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Palatka's Confederate Veterans
Obituaries
| Dr. George Elias Hawes | Reverend J. W. Thomas of Peniel
| General J. J. Dickison | Capt. John Dulaney Points, Sr. |
| Major Jesse Landon Burton | Judge
James Burt | Francis Littlebury Dancy | William Dunn Moseley | Colonel Hubbard L. Hart |
| Capt.
Richard Joseph Adams | Dr. Francis Marion Mc Meekin | Dr.
George Elias Hawes | Honorable John H. Harp |
| John
Francis Tenney |
Capt. Winston J. T. Stephens
| Mr. Henry Herbert Bryant |
30
October 1896--Death of Dr. George Elias Hawes,
he was born in South Carolina in 1816, moved to Florida in 1846, and then to Palatka in
1854. He died October 28, 1896.
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August
31, 1899--Death of Reverend J. W. Thomas
of Peniel, which occurred August 25th. He died of lumbago, in the 76th year
of his age. Born in Barnwell, South Carolina and removed to Florida in 1854, stopping in
Alachua county for three years when he settled on his place at Peniel. He was a gallant
Confederate Soldier and was in Dickison's command when the Federal gunboat
"Columbine: was captured at Horse Landing. A widow, two daughters, four sons survive
him. Interred at Peniel Cemetery.
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Death
of General J. J. Dickison reported
on August 28, 1902 . Florida's Hero Soldier Passes Away at Ocala. The Passing away of Gen.
J. J. Dickison at his home in Ocala last Saturday night removes an historic figure.
He was distinctly the soldier hero of the state, and has often been referred to as the
"Marion of Florida."
Gen. Dickinson{sic} was born in South Carolina, in which state his boyhood days were
passed. The family then removed to Florida.
When the Florida people organized for defense as soon as the state seceded, amongst the
foremost in raising companies was J. J. Dickison, whose preference led him to raise a
company of cavalry, which, however, was changed to artillery, of which Dickison was made
first lieutenant; John M. Martin, captain. After various services until May 1862,
Lieutenant Dickison, on the orders of General Finnegan, raised a company of cavalry, which
went into service as Company "H" Second Florida regiment for three years of the
war. Very soon this cavalry company was in the enemy's front at Palatka. The Federals were
at the time making demonstrations along the St. Johns river and attempting to open the way
to overrun all Florida. Their enterprise gave Dickison early and many opportunities to
show his daring and skill, which he did near St. Augustine and Palatka. The Confederates
were forced to evacuate Jacksonville, after which misfortune Dickison's command guarded
for several months the larger part of Florida which lies between Symrna and St. Augustine,
and their next service was at the honor post of outpost duty, to which they were assigned
by Colonel Scott. During the active scouting and skirmishes which attended the discharge
of this important assignment, they not only gave valuable information as to the enemy's
movements, but fought a number of little battles. The skirmishing was, in fact, nearly
incessant, in which Captain Dickison demonstrated the efficiency of his fine company, as
well as his fitness to command them. In these first, as well as in subsequent campaigns,
he won frequent commendations in general orders, and made himself secure in the confidence
of his men. The month of May 1864, is especially notable for many exploits, bravely,
skillfully and successfully considerable detachments of the enemy at Welaka and Fort
Butler. Various annoying and damaging attacks were also made upon the Federal gunboats and
transports on the St. Johns River by the Confederate Cavalrymen with their artillery. In
one of the engagements Captain Dickison forced the surrendered of the Columbine, a new and
superior Federal vessel, whose gallant men, 148 in number, defended their boat until over
half had been killed.
Many of Dickison's movements during the time he kept the enemy from overrunning the State
calls to mind the career of Marion, the South Carolina partisan ranger of the
Revolutionary War. The same shrewdness, daring and military mother wit belonged to both of
these heroes. The general field of his operations included the part of Florida which the
enemy greatly desired to occupy, but he baffled them at all points and surprised them by
the celerity of his movements. After the gunboat achievement there was further fighting
near Palatka, and then a hot pursuit of the Federal raiding force, with fighting at
Baldwin, Fort Butler, Waldo, and Gainesville, August 17, 1864, when Dickison gained a
complete victory. The battles succeeding these brilliant affairs were near Green Coves
Springs, ST. Augustine, Braddock's Farm near Crescent City and No., 4, closing only with
the tidings of Lee's surrender. After Appomattox this brace and tireless leader and his
brave men surrendered under a spirited protest, and were paroled at Waldo.
