Faith – Page 2 – Jacksonville Blogger

Daniel Boone Was a Man…He Was a Big Man…

There was a metal monument of Daniel Boone, with his flintlock rifle and his dog placed on a stone at the corner of Bay Street in Jacksonville, Florida. Times Union photographer, Bob Self took a photo of this monument while photographing and profiling the emptying of the 1958- year courthouse. This Boone monument was placed at the corner of that building beneath a group of overgrown trees. I remember it well.

Self, photographer for the Times Union newspaper, wrote that the plaque was placed at the courthouse built in 1902 in November of 1921. Later, it was moved to the 1958 courthouse. I was a kid when I saw the one in Jacksonville, Florida and through the years, I remember seeing it when coming through the back doors with large, open glass at the old courthouse. It was there when I had jury duty back some 10 years ago that we got on and off of the jury bus which took us to lunch.

The marker was placed at the corner of Bay Street by the Courthouse

According to Tommy Townsend who talked with J. Hampton Rich, the organizer of this plaque project, he placed 358 of them from “Virginia Beach to San Francisco”. Jacksonville, Florida got one but why? No one really knows except, Daniel Boone was a folklore character. He was born in 1734 and died in 1820. Being an American pioneer, many still call him one of the “first folk heroes of the United States”. His fame of exploring and settling Kentucky, blazing though the Cumberland Gap and all the while dealing with the Indians. His story went far and wide and exploded for sure when the 1964 Daniel Boone television series came out. Fess Parker played Daniel Boone. Boone was known to be God-fearing and is said to have taken his Bible with him on his excursions.

It is unclear if Boone ever came to Jacksonville, Florida but his marker did and all because of the a campaign to keep the Boone name alive while highlighting and gaining members for the Boone Trail Highway Association. The association would raise money, have monuments made and take them to those who celebrated Boone and his life by their gifts and donations towards the plaques.

The 1958 courthouse was demolished and the new courthouse completed in 2012. The courthouse is gone. The monument is too. I have now walked the current courthouse grounds at 501 West Adams Street to see if it was removed from the old courthouse and placed at the new. I’ll keep you posted if things change but right now… no monument of Daniel.

Each of the markers highlight the fact that the metal is “From Battleship Maine”. The USS Maine (1889) was a Navy ship that sank in the Havana harbor which in simple terms help to bring about the Spanish-American war. The metal was used from that wreckage to make the plaques.

Apparently, Rich started the “Boone Trail Highway Association” to promote highway projects and he said to keep live the name of Daniel Boone. On HMdb. org, there is a “historical data base” that charts the Boone Trail Highway markers. From topics and information, to locations, the list is quite extensive. I did not see Jacksonville on the site though, so there’s that…..When I locate the Jacksonville Boone marker, I’ll up date you and them.

They say, even the great Babe Ruth was a member of his The Daniel Boone Highway Trail Association. While Ruth may have been a member, I feel like the man in Hillsville, Va who wrote: “We had no idea what Maine or Daniel Boone had to do with our town in Hillsville”.

Chester Harding Portrait of Daniel Boone

There are many who feel that same way. We really have no idea what Daniel Boone has to do with Jacksonville except for when we were growing up we would sing his song:

“Daniel Boone was a man Yes, a big man With an eye like an eagle And as tall as a mountain was he Daniel Boone was a man Yes, a big man He was brave, he was fearless And as tough as a mighty oak tree From the coonskin cap on the top of ol’ Dan To the heel of his rawhide shoe The rippin’-est, roarin’-est, fightin’-est man The frontier ever knew Daniel Boone was a man Yes, a big man And he fought for America To make all Americans free.“

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: Openplaques, Daniel Boone Trail Highway Association, Bob Self, Florida Times Union, Wikipedia, Theme song sung by the Imperials, personal visit. 1/29/23

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January 15

Surely The Two Met in Heaven

The famed evangelist, Billy Graham preached his first sermon at Bostwick Baptist Church in Palatka, just south of Jacksonville, Florida in 1937. Only the year before, in 1936, Ralph Eddins would be born in Billy Graham’s home state of North Carolina. Both Northcarolinians, Graham and Eddins would have a passion to proclaim the Gospel of Christ and “be the kind of man my child wants to see”. Graham, a generation before Eddins spent his entire life traveling the world, meeting the most famous, wealthy, prominent and distinctive people in the universe using his influence to spread God’s message of grace.

Graham was an 18-year-old college student “with knocking knees and four borrowed sermons” who preached at the Bostwick Baptist Church to about 40 congregants on Easter Sunday weekend in April of 1937.

