| City Council In the beginning the City Council is appointed by the new American Government. James Grant Forbes is the first mayor. (See his history of St. Augustine) He is the son of the Rev. James Forbes of the British period. It will within a year become an elected government. (Extracts of City Council Minutes). By September 11th the Americans were in trouble - not with the old Spanish holdovers but with nature --- Yellow Fever. The dreams of many of the newly arrived Americans would end in the Old Protestant Cemetery (1901 picture) created by the Town Council. (List of known people buried in cemetery) Joseph Lee Smith Appointed Judge Joseph Lee Smith was appointed the first East Florida Superior Court Judge by President James Monroe. He would be the father of E. Kirby Smith. Joseph Hernandez On January 3 1823 Joseph Marion Hernandez takes office as the first delegate to Congress from the territory of Florida. He serves from 1823 to March 3 1825. He was born in St. Augustine August 4, 1793 and would serve in the teritorial house of representatives and become its presiding officer. He was a brigadier-general in the Florida militia and would be in United States service from 1835 to 1838. His political career would end with a race for the United States Senate as a Whig in 1845. He moved to Cuba and became a sugar planter. June 8, 1857 he dies and is buried in Matanzas, Cuba. (Other notes and office holders in the 1820 and early 1830s.) Treaty with the Seminoles The first treaty with Florida as a territory was negotiated with the Seminoles or Florida tribes. Slavery With the coming of Americans Florida became a slaver's paradise. Lots of records will track their movement throughout the new territory. (Slaves sold for debts) Slaves would also be returned to their owners. Lots of slaves would be running away. Lighthouse In 1824 the old Spanish St. Augustine lighthouse became the first Florida lighthouse. This would guide the way into St. Augustine's difficult harbor until 1874 when a new lighthouse would be built. Don't forget to see the second lighthouse designed by Paul Pelz. Presbyterian Church The Presbyterian Church was organized on October 31, 1823 with 26 members. The church started with a meeting at Elias Wallace's house on Charlotte street. William W. Blair and Elias B. Gould set aside as first elders. Rev. W. McWhire was the first minister. To see any of the Old Presbyteran Meeting House you would need to go to the Oldest House and examine the room with the paneling from the the Old Meeting House. Trinity United Methodist January 20,1825 "Our colored members in this place seem very pious. Indeed I never saw so promising a society of blacks, so much devoted to God. They hold communion with him and walk in the light of his countenance." Rev. Noah Laney. "Prejudice and bigotry are on the retreat, and are succeeded by a candid attention to truth." Methodist Magazine 1825, Vol. VIII. This is the foundation of Trinity Unity Methodist Church today. Trinity Episcopal Church The leadership of the Presbyterian and the Episcopal Church would be the establishment. Mayors, Councilmen, news editors, military leaders and school leaders would be a part of these two churches. On June 23, 1825 Trinity Episcopal Church is born. (Picture of church today)The Anglican Church was here in the form of St. Peter's during the British period but had disappeared during the 2nd Spanish period. The windows of this church reflect the history of the 19th century. The church was consecrated in 1833 by Bishop Bowen of South Carolina. Hurricane On October 2, 1825 St. Augustine experiences a hurricane. The storm destroys one stone building and sends several ships onto dry land. The market house in the plaza is knocked down. Some of the orange harvest is lost. Business in St. Augustine in 1827 This is a list of businesses in 1826 who paid taxes in 1826. St. Augustine 1827 Tax Roll To get a better understanding of St. Augustine in the 1820s the tax roll from 1827 survives. Houses of St. Augustine Yet this is just the beginning of St. Augustine's territorial history. Florida's territorial and early statehood history can be viewed at the Ximenez-Fatio House. The Ximenez-Fatio House at 20 Aviles Street while a Second Spanish Period building played a role as a boarding house in the territorial period. Louisa Fatio played a role in Eugenia Price's novel, Margaret's Story.The Pena Peck House (home of the Spanish treasurer, Dr. Seth Peck and Dr. John Peck) on St. George Street offers items from the 1st Spanish through the 19th century. The house is run by one of the oldest civic organizations in St. Augustine --- the St. Augustine Women's Exchange. The Prince Murat House (picture) located in the site of Old St. Augustine