After the war Captain Dickison remained in Florida, among people who honored him for his
remarkable military service.
He became major general of State Troops in 1888, and was also chosen commander of the
Florida division. United Confederate Veterans, which high and honored position he held
continuously until about three years ago, then being made honorary commander.
Gen. Dickison also served with distinction in the office of Adjutant General of the State
for four years, entering upon his office in 1877, under Governor Drew; and also served
during the early eighties as Treasurer of Marion County.
He was in his eighty-eight year at the time of his death.
The funeral took place at Jacksonville, Tuesday, the service being conducted at Rt. Rev.
E. G. Weed, Bishop of Florida. After the service the march to the grave was headed by
detachment of police, two infantry companies, the hearse and pall-bearers, the Confederate
veterans, and Martha Reid Chapter, of Daughters of the Confederacy.
The sword of General Dickison rested on the casket, which was of gray, and a Confederate
flag disclosed its folds under beautiful flowers and the general himself was dressed in
the Confederate uniform, it having been his wish that he should be thus buried.
Gen. Dickison's son was killed in an engagement with Federal troops on the hill now
occupied by West View cemetery, Palatka. Among citizens now living in and around Palatka
who were soldiers in Dickison's command, may be mentioned Capt. R. J. Adams, Geo.
Wethersby, Wm. Ivers, Alex. Granger, N. O. Davis and J. B. Hazel.
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CAPTAIN JOHN DULANEY POINTS, SR.
died April 8th. He had been prominent for the past 30 years in political, social, and
business life. He died at the home of his son, J. D. Jr. on Riverside Drive.
He came to Palatka in 1885, and became associated with Kennerly & Co. When Martin
Griffin a member of the firm branched and formed his own company, Points went with him
managed the plumbing department. He was prominent in local Palatka matters and served on
the Democratic Committee, served as a City Alderman, and as a one term mayor.
He had served as a private in the C. S. A., from Monticello, VA, Guards. Participated in
the capture of Harper's Ferry, enlisted as private in Co. A. 19th Reg. VA Inf.
Participated in Battles of Manassas, Bull Run, Williamsburg, 2nd Manassas, Fredericksburg,
Gettysburg, & charge of Picketts men on Cemetery Hill. he fought at Bermuda Harbor,
Cold Harbor, & Seven Pines at Five forks. Wounded at the battle of Seven Pines,
recovered three months and returned to regiment. Had Captain Points lived until today, he
would have celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the surrender of Lee's Army. He is survived
by 3 sons, and 2 daughters. Joseph S. & W. A. of New Orleans, J. D. of Palatka, Mrs.
Thomas Shehan, of Hagerstown MD and Mrs. P. J. Sey of New Orleans.
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MAJOR JESSE LANDON BURTON , son of
John Hudson and Mrs. Elizabeth Whitworth Hooper Burton, she had two sons that went to
Texas, she was from Campbell Virginia, and died in 1850. John Hudson was a pioneer of
Alabama, coming from Campbell County, Virginia and died in 1867.
Major Burton was born in Greensboro, Alabama, April 18, 1838. Enlisted in 1861, in Company
"D", Eleventh Ala Reg., which was part of the Wilcox's Brigade. Wounded seven
times. He enlisted as a color bearer, and was promoted to the rank of major for his
meritorious conduct. One of his would lacerated his skull in the Battle of Petersburg. He
carried a one ounce mini ball in his shoulder blade that was from the Second Battle of
Manassas.
After the end of the war, around 1868, Major Burton moved from Alabama, to Crescent City
where he built "his first palmetto shack". He homesteaded 164 acres west of
Crescent City, and sold it to G. R. Griffin and Company for $250. He had a deep interest
in agriculture, and the orange culture and developed new fruit.
Major Burton was a very active democrat serving as the first democratic tax assessor after
reconstruction. He also served as a justice of the peace, and a lay lawyer, although he
never passed the bar.
Major Jesse L. Burton who died at his home on Sunday. (Information taken from Chapin's
Floridiana) He was the son of John Hudson & Mrs. Elizabeth Whitworth Hooper Burton,
she was from Campbell, Va, and died in 1850. John H. a pioneer of Alabama, he died in
1867. Major Burton enlisted in 1861 in Co. D. 11th Alabama Regular, and was part of
Wilcox's Brigade. He had 7 bullet wounds as a result of the war. He enlisted as a color
bearer and was promoted to major. He was put in command of a battalion of sharp shooters.
