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| Florida Statehood "In God We Trust" by Gil Wilson (introduction) 1845-1861 ab urbe condita - 280 to 296 |
Statehood On March 3, 1845 Florida becomes a state. It enters the Union as a slave state paired with the free state of Iowa. However, Iowa did not enter statehood until December 28, 1848. Texas entered before Iowa. William D. Mosley became the first governor. David Levy became the first congressmen. The Democrats, not the Whigs were to be in charge of Florida. Surprisingly on the day of organization it was announced that Andrew Jackson died. Public Education After Statehood St. Augustine kept payments up to private schools who would accept students who could not pay the tuition. (See Free School return of 1846) Catholics were also trying to get part of the poor fund money. Students were listed as protestant and poor including: Francis Isabella Southwick, Augustus Virgin Corplan, Mary Hunt, Franca Hunt, and Theodore Hunt. Surprisingly in 1850 there are free blacks listed on the U.S. Census as having received an education. There are only two counties in the State of Florida that listed free blacks as having received an education. Mexican War On May 13, 1846 the United States declared war against the Republic of Mexico. William Wing Loring was breveted three times for bravery: Cerro Gordo, Churubusco, and Belen Gate. He lost his arm in Mexico. He ended the war as a colonel. The 13th U. S. Infantry Regiment Company K would have Lieut. Edward J Dummett of St. Augustine appointed by President Polk. Fifty-five soldiers from Florida would die in Mexico. William F. Howell a private from St. Augustine died in Orizaba, Mexico on March 18, 1848. A Hotel Tradition Begins - Magnolia Hotel Mr. B. E. Carr, a St. Augustine merchant, built the Magnolia Hotel in 1847 and W. W. Palmer from New York City became the proprietor in 1872. The 200-room hotel was located on St. George Street and boasted great fireplaces in the reading-room and parlor. A specialty of house was the hand-painted menus. In 1859 a guest could stay at the Magnolia for $1.25 per day. However, the rate for second floor accommodations was $6.50 per month, and guests staying in the attic paid only $4.00 a month. By 1886 the Magnolia had 250 rooms that rented for $4.00 a day. In 1892, it advertised filtered rainwater for drinking, and by 1894, porcelain bathtubs on each floor were advertised. City Patrols Able bodied citizens were required to serve on the patrol. This nightly watch group's purpose to secure the peace of the city which mostly concerned watching the Africian-American population. Detail of City Patrol for night of 29th December 1849 James M Gould Captain Mathias Andrew Francis Arnau Benj Dupont A Alonzo To Pedro Benet Mayor Protem A negro boy Rip Van Winkle belonging to Mr. A Watson a negro Girl Inez, servant to Mrs Garl? were apprehended by the patrol. One dollar was given by the family of Mr. Watson and the boy was released. The girl Inez was delivered to Mr. James R Sanchez who claimed that it was not yet the time to apprehend negroes. Mr. Sanchez was informed that the facts would be reported to the Mayor to which he agreed James M Gould Captain Prewar Slavery Slavery was part of St. Augustine's history from the days of the Spanish. However, in the American period it began to take a odious form much like the rest of the sourth. Laws were tightened and life for all African-Americans became more difficult in the period proceding the War of Rebellion. In St. Augustine you would need as a freed slave a white guardian. You would also pay a special tax to the city simply because you were a free black. If there was ever a call for money reparations, this City tax on free African-American individuals would be the place to start. Penality for not paying the tax -- sold back into slavery. To travel around the area you would also need to carry a pass signed by the mayor. (Picture of 1845 passes.) To understand some of the differences in slavery between St. Augustine and the rest of the south there were differences that came from the Spanish heritage of the state and the influence of the Catholic church (see baptisms for notations of last names of slaves). Slaves needed permission to move through the city. (Scipio permission)(Assorted movement restrictions) (ordinance for patrols) (guardians 1838) (Papino and Garvin guardianship) (permission slips from the 1850s). City Council Records The City Council in 1854 and 1855 had the usual business. For a view of the council see the extracts. City Taxes in 1855 (Cost) Tax Ordinance On every slave owned by residents within said city, twelve and a half cents. On every slave owned by non-residents of the city, but residents of this county, five dollars. On every slave owned by non-residents of the city and county, but residents of this State, $10. On every slave owned by non-residents of the State $15. On every able-bodied free person of color, male and female, between the ages of fifteen and sixty years, three dollars. 