, Northwest Florida Field Director for The Republican Party of Florida, 2000.

[100]Charles Vignoles, Observations Upon the Floridas (New York: E. Bliss and E. White, 1823), A facsimile reproduction (Gainesville: A University of Florida Book. The University Presses of Florida, 1977), 9.

[101]General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church, “The Wesleys and Their Times,” accessed March 18, 2006, available online: http://gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/.

The La Florida Map by Chavez from 1584 Ortelius' Atlas of the World, scanned map from great uncle Tom Wentworth's museum archives. Notice large and extensive Florida borders.

West Florida and East Florida, the 14th and 15th British Colonies during the American Revolution. British soldiers and citizens, some whom were likely Methodists, could have migrated or were already in the Floridas during this time. Map from T.T. Wentworth, Jr. archives, my scan copy.

Statue of John Wesley in what is now Savannah, Georgia. While John Wesley was in what is now the United States of America from 1736-1737, the land was still claimed by Spanish Florida. Britian had a treaty with Spain, the Treaty of Madrid of 1670, still in effect that put the border at 32/30 up near Hilton Head. Oglethorpe, and the Colony of Georgia, did not even begin to have any victories over the Spanish until the Battle of Bloody Marsh in 1742, well after Wesley left.

The Emanuel Bowen Map of 1752, part of the "Cartographic Warfare" used as a tactic by those involved in the Atlantic Zone of Conflict as European nations vied for a piece of the New World.

Wesley wrote extensively before, during and after the American Revolution. To understand where he was while he lived here is important. His "Calm Address" had over 100,000 circulation.

The publication of John Wesley's Journal and Diaries by Nehemiah Curnock is an excellent primary source about John Wesley, founder of Methodism, in his own words. This 1938 edition is my favorite set. The first volume has a detailed map of John Wesley's travels.

St. Simons History Display. The United States Park Service has a DVD out now that mentions that there was a border issue. Be sure to see it when you visit Fort Frederica on St. Simons Island. You'll be in what was once Spanish Florida.

Fort Frederica National Monument. All Floridians and anyone interested in Florida history would enjoy a visit to this national park to learn more about Spanish Florida.

Alaqua Methodist Church in Walton County, Florida was an early Methodist Church in Florida. Octavia Walton and her family might have traveled through here during there 1827 trip. Octavia's tutor and family friend, West Florida Judge Henry Marie Brackenridge, had a land grant near here in Alaqua (near I-10 and 331).

Octavia Walton was probably one of the first Methodist Sunday School students in Florida at Pensacola's First Methodist Church per records of Mississippi Conference Missionary Alexander Tally, 1821. Tally was called to serve the Methodist Church in this area of the new territory. Methodists formed official churches as soon as Florida became a United States Territory and was no longer under Catholic Spain. Earlier Spanish census numbers showed a large Protestant population living in Florida during the last Spanish occupation. No record of any official church membership for Octavia is available, however. Octavia was the daughter of George Walton, Jr., Walton County, Florida's namesake. George Walton, Jr. was Secretary for the Territory of Florida and Acting Governor. Octavia's grandfather, George Walton, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia. Octavia lived in Florida from 1821 - 1835. The family moved to Mobile, Alabama in 1835. She married Dr. Henry Levert in 1836 and would become known as Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert. Octavia's brother-in-law, Eugene Levert, was a Methodist minister from Marion, Alabama.

Pt. Washington United Methodist Church in South Walton, Walton County, Florida, was an early Florida Methodist Church. John Wesley, not THE John Wesley, was early preacher here. John Wesley was also an early land grant holder in South Walton as was his son William Wesley. This area, while within the initial borders of Walton County, was in Washington County from 1825 - 1913. It returned and remains in Walton County.

The Wesley House at Eden State Gardens. Built by William and Katie Wesley. Their youngest daughter had a beach house on Eastern Lake in SoWal. When you visit South Walton, you can see both the Wesley House and the Pt. Washington Church in Pt. Washington. Just take 395 north. The road dead ends in the bay. The church is on your right and The Wesley House at Eden is on your left (note new vehicle entrance.) Mickey's early beach house on Eastern Lake still exists. I look at it every day I'm home.

The Altamaha River, an often manipulated river on early Florida - Georgia maps.

Tybee Island, where John Wesley landed. This disputed land was still in Spanish Florida in 1736.

Fort Frederica on St. Simons Island with British Flag. Fort is south of the Altamaha River. St. Simons Island and other parts of Georgia were all south of 32/30, the border of the 1670 Treaty of Madrid between Spain and England.

Christ Episcopal Church on St. Simons Island. There are some beautiful stained glass windows illustrating the Wesley brothers.

Samuel Davison and Dr. Thomas Hawkins house remains. The fairly recent discovery of a few key house remains have enabled archaeologists to map the long abandoned city of Frederica. Artifacts uncovered are revealing a new story of the people who settled on this island. Frederica is south of the Altamaha River.

President George Washington took a tour in 1791 to inspect the new states in the United States of America. President Washington's visit is marked with this plaque. President Washington and George Walton were friends. After Savannah, President Washington visited George Walton in Augusta, Georgia. Perhaps young George Walton, Jr., Walton County, Florida's namesake, caught a glimpse of this visit. John Wesley would have been known to these men as he wrote papers about the American Revolution. John Wesley died in 1791.

