| Rev. G. Greeley and AMA |
| Florida From Rev. G. Greeley St. Augustine FL Jan 4, 1866 Chaplain Moore, who is detailed as Superintendent of Education for the freedmen in this state under the freedmen's bureau a good friend of the colored people, together with another gentleman has bought for the benefit of the colored people 8000 acres of land on the right bank of the St. Johns River below Jacksonville which they sell for cash to the freedmen at an average of $3 per acre. The land being good and the location eligable, is being rapidly taken up. About 1/2 of the Protestant colored people of this place hav eengaged lots of land and are making haste to move. One instalment of them expect to leave the first of next week and the rest soon to follow. Probably very few, except the Catholics and the soldiers will remain by the last of this month. They will take from 3 to 20 acres to a family average about 15 acres. The probability is that the tract will all very soon be taken up and settled by more than 1,000 people, and the settlement be extended. It seems to be a general and strong dream of the immigrnats from this place that I should accomping them. Chaplain Moore has expressed the same desire in behalf of the colony. Besides my proper work in the Gospel ministry, they know not or whom to lean except me to see that their business is done correctly and for general advice. To me, it seems a provindential call and if you see fit so to order I shall be very happy to go. I shall accompany those who will go next week, and return for to await the removal of others and your orders. If you see fit to send me to that place, it would be desirable for Mrs. Greeley to go with me, which would also be very agreeable to her. There are houses which can be occupied by the missionary and others for a while. Probably there will soon be an opportunity for teachers to work, first one, and soon more. American Missionary Association March, 1866 |