YOUNG BILLY GRAHAM WITH TWO OF HIS TEACHERS, JOHN MINDER LEFT AND CECIL UNDERWOOD EASTER SUNDAY 1937. AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH BOSTWICK PALATKA, FLORIDA.(BGA photo).

Ralph Eddins was not yet one year old but God had a plan for him just as he did for Graham. Billy Graham would go on and preach to millions world-wide and often referred to his first opportunity to share the Gospel at Bostwick. Eddins would go forward, end up in Florida, marry Helen, have three children and impact the lives of many far and wide in his own time and place. He would end up in his son, David Eddin’s church at Bostwick just as Graham began there.

Ralph Eddins had his home-going service at Bostwick Baptist Church where his eldest son is now pastor. The Senior Eddins, for almost six decades would proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ telling in serious fashion about God’s grace, forgiveness, mercy and eternal promises. His son, David also, following in his Father’s footsteps is now at Bostwick Baptist proclaiming that same hopeful message. At his Father’s “celebration”, the young Eddins spoke of his Dad’s love of God’s Word and his determination to share it. He spoke about his Dad’s gifts of carpentry and matter-of-fact attitude and how he woke up every day happy with “heaven on his mind”.

Jason, David, Helen, Ralph, Joyce(Photo: Sharon Greenbarg)

David’s son, Nathan also spoke and having been called into the ministry himself, was influenced by his Grandad’s diligence in living out the Gospel of Jesus. He too reminisced about his grandfather being a man of his word, being of strong opinion and never wavering.

From the Bostwick pulpit at his home-going, his daughter told how her Father was “dogmatic, outspoken and opinionated” while always faithful to his calling. Tommy Brown, long time friend and a pastor from North Carolina spoke as well and told of Eddins’ influence on his life.

Eddins was honored with a church full of those who came to celebrate his new life in heaven. There was grieving but not for him. His youngest son, Jason wept for his loss but said he was confident of his excitement waking in heaven. Eddins’ decades of service through the years would be continued by family and friends as eternity was on the mind of all who came to celebrate his life.

As Pastor Tommy Brown put it, “Well done though good and faithful servant”. At Billy Graham’s funeral, the same was said of him. Surely the two met in heaven and indeed with Jesus.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: Churches, Faith, Uncategorized | LEAVE A COMMENT

January 11

The Cemetery and Battle of Blight

Since a visit to the Old City Cemetery on East Union Street, I realize there is a focus by the government of Jacksonville to improve the cemeteries in the city where rot and decay resides. There is though more than one battle of blight where the dead are concerned.

Trying to research the history of the oldest downtown cemetery has piqued my interest and now comes an online map shared by Kelsi Hasden about the whereabouts of another old cemetery near downtown Jacksonville. After looking up St Nicholas Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery on the City Council agenda, I see it’s one of the Black cemeteries getting distinction of being another of the old burial cites and will receive monies provided to improve it. I wanted a closer look. By its name, It was probably a plant by Bethel Baptist from downtown Jacksonville in the 1880’s. Bethel and First Baptist began together in 1838, and was the first Baptist church in the city. Both Black and White members worshipped together.

This morning, I set out to find this southside church and cemetery. The cemetery was once under the care of St. Nicholas Bethel Baptist Church at some point was enclosed with fencing such that unless you know it’s a cemetery, its just a place of broken cement and where roaming feral cats and the possible homeless frequent. While there, I saw broken stones when peeking through the fence and multiple cats as well as a homeless bag-pack. I did not open it.

Using the map provided on the January 5th blog of “The Jaxson” write-up, I was able to go right to the location and photograph the remains of the remains. While looking through the view-finder on my camera I saw a tabby cat, grey Russian blue type and a solid black cat. Living beside an apartment complex and frequenting the dumpster area seemed like a good thing for them. They all appeared full and healthy but ran when I reached towards my camera to zoom closer.

The grounds are completely grown up with wood rot, tree growth and thick brush. Beneath all of that were broken tombstones, cement slabs and obvious lack of care for the dead. The two stones that I found intact were difficult to read but I was happy to see the cross boldly engraved at the top.

Florida Memory. com offers a document of the founding of this church to be 1880, located on “San Diego Road, 1/2 mile from Kings Avenue, South Jacksonville, Duval County.”

At that time this was a white building which was moved to the present site, and remodelled in 1917. It does not say from where it was moved unless it was closer to the cemetery? The present church is slate blue. The pastor is Carl C. Patterson according to the sign out front.