Fort George, Spanish Mission, evidence of the Spanish in Spanish Florida.

To see a slide show on this John Wesley in Spanish Florida topic, you can go to this site by the Foundation for Evangelism of the Methodist Church. This program was presented at one of their annual meetings in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina
.
http://evangelismresources.org/conte...ls-john-wesley

Brenda Rees -- Shaping Florida All pictures (c) Photographs by Brenda Rees

New books and research by history professionals and academic leaders are revealing long overdue recognition and insight to Florida's real history. "Historic Pensacola" by John J. Clune Jr. and Margo S. Stringfield, a commemorative book celebrating Pensacola's 450th is a must read. I am acknowledged on page x.

Communicating by sites such as SoWal and other internet sites seems so new and exciting. SoWal and other forums often use posting names for added interest. However, John Wesley and his friends were doing much the same thing back in 1726. They had a "Correspondence Circle." They chose secret names and used them in their letters and communication to each other. John Wesley was "Cyrus" and Charles Wesley was known as "Araspes." Miss Betty Kirkham was "Varanese" and Anne Granville was "Selima." They were ahead of "Facebook" and could "twitter" or "blog" with the best. I will be presenting "Octavia and Wesley's Women" in North Carolina soon. (btw: The monologue presentation/portrayal went very well.)

Here are my personal notes for that presentation of
"Octavia and Wesley's Women." I made some additions while in Lake Junaluska after reading some of John Wesley's letters from 1726 from a book at the World Methodist Museum located on the grounds. John Wesley had been asked by some of the women to burn their letters. John did so, but not until he had copied them!

Octavia & Wesley’s Women

November 2009

DRAFT 4

Notes for

An Original Presentation and Portrayal By

UPDATE WITH NOTES FROM PRESENTATION & LETTERS BOOK

THEN ADD TO WESLEY PAPER OR SOMEWHERE

These notes were added to this blog after my presentation. Some of the notes, especially those from the book containing copies of 1726 letters, were included in presentation.

*Get direct quotes from Miss Sophy and John Wesley from his Journal and Diaries volume 1, and other volumes for years for Gloucestershire ladies - Betty Kirkham, Mrs. Granville’s daughters Mary & Anne; Grace Murray; and Mary Vazeille.
*Methodist Books
*See my papers for reference – book notes and Methodist Book excerpts (esp. longer draft)
*Saddlebags
*Pensacola Methodist History
*Strange Fires Book
*Display Board – Small
*Octavia’s Scrapbook
*Map of Frederica
*Book of Early Frederica Settlers, National Park DVD
*Portrait of Octavia
*Bishop Hunts Preface
*Cards, Tybee, Susanna, Miss Sophy
*Copy of my presentation and program notes, shoes, dress, jewelry, locket

Enter --
Octavia:

Ola, Bonjour, Peacheira, Hello Ladies
.
You look like an international group gathered here today. I understand that you represent countries from all over the world and states here in America for the Methodist Church . What language do most of you speak. Shall it be English.

Most of you are Methodists is that not true? Many of you will know parts of this story of Octavia and Wesley’s Women.

Your Evangelism message reaches out to Wesley’s Methodism and World Parish. That is perhaps one reason I was invited here to speak to you today. I attended what was perhaps the first Methodist Sunday School in Florida – a state with a strong Spanish heritage and influenced by peoples from a number of countries as well as the Native Peoples. It was in Pensacola of West Florida.

I am here to talk to you today about my remembrances of early Methodists and certainly something about the women in John Wesley’s life. My grandmother was British, and while she remained Episcopalian, she encouraged my Methodist Sunday School attendance. My grandmother, known as Dorothy Walton, wife of George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was my tutor and lived with us for many years in Georgia and then Florida. She valued education as John Wesley did along with the many women who assisted him in the early founding of Methodism.

That is why it was not unusual for me to go to a Methodist Sunday School, while some members of my family remained Episcopalian. There is the Christ Episcopal Church still in Pensacola, not far from where I lived. I was just visiting there a few days ago. Lovely church and fine presentations about the history of Pensacola, which is celebrating its being settled in 1559, that was before St. Augustine in 1565 and certainly before Jamestown and Plymouth! (now 450th year). It is of course older than St. Augustine. Some of the Florida Methodist History gets lost with Florida being split between two conferences. West Florida, the important political area in early Florida territorial days, where we lived, where Governor Jackson was, is separated from the Florida Conference, belonging instead to the West Florida-Alabama Conference. Perhaps the Floridas will be joined again one day.

First let me introduce myself to those of you who don’t know me. I was born in 1811 and her I am still quite alive in 1876.

I must say you are all dressed so fashionably. Such unique dresses and shoes. Did you get that in Paris? London? I take to wearing this black dress now after the war and in light of my many losses. I once traveled to London and met Queen Victoria. Have you been there and met her?

