USA > Florida > Duval County > Jacksonville > History of early Jacksonville, Florida; being an authentic record of events from the earliest times to and including the civil war by Thomas Frederick Davis > Part 3
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21.
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HISTORY OF EARLY JACKSONVILLE
city. Maestre therefore abandoned his new home, leaving and losing his crop1. He never returned, and on June 21, 1820, he conveyed the tract to John Brady for $200. Brady conveyed it to John Bellamy January 27, 1823, after Jacksonville had been laid out and some lots had been sold. I. D. Hart gained jurisdiction over this tract July 26, 1826, but he did not get a title to it by conveyance from Bellamy until May 4, 1836. On December 18, 1836, for $1,100, Hart conveyed his right, title, and interest in the Maestre grant to William J. Mills, in trust for Mrs. Maria Doggett, wife of John L. Doggett3.
EAST JACKSONVILLE.
Under date of March 18, 1817, Daniel Hogans obtained a concession from Governor Coppinger of 255 acres, situated on the north bank of the St. Johns River, nearly opposite the fort at St. Nicholas, and on the east of Hogan's Creek. Daniel Hogans conveyed this land to E. Hudnall November 11, 18182. This tract comprised the present East Jacksonville.
RIVERSIDE.
On February 11, 1801, Philip Dell obtained a. concession from Governor White of 800 acres adjoining McCoy's Creek, and embracing what is now known as Brooklyn and the most of old River- side. For many years this property was known as Dell's Bluff. The Dell Bluff tract went into the
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HISTORY OF EARLY JACKSONVILLE
possession of John H. McIntosh January 11, 1805, and on October 4, 1823, McIntosh deeded it to Francis J. Ross. Ross gave Joseph B. Lancaster a quit claim deed to these 800 acres, December 6, 1833, the consideration mentioned being $2,000. Lancaster held it a little more than ten years, sell- ing only six acres in the mean time, three of which were sold to Blanchard and Rider for a mill site at the mouth of McCoy's Creek. On May 1, 1844, he deeded the remainder back to Francis I. (J) Ross, the consideration mentioned being $2,500. Francis J. Ross then conveyed his interest to Wil- liam B. Ross, under date of March 24, 1845. W. B. Ross sold to James Winter February 6, 1847. Mr. Winter died in possession of the property and his estate descended to his heirs. April 23, 1866, Uriah Bowden purchased an unstated number of acres from the commissioners of the Winter estate. Miles Price finally acquired the bulk of the Winter estate, and on June 8, 1868, he conveyed 500 acres to E. M. Cheney, in trust to be conveyed to John M. Forbes, for $10,000 in gold. The prop- erty was platted for Forbes into lots February 1, 1869, provision being made for a park of 14 acres, now Riverside park4.
E. M. Cheney was editor of the Florida Union at Jacksonville when he negotiated the purchase for John M. Forbes, a Boston Millionaire. Mr. Cheney gave the name of "Riverside" to the sub- division, most of which was an old corn field at that time".
1
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HISTORY OF EARLY JACKSONVILLE
SPRINGFIELD.
During the latter part of the year 1820, John R. Hogans settled on lands north of Hogan's Creek, and under the Donation Act, received title to 640 acres. Hogans conveyed these 640 acres to W. G. Dawson July 24, 18232; I. D. Hart, ex officio Ad- ministrator of W. G. Dawson, deceased, to John Warren, February 3, 1829; John Warren to Isaiah D. Hart, October 25, 1829 ; I. D. Hart to Thomas G. Saunders in 1846; Thomas G. Saunders and wife, to Adeline Jones, September 9, 1847. On August 4, 1849, Thomas W. Jones and wife, Adeline, sold 50 acres to E. A. DeCottes®, for $50, or $1 an acre ; this is now Hansontown. In 1867, 4 acres of the same tract, west of Hogan's Creek, were sold to Frank Franklin, a colored man, for $25 an acre; this is now called Franklintown. With these exceptions, the tract descended to Eliza Jones, now Mrs. W. M. Bostwick, and it was not subdivided until 18827.