Six of his wounds were flesh wounds, the 7th caused by a piece of exploding shell and
entered and lacerated his skull at Peterburg.
He was wounded in his left shoulder and carried a 1 oz ball from the Second battle of
Manassas, his left arm & hand show heavy bullet scars. He was only absent for 60 days
from his regiment.
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JUDGE JAMES BURT, the original developer of
the Town of Palatka,
Putnam County, State of Florida, was Born September 28, 1825, in Rutland, Vermont. In 1852
he moved to Palatka.
His elder brother George had been set up in mercantile business in St. Augustine, Florida,
and had helped establish the like business of R. R. Reid & Company in Palatka,
Florida. But the company failed,due to land speculations. James was called in to help make
readjustments.
Judge Isaac H. Bronson, of St. Augustine, judge of the U. S. court, had taken up his
residence in the town to act as trustee of the bankrupt company. In a compromise
settlement with creditors, the land involved, being known as the Palatka Tract, the Belton
Copp Grant of 1, 200 acres, was taken over by George Burt, B. C. Carr and Judge Bronson,
the judge taking interest in lieu of legal fees involved. The judge then advised the
entire tract be deeded to James Burt carte blanc to administer in the best interest of all
parties concerned and it was so done.
Episcopal church services were first held in the building James had set up a mission with
18 members, other denominations also attending, he had been appointed layreader by Bishop
Whipp who in 1853 organized the gathering into St. Mark's Parish and James started a
building fund and gave a lot for the city. He secured the services of Richard Upjohn,
famous rural church architect of the U. S. A. who designed Old Trinity of New York, to
design the little church and James supervised the building, part of the frame being hand
hewn and shingles handsplit. At the first Christmas service held therein James used as the
Christmas tree an orange tree with all its golden fruit. The church was consecrated by
Bishop Rutledge in 1858. Its cherry wood off tree planted by James. A brass chancel rail
honors James.
In 1853 James and Judge Putnam promoted a movement to organize the Florida Historical
Society .
In 1854 James Burt became the first banker of Palatka. He was appointed agent for the Bank
of Charleston. By 1860 he was also representing the Peoples Bank of Charleston, the State
Bank of Florida and Bank of St. Johns.
In 1855 the governor appointed him a county commissioner and re-appointed him in 1857.
In 1858 Governor Perry commissioned him as a delegate to the Southern Commercial
Convention held in Montgomery, Alabama.
The 1859 The Federal Government appointed James Burt Postmaster of Palatka.
In 1859 James Burt was elected the first Probate Judge of Putnam County and filled that
office until after the war.
In 1862 Judge James Burt was appointed by the governor receiver or salesman of Public
Lands for the Eastern Circuit of Florida..
During the Civil War he was exempt from military duty for being in state employ. But he
organized and headed the Home Guards of the district; he was an expert rifleman. Before
the federal gunboats arrived at Palatka he assembled all valuable public records and with
a group of citizens moved to camp west of the town at Orange Springs.But a large
assortment of citizens' valuables were lost when a slave betrayed their burial place under
the floor of a residence. In 1865 Judge Burt received his pardon from President Andrew
Johnson.
In 1866 Judge Burt received a commission from Governor Walker appointing him Judge of the
Criminal Court of Putnam County.
Palatka Heights, mile west of town, was topped with fine new homes in midst of beautiful
orange groves. The judge was enthusiastic about the site, purchased 40 acres there,
subdivided it ordered a mansion built on a ten acre section and began transplantinglarge
orange trees there. In December of 1884, he moved his family out of Palatka to the new
home on The Heights, a towered three-story mansion of 18 rooms, at the rear a large barn
and henhouse with a ten-acre grove adjoining.
In November of 1884 a devastating fire destroyed the business center of Palatka. Judge
Burt lost nothing in the fire, but the Aetna Insurance Co., he represented was much
involved.