Introduction (take scrapbook)
Madame Octavia Celestia Valentine Walton Le Vert 1811-1877
Born: Aug. 11, 1811 Augusta, Georgia
1821-1835 in Florida, knew many Spanish people, Alexander Tally-Missionary from the Mississippi Conference in 1821 (he spent his last years and money trying to help the displaced Choctaw Indians and others , Early Methodist Sunday School Student
Masons
Grandfather, Grandmother – George Walton, the signer, and Dorothy Camber Walton (similar to John Wesley and Miss Sophy age difference)
Father & Mother – George Walton, Jr., and Sarah Minge Walker Walton
Brother – Robert Walton
Husband – Dr. Henry Levert
Children – Octavia, Jr (Diddie)., Claudia, Sally, a son, Carolina Henrietta (Cara Netta) named for Henry Clay, her good friend

I always supported Women and their leadership roles.
Wesley did, too. It wasn’t easy for him or myself, Sorosis – I was a member of one of the first women’s clubs or organizations in America, early college named for me, Mt. Vernon Society to save my grandfather’s friend’s home – George Washington; Vice Regent (take picture)(see posted on my SoWal.com history blogs)
Octavia was raised to be the perfect woman.

Timeline

Let me now tell you more about John Wesley who lived before, during and after the American Revolution. These circumstances affected my life, John Wesley, and the women he knew. (1703-1791)

1736 – 1737 Wesley was in America in around the area that was known as the Colony of Georgia and Spanish Florida.
Florida was a mixture of all races and nationalities,
Openess to All
Reflective of Wesley’s World Parish – the world is my parish, the world was his parish
Brenda Rees quote: may use for Octavia “Just as Christ provided a pathway for us to love, understand and be with God; Wesley and other evangelists provided a path for us to know Christ and be Christians.” – inspired by the Spangenburg effect, moment and Denman’s words
Curnock, Wesley’s Journal p. 151
[Feb. 8, 1736--I asked Mr. Spangenberg’s advice with regard to myself]—to my own conduct. He told me he could say nothing till he had asked me two or three questions. ‘Do you know yourself? Have you the witness within yourself? Does the Spirit of God bear witness with your spirit that you are a child of God?’ I was surprised, and knew not what to answer. He observed it, and asked, ‘Do you know Jesus Christ?’ I paused, and said, ‘I know He is the Saviour of the world.’ ‘True,’ replied he; ‘but do you know He has saved you?’ I answered, ‘I hope He has died to save me.’ He only added, ‘Do you know yourself?’ I said, ‘I do.’ But I fear they were vain words. [After my answering, he gave me several directions, which may the good God who sent him enable me to follow!] Didn’t use this as is. Time factor, etc.

Since Octavia would not know Harry Denman would have to say something like,
The great evangelists of the day
(&Harry Denman,) like Wesley, provided all with the path to know our sins were forgiven and realized to trust Christ and Christ only for salvation.

Next, allow me to tell you something about my history, background and my Methodist connections in Florida and other locals. How did I become one of Florida’s Early Methodist Sunday School students?

1763-1783 British West Florida and East Florida (Treaties of Paris) During the American Revolution, of which my grandfather fought and my grandmother was captured and made prisoner, the Floridas – West and East Florida were the 14th and 15th British Colonies. Many British loyalists fled the other 13 rebelling colonies and came to Florida. No doubt, a number of them were Methodists and they brought their religion with them. Florida had been Spanish before that, and a number remained along with other nationalities and cultures. Include Jews. Later see Denman’s remarks on Jesus being a Jew.

1776 Declaration of Independence – George Walton the signer, Wesley writings, relics, Benedict Arnold and George Whitfield thumb (from Russ), Dorothy Walton – grandmother
Wesley did not approve of the colonies separating from Britain.

After the American Revolution, Spain got Florida for the last time as a reward for helping the Americans defeat the British. While Catholic Spain ruled Florida for this last time, other religions, while not legal or recognized, were quietly tolerated.

(added: So while Methodists could legally worship in the American 13 colonies, it wasn't so in Spanish Florida. (It wasn't legal, but was tolerated.)

1795 – 15% Protestants in West Florida I would know all these details as my father, George Walton, Jr. was the Secretary of State for West Florida, the acting Governor of Florida, and then Secretary for Florida from 1821 until 1826. (also from my grandfather, George and grandmother Dorothy) Many of the affairs of state were conducted in our home in Pensacola. I would sit near him, and being very fluent in a number of languages, would translate many important papers for him.

Methodism had flowed into Florida from the Appalachian Mountains like the pure white grains of sand from the quartz of these same mountains.

1796-1801 – 25% Protestant in Pensacola – Again, this was in Catholic Spanish Florida

1810 --There were some very interesting border changes occurring for Florida during this time. Why, some of you from Baton Rouge may recall in 1810 that the Republic of West Florida was named and the border went all the way to the Mississippi River. That was short lived, but happened nonetheless.

Borders and religion were very important and mattered. There was a great deal of strife between Catholics and Protestants in some areas. The English, French, Spanish and Americans had conflicts on many grounds during this turbulent Atlantic zone of conflict and development of a new world.

1821 – Florida is United States Territory. Florida is finally wrested from Spain by the United States. As a woman who grew up in Florida, I am a product of Wesley’s women and their intellect and influence on Wesley.