Hogans's Donation comprised what is commonly called old Springfield. John Middleton bought it in 1847, for his daughter, Adeline Jones, for the insignificant sum of $450 in gold. About 1870, it was named Springfield, by C. L. Robinson, the name being suggested by the existence of a spring in an old field through which West Fourth Street would now pass'.
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TALLEYRAND.
An impression seems to be prevalent that Duke de Talleyrand, the famous Frenchman, came to this vicinity after the wars in Europe and settled at what is now known as the Old Talleyrand Place, and that Talleyrand Avenue and other places in the locality are named for him. This is not correct. The Duval County records show that Lewis Curtis on June 9, 1869, deeded 30 acres of land three and a half miles northeast of Jacksonville, the tract be- ing then called Millwood, to Elizabeth Marquise de Talleyrand-Perigord, wife of Charles Maurice Camille Marquis de Talleyrand-Perigord. The consideration mentioned was $7,500. The Marquis was said to be a descendant of the Duke Talley- rand; his wife was an American, a New York lady. They spent several winters here and apparently lived a life of ease and luxury. He was very fond of fine horses and always drove about in elegant style. The Talleyrands sold their property Janu- ary 28, 1873, to C. A. Lincoln, for $12,000.
BIBLIOGRAPHY, CHAPTER III.
1 History of Florida, Webb.
2 American State Papers, Duff Green, Vol. IV.
3 Florida Reports, Vol. V, p. 216; Vol. VI, p. 483.
4 Fla. Abstract and Title Security Co., June 8, 1892.
5 W. W. Douglass, in Jacksonville Metropolis, Dec. 12, 1908.
6 Florida Reports, Vol. XIV, p. 162.
7 Mrs. W. M. Bostwick.
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HISTORY OF EARLY JACKSONVILLE
CHAPTER IV.
THE FOUNDING OF JACKSONVILLE .*
THE FIRST HOTEL.
Messrs. L. Z. Hogans and Juan Maestre (known in English as Masters) were the first settlers in the immediate vicinity of the Cow Ford, on the north side of the St. Johns, after the "Patriot" troubles. A year or so afterward, John Brady came and oc- cupied the house and land vacated by Maestre in 1818, probably under some sort of rental contract, as Maestre did not formally convey his land to Brady until June 21, 1820. Brady was generally spoken of as the third settler. He planted crops and started to run a ferry from the northern side of the river, for the accommodation of travelers. About this time Florida was brought into promi- nence by the agitation concerning its cession to the United States, and the tide of immigration had set in over the King's road to the St. Johns country. Brady's house came to be the lodging place for many of these pioneers. Travel in those days was almost all by horseback, and the constantly increas- ing number of guests made it necesasry for Brady to erect other buildings, and stables for the con-
*Some of these facts are taken from unsigned clippings from unidentified newspapers and magazines, therefore it is impos- sible to give references in every case, further than to say that these clippings are, or have been in the hands of the author, and that only such statements as bear the stamp of authenticity are used.
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venience of those who wished to stop with him. His place was a kind of inn, although it is not men- tioned that strong drink was kept there. This, then, was Jacksonville's first hotel. Mr. Hogans also entertained travelers, but his house was more an "open house" than a hotel.
FIRST STORE.
Among these early travelers were two men from Georgia, William G. Dawson and Stephen E. Buckles, who foresaw that some day a town would be built at this point. They decided to remain and open a store. They built a large log house near the King's road (south side of Adams Street, between Market and Newnan) ; brought a stock of goods down by sailing vessel from New York, and opened a mercantile establishment. This was the first store. Dawson & Buckles did a fine business, supplying the territory for miles around. Peo- ple came long distances to trade here, and it was about as much as the proprietors could do to sup- ply the demand for goods. At the same time Brady's boarding house was gaining a reputation, and was also giving its owner a neat income. These two places did a great deal toward drawing settlers to the Cow Ford'.