Village may have been the winter home of Ralph Waldo Emerson when he was a visitor to St. Augustine. The most beautiful home in St. Augustine is started in the 1830s --- Markland. This is the home of Dr. Andrew Anderson Sr., Clarissa Anderson, and Dr. Andrew Anderson Jr. It was designed by Thomas Crosby. (more pictures of Markland) Newspaper Extracts Life in the old city can be viewed in extracts from its newspapers: Florida Herald and Southern Democrat - 1839, St. Augustine News - 1841, and Ancient City - 1850. Seawall In 1833 construction started on the seawall. The Army Corps of Engineers between 1833 and 1844 with the help of slave labor rebuild and extended the original Spanish seawall. The seawall south of the plaza is still the original seawall built by the Army Corps of Engineers. The seawall was built under the supervision of Lt. Francis L Dancy. From Boarding Houses to Hotels The Florida House was originally built in 1833. Mr. J. H. Rehmer of Ansonia, Connecticut erected the main building in 1875. In 1883, George Atkins petitioned the town council for permission to build a pedestrian bridge over Treasury Street, connecting the Florida House with the Planters Hotel, and enlarging the hotel. In the 1884 Chapins’ Hand Book of St. Augustine by Elias Nason, the Florida House was advertised as a winter hotel open from December to April. Chapins’ reported that improvements had been made to the hotel, and that its 131 rooms were “…large, elegantly furnished, well ventilated, and lighted throughout with gas. A steam passenger elevator carries guests to the “New improvements were made for the year. The rooms were advertised as large, elegantly furnished, well ventilated, and lighted throughout with gas. A steam passenger elevator carries fourth floor. The introduction of steam into the building insures a warm and comfortable house. Electric bells in each room connect with the office. Terms are $4.00 a day. A liberal reduction given to parties desiring to engage rooms for the season. Special rates for January.” George L. Atkins and Sons ran the hotel. John James Audubon Tours Florida November 20 John James Audubon leaves St. Augustine for a six month tour of the east coast of Florida and the Florida Keys. Seminole Wars The Seminole Wars deeply affected the history of territorial St. Augustine. The word Seminoles was first used by John Stuart, the British Indian Agent, in 1771. The word was a name meaning "wild people," because they wanted to draw apart and be by themselves. However they were part of the Creek Confederation. In 1824 negotiations were held at Moultrie Creek about 5 miles south of St. Augustine. The Seminoles chose Neamathla the head chief of the Mikasukis as their leader. This treaty created several reservations for the Seminoles in Florida. The U. S. Senate radified the treaty on December 23, 1823. By 1832 the official policy of the United States government became removal to west of the Mississippi. A treaty was signed May 9, 1832 for removal. By then a Seminole that the whites called Powell who would later become Osceola. His name was a corruption of the Creek words Asi Yahola meaning "black-drink singer". In June of 1835 Osceola was seized and put in irons. He was forced to sign the document which validated the Treaty of Payne's Landing and also to bring in a band of followers. One of the driving issues of the movement to remove the Seminoles was the running away of slaves to the Seminoles. Important African-American leaders in the Seminoles included Abraham, John Caesar, and John Cavalo. Settlements around the city were targets of attack. By 1835 the sugar plantations south of St. Augustine came under attack. Even though Brigadier General Joseph M. Hernandez tried to defend the area with a force of militia a Mikasuki chief named Philip destroyed the whole industry. This forced people back into the city proper. It also slowed tourism from the north, but it became a military depot for a short time. Osceola ambushed Agent Thompson at Fort King. Fifty miles to the south a relief column under the command of Major Francis L. Dade with eight officers and a hundred enlisted men from Company C, Second Artillery and Company B, Third Artillery marched toward Fort King. They were attacked and killed by Micanopy, Alligator, and Jumper's bands. The St. Augustine National Cemetery has the monuments and the graves of Dade's command. January 15, 1837 – Hanson Plantation (later site of Florida Memorial College) An attack was made on a sentinel posted at Hanson’s plantation while they were attempting to steal horses. Captain Hanson ambushed the party on January 16 at the plantation of Col. James Williams toward Moultrie. John Caesar and Joe Merritt killed and Guy wounded by Captain