1821 Alexander Tally, Octavia Student, read DAR paper, more on Tally in Satterfield, other Methodist Books. Tally served there(Pensacola) one year (from the Mississippi Conference). We both had an affection for the Indians around us. I knew their language and they called me the “White Dove of Peace.” Rev. Tally would later spend his last days and dollars on their sorrowful trail being forced from Florida to reservations in the West many miles and states away.

There were many different races, cultures and ethnic groups working and living side by side in Pensacola. We were very open and affectionate.

Tally’s work had included “Pensacola, Mobile, Blakely and adjacent territory.” Hoskins p. 16
This adjacent territory probably included what became Walton County, named for my father.

1822 The Rev. Henry P. Cook, who followed Rev. Tally was quite successful. (Hoskins p. 18) “He did very well, for at the Annual Conference that fall he reported a membership here of 37 white and 47 colored, a total of 84 members.” Here is Pensacola.

1824 Walton County founded and I named Tallahassee, being friends and conversant with the Indians of Florida.

1827 Alaqua Methodist Church and Steele Church, Poe, Poem, travels
Now this Alaqua area is in Walton County, Florida, which was named for my father when it was founded in 1824. This adjacent area probably fell under Tally’s influence, although I am not quite sure of all the particulars as I was only around 10 years old at the time when I was with Rev. Tally. My tutor Henry Marie Brackenridge, which surely many of you know, had a land grant and lived some time at Alaqua, serving as one of the first judges of West Florida. His land grant was near the Alaqua Methodist Church, so he would have been well acquainted with many of those early Methodists.

1836 Brother-in-law Methodist preacher – Eugene Levert of Marion, Alabama, wedding

Mama and my dear Papa were intent on seeing me properly married. I was already older than many of the young ladies in my debutant class. Grandmother Dorothy Walton had died in 1832, and the decision was made to move to Mobile. There is a splendid Methodist Church on Government Street, not far from where my home was. I met and married Dr. Henry Le Vert. His brother was a Methodist minister. He spelled his name one way and I another. I used the more proper French version.

My life was not without pain and suffering. In 1849 I lost my two little girls to Scarlett Fever. My friend and author of a poem about me, Edgar Allan Poe, also died that year as did my dear brother, Robert. I was not one to judge other people and it is said by some that they never heard me say an unkind word about anyone. Poe wrote a poem for me when we first met in Baltimore in 1827 – It is
“When wit and wine and friends have met
And laughter crowns the festive hour
In vain I struggle to forget.
Still does my heart confess thy power and fondly turn to thee!
But Octavia do not strive to rob
My heart of all that soothes its pain
The mournful hope that every throb
Will make it break for thee.”

1874 Just a few years ago, I attended the first Chautauqua in New York, New York Methodists – how and why it was founded with much influence from Methodists and that Octavia was a frequent traveler to New York and would have been familiar with this educational, religious, cultural event. I stayed on Broadway while in New York at the Coleman House.

As background to give you insight of my understanding of Methodists and their methods. May put this quote in purse and read. Ran out of time, but did read part of short letter from Octavia to Brackenridge)
Harry Denman reference to John Wesley remaining Anglican
p. 124 Harry Denman: A Biography by Harold Rogers
(I could say some great evangelist answered this question)
“Q. Was Jesus a Christian?
I think we must define our terms.
For example, Mr. John Wesley was never a Methodist, and yet he is a founder of the Methodist Church. Mr. Wesley had a great spiritual experience at Aldersgate. He realized his sins were forgiven. He realized he did trust Christ and Christ only for salvation.
He was a priest in the Church of England and wanted the church to have this experience. He remained an Anglican priest as long as he lived, but he was the founder of the Methodist Church.
Jesus had a great experience in the wilderness when he determined that God was going to be first in his life. He was going to live by the word of God and by the will of God and worship God and him only….I think Jesus was a good Jew. He certainly was a God-centered man. And people came to him because they saw God in him.

added: While I was not a member of the Methodist Church, neither was John Wesley.

(What year was Hendry county formed (May 11, 1923) and named for Francis Asbury Hendry) Nancy Jane Hendry Wentworth, her husband James Hamilton Wentworth (BRs great greats). Nancy Jane’s relative was --- Hendry, an ordained Methodist Minister in 1867? Confirm in Hendry papers.

John Wesley’s Women (1703-1791)

Well, that is enough about me. I understand that you would like to hear some of what I know of the Rev. John Wesley and his women.

Again, he was a great supporter of women and our involvement in the church and its many activities.
He did seem to be troubled with his personal life and women and he often wrote of anguishing moments in his journals and diaries,.

In England, before coming over to Spanish Florida and the developing English Colonies, he was close to

His mother Susanna – Make some cards up with her from my collection. Print pictures of this and Tybee Island. Maybe Miss Sophy. Vol. 1 page 273 Letter of Susanna

This was a full ten years before Fredericka and Miss Sophy.

1726 Miss Betty Kirkham – Correspondence Circle, “Varanese”
John Wesley was “Cyrus”; Charles Wesley was “Araspes”
Autumn of 1726 John Wesley “conversed most seriously for a hour”
Damaris was Betty’s sister
Mrs. Granville’s daughters Mary and Anne – was “Selima” p. 203 Vo. 3 Curnock 2 pp, letter
Gloucestershire ladies
P 23 1726 garden
P 24-27 Curnock Vol. 1

Educational force of Methodism instilled in Wesley by these early women friends.
Ten years later – Time just got away from John.