ISAIAH DAVID HART.
Isaiah David Hart was one of these new-comers. He had been here before with the "Patriots", and was familiar with the surroundings ; but it was not
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until he learned how fast Messrs. Brady and Daw- son & Buckles were making money that he decided to move from his plantation on the St. Marys River and settle at the Cow Ford'. The National Encyclopedia of American Biography says this was in 1821, which date is doubtless correct; but the statement made therein, that Ossian B. Hart, son of I. D. Hart, was born at Jacksonville, Janu- ary 17, 1821, is without doubt incorrect. It does not seem probable that O. B. Hart was born in Jacksonville then, since it is common knowledge among the oldest residents here that the distinc- tion of being the first white child born at Jack- sonville belonged to Sarah Ann Hogans, daughter of L. Z. and Maria Hogans, born July 28, 1825. Sarah Ann Hogans married Uriah Bowden.
On the 12th day of May, 1821, I. D. Hart bought 18 acres of land from L. Z. Hogans, in the south- east corner of the Taylor grant, paying $72 for the 18 acres, it is said in cattle. He built a double log house just west of where the Church Club stands, south side of Forsyth Street, between Market and Newnan. He brought his household goods down the St. Marys River, through the inside passage, and up the St. Johns to the Cow Ford. His family and his live stock came across country. I. D. Hart was numbered all through the early years as the sixth settler on the site of Jacksonville, and his brother, Daniel C. Hart, who came with him as the seventh1.
All along the river at that time from the ferry,
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HISTORY OF EARLY JACKSONVILLE
now the foot of Liberty Street, westward to Mr. Hogans's eastern fence, where Laura Street now is, was dense hammock through which no one ever passed. Eastward of the ferry, down to Catherine Street, was open pine land and a good, high bluff ; and open pine land also extended from the ferry to Hogan's Creek, and westward north of Forsyth Street far beyond the present city limits. The King's road led up north from the river east of Mr. Brady's house, whence it turned northwest- ward leading by on the north of the store of Daw- son & Buckles1.
INCREASING TRAVEL.
Occasionally, Mr. Hogans and Mr. Brady had their houses so filled with guests that they could not accommodate all who came. When this was the case, Dawson & Buckles took into their store those who could not find lodging elsewhere. There was ample room above the store and when occasion required, they did not hesitate to cut open a bale of blankets for the use of these comers. This unsel- fish and generous conduct brought its reward; it was told everywhere and drew custom from far and near. They never failed, either, to sell the blankets; "They are not injured," said the pur- chasers, "by the use you put them to. I would put them to the same use in my house, if necessary, and would not consider them injured by it"". It soon became apparent that something had to be done to provide more accommodations for travel-
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ers at the Cow Ford, so Messrs. Dawson & Buckles built a large frame house east of their store (southwest corner of Market and Adams Streets), for a boarding house. This was the first frame house built in Jacksonville. When it was completed, Mrs. Sarah Waterman, a widow then living at St. Johns bluff, came and kept it. She had three handsome grown daughters and one not grown and two younger sons. Joseph Andrews, brother-in-law of I. D. Hart, came not long after- ward and built a frame house on what is now the south side of Adams Street, midway between Newnan and Ocean1.
The actual change of flags took place at St. Augustine July 16, 1821, whereby East Florida formally passed into the possession of the United States. Then the Cow Ford became a busy place for a forest settlement. Travel increased wonder- fully, and at times the houses here could not ac- commodate all those who wished to stop and view the country.
JACKSONVILLE LAID OUT.