In 1886 Judge Burt secured a charter incorporating the town of Palatka Heights which
blanketed the western boundary of Palatka which prevented the town from absorbing the fine
homes and valuable groves for taxation. He served as its mayor. He then promoted the
Putnam County Academy, gave half a block for the cite, bonded the town to erect a towered
two story building thereon and organized a graded school which drew the children out of
Palatka and forced the county to erect a graded school, it later became known as the Burt
School. He still maintained his realty office in Palatka handling lots as trustee of part
of the Palatka Tract,
Judge James Burt died January 30, 1907, aged 81 years. He was interred in West View
cemetery.
In 1919 the Burt Mansion was consumed by fire and the family moved into the formerly known
Conant Mansion on Emmett street of Palatka and there Mrs. Fanny H. Russell Burt passed
Away May 27, 1926.
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FRANCIS LITTLEBURY DANCY, known as
Colonel Dancy, married the daughter of Territorial Governor, Robert Raymond Reid, Florida
Forsyth Reid on October 17, 1833. Dancy was born in North Carolina, perhaps Edgecomb
County. He was the son of Edwin Dancy and Lucy Knight. He was born on February 6, 1906,
and died October 27, 1890, and buried at his homeplace at Buena Vista, Florida. Florida
Forsyth Reid was born March 12, 1819, at Augusta, Georgia and died April 16, 1894, and
buried at Buena Vista, Florida. Colonel Dancy was sent to St. Augustine to help build the
sea wall there the first work of its kind. He had attended West Point and graduated there
in June 1826. He resigned from the army September 11, 1836, and became a civil engineer
from 1836-1838, and helped repair old Ft. Marion. He was at one time the Mayor of St.
Auguustine.
He was elected colonel of the 13th militia regiment of Florida. And attended West Point
with Generals Lee and Jackson as schoolmates, after graduating he was sent to Florida to
take charge of troops for the Seminol Wars. He served under General Harrison who was in
command of the U. S. Troops at St. Augustine, and who was a friend of Osceola.
During the outbreak of the Civil War, he was adjutant general of Florida, and it was he
who ordered the Florida troops into the service of the Confederacy. He later retired to
his country place, Buena Vista, and indulged in orange culture during his later life. All
tangerine trees in Florida and Cuba were originally developed from his groves which were
among the finest in the south. Among some of the varieties that he developed were
"Dancy's tangerine", or "Kidglove" orange, which became widely known
statewide and in other states.
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WILLIAM DUNN MOSELEY, first elected
governor of the State of Florida in 1845. He was born in Lenoir County, North Carolina in
1795, and died in Palatka January 1, 1863. He was educated at the University of North
Carolina, and was a classmate of James K. Polk. He was a senator of N. C. from 1829-1838,
and came within one vote of being elected governor of North Carolina. His main emphasis
was the common school, for the common man, which was supported by land taxes.
Governor Moseley, moved to the area after his term expired. His children, and son-in-law,
Dr. Nathaniel Moragne, one of the first pharmacist in the state resided here. He owned
considerable property here prior to the Civil War, and supposedly, his home, was converted
to a hospital for the Confederate soldiers. The freed blacks burned it down during the
night. Moseley, was taken aboard the Federal gunboat and was almost taken prisoner, until
Mrs. Mary Emily Boyd interceded on his behalf.
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COLONEL HUBBARD L. HART, born at
Guilford, Wandham County, Vermont, May 4, 1827. He died at Atlanta, Georgia on December
12, 1895, after he sustained a fall from disembarking from a street car. After receiving a
"fair education", Hart moved south in 1848, he settled on Savannah, Georgia, in
1852, where he purchased the stage line between Savannah and Darien. In July of 1855, he
sold his interest and moved to Florida, where he opened up the stage line from Palatka to
Tampa.
In 1860, he purchased wharf property and began forwarding, receiving and commission
business, in connection with his general store business. It was at this time that he
thought of placing steamships on the Ocklawaha. The first vessel was the "JAMES
BURT", followed by a neat and attractive steamer "SILVER SPRINGS". The
outbreak of the civil war put an end temporarily to his plants. He entered the services of
the C. S. A. as an assistant quartermaster, and was assigned to duty in the Florida
division.
During the war, both the "JAMES BURT" and the "SILVER SPRINGS" were
used by the Confederacy, Hart ferried goods upstream so they could be transported by the
blockade runners, until the Federal gunboats made their appearance on the river.