Curnock said "They fostered refinement, thoughtfulness and religious aspiration."

Mrs. Pendarvis -- The youthful widow of Mr. Charles Pendarvis.

Same social rank.

Some say that Miss Sophy 1736-1737, who we will hear about next, was John Wesley's first love. But, upon further research and reading, you may conclude that it was one or two of these ladies of 1726 that first caught John Wesley's fancy.

1736 – 1737 John Wesley had landed on Tybee Island, I’ve brought a card for each of you with a picture near where he landed as a remembrance of our visit today. It is so beautiful there. Have any of you visited this place?

He then goes to Ft. Frederica on St. Simons Island. Another lovely travel spot. Who among you have been there? Well, you can quite imagine the circumstances.
(He visited there five times and helped arrange for Miss Sophy to be there.)

Miss Sophy or Miss Sophia Christiana Hopkey, niece of Thomas Causton
John 33 Sophy 18 (Not much different than George & Dorothy Walton)get their marriage ages like 2? And 14?
At Frederica
The Dispute, who all disapproved of this marriage, what happened, husband, William Williamson
Banns 'not published' per some rule of the day
Parting Words - Quote: may also need this in purse

1748-1749 Grace Murray – (see Russ’ paper) Miss Grace Norman
First Husband was a sailor
Meeting, first class leader, traveling companion see P. 416
April 8 John married his brother and Sarah Gwyne, Sally
Jealous of Molly Francis
p. 415,416 See Love and Friendships of John Wesley in the Winter Number of the Methodist Recorder, 1902
John Wesley’s Last Love by J.A. Leger, D. Litt, Paris
Wed. Sept. 6 – p. 426-427 Curnock. On this day Wesley questioned Grace Murray “Which shall you chose?” She replying, ‘I am determined by conscience, as well as inclination, to live and die with you.’ How could John Wesley not ask this woman to marry him on the spot!!!
P 429 Hendley Hill Grace, John
P 439-440 Important explanation Mr. Whitefield tried to help and make John feel better. Charles had rushed and pushed Grace to marry John Bennett.
The Other Preacher – John Bennet see p. 375 vol. 3 Curnock Oct. 3, 1749 married
If they’d had cell phones or texting, this might not have happened!

1751 Mary Vazeille, a wealthy widow – 3,000 lb (I saw 10,000 somewhere), four children (1710-1781) (see Russ’ paper)
Meeting and the Arrangement, Feb. 18 according to the Gentleman’s Magazine
or 19th married according to the London Magazine
John Wesley was married to Mrs. Vazeille
Jointure of L10,000. Her independent wealth might have enabled her to later leave him.
John and Mary had signed a type of "pre-nup"
Charles and Sally’s relationship, her sisters Betsy and Peggy
Wesley’s Women Friends and Correspondence – Sarah Ryan “terms inelegant but exact” letter of domestic woe “three living husbands of three different nationalities.”
Example of language of terms of endearment in letters
1755 serious breach – letters, physical violence
1771 she left him
1772 she returned
1776 she deserted him Curnock p. 23
Wesley traveled
Parting, remembered her children in last writings kindly “my dear granddaughters”
He referred to her sometimes as “Molly”

Charles was happily married. Charles and John had pact to not marry without the others approval. This worked pretty good for Charles, not so for John.
514 – Blame of Charles for Grace Murray Bennett
515 – Charles reaction to marriage
This time John ignored his “Holy Club’ rules and married Mary, if he had ignored likewise two years earlier, he would have married Grace and just gave an ‘apology.’

John Wesley’s following of the rules destroyed his hope of a personal loving relationship and he did not get married until he didn’t “follow the rules” and just later apologized.
Because the point is to be saved and to know. br

Still need to read other journals for Grace and Mary.

Just my fyi p. 17 vol. 7 Facsimile of Coke’s Ordination
Vol. 7 p. 183 Wentworth

notes from "The Letters of The Rev. John Wesley, A.M." Edited by John Telford, B.A. Standard Edition London
The Epworth Press J. Alfred Sharp

p. 50 " 'Cyrus' seems to be taken from the play, of which Mrs. Pendarvis tells her sister on November 11, 1727: 'You shall have Cyrus as soon as I can get him' Wesley's diary shows that he was at Stanton on July 31, where he stayed with the Kirkhams..."

Aug. 14, 1730
Mrs. Pendarvis replies
"On the fly-leaf of this letter is a postscript in Miss Ann Granville's writing. She tells Wesley that her sister is about to visit Bath, and that if he wished to wait on her he had best write to ascertain her movements. She says that Varanese had sent him a letter by the carrier a fortnight ago, and desired to know whether it had come safe to hand..."

We know about Charles Wesley's early hymn writing from these young ladies letters to John and Charles. They shared books, reviews, assistance, etc.

Miss Betty Kirkham - 'Varanese'
Anne Granville - 'Selima'
John Wesley - 'Cyrus'
Charles Wesley - 'Araspes'
Miss Mary Pendarvis - 'Aspasia' (confirm that this is Mary Granville?)