2 wheel carriage $1 more than one horse .50 for each additional 4 wheel carriage one horse $2, more .50 for each additional. Actual 2 horse $4. Hire horses $.50 Milk cows 5 or less - .50 each Silver watch 12 and 1/2 cents Gold watch 25 cents Dogs 50 cents unimproved lots, 24 cents on every hundred dollars value improved same City marshall is the Assessor and Collector of the city tax Be it further ordained by the Authority aforesaid, that this City Council shall grant relief to all persons who may have been over charged or improperly taxed in any way or manner whatever. Tax must be paid by April 1 or tax doubles. Read a Day in the Life of St. Augustine June 24, 1854 Tax Records 1855 The 1855 City of St. Augustine tax records enable you to have a snapshot of the finances of St. Augusitne residents before the Civil War. Private Schools Throughout the territorial period (1821-1845)there were more than 23 private schools, 9 academies and three seminaries operating in St. Augustine but by the 1850s George L Phillip's Academy and Sarah Mathers School for Young Ladies dominated the private schools. . In 1856 a school building was finally erected for white children. (Picture of cornerstone) The use of this building before the civil war is a mystery since no records of a public school survive. It could be that teachers who agreed to teach the poor were allowed to use the building. However, after the Civil War the building was expanded and used as Public School #1 for the new St. Johns County Public School system. It appears that the last ones to use the school building before the Civil war were the Sisters of Mercy: Gentlemen The Sisters of Mercy respectfully represent to your honorable body that they keep an Academy and free school for the children of this city ; and that owing to the large number attending the latter school together with the absence of apailucents in their present school house commodious enough to permit a sufficient circulation of pure air so desirable at all times but so indispensably necessary where a large number (like that of their publes) are collected together find themselves obliged to procure a more suitable place to keep the free school. In virtue of the above mentioned consideration. They apply to your honorable body and respectfully solicit the temporary loan of the upper room of the building erected in Hospital Street for public education under such regulations as may appear just and reasonable. They also take this occasion to state that their schools are open to all without distinction of creed so as to come within the intentions of those who have appropriated funds for public education. St. Augustine August 24th 1860 --- The Sisters of Mercy beg leave to return their grateful acknowledgements to the Honorable Members of the City Council for the temporary loan of the upper room in the building erected in Hospital Street for Educational purposes; and pledge themselves to comply with all the requisition of said Council. St. Augustine Sept 1st 1860 And Union Soldiers are born Mayor Court 23 July 1860 City of St. Augustine vs Abraham Lancaster (col'd) Complaint made and entered by City Marshal that said Defendant disturbed the peace of the City on the 21 July 1860 by striking Mary Rody and by beating her. The Defendant appeared through his Guardian Rafael B Canova whereupon came the following witness by Order of the Court Elizabeth Terrel whose evidence sustained the complaint made. Whereupon His Honor sentenced the Defendant to be whipped by receiving on his bare back "Twenty Lashes' and stand committed until the cost be paid. The Prisoner having duly received on his bare back the sentence of the Court, and paid all costs in the case, was discharged. Go to Civil War |
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| David Levy Yulee Library of Congress |
| St. Augustine Monthly and Extremes of Temperature for 1843 Oct - 70.77 Nov - 67.06 Dec - 59.09 Spring 64.73 Summer 78.55 Autumn 72.48 Winter 58.56 Year 68.58 Max 93 Min 30 Above Mean 24.4 Below Mean 38.6 |
| RRainfall Spring Summer Fall Winter 1844 8.94 8.18 8.35 4.49 1845 11.31 5.56 1846 5.14 1851 4.25 14.62 9.98 |
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| Magnolia Hotel |