Hanson’s Company. The City of St. Augustine responding to the material found on John Caesar and others killed by Captain Hanson pass an ordinance to prevent the selling of ammunition to slaves, free negroes and mullattos on January 23, 1837. March 1837 Andrew Gue (around 21 years old born circa 1816) was captured by Lieut. Ferreira of Captain Hanson’s company of mounted volunteers. He had remained in the neighborhood of the Hanson Plantation. He received 3 wounds in January. He subsisted on roots, etc. until he was induced from hunger to come further in for provisions. May 1837 Slave insurrection worries. In October, 1837 near Fort Payton (Moultrie Creek) General Hernandez on orders from General Jesup ignored a flag of truce and captured Osceola, Coa Hadjo and seventy-one warriors plus six women. Philip, Blue Snake, and Coacoochee already had been captured in the St. Augustine area. On the night of November 28, 1837 Coachoochee, Cowaya , sixteeen warriors and two women escaped from Fort Marion. In December of 1837 Micanopy, Yaholoochee, Tuskegee, Nocose Yahola and seventy-eight other Indians were captured under a flag of truce. Seminoles (Osceola, Wildcat, John Horse and 18 others) were also held as prisoners at the Castillo (now called Fort Marion - after Swamp Fox Francis Marion of Revolutionary War fame). On January 31, 1838 Osceola died a prisoner at Fort Moultrie in South Carolina. Dr. Frederick Weedon from St. Augustine cut off the head from the body and kept it. The rest of the body was buried at Fort Moultrie. September 14, 1838 members of the St. Augustine community sign a petition urging the arrest and banishment of the Merritt family on charges of selling guns to the Indians. Randal Irving was also summoned by the Judge of the Superior Court on the 13 day of October, 1838.Stricter laws are passed against slaves and free blacks (Ordinance for the better police of the City of St. Augustine and Ordinance for the Better regulation of Negro Slaves and Free Persons of Color) On May 23, 1840 a theatrical troupe and other travelers en route by stage from Picolata to St. Augustine were attacked by Coacoochee (Wild Cat) and his band. One member of the troupe and four passengers were killed. Indians would appear in town lated dressed in Shakespearian costumes from the stage. William Jenkins Worth becomes the commander of the U.S. forces in Florida and he began the destruction of the villages and sources of supply for the Seminoles. The war was officially ended in August of 1842. His wife and daughters would later move to St. Augustine and inhabit the stone house along the Bayfront (which was later moved --- stone by stone). One daughter would marry Col. John Sprague who would write a book about the Seminole War (Florida War) and would be in charge of the military reconstruction of St. Augustine and North Florida after the Civil War. William T. Sherman was in St. Augustine as part of the Third Artillery. Lieutenant William Austin Brown was the commander in St. Augustine with company E and G at his disposal. Col William Gates would later be in charge of the headquarters in St. Augustine. Sherman considered U. S. Judge Bronson one of the most pleasant persons there. Many famous soldiers will come through St. Augustine at this time including William T. Sherman (photo) (story of capture of Wild Cat) , Winfield Scott (photo), Braxton Bragg, Persifor Fraiser Smith and future president Zachary Taylor. The St. Augustine National Cemetery is started with the soldiers that die in the Seminole War. Another treaty is made January 4, 1845 between the U.S., Seminoles and the Creek nation which defined the relationships between the Seminoles and the Creeks. Public Education The drive for an education system begins in March 31, 1832 but the taxpayers of St. Augustine revolt, the tax is rescinded and the school is forced to close. (delinquent tax list and letters on school) This leaves private schools to attempt the job of educating the youth of St. Augustine. The real beginning of public school education in St. Augustine and St. Johns county can be traced from 1835 when the will of Charles Lawton, a former resident of St. Augustine, left the sum of one thousand dollars to the City Council of St. Augustine for the education of the poor children of the town, the sum to be invested in some stocks or bonds with interest to be paid annually. Extract from Will of Charles Lawton of Charleston Dated 26th of June 1835. Proved Feb 7 1835. Recorded at Charleston office of judge of probate in Will Book H., page 420 "I give and bequeath to the City Council off the city of St. Augustine, East Florida, one thousand dollars for the education of the poor in that city, this sum to be invested by my executors in some safe