Early note of John Wesley about Spanish and insight into his inclinations toward them.
P. 21 July 1725 Letter to Mother
'Spaniards daily plunder our merchantmen as fast as they can catch them in the West Indies.'

It was Ann(e) that asked for some of the letters to be burned. See more about her and her ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/447-florida-georgia-border-dispute-brenda-rees-shaping-florida.html Eastern Lake Beach 1977 http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/431-eastern-lake-beach-1977.html Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:02:38 GMT Here's how the beach at Eastern Lake looked in 1977. The Goodyear Blimp was going from the Orange Bowl to the Sugar Bowl. One picture shows the dunes of Tresca Lake. They were removed and covered over with asphalt by a small, local developer. Some call this area Seagrove, but I try not to (long story). That is down the road. William and Katie Wesley platted probably the first subdivision in the Eastern Lake area as Eastern Lake Estates from 1903 land grant. That section is the west side of the lake. Our earlier mailing address was Pt. Washington, which was where John Wesley homesteaded and got a land grant in 1895. This was the first land grant in South Walton, I believe. Pt. Washington was a community before that, of course. I have an 1882 map with Pt. Washington on it. I still have a letter from my dad with the Pt. Washington address. More on this later and probably in another blog.

Be sure to explore my other blogs on SoWal. I've posted about 30 on different historical / environmental topics such as Pensacola, West Florida, Octavia, Alaqua, Camp Walton, Grayton Beach Smith House, Eastern Lake Trail and Historic Bridge, Florida Borders, Land Grants, and Native Peoples. Be sure to log in to view pictures and maps. They really make an impact.

All pictures by Brenda Rees, Shaping Florida (c) All Rights Reserved
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Big Dune, Eastern Lake, 1977

Tresca Lake with now extinct dunes.

Dune Scapes 1977 at Eastern Lake

The Dunes of Eastern and Tresca Lake, 1977, now mostly gone. I could have never imagined when I took this picture that someone would pave over this.

Believe it or not, this is how we somehow managed to get to the beach at Eastern Lake on the Tresca Lake side. We had a magnificent walk through the dunes. No walkovers. Amazing dunes. Sugar Dune condos took out the dunes first on the left. Then, the Beachside Villas condos took out the rest. Dunes of Seagrove (fyi, it isn't really in Seagrove, but that is another story), finished off many of the adjacent dunes.

I can't begin to tell you how magnificent it was to watch this blimp going from the Orange Bowl to the Sugar Bowl in 1977 as it ambled down the beaches of South Walton. That is Deer Lake State Park further down the beach. Thank goodness Deer Lake became a park and Walton County has a number of similar dunes preserved in several state and county parks along the Beaches of South Walton. Some newer, large developments have done a better job of building behind the primary dunes and using native vegetation. The Eastern Lake dunes might have been the highest dunes and were magnificent examples within a large dune prairie. ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/431-eastern-lake-beach-1977.html Octavia, A Poem by Edgar Allan Poe, Alaqua http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/429-octavia-poem-edgar-allan-poe-alaqua.html Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:07:25 GMT Octavia Walton Le Vert, also known as Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert, had a number of poems written for and about her. Octavia was the daughter of Walton County, Florida's namesake, George Walton, Jr. Walton County, Florida, founded December 29, 1824, is home to SoWal and is one of the older counties in Florida. Alaqua was a key community in Walton County in 1827 when Octavia was traveling to Baltimore and other resort cities. See map that shows roads converging in Alaqua during this time.

The first poem probably published about her was by Edgar Allan Poe. Poe's first published poem was Tamerlane in 1827. It was this same year that Poe met Octavia in Baltimore and wrote "Octavia." Octavia was living in Pensacola, Florida and was on a trip with her mother. They could have traveled through South Walton and Walton County. Many relatives and friends lived in Alabama and Georgia. They would have stopped by to see them and refresh themselves on their travels. Alaqua was an early county seat of Walton County, Florida. In addition, Alaqua was the location of an early land grant of their friend Judge Henry M. Brackenridge. This historic Alaqua site is located in North Walton near DeFuniak Springs. Turn on Coy Burgess Loop Road (once known as Steele Church Road) off 331.

Anderson Family Homestead in Alaqua. Perhaps Octavia and her family traveled near here and down a similar road. This is a beautiful, rolling piece of land in Walton County, Florida. (All pictures by and (c) Brenda Rees, All Rights Reserved)

Here is a unique fact I discovered about Poe and Octavia. Octavia and Edgar's grandparents had something in common. Poe's grandparents had given money to Lafayette during the American revolution. Octavia's grandfather, George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was also a good friend and fellow freedom fighter with Lafayette. Her grandmother and tutor, Dorothy Walton, was also a friend of Lafayette. This connection might have enabled their introduction.

Earlier on this same 1827 trip, Mirabeau Lamar, who became the second president of Texas, had also written a poem for her. See my Blog on Lamar.