At the close of the war, he once again went to work to rebuild the ruined fortune of his
adopted commonwealth. He resumed the work of opening the navigation of the Ocklawaha
River, and built and managed a nice line of steamers. During this time he also noted the
need for accomodating the influx of tourist, so he established the Putnam House, which
obtained a national reputation. It was destroyed in the great fire of 1884. Hart continued
to work on removing obstruction in the Ocklawaha, and completed the work in 1868. This was
the grand achievement of his life and made an outlet to the famous region of Lake Griffin,
Lake Eustis, Lake Dora, Harris, and Dunham. It opened up to navigation a stream whose
tortous windings and exotic scenery made it the most wonderful stream in the Western
Hemisphere.
He was maried twice, the first wife was Mary Adams, the sister of R. J. Adams, who was
from Cavendish, Vermont. She died in 1880, his second wife was Cecilia Thompson of Boston,
Mass, who married him in 1884. Her brothers ran Hart Line Steamers after Hart's demise.
During the Boom of the 1880's, one of highlights for the tourist was to visit Hart's
Garden, and to go to Hart Point, and visit a Florida orange grove, and pick the fruit.
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CAPT. RICHARD JOSEPH ADAMS, one of
Palatka's pioneer residents, was born at Cavendish,Windsor County, Vermont, May 3rd 1833,
and after receiving his education went to Boston and clerked in a mercantile establishment
until he moved to Palatka October 5, 1856 where he resided for a term of 56 years-a period
exceeded by no man except perhaps Capt. Dunham of East Palatka. He soon became active in
the industrial life of this community. He was a trustee for the first issue of city bonds,
and had served as city treasurer and a member of city council. He was a man of decided
opinions and was noted for his strict honesty and sterling integrity. Of him it was often
truly said that "his word was as good as his bond.: He was a charter member of the
Veteran Association of Palatka, the first organization of its kind to be formed in the
state, probably in the South.His first occupation after arriving was as driver of a stage
between Palatka and Tampa. This was known as "Hart's Stage Line," and was the
only mode of travel in those pioneer days. At the outbreak of the Civil War he began
serving the Confederacy .
"R. J. Adams joined Norton's company but did not enlist. He was ordered to Indian
River by Col. Dilworth and for two years was detailed in the Quartermaster's Department,
being enrolled in Company "H" Fifth Battalion, Florida Cavalry. During the
expedition to St. Johns Bluff, he had charge of the wagons,and after the evacuation, was
left with the teams on the east side of the river, to get out as best he could. By dint of
hard work and much worry he managed to swim the creeks with his animals, got out to Waldo
and reported to his command near Jacksonville. He was ordered to Waldo and after stationed
there for some time afterward was in charge of the wagon train between Bayport and Archer.
For a month he was engaged in transporting blockade goods between these points. Later, he
was stationed at Gainesville in the quartermaster's department and furnished supplies to
all the commands east and south of Suwannee river. In 1864 he was relieved by Major
Hamilton and ordered to Fort Meade with supplies for Dickinson(Dickison). He was met by
that officer at the flat ford of the Hillsboro River, but was afterward taken prisoner by
deserters and his wagon train burned. Later, after travelling through Alachua, Levy and
Hernando counties, he got to Lake City and joined General Finegan at Olustee, where he
helped in the care of the wounded. He was next ordered to furnish commissary supplies from
his wagon train until he joined Finegan at Camp Milton, where he remained until the
brigade was ordered back to Florida from Quitman, and there he remained until the
surrender. One of his later services was to take the machinery off the gunboat Columbine
from Horse Landing to Waldo by wagon.
Capt. Adams was paroled at Waldo in May 1865. He returned to Palatka and assumed the
command of the Hart Line Steamer "Silver Springs" which for some time was a
(only?) boat on the river, as all others had been captured by the Federals. Later he was
captain of the steamer "Ocklawaha," the first regular passenger boat in the
river service. On September 21, 1869, at Orange Springs he was married to Miss F. Holland,
of Madison, Ga. In 1872, he engaged in the grocery business here, but soon disposed of it
in order to become agent for various steamer lines, and in this agency he actively
continued until his final illness.
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DR. FRANCIS MARION MC MEEKIN,
born in Union County, South Carolina, January 14, 1830. He received his basic education in
his home area, and after deciding on a career in medicine, he entered Fairfield County,
where he was apprenticed to a local physician prior to medical school. He graduated in
1855, from Medical College of the State of South Carolina, in Charleston. He returned to
Union County to practice medicine and in 1857, he and his bride moved to Florida,
purchasing a large tract in western Putnam County, four miles east of Hawthorne.