The pastor at the time was J. C. Christopher serving from 1880-1885. It looks as though the city of Jacksonville will allocate funds in order to help get the graveyard cleaned up which will allow respect to be paid to the interments. There appears to be both military and civilian graves in the area. This will be no small job but kudos to the City Council for approving this project. Its current address is 2602 San Diego Road so there is a lot more than a cemetery clean up. There is the history to ponder.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: Cemeteries, Churches, Faith, History | LEAVE A COMMENT

January 1

Hope for Jacksonville in 2023

“Visit Jacksonville’s” first line on Google Search is “Perfectly positioned in Northeast Florida, Jacksonville…”. I love this city. I love her skyline, the waterways, beaches, bridges, woodsy areas, clock, churches and history. I love that the St. Johns river which runs right through the city is only one of a handful of rivers flowing North. (The Nile, Ob, Yenisey and Red river). I love it that Jacksonville’s land area is one of the largest in the nation and that we are a Christian city. (We are if we will just live it out”.)

Jacksonville is also most known for its parks with the largest park system in the nation and its beauty. What a beautiful city we have. Recently, Forbes named Jacksonville, Florida as the 2nd best place to live in the United States.

Of course and certainly could be “the best”.

Jacksonville is considered a city of religious diversity with many faiths represented. According to WJCTNews, Christianity accounts for 94.4 percent of the religiously identified population”. Faith matters in Jacksonville so with that said, I hope and pray that your 2023 year will be filled with God and His work in you. If 94% of Jacksonville would just live out the gift God gave each person, this city could live peaceably before each other, reduce crime, improve our families, homes and community all in one year. It is my God’s power and grace things happen, nothing we do “lest we boast”.

Let the Holy Spirit of God have His way in your life this year. Live for Jesus.( And yes, you’ll err but go forward with apologies to God to do better). “There is none righteous, no not one”.

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11

Source: bibleknowing-jesus.com. WJCTNEWS, Visit Jacksonville

See you tomorrow,

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December 31

It’s Okay To Cry. God Hears…

She was just sobbing, and not just sobbing. Her face was buried in her hands and though I could not hear her weep, I knew she was in a serious cry. I could see the moisture being wiped away from her eyes and her beautiful black face was agonizing. I wish I had known her well enough to ask if I could come to her and let her tell me. Tell me what though? Obviously she had lost a loved one and she was writhing in pain from this loss.

Today, I visited Evergreen Cemetery, the burial grounds of over 80, some say 90,000 souls. The trip was in an effort to get a birthdate for a story I’m working on. I knew the office had a vault that kept detailed records of internments so I was in hopes I could get a date settled in my mind and in addition, I could photograph the grave. After going to the office, getting info about the grave area, I found the grave for which I came. A map was given me and the area was found quickly and in a short time, I was headed to check out other parts of this beautiful area. It is a cemetery but a beautiful one.

After visiting several areas, I started out of the North gate rather than go back through the entire cemetery when I realized the North gate was locked; probably due to it being New Years Eve.

This caused me to round the back behind the mausoleum and there I saw this beautiful Black woman, probably in her 30’s sitting in front of a full area of graves rocking back and forth with her phone in her lap and hands on her face. She was crying and not a mere whimper. I mean she was grieving, crying and in pure lament.

I rolled down my window and asked if I could help her. She nodded, “no”. Then I said, But are you okay?” With a tearful cry, she moaned, “yes” and the full length of her fingers stretched across her eyes. I said “Precious, I’m so very sorry”. “ I just so sorry for your loss”. “I will pray for you and may God bless and be with you”.

Worrying I might be overstepping, I slowly drove away. I wanted to do more. I wanted to say more but was it right for me to even say anything? As I was photographing the front of the cemetery, I saw her car leave the gravesite. I reached out my hands and fingers toward her and prayed in the Name of Jesus for His power and work to take place in her precious life. He knows. He heard her.

See you tomorrow,

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December 29

Matanzas National Monument

Jean Ribault was a French naval officer serving under Admiral Gaspard de Coligny who attempted to colonize in Florida near the mouth of the St. Johns River at Fort Caroline.

With some 150 colonists, he landed on Florida soil and claimed the land for France. As a Huguenot Protestant, his belief in God was strong. In 1565 he founded the Fort Caroline settlement on the St. Johns River , even placing a monument there.

The Spanish who had their own claims to Florida at St. Augustine eventually scattered his group and captured Ribault. The name Matanzas is Spanish for “slaughters” named after the1565 slaughter of Jean Ribault and his group. Being Huguenot, they were as Protestant heretics.