You may also enjoy my SoWal blog "Moon-dreaming." Edgar Wesley is who makes the trip with Bob Swinford. There is a picture of the Wesley twins I have, Edgar Poe and Arthur Allen Wesley. Edgar Poe's name may provide the answer to the mystery street name "Poe" that pops up on Mapsquest and Google map searches in the Eastern Lake area. No such street as shown exists today and is confusing to those following their GPS! Poe street in Eastern Lake Estates was perhaps named for little Edgar Poe. The Wesley family had one of the earliest land grants on Eastern Lake. The twins are three years old in picture I have. Also, connection to Edgar Allan Poe and his poem for Octavia Walton, daughter of Walton County namesake, George Walton, Jr. -- Brenda Rees, Shaping Florida

Walton County back in 2003 passed a county motion to provide for better GPS. This vision and work continues to move forward.

Brenda Rees, Shaping Florida (c) All Rights Reserved

Octavia

Edgar Allan Poe

“When wit, and wine, and friends have met

And laughter crowns the festive hour

In vain I struggle to forget

Still does my heart confess thy power

And fondly turn to thee!

But Octavia, do not strive to rob

My heart of all that soothes its pain

The mournful hope that every throb

Will make it break for thee!”

Lafayette: Connected to the Poe and Walton families. There are a number of landmarks named for Lafayette in America, including a creek in Walton County, Florida. This image of LaFayette is from my 1855 book about his life and efforts for freedom.

Alaqua Methodist Church, established in 1827 per marker. The Steele Church was said to preceed this. Some of the Steele and Anderson family are buried here along with a number of early settler families. It is said the Steele family gave the land for the church. Octavia and the Walton family might have stopped by here on their trips. George Walton, Jr. traveled between Pensacola and Tallahassee many times between 1821 and 1826 as Secretary for the Territory of Florida and Acting Governor. To see this historic church travel north from South Walton up to North Walton on 331. Turn on Coy Burgess Loop, once known as Steele Church Road. This historic Alaqua location is just south of I-10. Related family members are also buried at nearby communities to the east, Redbay and Eucheeanna. Many lost their land to Eglin AFB.

Rare photograph of Steele Church, an early church in Alaqua and Walton County. Bebe, my dad's cousin, provided me with this photograph recently.

1836 Florida Map by Tanner. Alaqua is the main city shown in Walton County at this time.

Alaqua 1837 is illustrated on this map by J. Lee Williams. Note how all the roads converge in Alaqua in Walton County, Florida. For South Walton, which is now in Washington County for a number of decades, you only see "Sand Hills" noted. SoWal was in the original border of Walton County, FL, 1824. Then, was traded off to Washington County from 1825 to 1913. This helps explain "Pt. Washington." Then, SoWal returned to Walton County in 1913. See more about county development in my blog on South Walton Real Estate.

Octavia often traveled in style. When Octavia took her big trips as a young girl and woman from Pensacola through possibly Alaqua, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia on her way to Baltimore and Washington D.C. in 1827 and 1833, she rode by coach some of the way. This picture might be of her family in Augusta, Georgia. Octavia died in Augusta, Georgia in 1877. Picture in lobby of Partridge Inn on Walton Way. The direct line of descent of George Walton, the signer, ended in 1926 with the death of George Walton Reab, unmarried and no children.

Picture (about 1961) of my family's Eastern Lake, South Walton, beach house built out of lumber from my dad's grandfather's place in Alaqua. Most of the Anderson Alaqua land was taken for Eglin Air Force Base after WWII. That's me at the door. My great uncle Tom Wentworth once owned the house where Octavia and her family lived in Pensacola. This "Alaqua" area is up near DeFuniak Springs off 331, not off Highway 20.

Fourth of July, 2009. Take a moment this Fourth of July as you celebrate America's Freedom and thank Octavia Walton Le Vert and Edgar Allan Poe's grandparent's efforts. Edgar's grandparents gave money to LaFayette whose efforts enabled the American Colonies to defeat the British. Octavia's grandfather, George Walton, signed the Declaration of Independence and fought in the war with Washington and LaFayette.

West Florida and East Florida, the 14th and 15th British Colonies. SoWal was part of West Florida, the 14th British Colony between the 1763 and 1783 Treaties of Paris. After the American War for Independence, West Florida and East Florida were returned to Spain for the last time. Octavia's Grandfather was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, however the Floridas remained British through the war. Octavia Walton's father would later be named Secretary of the Territory of Florida and Acting Governor. The Walton's lived in Florida between 1821 - 1835. Map from personal file from great uncle's (T.T. Wentworth Jr.) collection.

"Bracken" house in Alaqua. This is what my aunt called this house. We toured the area in 2004. It is near Anderson homestead and old Steele Church. She recalled family members who had lived here and some who are buried in what is now Eglin. I took this picture in 2004. I hear it has since been removed.

This drawing of Henry Marie Brackenridge is on display at the Gulf Islands National Seashore Visitor Center. Brackenridge was a young man when he was serving as Judge of West Florida and overseeing early territorial Walton County from Alaqua, an early Walton County seat (before Eucheeanna and DeFuniak). Brackenridge is noted for his development of the Naval Live Oak Preserve near Pensacola and could be called Florida's first national forester. Brackenridge wrote a letter to his wife Caroline from Alaqua, Walton County, Florida. It is on display at the University of Pittsburg and a copy is at University of West Florida. Being one of Octavia's tutors, he would have certainly known about Edgar Allan Poe's poem.