He entered the service of the Confederacy at Camp McCarthy, (Orange Springs area) on May
12, 1862, and was given the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and assigned to the 6th Fla Battalion ,
Co. B, commanded by Capt. J. W. Pearson. He was at the Battle of Olustee, and also part of
the Ninth Florida Infantry Regiment that was transferred to Virginia.
He was at the battles of Cold Harbor, where he was wounded. When he was mustered out in
April 1865, he held the rank of First Lieutentant, and he was probably required to take
the oath of allegiance to the U. S.
After the war, he returned to Putnam County, and resumed his love of farming and
doctoring. Not until 1876 did he emerge as a public figure, when he ran for office of the
State Senate, which he won. In 1880 he ran for the State Assembly (House), with another
Putnam Physician, Dr. L. L. Newsom, however he apparently lost. Dr. McMeekin died on his
plantation home on August 8, 1889, and is buried at Ockwilla Cemetery.
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DR. GEORGE ELIAS HAWES, born in South
Carolina in 1816, moved to
Florida in 1846, and then to Palatka in 1854. He died October 28, 1896. While the women,
children and older residents of the town of Palatka had taken refuge in the community of
Orange Springs, the town was defended by Dickison and his troops. To show their graditude
they each contributed some bit of silver, a spoon, or a comb, and also the services of Dr.
Hawes. He turned silversmith and melted down these offerings and hammered from the mass a
handsome pair of silver spurs. They were presented to Dickison by a committee of matrons
with a notation as follows: "Never were spurs more nobly won, never would they have
been more gallantly worn, had 'forturned favored the brave,' Your name has long been a
household word, our prayers and blessings have followed, and will continue to follow you
through life. In the sacred endearments of home, may you forget the hardships of war. Not
for their intrinsic value would we offer them-made in our little village, from old
heirlooms and relics of silver long presrved with scrupulous care, melted in a crucible
cut from a firebrick, fashioned entirely with a hammer by our kind friend, Dr. Geo. E.
Hawes-but as a parting gift. God bless our own
brave Dickison!" Mrs. H. L. Hart, Mrs. J. W. Pearson, Mrs. F. L. Freyer and
others."
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HONORABLE JOHN H. HARP, born in
Crawford, Georgia, near Knoxville, January 21, 1845. His parents were Martin L. and Sarah
Horsley Harp. His parents moved to Texas about 1880, and died at Atlanta, Texas. John was
one of ten children, nine sons, and one daughter. Three of the sons were killed in battle
while serving in Georgia regiments in the Civil War. He enlisted at the age of 17, as a
member of the First Georgia Regiment, was wounded at the battle of Coorsahatchee, and
reenlisted in the Fifth Georgia Regiment, and served until he was mustered out at the end
of the war. He was also wounded at the battle of Chickamuga.
After the war, he resumed farming in Terrell County, Georgia for three years, he then went
to Louisiana, until 1872, when he moved to Florida. He homesteaded property located near
Crescent City, on the west bank of Lake Stella. He built his home in 1891, on his 320
acres of land, where he engaged in farming and orange growing, he had 40 acres in citrus.
His property was known as ECHO GROVE.
He served for twelve years as a justice of the peace, eight years a member of the Board of
Public Instruction, and six years a representative in the state legislature. He was a
lifelong democrat, a member of the Knight Templar, Mason.
Harp served as Major General Commander of the Florida Division of United Confederate
Veterans from 1921-1924. He was President of Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home, in
Jacksonville, Florida, from 1924-1929, as well as being involved with the Blue and Gray
Association. In fact two of his warm friends and neighbors were prisoners under his
control during the Civil War.
On November 23, 1865, he married Miss Mary E. Mott of Ellaville, Georgia, the daughter of
Joseph and Sarah Eubanks Mott. They had six children, Mary Lillian the wife of Leonard
Eaton, Sarah Anna, wife of R. F. Adams, Joseph M., Alice Irene, wife of Robert B. Young,
Emmett Wallace, . After the death of his first wife, on January 8, 1902, he remarried on
the 19th of December 1903, to Miss Fannie Loyless, the daughter of Reverend E. B. Loyless,
of Dawson, Georgia. She had been a schoolmate, and resided on the adjoining plantation.