stock and the interest be paid annually to the City Council aforesaid." The above extract is the whole of that portion of the will which relates to the said legacy. The money would used throughout to the 1870s. David Levy Yulee In 1836 David Levy Yulee was admitted to the bar in St. Augustine after practicing law here. He was born David Levy in St. Thomas, West Indies on June 12, 1810. His political career includes delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1838. Clerk to the Territorial legislature in 1841. Territorial delegate to congress from March 4, 1841-March 3, 1845. A U.S. Senator from 1845 to 1851. Changed his name to David Levy Yulee in 1846 and was elected to the United States Senate from 1855 till he withdrew on January 21, 1861. He is known as the "Father of Florida's Railroads". He died on October 10, 1886. Charles Downing In March of 1837 Charles Downing, Virginia born, but a lawyer from St. Augustine was elected to Congress. He served from March 4, 1837- March 3, 1841. He had also been a member of the legislative council of the Territory of Florida in 1837. He died in St. Augustine in 1845 and was buried in the Protestant Cemetery. Tax Records 1837 The damage of the Seminole War to the St. Augustine economy can be viewed through the tax records of 1837. St. Augustine Patrols The City of St. Augustine operated patrols of its citizens to watch the city at night. The major reason for these patrols was fears of a slave revolt, etc. The patrol records stretch from 1838 to 1867. October 17, 1839 Wanted to Purchase A Negro Boy about 16 or 18 years of age for employment as a domestic servant in a small family in this City -- and also a little black girl about 12 or 14 years of age for a chamber maid to a young lady --- for both of whom a fair and reasonable price will be paid. Apply to the printer for the name of person to be the purchaser. Education Struggles on (April 24th, 1843) The Rev'd C. Rampon, pastor of the Catholic congregation of St. Augustine, wishes to afford a remedy to the evils resulting from the want of education and abandonment in which the children of poor parents are brought up from the absence of a public free school in the place; appeals to a grevious, enlightened and liberal community to aid him in building a more capercious room than the one he now occupies for the same purpose. (City chambers) Thus enabling him to offer instruction to a greated number, and enlarging the usefullness of the poor school already in existance under his care. The Escape of Andrew Gue (Reward Notice) (Newspaper Article: Escape of Negroes) On July 29, 1843 the Negroes composing the crew of the U. S. Transport Sch Walter M. had left with the schooners boat, compass and spy glass, bread, pork and water. The boat was later found at Fishe's island but by night a large whale boat belonging to the pilots was also missing. Besides the crew Andrew Gue, two slaves belonging to W. H. Williams, one to General Hernandez, one to Jacob Mickler, one to Miss Ashe and one to Col. J. M. Fontane were also gone. The boat was thought to have gone directly to the Bahamas or were picked up by a British ship seen "lurking" outside the harbor. The city aldermen and mayor made a request for help from the U.S. Treasury Fort Marion Work In 1844 work was completed at Fort Marion on the water battery and hot shot furnace. The furnace was used to heat iron cannon balls for firing at wooden ships. Go to Statehood |
| American Territorial Period E pluribus unum by Gil Wilson (series introduction) 1821 - 1845 ab urbe condita - 256 to 280 |
| Questions for Dr. Bronson? Send an email to glwilson_us@yahoo.com |
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| Attack against Lieut Scott |
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| Osceola Libary of Congress |
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| Picolata as an armed camp in Seminole War Library of Congress |
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| Joseph Hernandez Library of Congress |
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| Castillo Hot Shot Library of Congress - HABS |
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| John James Audubon |
| from Twasinta's Seminoles, or Rape of Florida by Albery Allson Whitman Is manhood less because man's face is black? Let thunders of the loosened seals reply! Who shall the rider's restive steed turn back, Or who withstand the arrows he lets fly, Between the mountains of eternity? Genius ride forth! thou gift and torch of heav'n! The mastery is kindled in thine eye; To conquest ride! thy bow of strength is giv'n--- The trampled hordes of caste before thee shall be driv'n!. |
| Questions, comments, etc. contact Gil Wilson at glwilson_us@yahoo.com |