I. D. Hart now conceived the idea of laying off a town site at the Cow Ford. He seems to have had some difficulty in convincing Messrs. L. Z. Hogans and John Brady of the feasibility of the plan; but, finally, they consented to donate a por- tion of their lands for streets. The town was laid off in June, 1822, under the supervision of three commissioners, residents of the neighborhood,
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namely, Francis J. Ross, Benjamin Chaires, and John Bellamy. The site was surveyed by D. S. H. Miller, who formerly was connected with the Spanish post at St. Nicholas with the title of "Captain of the Rural Militia of the St. Johns River, District of St. Nicholas, and Deputy Sur- veyor." John W. Roberts acted as Clerk3. On the day the town was laid off a considerable dis- pute arose between Brady and Hart as to the dividing line between their lands. It was at last agreed between them that a tree, claimed by L. Z. Hogans to be a corner tree, standing on the river bank at the foot of the present Market Street, should be the starting point'. The survey began here and thence north a street was laid out eighty feet in width, the property owners on each side donating forty feet. This was Jacksonville's first street, and corresponded to the present Market Street, but it was not given that name. It is im- possible to determine what name the commission- ers gave to the first street.
It was decided that there should be six lots, each 105 feet square, in each block, two lots ad- joining north and south, being 210 feet; and three lots east and west, 315 feet. The next street laid off was Bay Street, with a width of seventy feet. The first square designated and numbered was east of Market and north of Bay Street, and in compliment to Brady as the first settler present of the part now to be surveyed, it was designated Square No. 1. The next square surveyed was
DUVAL ST.
20
19
18
17
16
MONROE
ST.
12
9
7
8
15
ADAMS
ST.
ANDREWS 11
DAWSON AND BUCKLES 3
4
_ KING'S ROAD -
LIBERTY OR FEREE-SI-
6
WASHINGTON
14 .
FORSYTH ST.
HART
ST
10
2
1
BRADY
5
13
BAY
ST.
FERRY
BRADY'S
·
ST. JOHNS RIVER
Drawn by T. F. Davis, from description.
JACKSONVILLE AS ORIGINALLY SURVEYED IN 1822
NEWNAN ST.
(MARKET) ST
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1257265
HISTORY OF EARLY JACKSONVILLE
across Market Street, west of No. 1, and it was designated No. 2. The square north of it was numbered 3, and east of that, 4. Brady's build- ings, it was found when the survey was being made, would be in the street on the east of Square No. 1, if but three lots from west to east were in it. To avoid this difficulty, another tier of lots was added on the east side of Square No. 1, mak- ing this square eight lots, instead of six, which saved Mr. Brady from living in the middle of the street. Thus the range of blocks between Liberty and Market Streets is composed of eight lots1.
The commissioners now surveyed Square No. 5, east of Square No. 1, the King's road leading north from the river being between. This they named Liberty Street, although it was often called Ferry Street, also. The square north of No. 5 was designated No. 6, north of that No. 8, west of that No. 7, and west of that No. 9. This was the sur- veyor's wrong marking and was never corrected on the original map1.
From the survey of Square No. 9, the commis- sioners came back to Bay Street and ran off Square No. 10 west of No. 2; and north of No. 10, they ran 11 and 12, respectively. Again they came back to Bay Street, this time east of Washington Street, and laid off No. 13, east of No. 5, and north of No. 13, they surveyed Nos. 14, 15, and 16 in the order named. They then turned west and surveyed Nos. 17, 18, 19, and 20. Here they stayed their work and never resumed it1.
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STREETS NAMED.
The original survey comprised the squares be- tween Catherine and Ocean Streets, and Duval Street and the River. The naming of Liberty and Washington Streets indicates the patriotism of the commissioners. Newnan Street received its name from Colonel Daniel Newnan, Inspector- General of Georgia, but who came here with the "Patriots" as a volunteer. Forsyth Street was named for General Forsyth, of Georgia; Adams Street, for John Quincy Adams, then Secretary of State in President Monroe's cabinet, and who was largely instrumental in bringing about the cession of Florida ; Monroe Street, for President Monroe; and Duval Street, for Governor Duval, of Florida3. Three of Jacksonville's streets bear the names of I. D. Hart's children, namely, Laura, Julia, and Ocean-Ocean was formerly Ossian.