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JOHN FRANCIS TENNEY a resident of the
Federal Point area prior to the Civil War around 1859. He left in 1861 to return north. He
was born in Randolph, Vermont, June 6, 1830, and decided to move south where he engaged in
lumber and hotel keeping. He later became known as "SQUIRE TENNEY", he was a
justice of the peace, the postmaster for Federal Point, author, his publication, SLAVERY,
SECESSION and the SOUTH, told of this area prior to the outbreak of the war, and what was
encountered afterwards.
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CAPTAIN WINSTON J. T. STEPHENS,
born in Oglethorpe County, Georgia about 1829. It is thought that his father could have
been, Thomas Peter Goosby Stephens, and his mother, Mary Ann Stephens, moved to Alabama
around 1834. He apparently died there, because she remarried and moved to Florida around
1846. Her husband, Lewis Gaines, and the family settled near Ocala, where they owned a
considerable amount of land, they owned several slaves in the 1850 census. Winston joined
the army as a volunteer in the last of the Seminole wars. His career in the service made
him somewhat of a hero in both Marion and Putnam County society in which he lived. He was
credited with capturing 19 Indians in the Everglades. After other accolades, he was
promoted to lieutentant-colonel.
He was mustered out of service of the mounted volunteers of the Florida Regiment on
January 26, 1858. He then retuned to his home in Welaka. His brother, William Clark
Stephens had moved into the area from Marion County, and was married to Augustina Fleming,
their home was the center of family and community socials.
Winston and Octavia Bryant , Colonel James W. Bryant's only daughter, were courting from
around 1856. The Colonel, discouraged the relationship, because of Octavia's youth, and
the hopes of finding a better match for her. Although the Colonel was important socially
as well as politically, although his material wealth was not overwhelming. He did not want
his educated and sophisticated daughter to wed a farmer, however, they went against his
wishes and married while he was out of town. They married November 1, 1859, a few days
after her eighteenth birthday.
Stephens was very active in the political life around the growning county. His name
appears many times in the jury venire, in the early county commissioners books, and other
places where he was assigned duties.
After the firing on Ft. Sumter, many of the southern citizens decided to show their
patriotism by enlisting in local militias. Octavia's family were divided in their
loyalities, their father fled to the North, while two of her brothers enlisted in the
Confederate Army. Winston had enlisted in General Benjamin Hopkins' company, as a first
lieutenant, he stated that he could have been elected Captain, if he had allowed his name
in opposition of Hopkins. The militia company did not march away until October of 1861.
Throughout the war, Winston and Octavia corresponded, their letters and her diary are
currently housed in the P. K. Yonge Library, at Gainesville. They tell of the hardships
endured on both sides of the war, his and hers' as the manager of their plantation, ROSE
COTTAGE. The last letter written to Octavia, Winston stated that he was sick of war, and
all of its horrors, etc., the next day he was killed at the Battle of Olustee, however,
this was not all that Octavia had to endure, her mother died the next day, and her baby
was born prematurally.
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MR. HENRY HERBERT BRYANT, one of the
Confedeate verterans, who lived in Welaka, moved there in 1867. He was born in
Jacksonville, on August 12, 1847. His parents were James W. and Rebecca Hawthorne (Hall)
Bryant. His father was born in New Hampshire, in 1812, and his mother was from Boston. His
mother died at Thomasville, Georgia in March of 1864, and his father returned north, to
New Jersey, where he worked in the publishing at New York. He died at Bloomfield, New
Jersey August 6, 1867. Henry served in the Confederate Army, as a member of Abell's
Battery, Johnson's Army. He was surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina, and was paroled
May 3, 1865. In 1867, he returned to Welaka, and engaged in farming and fruit growing, and
also had charge of the wharf on the St. Johns River at Welaka. He was a notary public, and
filled offices of tax collector and assessor for Welaka. His father was a member of the
Whig party, and Henry became an early supporter of the democratic principles. On June
22nd, 1875, he married Miss Mary J. Stephens, who was born near Ocala. The Bryant Family
was one of the oldest in the Welaka area, when they arrived there was still evidence of
Indian Activity. When they returned after the war, there were only two families living in
Welaka. Mr. Bryant's home and his father-in-laws were burned during the Federal occupation
of the St. Johns River.
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