]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/429-octavia-poem-edgar-allan-poe-alaqua.html <![CDATA[Help Find George Walton, Jr.'s Grave - Shaping Florida by Brenda Rees]]> http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/421-help-find-george-walton-jr-s-grave-shaping-florida-brenda-rees.html Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:41:11 GMT Please help me find the gravesite for George Walton, Jr., namesake of Walton County, Florida. Through my Shaping Florida research I've located the graves of his mother, father and daughter. The exact location of George Walton, Jr.'s grave has been lost. George Walton, Jr., secretary of West Florida, Territory of Florida and Territorial Acting Governor of Florida, died January 3, 1863 during the Civil War and is likely buried in the Blanford Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia. Writer Frances Gibson Satterfield wrote that the Blanford Cemetery had a record of George Walton, Jr., being interred in the N.E. corner of Mrs. M.B. Willison square. Records for the cemetery were destroyed and the exact location of this square is unknown. If you can get by this cemetery and find updated records, please advise. If you know George (Walton) Lucas, please contact him to make a movie about George Walton, Jr. Then, we might indeed find the lost grave of George Walton, Jr.

The following pictures are of the graves and homes of some of his family members. All pictures (c) Brenda Rees, All Rights Reserved.

George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia, is buried in Augusta, Georgia. Gravesite for his son, George Walton, Jr., namesake of Walton County, Florida, is unknown at this time. George Walton, the signer, died in 1804 and did not live in Florida with his son and family.

George Walton, Jr.'s mother, Dorothy Walton, is buried in the historic St. Michael's Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. Dorothy Walton moved to Pensacola to be with her son, the newly named Secretary for the Territory of West Florida. She lived in Pensacola from 1821 until her death in 1832. The Daughters of the American Revolution placed a plaque at her grave. My great uncle Tom Wentworth had a copy of an invitation to her funeral prepared by her son, George Walton, Jr.

George Walton, Jr.'s daughter, Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert, is buried in the Walker Family Cemetery in Augusta, Georgia. She died in 1877. She had asked for several obituaries for her father to be published, and only one in Augusta seems to be available. Frances Gibson Satterfield wrote that Octavia sent a letter to her brother-in-law that mentions her father dying of "Congestion of the brain." Octavia Jr., is buried next to her mother with only a Yucca plant over her grave. It is said that she never overshadowed her mother in life and did not want to take away from her in death.

Meadow Garden, home of George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, in Augusta, Georgia. His son, George Walton, Jr., also lived here. George Walton, Jr. moved to Pensacola, Florida in 1821 to be secretary for the new territory of Florida. President George Washington stopped by Augusta, Georgia, during his first tour of the new United States of America. George Walton, Jr., would have been a very young boy at the time, but might have had a glimpse of this new president. George Washington and George Walton were good friends and fought together for America's freedom.

The Walton House in Pensacola, Florida was once owned by my great uncle Tom Wentworth, Jr. He sold it to the city of Pensacola for $1. The Walton House is located in the historic district. At one time, Uncle Tom operated the Walton House as the Dorothy Walton Museum. Uncle Tom's museum is nearby, the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum. Leora Sutton wrote a book on The Walton House. Limited access for this rare book is available at the University of West Florida library and archives. Lee and Tom were good friends.

Dorothy Walton Museum display now at the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum.

The original family portraits of George Walton, Jr. and Octavia Walton Le Vert are safe at rest in the Oakleigh House in Mobile, Alabama under the care of Historic Mobile Preservation Society. Caldwell Delaney and the Mobile Historic Society, according to my interview with Leora Sutton, were instrumental in finding and procurring these early 19th century paintings of early Florida, Alabama and Georgia individuals of historic significance. George Walton, Jr.'s son, Robert Walton, is buried nearby in Mobile's Magnolia Cemetery. Two of Octavia's children and her mother are also buried in the Magnolia Cemetery. George Walton, Jr.,'s portrait was painted by William E. West in 1820. The Walton's had moved to Mobile, Alabama from Pensacola, Florida in 1835 for a number of reasons. George Walton, Jr., was elected as Mayor of Mobile shortly after their arrival. (I found this portrait and reintroduced the citizens of Walton County to George Walton, Jr.'s image in 2006. Before that, local history club members said they had no record or knowledge of this image.)

Miss Walton of Florida by Sully; Octavia Celeste Valentine Walton Le Vert. Octavia had several portraits painted during her lifetime. Once photography was invented, as a major celebrity of her day, she was often photographed. Her obituary was printed in Augusta newspapers as well as the New York papers. I've often wondered if "Gone With The Wind" author Margaret Mitchell fashioned Scarlett after Octavia. Octavia, of course, was much nicer and smarter than Scarlett. George Walton, Jr., would have been a good role model for Rhett Butler. Octavia lost many family members during the Civil War, as did Scarlett. Octavia was the real Belle of the South and Nation, and world renown. (I have developed a portrayal and presentation of Octavia. See Florida Chautauqua and South Walton Library archives.) ]]> Brenda Rees http://www.sowal.com/bb/blogs/brenda-rees/421-help-find-george-walton-jr-s-grave-shaping-florida-brenda-rees.html