The fort at Matanzas is small but accommodating. You can get their free on a boat ride set forth by the Florida State Parks system. The trip is about an hour long but you can stay longer and there are tables for picnicking.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Faith, Parks, Travel, Visit This | Comments Off

December 21

Jacksonville- “Doing The Most Good”

Don’t we all want to “Do The Most Good”? While shopping at Publix, “Where “Shopping is a pleasure”, I met up with Dell after putting a meager amount into the kettle. ( “Every penny counts”, of course). Actually, while walking completely past her and almost to the car, realized I had some bills in my pocket so I returned to give. She was so happy to have a donor and smiled with great action and verbal gratitude.

The kettle has been around since the 1890’s. Back in that day, a captain had seen someone drop money in a kettle to help the poor. He took the idea for his own and today it is a staple of this organization especially at Christmas.

The Salvation Army was founded by William and Catherine Booth in east London. The movement spread by way of many of its followers of the faith, one being Eliza Shirley who verbally begged the founder to allow it to go to the USA. Through a turn of events and with a team of 8 including George S. Railton and seven ladies, it was brought to America.

The Salvation Army has been in Jacksonville since 1891, a time when the streetcar era was making way to welcome the railroad boom. Only a little over 10 years earlier than the beginning of the Salvation Army’s start on the East Coast, came Henry Plant’s introduction of the street car. This then, moved toward his railroad” intro into the city. This very act made it possible for great amounts of movement, travel, growth and development in and around the city of Jacksonville. This new growth brought a need for an organization of hope, giving of resources and a heart for the homeless and destitute.

The Salvation Army’s mission statement reads:

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and o meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The Salvation Army of Jacksonville provides the following services:
Social Services
Towers Center of Hope
Towers Center of Hope Housing for Men
Red Shield Lodge Shelter for Single Women and Families
Pathway of Hope Program
Holiday Assistance

If you have a heart for this mission statement, you might be interested in taking part in this ministry and do more good.

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Florida Times Union, Google Search, Salvation Army

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December 17

Wreaths Across America

Remember: Our Fallen U. S. Veterans. Honor: Those Who Serve. Teach: Your Children The Value of Freedom.

Freedom is not free. Someone paid the ultimate price and others served with a cost as well.

Alec P. Vaughan, Jr. My Dad.

The Wreaths Across America program happened here in Jacksonville and across the United States on December 17, 2022. The mission is stated above and is a reminder that we must love and protect our freedom.

This year, my 9 year old grandson participated in the laying of wreaths and was able to lay a wreath on the grave of my Father, a World War II vet and a cousin. He also laid a wreath on that of Mema .He laid a wreath by Alec P. Vaughan, Jr., my Dad, his great grandfather and a cousin, Richard Torres. He also laid one by his Mema, Emily Sweet Vaughan and her husband, George Sweet.

There were ceremonies across America including at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. near, Washington, DC., The Nation’s Capital and the boys had a ceremony at the Jacksonville Memory Gardens cemetery.

Remember: Our Fallen U. S. Veterans. Honor: Those Who Serve. Teach: Your Children The Value of Freedom. 12-17-22

See you tomorrow,

Category: Faith, Family, Military | Comments Off

December 14

Jacksonville Celebrates Christmas with Nativity Scenes- Day 14

It is believed that St. Francis of Assisi was credited with having the first nativity scene in 1223. So, given that, the tradition of the manger scene is quite old and of course important in the world of Christian history.

Jacksonville, Florida is not considered to be in the Bible Belt but is “partially” so. Florida’s neighbor, Georgia is in the Bible Belt and while Florida is not considered to be “in” the Belt, it is considered very religious.

According to a search on Google, Jacksonville is considered diverse with various faiths. It also claims 94.4 % Christian. With that said, to see Nativity scenes throughout the city is no surprise.

Today, I was on Lannie Road and saw this Nativity way out in the country. It warmed my heart.12-14-22

See you tomorrow,

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December 10

Parade of Trees- Day 10

Just Outside of Jacksonville in Green Cove

The Parade of Trees is held at Christmas time in Green Cove Springs just south of Jacksonville. Individuals and businesses purchase a tree and decorate it to their own heart. Some are dedicated to those who have gone before them, others to a cause and still others to their business.

We walked by the Baptist Church’s “empty” tree and made the comment that while the church was requesting and executing on getting people’s prayers answered, it needed to do a little work on their boring tree.

This just goes to show you cannot judge a book by its cover. The tree had no ornaments because the sign says to “take an ornament” off of the tree. We had a good laugh. Good for the Church, giving as usual.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Churches, Faith, Holidays, Travel | LEAVE A COMMENT