By unanimous agreement, the newly laid out town was called Jacksonville, in honor of General Andrew Jackson, the name being suggested by John Warren, who had served as a volunteer in General Jackson's army during the Indian troubles2. Some accounts have stated that Gen- eral Jackson was present when the town was laid out ; but the author has failed to find any authentic record of the General's ever having visited the Cow Ford, and certainly not in 1822.
MANY LOTS SOLD.
On the day Jacksonville was surveyed, a good
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HISTORY OF EARLY JACKSONVILLE
many lots were sold by both Brady and Hart. John Bellamy bought the northwest corner of Bay and Liberty Streets, and D. S. H. Miller, the surveyor, bought all the lots in Square No. 5. Miller afterward sold these lots out to different parties. Stephen J. Eubanks bought one of the south lots in Square No. 2, on Bay Street, includ- ing the margin to the river, for $12.00. Soon after the town was surveyed, Brady conveyed to Benja- min Chaires and Francis J. Ross, two of the com- missioners, the lot at the northeast corner of Forsyth and Market Streets, where the armory now stands. Messrs Chaires and Ross immedi- ately gave this lot to the county, for the purpose of erecting thereon the county court house. The deed from Brady was not recorded until October 10, 1840. The record of a deed in that day was regarded as useless, as it was a matter of public notoriety that the property claimed was sold and bought, and the title was therefore perfect, whether the deed was recorded or not1.
John Warren built a large building of the best materials in the best manner at the northwest cor- ner of Bay and Newnan Streets. The eastern end of the lower story was used as a store, and the western end for a time as a dwelling. The upper part was one large room, and was used as a court room until the court house was built, and also as a dance hall, and when occasion required for hold- ing religious services1.
An air of business-like activity now took hold of
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HISTORY OF EARLY JACKSONVILLE
the place. The sound of the axe and the crash of falling trees spoke plainly of the coming of other permanent residents. Prominent among these were William J. Mills, an Englishman from Amelia Island; William Bailey, of Georgia; and John L. Doggett, of Massachusetts.
THE FOUNDER OF JACKSONVILLE.
The distinction of being the founder of Jackson- ville unquestionably belongs to Isaiah D. Hart, and he lived to see the town develop into a place of more than 2,000 people. At one time or another, he owned nearly all the land now known as old Jacksonville, and also the most of Hogans's Dona- tion (Springfield). He outlived all the early set- tlers and died in 1861. He was buried in a vault on a plot of ground at the northeast corner of State and Laura Streets, and his resting place was marked with this queer inscription :
When I am dead and in my grave, And these bones are all rotten; When this you see, remember me, That I may not be forgotten.
After the fire of May 3, 1901, his remains were removed to Evergreen Cemetery and the old vault in the city was destroyed.
BIBLIOGRAPHY, CHAPTER IV.
1 History of Florida, Webb.
2 Florida Times-Union and Citizen, January 1, 1900.
3 Memoirs of Florida, Fleming.
4 Florida Reports, Vol. VI, p. 491.
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HISTORY OF EARLY JACKSONVILLE
CHAPTER V.
ORGANIZATION OF LAW AND ORDER.
THE FIRST COURT.
Duval County was created August 12, 1822. On December 16, 1822, the first county court convened at Jacksonville for the transaction of county busi- ness. The Justices were Thomas Reynolds, Wil- liam G. Dawson, Rigdon Brown, and Britton Knight. Thomas Reynolds was the presiding Justice, and George Gibbs was clerk of the court. It was a meeting similar to that of the present county commissioners, vested with like powers, and it met for a like purpose. They proceeded to lay off the county into road districts, apportion the work of building the roads, and did other busi- ness of importance. James Dell was the first sheriff of Duval County, but he moved to Alachua County after serving less than two years. Daniel C. Hart was appointed to fill the vacancy thus made. Hart was afterward appointed U. S. Deputy Marshal, and he held both positions to the time of his death in 1831. In 1824, county affairs were placed under the jurisdiction of three local Judges. The first incumbents under this law were John L. Doggett, F. Bethune, and John Houston, appointed December 30, 18241.
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HISTORY OF EARLY JACKSONVILLE
FIRST GRAND JURY.
The first regular court ever held here convened Monday, December 1, 1823. Hon. Joseph L. Smith was the Judge. Judge Smith was the father of General E. Kirby Smith, Confederate General. The first grand jury was impanelled December 2, 1823, and was composed of the following grand jurors : John Bellamy, Foreman; Stephen J. Eubanks, John Houston, Isaac Tucker, Charles Broward, Seymour Pickett, John Broward, John Price, James Dell, William Matthews, Cotton Rawls, A. G. Loper, Llewellyn Williams, Charles Seton, John D. Braddock, John C. Houston, Nathaniel Wilds, and Stephen Vanzant'. James Dell who served on this jury was probably a kins- man of the Sheriff, James Dell.
FIRST CIVIL CASE.
The first civil case called for trial was that of Ephraim Harrison vs. John D. Vaughan, and was disposed of as follows2:
(In Case) This day came the parties aforesaid, by their attorneys and thereupon came a jury, to wit :- F. D. McDonnell, Lewis Christopher, Britton Knight, James Rouse, William Sparkman, John Higginbotham, David Turner, Matthew H. Philips, John G. Brown, John G. Rushing, William G. Daw- son, and Lewis Thigpen, who were sworn well and truly to try the issue joined between the parties ; and on motion of the plaintiff by his attorney, and
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HISTORY OF EARLY JACKSONVILLE
for reasons appearing satisfactory to the court, it is ordered that the jury be discharged from rendering a verdict herein, and that this cause be continued until the next term, upon the plaintiff paying all costs of the defendant herein expended.
The cause of this action is not stated.
FIRST LAWYER.
Abraham Bellamy was the first lawyer to settle in Jacksonville. He was the son of John Bellamy, one of the commissioners. He built an office near Mr. Brady's house, where he did business for all who came. Most of the early legal papers were drawn up by him2.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
In October, 1823, the County of Duval made an agreement with John L. Doggett for the erection of a court house on the lot donated to the county by Messrs. Chaires and Ross. When the timbers were laid out and ready for framing, the people of the county voluntarily gathered and, under the direction of Seymour Pickett, raised them in two days. This was in the summer of 1825. The struc- ture was 40 feet square, two stories high, with a basement 10 feet in height. It was first supported by large hewn timbers, built up in squares, but this arrangement was only a temporary one. Brick pillars of great size and strength were after- ward built, and the building was correctly leveled and the timbers under it removed. The front was
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HISTORY OF EARLY JACKSONVILLE
to the south, facing Forsyth Street. A long, broad portico, supported also by brick pillars, was be- fore the building, and broad steps led up from the ground on the east and the west. A large double door, perhaps 10 feet high, led in, and broad steps inside led up on the east and the west to the upper story. The windows were numerous and of great size, about 7 feet high and 4 feet wide. To these double shutters, made of white pine, were pro- vided, and closed out the wind and rain, and also the light. They were afterward replaced by sash, when these could be obtained2. In 1834, the Legis- lative Council of the Territory of Florida "autho- rized Joseph B. Lancaster, I. D. Hart, and Wil- liam J. Mills to raise $6,000 by means of lotteries, to complete the court house at Jacksonville1." The building was sufficiently completed, however, in the winter of 1825-26 for use. This court house was known far and wide as the best constructed building in all this part of the country. It was burned by Federal troops, March 29, 1863.
The next public building erected after the court house was a jail; this was in 1827. Its loca- tion was on the southwest corner of Duval and Market Streets. Some years later the building was burned; then the county built a two-roomed brick jail in the court house yard2. This, too, was burned with the court house, in 1863.
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